Electric Cars: Chev Bolt seems to be the first practical one.

[buickanddeere]

I Googled 'EV inverter 110' and found this story.

Using the Leaf for power in a Blackout: MY "Leaf to Home"

Summary - Electrical engineer got 17 hours run time powering his home including refrigerator. His calcs indicate theoretical 120 volts providing 15 amp surge, 8 amp continuous, for 24 hours from the Leaf's battery.

He showed some brand names that could be researched if someone wants to pursue this.

Awful small home if 1000W will run it. Electric well pump here, fridge, freezer, electric stove, electric water heater, electric clothes dryer, electric heat trace to prevent pipes from freezing and all electric heat.

 

[California]

The Leaf is clearly not for you.

Like that guy, my house in town has no significant loads aside from the refrigerator. Natural gas heat, water heater, clothes dryer, stove. Cooking and hot showers aren't interrupted by a power outage. The central A/C is the only 220 v load and that isn't crucial, it wasn't air conditioned for its first 40 years.

This little farmhouse was built pre-electricity. Again, all natural gas. I would need to draw water from my 1500 gallon tank since the well is electric, (initially was pumped by windmill). Aside from that pump no 220 volt loads here either, only the 220 V welder outlet in the shop.

I wouldn't consider a Leaf because the range wouldn't make it home to ranch, but in theory I could duplicate that EE's experience.

 

[Redneck in training]

Awful small home if 1000W will run it. Electric good pump here, fridge, freezer, electric stove, electric water heater, electric clothes dryer, electric heat trace to prevent pipes from freezing and all electric heat.

You can buy an inverter that accepts 400V and outputs anything from 5 kW and up. They are made for off-grid power sources such as PV. In fact, if you have a PV system you probably already have it.

 

[3930dave]

You can buy an inverter that accepts 400V and outputs anything from 5 kW and up. They are made for off-grid power sources such as PV. In fact, if you have a PV system you probably already have it.

High-power inverters have really come down in cost in the last 25 years..... just another piece of the puzzle falling into place, if you want to be off-grid. Grid-tied systems wouldn't have happened either....

Rgds, D.

 

[tractorgp]

High-power inverters have really come down in cost in the last 25 years..... just another piece of the puzzle falling into place, if you want to be off-grid. Grid-tied systems wouldn't have happened either....

Rgds, D.

I'm planning on setting up a 1000 watt solar system this summer. Any thoughts/recommendations on buying the more expensive "pure sine wave" inverter as opposed to non pure sine wave. Up to this point I haven't decided exactly what I will power with the solar system.

 

[3930dave]

I'm planning on setting up a 1000 watt solar system this summer. Any thoughts/recommendations on buying the more expensive "pure sine wave" inverter as opposed to non pure sine wave. Up to this point I haven't decided exactly what I will power with the solar system.

Specific loads are one issue. Some newer (as opposed to 40 years ago) products can be a bit particular about input power. Ex. - some people have had issues getting forced air furnaces to run off generators. So, I'd say modern critical loads will be one reason to go with "pure sine" inverters.

Another factor IMO is medium/long-term plans for this system, ex.:

Do you plan to expand it ?
Will it be standalone, or grid-tied ?
What all do you plan to feed IN to the system, other than solar panels ?
(Generators, Wind, Hydro.....)
Do you need 220V ?
Would you want to charge an EV ? <<<< (Attempting to follow thread )

Part of what I'm touching on here is that there also may be other features on a pure-sine level of product that may be of interest to you.

As an example, in the thread I started on generator maintenance, 90cummins describes his Xantrex (I think) inverter that has a Generator Assist feature - automatically coordinates load management between battery banks and the generator.

I've been banging on enough in OPs thread here on EVs..... what I'd suggest gp is you start a thread of your own, roughing out what you plan for your system so far, and ask for feedback. There are people hanging about TBN who have done personal kw+ (input power) systems at home, and could provide a wealth of suggestions.

Rgds, D.

 

[Redneck in training]

I'm planning on setting up a 1000 watt solar system this summer. Any thoughts/recommendations on buying the more expensive "pure sine wave" inverter as opposed to non pure sine wave. Up to this point I haven't decided exactly what I will power with the solar system.

All grid tie inverters are pure sine wave. I am not sure about stand alone but I expect they are also pure sine wave. The difference between the inverters is the way they control the power delivery. Grid tie try to push all the available power into the grid, are grid commutated and have safety features designed to prevent back feeding. Stand alone inverters control voltage and frequency. The battery controller might be integrated into the inverter but is usually separate unit.

 

[California]

...inverters.

Another factor IMO is medium/long-term plans for this system, ...

I've been banging on enough in OPs thread here on EVs..... what I'd suggest gp is you start a thread of your own, roughing out what you plan for your system so far, and ask for feedback. There are people hanging about TBN who have done personal kw+ (input power) systems at home, and could provide a wealth of suggestions.

OP here. If someone starts such a thread I would love to see a link added in this thread to refer to it.

That seems to be a natural evolution in this field of EV's, home renewable energy fed back into the grid, and centralized control of the grid-connected home energy and storage plants which I see coming.

I'm curious about EV/inverter hardware although I'm not likely to ever implement it - so far as I can see at this time.

 

[tractorgp]

Specific loads are one issue. Some newer (as opposed to 40 years ago) products can be a bit particular about input power. Ex. - some people have had issues getting forced air furnaces to run off generators. So, I'd say modern critical loads will be one reason to go with "pure sine" inverters.

Another factor IMO is medium/long-term plans for this system, ex.:

Do you plan to expand it ?
Will it be standalone, or grid-tied ?
What all do you plan to feed IN to the system, other than solar panels ?
(Generators, Wind, Hydro.....)
Do you need 220V ?
Would you want to charge an EV ? <<<< (Attempting to follow thread )

Part of what I'm touching on here is that there also may be other features on a pure-sine level of product that may be of interest to you.

As an example, in the thread I started on generator maintenance, 90cummins describes his Xantrex (I think) inverter that has a Generator Assist feature - automatically coordinates load management between battery banks and the generator.

I've been banging on enough in OPs thread here on EVs..... what I'd suggest gp is you start a thread of your own, roughing out what you plan for your system so far, and ask for feedback. There are people hanging about TBN who have done personal kw+ (input power) systems at home, and could provide a wealth of suggestions.

Rgds, D.

Thanks all good points - I will have room (on the roof) to expand the solar system but that is not the current plan. I actually play around with wind turbines and eventually I might get a small unit producing enough to interconnect but right now that is in the distance. I took a bit of a chance inserting my query into the Electric Car thread so I will take your advice and head out to avoid being run over

 

[tractorgp]

All grid tie inverters are pure sine wave. I am not sure about stand alone but I expect they are also pure sine wave. The difference between the inverters is the way they control the power delivery. Grid tie try to push all the available power into the grid, are grid commutated and have safety features designed to prevent back feeding. Stand alone inverters control voltage and frequency. The battery controller might be integrated into the inverter but is usually separate unit.

Mine will be a stand alone system and I am setting up not only to make more use of solar energy but to learn more about renewable energy in general. Thanks for the info.