A couple of misc updates.... (I'm offgrid and have twice daily ATS switchovers - over 2.000 so far...)
1) Our 11yr oldKenmore Refrigerator failed - it was the control board / fans (not the compressor).
The repair guy suggested that the electronics in these 'newer' refrigs may be susceptible to surge due to ATS'ing. The compressor is fine - but its the electronics "in his opinion". On the other hand, the unit is 11yrs old... but wanted to share this for what it's worth.
* Will run a socket for it fromthe house UPS system.
2) The new 4tonwhole house (2600sq ft)heat pump struggles below 30F/-1C. We've had over 10 days 26F to 30Fand its barely heats the house to full temp. I've found that by running an auxiliary portable heat-pump (12,000BTU)in house blowing toward the main intake it really perks up and does OK... but this brings the overall power requirement up to 4500-5000w/hour. With only 15-23kwh/day due to clouds (12.8kw PV array)... in offgrid conditions it would only take a few hrs to use up daily power. Maybe at 50F something could be managed to keep the house semi-warm?
*Disappointed as I was hoping it would work down to 20F/-7C... at 3500w power level...which is the lowest we ever get..but I'm given to understand that that's my lack of education rather than a fault with the equipment.
3) 7 x 14 Cargo Trailer (fully insulated - top, sides, floor)with Senville 9000BTU heat pump is working great at the same 26F to 30F conditions. Using 12-15kwh/24hrs at 70F/21C setting. Supposedly its rated down to 5F/-15C but.... We'll see if we get a string of 20F nights
*Planning to unfold up to 12x300w panels on the roof of this trailer for3600w- but still, in winter time / cloudy, that's at best only going to get me 5?kwh/day. Not enough for 12-15kwh/day. Still experimenting...
4) Will post yearly power production soon. Itwill by close to 15,000kwh but that's only85% of PVWatts projections with appropriate settings.
* Partly a lot of rainy days(clouds) but it highlights avoiding rose colored glasses when eying Solar systems...
5) We fired up the rainharvest system a couple of weeks ago. We got 5000gal in just 3 days so rainy season has started. WARNING.... we turned it on and putrid smell came out of faucet and traced it to the filters!!! These are Big Blue 20" filters - andhad been sitting for 4 months with no water flow (system turned off). The filter/container was just chock full of algea? or something really bad that grew!!
* I've learned that you cannot leave filters sitting for several months. Will take them out next spring when we shut it off for the summer.
Wouldn't it be so cool ifsolar was 3 x more power per panel!!