WaterWiz
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I wanted to create this thread for those interested in having backup power using the Lightning Extended Range without the Home Integration System. Disclaimer - I am not an engineer or professional electrician. I am a tinkerer and love learning new things. Consult a professional. I can be an idiot sometimes.
My Current Off Grid Setup
Technical -My Florida home has a ground-mounted 15kW solar panel array that feeds two split-phase LV6548V2 inverters (13kW output combined) with a 50kWh battery backup. I do not use net metering. (I don’t provide the grid; I put the excess in batteries)
Typically speaking, I have solar panels that, on a sunny day in Florida, create 70kWh of electricity.
What does that mean?
My home uses an average of 50kWh/day in power, and I generate 20kWh of excess power that I put in the batteries. The power does not go out because I technically don’t need the grid.
With no losses and using the Lightning ER battery, I have 131kWh of usable battery. I can power my house (no solar) for almost three days using the ER Lightning and the 30 amp plug in the truck bed alone.
The problem is when running the refrigerator, TV, internet, etc., and the air conditioner kicks on, I will trip the capacity of the 30-amp outlet.
With my solar setup, I don’t need to feed the house directly with the truck. My solar system can use a generator input to supplement power. This means the system will use all the direct solar power first. When I have everything running in the house, I need 9000 watts of power. When it is sunny, no problem. A cloud passes over my solar panel and drops to 2000 watts. This is when my batteries kick in and make up the difference. If I need a lot of power and it is cloudy all day, I will quickly use my battery reserves and reach the point where I need supplemental power. This is where I can run a generator, use grid power, or use the Lightning ER to supplement power.
I recommend watching DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse or Off-Grid Garage on YouTube to understand this better. Here is a video on the concept: . Spoiler: he had a bad experience with the truck.
Things I need to explore:
1. Can I use the power outlet and charge at the same time? Explanation: The truck discharges overnight to supply power to the house. I have the truck set to charge during the day (peak solar). The sun comes up and without disconnecting the bed outlet. Will the wall outlet charge the truck batteries?
2. Is there an issue with ProPower/Truck being “on” for days?
3. Is there a way to tap into the DC portion of the truck and have bi-directional power using a third-party inverter? Note the HIS setup seems way too limited for my application.
4. Upgrading my entire solar setup. No way to run the house and charge the truck after driving all day without using the grid.
Thoughts?
My Current Off Grid Setup
Technical -My Florida home has a ground-mounted 15kW solar panel array that feeds two split-phase LV6548V2 inverters (13kW output combined) with a 50kWh battery backup. I do not use net metering. (I don’t provide the grid; I put the excess in batteries)
Typically speaking, I have solar panels that, on a sunny day in Florida, create 70kWh of electricity.
What does that mean?
My home uses an average of 50kWh/day in power, and I generate 20kWh of excess power that I put in the batteries. The power does not go out because I technically don’t need the grid.
With no losses and using the Lightning ER battery, I have 131kWh of usable battery. I can power my house (no solar) for almost three days using the ER Lightning and the 30 amp plug in the truck bed alone.
The problem is when running the refrigerator, TV, internet, etc., and the air conditioner kicks on, I will trip the capacity of the 30-amp outlet.
With my solar setup, I don’t need to feed the house directly with the truck. My solar system can use a generator input to supplement power. This means the system will use all the direct solar power first. When I have everything running in the house, I need 9000 watts of power. When it is sunny, no problem. A cloud passes over my solar panel and drops to 2000 watts. This is when my batteries kick in and make up the difference. If I need a lot of power and it is cloudy all day, I will quickly use my battery reserves and reach the point where I need supplemental power. This is where I can run a generator, use grid power, or use the Lightning ER to supplement power.
I recommend watching DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse or Off-Grid Garage on YouTube to understand this better. Here is a video on the concept: . Spoiler: he had a bad experience with the truck.
Things I need to explore:
1. Can I use the power outlet and charge at the same time? Explanation: The truck discharges overnight to supply power to the house. I have the truck set to charge during the day (peak solar). The sun comes up and without disconnecting the bed outlet. Will the wall outlet charge the truck batteries?
2. Is there an issue with ProPower/Truck being “on” for days?
3. Is there a way to tap into the DC portion of the truck and have bi-directional power using a third-party inverter? Note the HIS setup seems way too limited for my application.
4. Upgrading my entire solar setup. No way to run the house and charge the truck after driving all day without using the grid.
Thoughts?
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