SMA Sunny Boy inverter with SPS (Secure poer supply)

[bcroe]

I bought a generator for a modest sum, long before Y2K. It can keep my fridge and furnace in survival
mode, running a few hours a day. If you need some level of outage survival, why wasn't that equipment
in place a long time ago? There are plenty of options; installed generators that run off natural gas or a
tank of propane or diesel.

When solar started to be relatively economical, I made a FAR LARGER investment to change my day to
day energy picture. Conditions causing loss of utilities here tend to make my solar nearly useless. I
never thought of solar as having anything to do with my emergency power, prepared decades ago.
Perhaps those that do haven't carefully thought this through, now or in the past. Bruce Roe

[SunEagle]

Well I have thinking about spend the money to set up my little generators with trifuel kits so they can run on gas, propane and nat gas. However having a class A RV is way out of the question do to the tough parking environment. I use a cpap what is the battery you use for that?

My small system uses an 80 watt panel and a 65Ah Optima blue top battery. The panel wattage is a little low for that battery so I have a second 80w folding panel that can be wired in to the charging system if needed.

Attached are some pictures of my small system.

[kaeley]

Or have multiple fuel generators so you have the ability to run on gasoline, bottle gas or diesel. It comes down to knowing what you need and make a plan on how long it has to last.

I have set up for small outages due to loss of grid from hurricane damage. For me I have a generator that runs on gasoline an another on bottle gas. I also have a couple of small solar / battery systems which will fill in for some loads. A 360 watt one for a small refrigerator and an 80 watt one for a CPAP machine. I also have a 5000 watt gen set in my class A RV which runs off the 75 gal fuel tank.

I just don't put all my eggs in one basket that some people like to do when they want to only rely on solar and batteries.

Well I have thinking about spend the money to set up my little generators with trifuel kits so they can run on gas, propane and nat gas. However having a class A RV is way out of the question do to the tough parking environment. I use a cpap what is the battery you use for that?

[SunEagle]

In theory, they need to cite a specific Code section, not just a general "NEC". But some sections are subject to bizarre interpretation with not much chance to appeal.

Usually an AHJ can state it is an LEC (local electric code) requirement which can be more strict than the NEC.

[SunEagle]

You might be right but the generator lasts only as my supply of gasoline and in a major grid down you would not be able to buy gasoline. So I could use the battery UPS to run a led light and a small radio at night and recharge when the sun shines.

Or have multiple fuel generators so you have the ability to run on gasoline, bottle gas or diesel. It comes down to knowing what you need and make a plan on how long it has to last.

I have set up for small outages due to loss of grid from hurricane damage. For me I have a generator that runs on gasoline an another on bottle gas. I also have a couple of small solar / battery systems which will fill in for some loads. A 360 watt one for a small refrigerator and an 80 watt one for a CPAP machine. I also have a 5000 watt gen set in my class A RV which runs off the 75 gal fuel tank.

I just don't put all my eggs in one basket that some people like to do when they want to only rely on solar and batteries.

[kaeley]

Ok. You do know that the SPS option only works when the grid is down and you have initiated the manual sequence of turning it on. I also think it requires you to manually turn it off once the grid comes back.

So wouldn't you just use the "grid" to charge your computer battery back up system (UPS) anytime of the day and if there is a power outage you are going to run a generator anyway so adding that UPS to it's load may actually make the generator run more efficient.

I still do not see the need for the SPS function but again that is my opinion. Others may have a different one.

You might be right but the generator lasts only as my supply of gasoline and in a major grid down you would not be able to buy gasoline. So I could use the battery UPS to run a led light and a small radio at night and recharge when the sun shines.

[inetdog]

NEC , but their explanation was a BS .

In theory, they need to cite a specific Code section, not just a general "NEC". But some sections are subject to bizarre interpretation with not much chance to appeal.

[solarfrank]

What do they cite in prohibiting it? It is UL-listed and NEC compliant.
Some communities do not allow portable generators either, but at least they pass an ordinance about it.

NEC , but their explanation was a BS .

[inetdog]

SPS works when the grid is down and you have to do it manually.
Some AHJ doesn't allow this option to be installed, I know sound stupid, but plan checkers and inspectors doesn't understand how is working and they don't allow it on their territories.

What do they cite in prohibiting it? It is UL-listed and NEC compliant.
Some communities do not allow portable generators either, but at least they pass an ordinance about it.

[solarfrank]

SPS works when the grid is down and you have to do it manually.
Some AHJ doesn't allow this option to be installed, I know sound stupid, but plan checkers and inspectors doesn't understand how is working and they don't allow it on their territories.

[solarix]

As a dealer, I definitely agree that the best use of the SPS is as an answer to the sales objection: "you mean - I just bought this $20k solar system, and during an outage I'll be SOL just like my neighbors?"

[kaeley]

Or it is a justification for those that have spent a lot of money installing a pv system and don't like the idea that they can't use it during a grid outage.

""

LOL I would definitely say that "If I can't use the whole thing I want to at least use part of it" fits me well.

[SunEagle]

The greatest need it satisfies is an emotional one, IMHO. Which is not to be ignored.

Or it is a justification for those that have spent a lot of money installing a pv system and don't like the idea that they can't use it during a grid outage.

"If I can't use the whole thing I want to at least use part of it"

[inetdog]

The greatest need it satisfies is an emotional one, IMHO. Which is not to be ignored.

[SunEagle]

My idea with a SPS is to use a remote power supply like a computer battery back up to connect to SPS and then charge things from it or use small electrical things and keep it charged during the day with the solar power SPS feature. I need computer battery back up anyway and it would also act as a surge protector and give me a smooth power supply for small items. At 1500 watts and 15amps I don't expect to run major appliances for that I have two 2000 watt Yamaha inverter generators that you can wire together that give 25 amps and 4,000 peak watts which can run my fridge.

Ok. You do know that the SPS option only works when the grid is down and you have initiated the manual sequence of turning it on. I also think it requires you to manually turn it off once the grid comes back.

So wouldn't you just use the "grid" to charge your computer battery back up system (UPS) anytime of the day and if there is a power outage you are going to run a generator anyway so adding that UPS to it's load may actually make the generator run more efficient.

I still do not see the need for the SPS function but again that is my opinion. Others may have a different one.