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creeky
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# Posted: 24 Sep 2012 06:23pm
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for my next solar system I would like to start with one of these please
Outback-FlexPower-One-FP1-4-Pre-Wired-GVFX3648-48VDC120VAC
Come on, 80 amp solar charging! Plug and Play. The works (charger, inverter, communications, combiner ... everything)
altestore.com has a darn good price too (I don't work for these folks, but I go to the website and ...)
what's your solar desired?
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 24 Sep 2012 06:45pm
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That's nice equipment. We have similar; the 60 amp charge controller, not the 80 and we have a VFX3624 inverter (24 volt system instead of 48 volt. Note that the inverter shown, GVFX3648 is the grid tie version. If one's intent is to grif tie, great. However, if one is not going to grid tie AND if one is going to want to use a generator as an auxillary or backback power source to the PV and batteries, let me mention a caution. In the past the G series inverters have had some issues with working with a great many generators. Basically they would not accept the generator power. I can not say if this is still the case, so don't discard the idea of Outback equipment. It is good, just has had a problem with this in the past. The non-G series of their inverters have no issues with generators. Check with Outback. This is knowledge I have first hand, not an internet rumor.
If I was looking for new equipment I would definitly look at this one or the other centers Outback has available. And I'd tote up the prices of the components to see how much I was paying for the convenience.
One thing that is nice about the Outback inverters is that most are readily stacked to either provide 240 VAC and to increase amperage capacity. I've seen systems that use four of the VFX3624 for 240 VAC with up to 7200 watts service.
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2012 10:38am - Edited by: CabinBuilder
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$3,449.00.....  Is it worth it?
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2012 01:03pm
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Quoting: CabinBuilder Is it worth it?
Depends.
If the power is for a small cabin with minimalist needs it would be more than what is needed.
If it is for a small cabin complex like ours, well then it is pretty much ideal. 3600 watts of pure sine wave 120 VAC power. And that's continuous watts, not surge watts as many other brands are. I can and do run an air compressor, skilsaw, battery chargers, my wife can use a vacuum, microwave, toaster and other small appliances pretty much without much concern that we'll overpower the system.
When idle it can be programmed to go into a standby mode; very low battery drain. In a 24 Volt system the controller can handle 2500 watts of panels; 48 volts, 5000 watts of panels. And it has DC rated breakers, etc and all the housings. I did a rough lookup on individual components and that is a fair deal for the equipment.
Like many things you do pay for the conveniences though. Lights and power outlets in the gazebo, shed, barn and exterior path lights from building to building. But that's me.
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creeky
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2012 02:30pm
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I'm with you there MtnDon. I like my toys. I had to assemble my first system myself. It works really well, no complaints, but to put a panel on a wall and then plug in the batteries, panels and maybe even a generator.  and hopefully prices keep dropping.
Of course my cost was much lower than 3500 for the inverter/charger/communications/switches. Probably more like 1,500. But I have a 12 v system with no generator charge/connect.
Okay. Solar desire #2. Since no one else seems to have one.
A normal fridge!
I've been looking at a Maytag 18.5 with dual zone cooling and this that and the other thing. It uses 392 kw/yr. That's less than double the kw usage of a 2800 dollar "sun" whats'it. To make up that extra 200 kw/yr I can put in panels and batteries for a thousand. The way I see it I'm saving a grand (cost of fridge plus cost of expanded solar system = $2k).
And I save $400 a year in propane.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 25 Sep 2012 06:05pm - Edited by: MtnDon
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Quoting: creeky A normal fridge!
Aye, that's the ticket, creeky. I pondered that back a few years when planning our cabin but at the time chose the Servel propane as we got a reasonable deal on one and solar panels were still more than they are today. I would love to have a regular electric fridge. I do not like the chest type that Sundanzer have. They do have some great chest freezers but a chest fridge is inconvenient to use.
A normal electric fridge would be my biggest wish I guess. But it (PV and fridge) would have to be able to run itself without me worrying about it if I was away for a week. That adds to the difficulty.
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