Starting to design my off-grid power system

[Jedon]

Construction on my off grid house will start any day now so I need to get some power going on site.

Eventually I would like to be as diversified as possible energy generation wise which will include PV, Solar water heating, microhydro and wind.

For now though here is the plan:

Currently owned:

2. 6V golf cart batteries from Costco = 12V
   
45. W HF PV kit with crappy charger, 3x15W panels.
    
13. HP 6500W Onan gas generator
    
300. W cheapo inverter, plus whatever inverter is in our travel trailer.
     
     

Plan to buy very soon:

6 more batteries to equal 48V

Outback MX-60 Charge Controller

Outback VFX3648 3600W Inverter

What else do I need?

Fuse block?

Some way to have the charge controller start the generator?

Plan to add a few months after that stage:

Harris 2 jet pelton wheel + Delco gen + rainjets + PVC etc/

8 Kyocera 200W PV Panels

Then in a couple years:

Otherpower wind

more hydro

solar water heating

[TomW]

jedon;

As far as that generator start bit is concerned, check the specs on that Outback inverter. I think it may have an auxiliary output you can program [with the Mate] to fire up the generator.

I also would suggest the Mate accessory for any Outback Inverter. It turns a "dumb" inverter into a pretty smart inverter.

Just a couple thoughts.

TomW

[Jedon]

Thanks Tom, I just looked online and found this:

AGS mode. Advanced Generator Start (AGS) Mode utilizes the AUX output found on FX inverters and is compatible with any 2 wire start generator. AGS allows the user to choose a variety of conditions that will start a generator by energizing the FX AUX output.

So I'll add a MATE to my list of must haves!

[TomW]

Jedon;

Great choice! It really makes the inverters much more versatile.

TomW