Grid tied inverters, 120vac or 220vac?
 

I've been looking at these new GTIs on Ebay..

1200w+LCD grid tie solar power inverter 28-52vDC/110vAC - eBay (item 250645344281 end time Jul-05-10 01:26:38 PDT)

120vac or 220vac? I'm wondering if there is any difference in how they work.

In the case of a home with two 120vac loops off their 220vac breaker panel,
if a GTI was connected to a 120vac loop that was lightly loaded,
would loads on the other loop be supplied by the GTI?


Is there any advantage to using a 220vac GTI? vs. a 120vac GTI?


Is there any difference in what wattage a net-meter would see,
if it was a 120vac GTI and the load was not balanced? (Light on the GTI side)?

Video!
 

I decided to go with a more proven product..
1200w grid tie power inverter28-52v/110v wind&solar - eBay (item 220628676262 end time Jul-27-10 07:43:43 PDT)

Here's the video that sold me..

YouTube - drz4000's Channel

I'm using the SMA SB3000, which is a 240VAC output inverter. The SMA inverters seem to be the most reliable and are probably the most popular. They are also a lot more expensive than the one you selected (about $2000). Let us know how yours works.

It was kind of a toss up, but after looking at drz4000's video.. I was sold..

I only have 500w of PV, so the max current at 120vac is only about 4 amps..
Not anything that's going to heat up the wire.. :)

Using this type of GTI seems to be the cheapest way to learn about
power-point-tracking.. Plus a tracking PV mount.. :D


I'm thinking of using this GTI with my 5kw gas generator (playing the part of the grid)
during power failures, if it's sunny. My mini-split can cool or heat the house on 400 to 480 watts.

If my whole house power use wasn't too high, the PV & GTI could make a tank of gasoline last a lot longer.
It could power the AC at least.

One other idea I've been mulling over is making my own portable pseudo-Grid,
using a small Pure-Sine wave 12vdc to 120vac inverter.
Hook the AC lines together and add some load..

A lot of pictures.
 

After all the time I spent trying to decide which model to buy, someone about 5,000 miles away, sent me the wrong unit..
One of the new LCD models came today..

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/l008.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/l010.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/l005.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/l015.jpg

This seems to be the jumper for 115vac or 220vac.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/l020.jpg

The green LED started cycling when I connected two 10w PVs.
Using special PVC chair-mounts, they were running at 0.49A@25.5 volts, (12.495 watts)!
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/l025.jpg

I took it apart before testing, because I saw this video.
YouTube - PowerJack 1200w LCD Grid Tie Inverter

The DC in is on the right side..
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/l015.jpg
The AC out is on the left side.

I've heard those little transformers are the same ones used in the 400w GTIs.
They just add more when they want more power.?.

There are two automobile type fuses on the +PV DC input.
And, inside the shipping box were two glass type fuses with solder tails.?.

It seems that Power Jack makes these units without any regard to RFI.
This unit transmits very loud RFI noise on the AM band. Jamming all
most all the local stations. I understand this is a problem common
to much of the PJ inverter product line.

The Power Jack 3500 Watt inverter - buyers beware!

WOW. I want one. Now. that you got me scared about buying one. It powered up from simply using two 10watt PVs? Was the cooling fan able to spin up?

It did power-up, but I'm pretty sure it was working normally. The power out had to be down in the 3 to 5 watt range..

There's a temperature sensor in there somewheres.
The fan stays off until the sides get up to about 100 degrees F.
It does warm up after a while at 200-300 watts.
But, it never goes over much over 100F. I think 102F is the most I saw.


A guy from PowerJack (name powerjackinverter) logged on to Youtube and left some comments about the LCD model..
YouTube - PowerJack 1200w LCD Grid Tie Inverter

He admits to the problems and seems to be trying to use the feedback to guide the corrective action. (My words, not his).

If you want one of these 1200w LCD units, it might be best to wait a while.

390228208041
 

Well, I sent it back and they sent me exact same model (from China again), but without
the LCD watt & volt meter. They installed a blank steel plate in the LCD hole..

Tonight, I see another seller has the large version 1200 watt Power Jack GTI..
They even have a ($250) high input voltage model (50v to 100v).
1200w grid tie power inverter DC50-100V/110VAC - eBay (item 390228471574 end time Sep-20-10 00:38:31 PDT)

They sent me some pics.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...SWGT-1200l.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...SWGT-1200s.jpg
(This thing is 490mm or 19.3" long)!!

Maybe a few panels. You'll need a few more inverters.
Kaneka 60 watt solar panel
$1.42 a watt
Swiping your meters , not cool :cool: Bad China.