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Wattsup said:
Not sure about the lightning protection thing either in Australia.
A good copper ground stake is required though. They sell them at bunnings
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Thanks Phil, yep definitely will get that one right.

I also need to decide on the following:-

- What inverter/charger combo or seperate charger and inverter to buy? Best brands/suppliers?

- What brand/model of circuit breakers, fuses, isolation switches,etc and where to buy them?

- I assume most of the circuit breakers, fusses, etc can be DIN mounted? So is a small DIN distribution board a good idea?

- Cables... between solar panels, batteries, etc... best sizes/options and where to buy them?

- I assume standard MC4 cables would be best for the solar panels to isolator switches, but what then goes to the charger/inverter etc?

Thanks again to everyone for your help and time, it's made a massive difference.
 
Latest update...

I have updated my schematic, so open to further input/advice...


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Finally the air conditioner piping is installed...


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Have updated my design, but not sure if the changes I've made are feasible?

Added a Latronics ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) to switch between off-grid (Primary) and grid (Secondary) power sources.


image_nvline.jpg


Also added an isolating switch, so I can cut off grid completely if needed.

Comments/feedback very much welcome.
 
gregoinc said:
Have updated my design, but not sure if the changes I've made are feasible?

Added a Latronics ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) to switch between off-grid (Primary) and grid (Secondary) power sources.


image_nvline.jpg


Also added an isolating switch, so I can cut off grid completely if needed.

Comments/feedback very much welcome.
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Looking good!

I was going to get the Latronics ATS. I have one of their inverters, they make quality gear :)
 
Wattsup said:
I was going to get the Latronics ATS. I have one of their inverters, they make quality gear :)
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Hi Phil,

I suspect my design diagram is somewhat inaccurate if I use the Victron MultiPlus 48/3000/35 because that unit has the ability to switch between Grid and non-Grid power sources. Well, that's what I am told, but haven't yet found anyone who owns a 48/3000/35 that has done that setup I describe above. Anyway, more researching to do.

On a plus side, I found a supplier on eBay that sold me some MC4 panel mount connectors - MC4 Panel Mount. The panel mount MC4's will be great for me to make my own roof top DC isolators. Hope the MC4 connectors are the right specification :huh:
 
Off grid design... take four. Found a really basic issue with my design, so hopefully I have fixed it now. It's all learning right :p


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Learning's good :)

Don't forget you need monitoring & balancing gear for the battery bank!
With a battery bank that size you'll need proper gear, eg Batrium or the GNE active 1S balancing gear (1S needs separate monitoring, it only balances) . Ie so decent balancing currents can be achieved.
I suspect more Googling is approaching!

The Multiplus inverter you have there before actually has a built in mains change over switch to drop back to grid mains under s/w control eg fault or low battery, etc.
Yes that earlier design needed DC MPPT charge controllers (Victron make good versions of those too).

With MC4 connectors, beware of mixing brands, you can get connector heating issues. Australian Standards require you have matching brands (some are manufacturer recommended compatibles which should be OK)
 
I think you have to decide for your selves what kind of system you want. Grid connected og off grid. If griud connected somhow, you could go with the multiplus and victron solar chargers and skip solar inverters. Then the PV will charge battery, and Multi plus will supply house from them. Then you will have to decide what to do with surplus energi from PV if any - feed to grid or not.... This solution alows you to power the house in case of grid faliure. The Multi will create local "net" weith the power from your batteries.
 
Well I took a bit of a calculated gamble and purchased a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV battery pack. Did my research, but in the end it really depends on the status of the cells. Hopefully there will be enough cells to get me started in a small way, and any good cells left over I intend to offer on this site for cost. Will include more photos as things progress. Here's hoping the gamble pays off :)


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Very nice!

What are you waiting for, crack that sucker open!

I look forward to seeing the build and the testing of the cells conditions.
 
CrimpDaddy said:
What are you waiting for, crack that sucker open!
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That was a photo of the battery pack at the supplier overseas (yes, overseas), so it has to be packed in a container and shipped to Australia.

Took a big gamble on buying unseen or untested. My wife is going to kick my ass if the batteries are no good :(
 
gregoinc said:
Took a big gamble on buying unseen or untested. My wife is going to kick my ass if the batteries are no good :(
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Yep. just make sure you are wearing your super cushy pants when she does. Or sit on a block of ice first so it doesn't hurt as much ;)
 
Nah, the cells will all be good ;)
 
Can you let me know how the process goes *customs* getting it landed i have had a dozen people want to send a shipping container full of used ev batteries over to me to sell on.
 
hbpowerwall said:
Can you let me know how the process goes *customs* getting it landed i have had a dozen people want to send a shipping container full of used ev batteries over to me to sell on.
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Shall do. Right now the only concern I have is the state of the cells. Only way to make sure they are good is to crack open the pack, but I wasn't in a position for that to happen. I asked as many questions as possible, so will be interested to see how they are when they arrive.

What have I learned so far...

- coming up with a way to 'test' the cellsbefore you buy the pack.
- negotiating cheap shipping in a container. I suspect I paid too much.

Which manufacturerspacks are you looking at bringing in?
 
It's not me bringing them in - just the sale of them once they arrive
 
gregoinc said:
Well, looks like I am committed... having purchased a Victron MultiGrid unit. There's that moment of elation, followed by panic :p


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Nice bit of kit there mate :cool:
 
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