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marty236
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/06/2011 11:44 PM

I am looking for a generator to power my cabin in Mexico. I use about 7kw a day. I would like to put 3 or 4 batteries and have the generator kick in when they aré at 50% charge. I will need a invertor but I would like to use the same invertor when I put my solar panels up. I am very new to this field so I would really appreciate any advice and what brands to buy. Remember I am in Mexico. Thanks
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PWSlack
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#1

Re: Generator and solar powered cabin

09/07/2011 3:49 AM

<...about 7kw a day....>

Gibberish.

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Tornado
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Generator and solar powered cabin

09/07/2011 4:32 AM

I'm guessing he meant 7kwh/day, a meaningful but modest value averaging ~0.3 kw. We can then wonder what the peak kw consumption would be.

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PWSlack
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Generator and solar powered cabin

09/07/2011 8:12 AM

That's better. Not brilliant. Just better.

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Gazu
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#14
In reply to #1

Re: Generator and solar powered cabin

09/08/2011 2:01 PM

7 kw/day=0.3kw/hr or 300w for each hour. A couple of light bulbs and a fan. Talk about a small energy footprint.
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PWSlack
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#4

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/07/2011 8:13 AM

http://www.evsource.com/articles/mind_your_units.php

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marty236
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#5

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/07/2011 10:25 AM

7 kwh, my peak would be 2000 watts.
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PWSlack
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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/07/2011 10:32 AM

As the units of measurement have been clarified, this post makes sense.

The inverter rating in kW needs to exceed the peak load requirement by, say, 20%, and the battery storage kAh needs to exceed the daily kWh figure, divided by the battery voltage, by at least 30%, as a rule-of-thumb, to allow for less-than-optimum battery condition.

Of course, the incoming supplies need to contribute more than 7kWh/day to the battery arrangement. One might suggest over-sizing these too, to allow for days when the source energy is either not available, or not so plentiful.

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lighthasmass
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#7

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/07/2011 11:20 PM

Outback Power Systems makes very efficient inverters and have a very versatile system for components. There inverters will start gensets automatically and their charge controllers can take PV strings up to 150VDC while converting to appropriate battery voltages.

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ben1son1
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#8

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/07/2011 11:26 PM

Go to the following web site to calculate what you need. I use this site to to my cabin off the grid! http://www.freesunpower.com/system_sizing.php. This site will walk you through the hold process? There are a lot more on the internet so just GOOGLE what you want. I would use more the one web site to calculate and see if you come up with the same numbers. Also, plan to be using more power down the road because you always adding things, like power tools, or appliances!

Let me know if this works out for you and if you have more question I try answer them. I design my cabin system.

BEN
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marty236
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#9

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/08/2011 1:19 AM

Thanks alot guys, I found a outback suplier here in Guadalajara.
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#10

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/08/2011 5:26 AM

check www.onstatpower.com
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xanasax
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#11

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/08/2011 9:12 AM

7kw per day? Nobody here in England uses that amount in their homes, why do you need so much power, or don't you switch the Lights, TV, Heating off when you leave a room?
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tdesmit
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#12
In reply to #11

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/08/2011 9:32 AM

In England, you probably don't need air conditioning too often. August in Mexico with temps of 110 deg. F would be pretty unbearable without it. I hope the OP doesn't mind me speaking for him.......

Tom D.
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xanasax
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#13
In reply to #12

Re: Generator and Solar Powered Cabin

09/08/2011 12:57 PM

No we don't need air conditioning, but we sure use a lot of fuel heating the house in winter, so it works out the same really!
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ben1son1 (1); Gazu (1); lighthasmass (1); marty236 (2); PWSlack (4); tdesmit (1); Tornado (1); xanasax (2)

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