Author Topic: plugin inverter options  (Read 949 times)

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dnix71

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plugin inverter options
« on: May 07, 2008, 01:05:00 AM »
I don't want a grid tie inverter, but have excess power now that's it's summer. My batteries are getting charged into the high 13 volt range. Is there a simple way to run a full size refrigerator or AC from a combination of excess power and makeup from the grid? I rent the apartment, so it needs to be plug in, not wired at the panel, which is in a shared utility/wash room.


My electric bill last month was only $15 anyway, so it's hard to justify spending much money. I have piped gas for cooking and hot water.


I did the setup shown in my account bio link http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj62/dnix71/ because I was without power for almost a month after hurricane Wilma. There is still unrepaired damage to the distribution system here in south Florida, so even a 'weak' storm will probably crash things again.


There is a place in Miami that sells cosmetic blem 60 watt PV panels from Germany for $3.34/watt. If I have a plugin hybrid, it would be worth getting some more panels and running the window ac all day for comfort. I have ordered an electric hybrid bicycle from WalMart to commute. That can be charged directly from the battery setup I already have. Gas costs me about $8 a day now, so the bike will be paid for by the end of the summer, even if I get an extra battery pack to swap out.

« Last Edit: May 07, 2008, 01:05:00 AM by (unknown) »

TheCasualTraveler

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Re: plugin inverter options
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2008, 05:29:48 AM »
""Is there a simple way to run a full size refrigerator or AC from a combination of excess power and makeup from the grid?""


     This may sound silly but I have pondered using a wall wort to run a refrigerator. Here's how. Supposing you have nearly enough power from your batteries but the sun and wind can't quite keep up. Assuming you have an inverter that can handle the fridge adding a wall wort to charge the battery bank and keep it topped off might just give you the little extra you need. Seems like an ok setup to me since the fridge runs for short spurts giving the batteries time to recharge in between. You would still be running the fridge from the grid indirectly, but diminished. Probably horribly inefficient and would be a balancing act to get thru the night before the batteries get too low but I don't see why it couldn't work.

« Last Edit: May 10, 2008, 05:29:48 AM by (unknown) »