Getting the best out of my system

[-TX-]

I'm looking at it logically. There is no difference between what that crimper accomplishes and this:



Same deal; single point compression. it exists on my controller, inverter, and existing interconnect.

[littleharbor]

If you say so, suit yourself.

[ufoexpert]

Well, this post has been interesting to say. I would like to say thanks to all of you for the input and that is also to you mr. Sunking. This project that I started was just to decrease my electric bill and not to go full solar. So far I have lower bill by 50% and I will continue to improve from that. About 5 years ago I started with a solar water system and its been going strong since then. The temp in my 40 gal water tank will reach 140 deg. in the summer (which we have 9 months of) and have saved me tons of money. I also learned a lot from that project, made some mistakes on that but this is how we learn. Because copper was over priced when I started I tried to use yellow line pipe that was rated at 100psi at 180 deg. and painted it flat black. Along came something that didn't count on and that's the pump stop working, what a site seeing water flying all over the place.....I blew up the system. Cheers to all until my next post.

[Sunking]

Well, this post has been interesting to say. I would like to say thanks to all of you for the input and that is also to you mr. Sunking.

You are welcome Sir.

Just one comment. Any thing you take off-grid electrically is going to cost you a lot more than buying from the POCO due to the fact of frequent battery replacement cost. Just in battery cost alone you are looking at 60 to 90 cents per Kwh. Depending on where you live the POCO only charges 6 to 15 cents. The only exception as you noted is solar thermal hot water.

[Sunking]

I'm looking at it logically. There is no difference between what that crimper accomplishes and this:



Same deal; single point compression. it exists on my controller, inverter, and existing interconnect.

TX that is not true. Stay away from mechanical connections.

In utility or telecom you would be escorted off the property and banned from ever working there again if anyone is even seen with mechanical connectors in their possession. There is no better connection on earth better than a proper 16 ton compression connector and exothermic weld. Those are the only two types allowed.

[jflorey2]

Same deal; single point compression. it exists on my controller, inverter, and existing interconnect.

That's the problem. Those terminal blocks give you a SINGLE point compression. The loose wire does not participate in carrying current. A crimper compresses and fuses the entire wire to the terminal.

[ufoexpert]

SunKing, I pretty much knew that when I started this adventure and I figure that I would never make back what I put into it, as they say "its the hunt not the kill". I think its great that I can take away some of that greed from the power companies.
73s and enjoy your stay in panama and if my wife wasn't so afraid of going out the country I'd be in Costa Rica by now.

[-TX-]

TX that is not true. Stay away from mechanical connections.

In utility or telecom you would be escorted off the property and banned from ever working there again if anyone is even seen with mechanical connectors in their possession. There is no better connection on earth better than a proper 16 ton compression connector and exothermic weld. Those are the only two types allowed.

Well, I'm looking for a solution that doesn't cost more than a one-time tool should, like $600. That's ridiculous. And if my logic is wrong, like Littleharbor indicates, how is it wrong? Those connections are, in fact, on my mppt and inverter so what's the dif?

[SunEagle]

SunKing, I pretty much knew that when I started this adventure and I figure that I would never make back what I put into it, as they say "its the hunt not the kill". I think its great that I can take away some of that greed from the power companies.
73s and enjoy your stay in panama and if my wife wasn't so afraid of going out the country I'd be in Costa Rica by now.

While I agree with you that there are a number of companies (including POCO's) that have greed on their minds, I would also say that creed is a character trait for a lot of people around the world. Which is a shame because most people that end up with the "dirty side of the stick" are the honest ones.

[SunEagle]

Well, I'm looking for a solution that doesn't cost more than a one-time tool should, like $600. That's ridiculous. And if my logic is wrong, like Littleharbor indicates, how is it wrong? Those connections are, in fact, on my mppt and inverter so what's the dif?

Just be aware that single point electrical connections that are cycled on & off will loosen up over time due to thermal expansion and contraction. It is a good practice to check and tighten them down periodically as most industrial companies do as part of their Preventive Maintenance plan on the electrical distribution system.

[-TX-]

Good suggest and I have a few. Thanks

[SunEagle]

Good suggest and I have a few. Thanks

You are welcome.

If you can't build a system that doesn't breakdown up front then you try to keep an eye on it an fix it as it ages.

Some places go one step further and set up a Predictive Maintenance plan that uses thermal imaging cameras (infrared) on both electrical and mechanical systems, vibration monitors (keeps an eye on bearings), oil condition (looks for breakdown and moisture content) and sonic meters (tuned to specific harmonics caused by mechanical wear or electrical arching). Any of those tools will find issues before you have major failures.

[Sunking]

SunKing, I pretty much knew that when I started this adventure and I figure that I would never make back what I put into it

OK, just wanted to make sure you are aware of that. You are a rare bird, most who come here get the crazy idea if the go off grid are saving money or lowering their carbon foot print and neither are true. Exact opposite.

73s and enjoy your stay in panama and if my wife wasn't so afraid of going out the country I'd be in Costa Rica by now.

We looked at Costa Rica, and in some ways an upgrade from Panama being more modern cities and quite a few US manufactures there. We choose Panama due to safety/security, tax breaks, and very welcoming to US citizens.

73's back at you.

[Sunking]

Well TX you are now understanding one of the reasons why to avoid parallel battery connections. Not only will you be replacing them twice as often causing pain in the wallet, it gets compounded in extra material cost. In your case 300% more material cost with 3 parallel strings. Sorry to say this, but you made your bed, now you have to sleep in it.

Do as you will, but I can tell you if you use the mechanical connectors you will have trouble. Hopefully minor nuisance trouble. At the other end is fire. That is why utilities and telecom forbid their use. One thing that is adding to the cost is Marine Grade Cable. Look for local electricians and use power cable made for building and lighting cable like THHN-2 or RHW-2. Do you have any Golf Cart shops around?

[-TX-]

I realize that now. I'd make a change to battery bank if it was practical, but when dealing with a fixed height, length and width on my battery box, I couldn't find a better solution. As it is, I blow most people away with the 16,560wh I got to fit, and not at all be an eyesore or space hog.