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Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter
By CinciJoe, Section Newbies Posted on Sun Sep 7th, 2008 at 02:32:50 PM MST
...

I was wondering where I can find a 'cheap' but reliable plug-in inverter that I can hook up to my future wind generator to feed back power to my grid. I was hoping to find one that can handle 1500 watts max. I know that if I go any higher in the wattage I'll have to have to use a higher amperage wall socket so I'll stick with a 1500 watt inverter.
Ideas?

Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by DamonHD (d@hd.org) on Sun Sep 7th, 2008 at 09:05:41 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.earth.org.uk/

That's not the right way to do 'grid-tie' power export. At best you fry an inverter, at worst you kill a linesman. It does happen and is no joke.

In some places (eg the UK) you need to have a qualified electrician connect up any export-capable inverter, and in any case it is a very special flavour of inverter and very different internally to the stock box that you might buy off the shelf to power a TV from your car batteries or whatever.

Google for 'grid-tie inverter'.

Rgds

Damon

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by spinningmagnets (velmis1450bc(at)aol(dot)com) on Sun Sep 7th, 2008 at 01:45:54 PM MST
(User Info)

It "sounds like" you want to put power back into the grid, and to do it in a way that makes your electric meter run backwards without the electric company knowing about it.

They know about it...and it won't work that way.

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by RUFUS (RFRUFUS@AOL.COM) on Sun Sep 7th, 2008 at 02:07:28 PM MST
(User Info)

Dude
I'm no expert on these things but here
is what i have learned about
PLUG IN GRID TIE INVERTERS here just
lately, as far as i can determine in the U.S.A.
they are not illegal to sell but when
you plug it in to your household wiring
thats when things get dicey with the
power co. your insurance company and
with the lineman who gets electrocuted
with one of these cheap devices, their
sopposed to be UL approved and IEEE 1547
and there are none i know of in the U.S.
OK4U was one and SWEA is another, neither
is approved and both come out of the
Netherlands, I guess it's ok to kill
folks over there with cheap crap.
you might not like it but save your money
buy the correct inverter have it installed
by a knowlageable professional, a little
money is not a fair trade for an injury
or maybe even a life.
RUFUS

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by ghurd on Mon Sep 8th, 2008 at 07:11:27 AM MST
(User Info)

Cheap or inexpensive? hehe.
The OK4U, AKA Trace MicroSine, wasn't inexpensive. Also wasn't reliable.

I figured it was a loss about 5 years ago.
Even if the PVs, brackets, wire, etc were FREE,
And that little inverter lasted 20 years,
The system would not have saved me enough electric bill money to pay for the inverter.
G-

[ Parent ]

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by ADMIN (info74 at otherpower.com) on Mon Sep 8th, 2008 at 03:01:16 PM MST
(User Info)

Also keep in mind that a wind turbine inverter must always be putting the proper load on the turbine. Direct solar grid tie inverters will NOT do the trick. The controller and/or inverter for direct wind grid tie must either 'learn' the power curve of the turbine, or you must program it in....solar grid tie components do not allow this.
ADMIN

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by CinciJoe on Thu Sep 11th, 2008 at 05:25:48 PM MST
(User Info)

Ok, I searched for 'grid-tie inverter' and found this one. It's rated at 1800watts. More than I need, and it'll take the power that my VAWT will produce easily. All that for ~$1800.

Here's the link, tell me what you think...

http://www.affordable-solar.com/fronius.inverter.ig.2000.htm#

Also, I will not try to sneak this installation past my electric company. I'm sure they would find out anyway. Besides, I'm going to have an inspector come out and view the hardware BEFORE anything gets hooked to the grid.

Saftey first, second, and last-

[ Parent ]

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by RUFUS (RFRUFUS@AOL.COM) on Thu Sep 11th, 2008 at 07:06:59 PM MST
(User Info)

Dude
Keep looking
thats a PV inverter
input voltage 150 to 450
that things gonna be looking
for allmost continuious
steady input voltage, in the
daytime, you did say you wanted
to hook up to a wind turbine?
RUFUS

[ Parent ]

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Thu Sep 11th, 2008 at 09:38:19 PM MST
(User Info) http://wooferhound.com

I would like to see a picture of your 1800w VAWT ?

W o o f -={(

[ Parent ]

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by richhagen (richhagen (a t) Juno.com) on Wed Sep 17th, 2008 at 04:54:15 PM MST
(User Info)

Finally, an entry for Volvo's old VAWT challenge???? Rich
'A Joule saved is a Joule made'
[ Parent ]

Re: Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by tmcmurran (t_mcmurran@yahoo.com) on Mon Sep 29th, 2008 at 02:21:31 PM MST
(User Info)

Think you might have lost him with that request.

I was looking at those cheap wall plug-in feeders awhile back. Not CSA or code apporved for use in Canada so that ended that one for me.

[ Parent ]

Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial)

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