Sponsored

Powering home w/o 30amp outlet

Azgunguy

Well-known member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Threads
13
Messages
117
Reaction score
65
Location
Northern Arizona
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Pro and 2012 Expedition Fleet
Using the 20 amps of available power I’m able to power a good majority of my house if my solar batteries aren’t well charged. Just enough to get us through the night. We obviously can’t run high draw utilities but fridge, tv, StarLink, etc.. are all low enough draw that it shouldn’t cause issue. I realize this may not be the RIGHT way but it is A way to do it. The green plug works with bonded neutral inverters, and that is wired to the 3 breaker generator switch.
Ford F-150 Lightning Powering home w/o 30amp outlet IMG_5006
Ford F-150 Lightning Powering home w/o 30amp outlet IMG_5005
 

hturnerfamily

Well-known member
First Name
William
Joined
Jan 8, 2022
Threads
45
Messages
1,868
Reaction score
2,236
Location
rural Georgia
Vehicles
22 LIGHTNING PRO IcedBlueSilver 8/23/2022
Occupation
Owner
yep, you are just using the 'regular' ProPower in exactly the way you need to in order to provide 'whole home' service... the only difference between this, and your utility, is your 20amp maximum... and everything must be 120volt devices, appliances, etc., which is obvious, since you have only SINGLE breakers in your sub-panel : )
 
OP
OP
Azgunguy

Azgunguy

Well-known member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Threads
13
Messages
117
Reaction score
65
Location
Northern Arizona
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Pro and 2012 Expedition Fleet
yep, you are just using the 'regular' ProPower in exactly the way you need to in order to provide 'whole home' service... the only difference between this, and your utility, is your 20amp maximum... and everything must be 120volt devices, appliances, etc., which is obvious, since you have only SINGLE breakers in your sub-panel : )
Yeah it’s not ideal, but seeing as I don’t have the 30a outlet I had to make it work. And it beats having to run extension cords to every appliance I want to use. It was a PITA with the bonded neutral, and trying to setup a 120v system, but we got it to work.
 

Adventureboy

Well-known member
First Name
Jonathan
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
652
Reaction score
619
Location
Ontario
Vehicles
2023 F150 Lightning Lariat
I've considered using the PPOB to charge the solar batteries when needed. I could run a 20-30 amp 240v charger from the L6-30 in the bed only when the batteries need a boost. I think this might be simpler and need less electrical gear. It also solves the ground problem since the 240v systems are isolated.

Has anyone tried this? Any thoughts on the setup?
 
OP
OP
Azgunguy

Azgunguy

Well-known member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Threads
13
Messages
117
Reaction score
65
Location
Northern Arizona
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Pro and 2012 Expedition Fleet
I've considered using the PPOB to charge the solar batteries when needed. I could run a 20-30 amp 240v charger from the L6-30 in the bed only when the batteries need a boost. I think this might be simpler and need less electrical gear. It also solves the ground problem since the 240v systems are isolated.

Has anyone tried this? Any thoughts on the setup?
If I had a 240v outlet that’s what I do. That’s what I do with my generator now if my solar batteries need a boost.
 

Sponsored

Adventureboy

Well-known member
First Name
Jonathan
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
652
Reaction score
619
Location
Ontario
Vehicles
2023 F150 Lightning Lariat
If I had a 240v outlet that’s what I do. That’s what I do with my generator now if my solar batteries need a boost.
It should also work with a 15 amp 120v charger just the same. It sounds like you can run a generator to charge your batteries - does it run a 120vAC --> DC charger? If so, you may be able to just tie into that.
Where did you find the green box? That would be some useful kit I think.
 
OP
OP
Azgunguy

Azgunguy

Well-known member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Threads
13
Messages
117
Reaction score
65
Location
Northern Arizona
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Pro and 2012 Expedition Fleet
It should also work with a 15 amp 120v charger just the same. It sounds like you can run a generator to charge your batteries - does it run a 120vAC --> DC charger? If so, you may be able to just tie into that.
Where did you find the green box? That would be some useful kit I think.
It runs 240v to the inverters and the inverters distribute some DC power to the batteries and some AC to whatever I’m using in the house. I bought it off their website. EZ generator or something. It only works for 1 circuit unless it’s wired like how I have it.
 

ctuan13

Well-known member
First Name
Chuck
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
25
Messages
628
Reaction score
773
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicles
1979 Continental, 2022 F150 Lightning, 03 Marauder
Using the 20 amps of available power I’m able to power a good majority of my house if my solar batteries aren’t well charged. Just enough to get us through the night. We obviously can’t run high draw utilities but fridge, tv, StarLink, etc.. are all low enough draw that it shouldn’t cause issue. I realize this may not be the RIGHT way but it is A way to do it. The green plug works with bonded neutral inverters, and that is wired to the 3 breaker generator switch.
IMG_5006.jpeg
IMG_5005.jpeg
So was it just the EZ transfer switch that did the trick, or was there something more complex to get the Pro-Power on board to play nicely with household wiring?
 
OP
OP
Azgunguy

Azgunguy

Well-known member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Threads
13
Messages
117
Reaction score
65
Location
Northern Arizona
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Pro and 2012 Expedition Fleet
So was it just the EZ transfer switch that did the trick, or was there something more complex to get the Pro-Power on board to play nicely with household wiring?
The ez transfer switch did it. However it was a PITA to wire. It was not straight forward wiring. All the neutrals that were on the circuits I wanted to use had to be tied to the neutral coming off the sub panel. And the neutral from the ez generator box had to be wired to a neutral bus bar on the houses panel. I’m not sure if I’m remembering properly, I’ll have to check, but I think that’s how I wired it. But it works and it’s safe most importantly.
Sponsored

 
 





Top