[RE-wrenches] The Stupid Outlet

[Hilton Dier III]

With the talk about heating battery banks on the list lately I thought 
I'd share fix that I did last year. I have an off grid customer with a 
place used by an extended family. They were engaging in the usual 
mission creep. Maybe mission leap would be a better expression. Anyway, 
they were plugging in stupid things and periodically crashing the 
battery bank.

I got a 6x6 metal box and put a standard 120V outlet in it, as well as a 
40A* rated solid state relay. There's a heavy duty extension cord coming 
out of it and a control wire for the relay. I stuck it on the wall next 
to the Outback panel, wired it into an aux relay, and plugged it into 
the outlet on the side of the panel. I programmed the system to only 
turn on the relay/outlet when the battery voltage was 56.8V or higher. 
The battery pack would have to be charged and the sun shining to turn on 
the outlet.

I (privately) call it the Stupid Outlet. I suppose, to be kind, I should 
call it the Ignorant Outlet, but I've been over this with them a few 
times. I told the clients that if they had any question at all about 
whether they should plug something in, plug it into the gray box. For 
example, they have a dehumidifier they want to use in the basement. 
About 450 watts. Into the Stupid Outlet it goes. It only runs when the 
sun is shining. It reduces my stress level. I suppose you could tell 
clients it is the Sunshine Outlet.

*40A because I want it to be 2x oversized for absolute durability.

-- 
Hilton Dier III
Missisquoi River Hydro
Renewable Energy Design
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