[RE-wrenches] Adding battery to grid tie

Sat Aug 9 11:32:14 PDT 2025

Jason, Wrenches,
Consensus well that may not be the correct word to use, personally l have
used Solark for retrofitting systems that already have GT type inverters,
if you go with AC Coupling then the gen set connection is a little more
complicated but very doable.
Funtimes

On Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 11:26 AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> I go with "Backup Loads" on my drawings.
>
> Tesla will not charge from a generator. But you can obviously have a
> generator power the loads via a transfer switch if the battery is
> completely depleted. It's not the best solution, for sure.
>
>
> Jason Szumlanski
> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM jay via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Yeah I’ve given up trying to correct people on that one.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Aug 9, 2025, at 11:26 AM, Foxfire Energy via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> Umm, just an FYI, I actually got dinged for labeling the AC output panel
>> from a battery backup inverter as "Critical Loads".. Critical loads
>> (Critical Branch circuits) are defined in article 100 of the NEC as
>> circuits associated with Patient Care.. AC loads from battery backup
>> inverters are more appropriately defined as "Dedicated Loads"..
>> Maybe someone could correct me here, but I'm under the impression most
>> garden-variety inverters are not rated for Critical Load applications.
>> db
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on
>> behalf of William Miller via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>> *Sent:* Saturday, August 9, 2025 1:03 PM
>> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>> *Cc:* William Miller <william at millersolar.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Adding battery to grid tie
>>
>> Correct me if I'm wrong:  I believe AIOs can accept AC coupled power
>> through the load ‘output’ port. That leaves the Grid and Gen inputs free
>> for their roles as labelled.
>>
>> The AC coupled inverters connect via a breaker in the critical loads
>> panel.
>>
>>
>> William Miller
>> Miller Solar.com
>> 805-438-5600
>> www.millersolar.com
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 9:50 AM david quattro via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> True.  if you want to do grid, gen, and AC Couple then you need a
>> transfer switch or contactor.
>>        Likewise I haven’t touched a Powerwall, nor an Enphase battery.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 9:36 AM jay via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> One big issue with the AIO’s is that you can’t do grid, generator and ac
>> coupling to the best of my understanding
>>
>> I do like the idea of just removing the old GT inverter and stuffing that
>> into the AIO, elegant
>>
>> yes its my understanding that Tesla won’t accept generator.  While many
>> are pissed off at eg4, I won’t touch tesla.
>>
>> and FYI you can buy the same inverter at Fortress.
>>
>> thanks everyone.
>>
>> jay
>>
>>
>>
>> On Aug 9, 2025, at 10:28 AM, Tyrone Houck via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> Midnite AIO and Sol-Ark both work great for AC coupling in my experience.
>> If anyone is new to "All In One" inverters I recommend having tech support
>> walk you through commissioning, check firmware, etc. the first time.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 8:47 AM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> Two options:
>>
>> 1. AC couple existing inverter to a battery capable inverter.
>>
>> 2. Replace existing inverter.
>>
>> I favor option 2.
>>
>> Option 1 is only preferred if gaining access to the existing inverter for
>> replacement is difficult. An example would be a micro-inverter system.
>>
>> New AIO inverters allow true high voltage PV input so the existing
>> stringing will probably not need to be modified.
>>
>> I’m new to this so type of upgrade so I welcome any corrections to these
>> opinions.  I did replace a Sunny Boy in my shop with a Soul Ark and it’s
>> working great!
>>
>> William Miller
>> Miller Solar.com
>> 805-438-5600
>> www.millersolar.com
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 8:26 AM Jay via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> Is there a consensus as to what equipment to use for adding battery
>> backup to normal GT inverter?
>>
>>
>>
>> I’ve had a few people ask and I actually haven’t done it.
>>
>> Thx
>> Jay
>>
>>
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