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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">I just looked into it. Yes there are
other options, but none are even close to the price point of the
Iota. They are also super simple to setup, get the new IQ4
option.<br>
The only downside to the Iota, is they aren't that conducive to a
NEC install; you got to live with some exposed cabling, unless you
put the whole thing in a big enclosure.<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760</pre>
On 10/30/2013 2:16 PM, Dave Palumbo wrote:<br>
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<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Wrenches,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I’m
looking for a battery charger to augment an OutBack FX 2012
inverter/charger for a 12V off-grid system that could use
shorter charging times during our cloudy late fall/winter
periods in northern Vermont. Both the generator and the
battery bank are amply sized as is the PV array. I have used
Iota chargers in the past, but wondered if they are other
options worth considering.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Dave<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">David
Palumbo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Independent
Power LLC <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">462
Solar Way Drive<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Hyde
Park, VT 05655<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.independentpowerllc.com">www.independentpowerllc.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Vermont
Solar Partner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">25
Years Experience, (802) 888-7194 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF
1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext">
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>
[<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On
Behalf Of </b>Allan Sindelar<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 30, 2013 10:57 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] To stack or not to
stack? Off-grid 240V<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">Hilton,<br>
Kevin's comments are well taken. To add a bit:<br>
<br>
Magnum are exceptionally easy to set up and program. The
user interface is well designed. A few issues to be aware of
from my experience: <br>
- All of our Magnum-based off grid systems have been single
inverter. At 4 kW, a single inverter may not be enough for
that particular 3hp motor - best to CYA with the customer on
the possible need for a stacked pair. <br>
- Magnum allows a pretty wide voltage dip to accomplish
surge capacity, so when the saw starts, expect lights to
flicker. Our CF bulbs flicker when the refrigerator starts.<br>
<br>
Our trial with Apollo a couple of years ago was probably the
single most negative experience with an inverter
manufacturer of my career. Kevin's comment that the most
basic programming required hooking up to a computer is
accurate. The computer must have their proprietary software
installed, and the hookup was necessary even to initiate an
equalize charge from an AC source. We have several warranty
replacement and takeout units on a shelf here, from two
installations (including in my own home) where the equipment
was replaced after being unable to get it to work reliably.
Ultimately, Apollo agreed in writing to reimburse us for the
cost to replace their equipment with another brand. They
never came through. <br>
<br>
Allan<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Allan Sindelar</b><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><u><span
style="color:#000099">Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</span></u></a></span><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt">NABCEP Certified PV
Installation Professional<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
Founder, <b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">A
Certified B Corporation</span><sup><span
style="font-size:7.5pt">TM</span></sup><span
style="font-size:10.0pt"><br>
3209 Richards Lane<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b>505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell</b><br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target="_blank"><u>www.positiveenergysolar.com</u></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 10/29/2013 10:32 PM, Kevin Pegg wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">Hi
Hilton, </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">My
$0.05 worth as off-grid is my primary domain. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">The
SW4024 is an excellent inverter, reliable, robust and if
you can find another stack them for 240 and will have no
issues with the 3 HP table saw (assuming batteries can
handle that is). I run my whole home from a 13 year old
pair of them. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">Magnum
makes an excellent, robust, and reliable off-grid
inverter. Available in 120 or 240 without stack.
Stacking Magnums (for more power) is straightforward and
the user interface is very simple and intuitive. There
is some different hardware required for stacking. If a
second SW4024 isn't an option then this is what I would
do. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">I
test installed an Apollo unit last year. What a
frustrating experience that was. It requires a computer
and a RS485 interface to program the most basic features
to make the unit usable. Nice when I was real remote and
without Internet. That alone makes it unappealing in my
books. Seems they are a bit behind the rest of the
crowd. I'd not trust a marketing department claim
it will start that saw unless they can demonstrate it.
(with of course some other loads on the system - having
to power down the house so one can work in the shop is
hardly usable). </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">Outback
units are common, though suffer from weak battery
chargers and power quality issues while under charge so
for off-grid that involves any significant generator
charging they are not ideal. They are complex to program
and operate and end users report lots of frustration. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">Kevin</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote
style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">-----Original
Message-----<br>
<b>From:</b> <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org"><u>re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</u></a>
[<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org"><u>mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</u></a>]<b>On
Behalf Of </b>Hilton Dier III<br>
<b>Sent:</b> October 29, 2013 6:48 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org"><u>re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</u></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] To stack or not to stack?
Off-grid 240V</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">Hello
Wrenches,<br>
<br>
I have an off-grid client with a 24V system and an old
Xantrex SW4024. He wants 240VAC capability with enough
oomph for sometimes making a cut with his 3 hp table saw
without starting the generator.<br>
<br>
I am looking at Apollo, Magnum, and Outback inverters. I'm
most familiar with Outback. I have a couple of
installations out there with stacked 3.6 kW Outbacks.<br>
<br>
However, the Apollo marketing promises that their 3.2 kW
inverter will start a 3 hp motor. Will it actually, and is
this a good idea even if it can?<br>
<br>
I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences with 240V
Apollo units, stacked Magnums, and stacked Outbacks. I
know from experience that the Outbacks require some
hundreds of dollars of extra fittings and electronics to
make a proper stacked installation. How about Magnum? Any
comments on reliability?<br>
<br>
Many Thanks,<br>
<br>
Hilton <o:p></o:p></p>
<pre>-- <o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre>Hilton Dier III<o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre>Renewable Energy Design<o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre>Partner, Solar Gain LLC<o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre>453 East Hill Rd.<o:p></o:p></pre>
<pre>Middlesex, VT 05602<o:p></o:p></pre>
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