Any "Off-Gridders" out there...what kind of systems do you have?

[rmorey]

Hi there, just wondering if there were any TBNers who are off grid like we are. What kind of equipment are you using? It would be good to get some ideas from others, so I thought I'd ask the question. Pics are good. I'll post our system pics soon.

Our system has 20 - 180w solar panels connected in 2 groups of 10 panels with each group feeding an FM 80 Outback Charge Controller. Our battery bank consists of two parallel strings of Trojan 2v - 1110 amp batteries configured for 24 volt operation. We have 2 parallel - Magnum MS 4024 PAE Inverters for 8,000 watts feeding our AC panel. Our backup is a gas powered, Generac 8500w generator.

 

[Phils]

Been off-grid since '77. Our system has evolved over the years to where it is now:

2 dozen panels of various ratings (I've added 4 to 6 as I could afford them and as our loads increased)

3 Outback MX60 and 1 Xantrex C60 controllers

3 inverters: 1 for lights/entertainment; 1 for appliances; 1 for water -- 2 pumps -- pumping the well into a cistern and pressurizing the bladder tanks from that cistern

12V bank with a dozen US2200XC batteries

10KW Kohler propane backup generator

4KW Honda gas backup-backup generator

I assume you also go the the forums at Wind-sun.com?

Phil

 

[rmorey]

Little easier to add panels nowadays. Prices have dropped big time. I've never been to wind-sun.com, but will give it a look. Thanks for the tip.

 

[MossRoad]

Hi there, just wondering if there were any TBNers who are off grid like we are. What kind of equipment are you using? It would be good to get some ideas from others, so I thought I'd ask the question. Pics are good. I'll post our system pics soon.

Our system has 20 - 180w solar panels connected in 2 groups of 10 panels with each group feeding an FM 80 Outback Charge Controller. Our battery bank consists of two parallel strings of Trojan 2v - 1110 amp batteries configured for 24 volt operation. We have 2 parallel - Magnum MS 4024 PAE Inverters for 8,000 watts feeding our AC panel. Our backup is a gas powered, Generac 8500w generator.

Two questions:

1. How much money do you have in your system?

2. Why did you go off-grid?

 

[rmorey]

Two questions:

1. How much money do you have in your system?

2. Why did you go off-grid?

We built our cottage in 2009. Started with a smaller system. 3 panels, 4 - 6 v batteries and a used 4000w Xantrex inverter w/C40 Charge Controller. Panels were $750 a piece! Since then, we decided to live there full time. (house currently for sale) Last fall we upgraded to the list above. Sold the batteries and inverter for what I paid for them. Total all in is around $27,000.

We went solar because Hydro told us that power was $150,000 due south, across the lake. We told them "we'd get back to them on that!"

We have 3,600 watts of solar, average 2 hours per day winter and 5 hours per day summer so, we need the generator for December and January. Our load is around 8.5Kw. Batteries have almost 4 days of power.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[dwessel]

We bought our off grid house two years ago from the original owner who built in 2003. The quote he got was $180K to run power lines back in 2003. The house had a 12v system with 9 119W U.S. Solar panels, and two Xantrex inverter/chargers to give 240v AC for our well pump. Battery bank was a lovely mix of Trojan and U.S. Battery deep cycle flooded deep cycle batteries. The original system had a Kubota Lowboy 6.5kw diesel generator and a Generac 7.5kw propane generator.

Let's just say the system was not in prime condition. The modified sine wave tended to fry certain electronics. The battery bank was just large enough to usually get us through the night. But we had to run the generator every night when using the microwave or laundry, and an absolute must when running the well pump. When we started having to run the generator 2x per day it was time for a change.

I upgraded and installed my self, a 48v system using the Magnum MS 4448AE 4400 watt 48V pure sine wave inverter 120/240VAC with Outback FM80 charge controller. I got a new AGM battery bank with 18kw storage capacity. I re-wired the existing panels into three strings of three panels each to produce 90v dc for each string. We also installed Magnum's remote monitor panel. The Kubota diesel generator died, so we just have the 7.5kw Generac and a small gas extra back-up generator.

The new system has made a HUGE difference. Now we can literally run everything, even our well pump off the solar system. No more fried electronics. We only have to run the generator after about the 3rd day of solid cloudy weather.

 

[rmorey]

We bought our off grid house two years ago from the original owner who built in 2003. The quote he got was $180K to run power lines back in 2003. The house had a 12v system with 9 119W U.S. Solar panels, and two Xantrex inverter/chargers to give 240v AC for our well pump. Battery bank was a lovely mix of Trojan and U.S. Battery deep cycle flooded deep cycle batteries. The original system had a Kubota Lowboy 6.5kw diesel generator and a Generac 7.5kw propane generator.

Let's just say the system was not in prime condition. The modified sine wave tended to fry certain electronics. The battery bank was just large enough to usually get us through the night. But we had to run the generator every night when using the microwave or laundry, and an absolute must when running the well pump. When we started having to run the generator 2x per day it was time for a change.

I upgraded and installed my self, a 48v system using the Magnum MS 4448AE 4400 watt 48V pure sine wave inverter 120/240VAC with Outback FM80 charge controller. I got a new AGM battery bank with 18kw storage capacity. I re-wired the existing panels into three strings of three panels each to produce 90v dc for each string. We also installed Magnum's remote monitor panel. The Kubota diesel generator died, so we just have the 7.5kw Generac and a small gas extra back-up generator.

The new system has made a HUGE difference. Now we can literally run everything, even our well pump off the solar system. No more fried electronics. We only have to run the generator after about the 3rd day of solid cloudy weather.

Nice system, its good to be able to do stuff like that yourself. I have an electrical background from time in military, it has been handy a few times.

 

[J F]

Two questions:

1. How much money do you have in your system?

2. Why did you go off-grid?

That would be interesting info in regards to all who've done it (or, are contemplating).

 

[rmorey]

That would be interesting info in regards to all who've done it (or, are contemplating).

My cost would be reduced by $4000-$5000 now. (since 2009) the panels I paid $750 for are now $250. Not to mention parity with US dollar. Imports are cheaper.