P
[email protected]
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Does anyone make a large inverter? I'm exploring the idea of running
things entirely off-grid. So I'm exploring what all could be done with
various elements of solar, natural, and renewable power sources to see
if this might be practical and what constraints it may have when it
comes time to do this.
But one limitation I have found is that inverters seem to all be on the
small side and with only limited ability to "stack" them. The largest
I have seen is 6000 watts. The largest Xantrex model (besides their
three phase grid tie units) is just 5500 watts. It can be "stacked"
up to 2 units either parallel (120 volts only) or series (120/240 volts).
But 11000 watts is a little on the wimpy side and you can't parallel a
stacked pair.
I could just have multiple systems (probably 2 to 4). But that makes
more of a wiring nightmare. It would be easier to have a larger inverter.
And I would be more comfortable with having a single unit that does the
3-wire system for 120/240 volts integrated. I have no committment on the
DC side voltage, but I'd like to be sure it is within the range that can
be handled by common circuit breakers from Square-D and Cutler-Hammer.
The built-in charger in the Xantrex (and many other) units is also not
useful. For example, AC power sources might not be able to support the
peak demand, but I would certainly want to have them supplement batteries
in those cases. The goal of this is to be off-grid, not as a backup for
utility outage.
Anyone know of larger single-phase inverters that are in, or can be stacked
to be in, the 15 to 50 kW range at 120/240 volts?
Separate chargers (AC to DC converters) would also be nice, especially if
they can handle really weird power (wide voltage and frequency variation).
things entirely off-grid. So I'm exploring what all could be done with
various elements of solar, natural, and renewable power sources to see
if this might be practical and what constraints it may have when it
comes time to do this.
But one limitation I have found is that inverters seem to all be on the
small side and with only limited ability to "stack" them. The largest
I have seen is 6000 watts. The largest Xantrex model (besides their
three phase grid tie units) is just 5500 watts. It can be "stacked"
up to 2 units either parallel (120 volts only) or series (120/240 volts).
But 11000 watts is a little on the wimpy side and you can't parallel a
stacked pair.
I could just have multiple systems (probably 2 to 4). But that makes
more of a wiring nightmare. It would be easier to have a larger inverter.
And I would be more comfortable with having a single unit that does the
3-wire system for 120/240 volts integrated. I have no committment on the
DC side voltage, but I'd like to be sure it is within the range that can
be handled by common circuit breakers from Square-D and Cutler-Hammer.
The built-in charger in the Xantrex (and many other) units is also not
useful. For example, AC power sources might not be able to support the
peak demand, but I would certainly want to have them supplement batteries
in those cases. The goal of this is to be off-grid, not as a backup for
utility outage.
Anyone know of larger single-phase inverters that are in, or can be stacked
to be in, the 15 to 50 kW range at 120/240 volts?
Separate chargers (AC to DC converters) would also be nice, especially if
they can handle really weird power (wide voltage and frequency variation).