[pvusers] Inverter comments

["Dan Metcalf" <dan@metcalfs.com>]

Just a quick note about your inverters:

I own both an Exeltech XP1100 and Statpower Prosine 3.0

The Exeltech is terrific - a great all around system that I use to power all
the normal loads including the answering machine and 24hr computer systems.
For my system the 10watt draw isn't a problem.

I also needed a larger inverter to handle occassional large loads, so picked
the Statpower.  The built in AC charger is a nice little plus too.  While I
like this inverter, I don't like the fact that it seems to pull an extra
60watts over all loads just to run the inverter functions.  Doesn't matter
if my load pulls 10watts or 2 kw, this thing still seems to run about
60watts over.  The LCD display doesn't even show this additional load on the
display, and the manual doesn't mention it either.  If I didn't have my
TriMetric I wouldn't have known where the energy was going.  So far the
product seems solid.

Dan Metcalf
http://solar.metcalfs.com

----- Original Message -----
From: csnake@attglobal.net
To: pvusers@crest.org
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2002 10:10 PM
Subject: [pvusers] Batteries


Greetings solar siblings
I posted a question about finding used batteries a few months ago and I
wanted to thank all those who responded and ask for some follow-up advice.
 I located through a friend a 3yr. old set of AGM batteries. They were
unused and sat uncharged on some distributor's shelf.
They were charged and load tested by my friend with state of the art
equipment - he is an engineer with a battery manufacturer-and they tested
out at 100% capacity.
 Now for my ? The battery is 410 amp hrs. at 24volts . Problem is my load
calculation for my system is approx. 133 amp hours/day
which makes this battery a wee bit small for my needs. My friend assures me
that these are great deep cycle batteries and they can take the abuse. They
were originally designed for deep cycle use but they worked so well for
float use that most of these batteries were sold to telecoms and we know
telecoms aren't buying much of anything these days.Anyway my investment in
these batteries so far is goodwill and a little bit of sweat so I am not out
if they quickly die.
   Other relevant info. I am planning on 12 SP-75 Siemen panels (900 watts)
to charge this battery. I haven't decided on an inverter yet. I really like
the Exeltech XP -1100 it is clean and big enough to power everything I have
except a piggish air compressor I have-but the downside for it is the lack
of sleep-mode and the 10watt constant draw.I am also considering the
Statpower Prosine 1800 which is big enough even for my energy hog, sleep
mode,  etc. but I have a bit of an anti-Xantrex bias.
 Back to the battery conundrum. one idea I had was to set up a small 12volt
system to power things like answering machine, cordless phone charger, and a
few lights. this could take some pressure of my 24v AGM batt. and provide
some redundancy. On the other had do I really want 2 systems?
Thanks to anyone who makes it thru this long saga and  can laugh, cry or
advise

Chris


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