[RE-wrenches] Adding battery to grid tie

Sat Aug 9 14:12:56 PDT 2025

With the MNP AIO You can use an AC couple array at the same time as the
Generator. But.... If the AC coupled input is larger than the
Generator input, the Gen set relay will open to protect the Generator.

On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Thx I looked it up.
> But according to midnite they don’t recommend a only ac coupled system.
>
> Jay
>
> On Aug 9, 2025, at 12:53 PM, Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> The Midnite Power AIO has inputs for grid, generator, AC coupling and
> another smart load. I have not used both generator and AC coupling to see
> how it acts if both are active at the same time, but at least the inputs
> are there for them both.
>
> On Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 2:33 PM Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> 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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