Using a plug-in wall socket power inverter

[CinciJoe]

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?

[DamonHD]

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

[spinningmagnets]

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.

[RUFUS]

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  

[ghurd]

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-

[ADMIN]

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

[CinciJoe]

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-

[RUFUS]

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

[wooferhound]

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

[richhagen]

Finally, an entry for Volvo's old VAWT challenge?   Rich

[tmcmurran]

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.