It would be good to know how much energy the wind turbines have been producing,
if any, if that information is even available. Eight batteries per inverter? Two
separate banks? They installed the system? DIY? In any event, it sounds like a
situation you want to approach with caution. The crux of the problem may be they
now use the grid to charge the batteries which power the inverters which power
the loads, instead of directly supplying the loads with  the grid.

Dick Ratico


--- You wrote:
The system only uses grid power to charge batteries, they have two FX3048T in
parallel so I don't think the meter is the issue.

They did send me a picture of the two wind towers, one is 20 feet off the ground
and one is 60 feet off the ground... No wind would be an understatement. 



Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 24, 2012, at 7:43 AM, David Katz <dkatz@aeesolar.com> wrote:

> Check to see if their meter goes backwards.  Some utility meters actually
charge for power when you are selling.
> Or maybe they have no wind and a new big flat screen tv that they leave on all
the time.
> David Katz
> 
> 
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "Jesse Dahl" <dahlsolar@gmail.com>
> To: "Wrenches" <RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback with grid charging
> Date: Thu, Aug 23, 2012 11:28 pm
> 
> 
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I got a call from a family today about a system they had installed recently
and they think they have a problem.  They claim their electric bill has just
about doubled since the system has been installed due to outback using the grid
to power the loads instead of the battery bank.  They claim the MATE always
shows the system buying the exact amount as any load on the system draws.   Due
to the distance from my shop, I would like to get any ideas on what could cause
this before I drive all the way there.  
>  
> What I know about the system:
> 2 - outback inverters, 48v 
> 2 - whisper 500 wind generators with whisper charge controllers
> 16 - MK 12v AGMS (8/inverter)
> 
> I guessing setting, but if anyone has seen this before, I'd like to narrow it
down before the drive.  
> 
> Thanks eh!
> 
> Jesse
--- end of quote ---

