Currently, I have 8 300 watt panels to run the home. But, I still have to conserve power because, just because you have 2400 watts of power, as soon as it travels down from the charge controller or to be stored into a battery, or even if the batteries are topped off and by passing the batteries, going directly to the converter and then from there to the PC, I'm guessing that 20% of that energy is wasted in the process of converting 48 volts to 120 Volts even tho, I have an outback 3000 watt inverter that supposedly is 90% efficient. But just going back into a power supply where the voltage is converted back down from 120 volts to 5/12 volts, as we all known even the best power supplies lose at least 10% in that process. So, if I add in my power supply it's more like 30% power wasted before I can even crank out one Work Unit. Don't even ask what the conversion rate is when it's dark out, and I have to pull from the battery bank as it's just ridiculously stupid, probably be lucky to get 50% power usage.
So, I turn off my equipment and haven't been really seriously pursuing as I'd rather have my refrigerator running than my seti crunching rig! I know call me paranoid! haha... But, I've been thinking about expanding, well, not expanding, as in running two separate maybe another 8 panels that are connected to a charge controller, and on a UPS battery bank made up of lithium ion batteries instead. Enough juice to power a 800 watts for a few days. That way no big deal, if I run that batteries low enough and actually have to shut the computer down, at least the food in the fridge will remain cold and thus won't have to drag out the honda generator to keep everything going. Yeah, I know, it's going to be expensive. What we will go though to crunch a few numbers eh? I miss not having a high powered rig, and not just leaving it on 24hrs. A luxury only dreamed of by most.
My question is....... Anyone running on solar (sadly not enough wind here) to do hybrid, so I would have to rely on SOLAR only. And living in hawaii is the HIGHEST KW hour of about 50 cents when you factor in they want 35 bucks every month just to keep the line connected, and then it works out to about 43 cents a KW hour after that. Right.... I live on the big island that just makes matters worse, Oahu is lower but not by much. Anyway, if anyone is running high powered setup 24/7 on solar I'd like to see your setup.. Just have some extra cash and figured there must be other crazy F^#$%ers like me doing the same thing!
Peace out!
So, I turn off my equipment and haven't been really seriously pursuing as I'd rather have my refrigerator running than my seti crunching rig! I know call me paranoid! haha... But, I've been thinking about expanding, well, not expanding, as in running two separate maybe another 8 panels that are connected to a charge controller, and on a UPS battery bank made up of lithium ion batteries instead. Enough juice to power a 800 watts for a few days. That way no big deal, if I run that batteries low enough and actually have to shut the computer down, at least the food in the fridge will remain cold and thus won't have to drag out the honda generator to keep everything going. Yeah, I know, it's going to be expensive. What we will go though to crunch a few numbers eh? I miss not having a high powered rig, and not just leaving it on 24hrs. A luxury only dreamed of by most.
My question is....... Anyone running on solar (sadly not enough wind here) to do hybrid, so I would have to rely on SOLAR only. And living in hawaii is the HIGHEST KW hour of about 50 cents when you factor in they want 35 bucks every month just to keep the line connected, and then it works out to about 43 cents a KW hour after that. Right.... I live on the big island that just makes matters worse, Oahu is lower but not by much. Anyway, if anyone is running high powered setup 24/7 on solar I'd like to see your setup.. Just have some extra cash and figured there must be other crazy F^#$%ers like me doing the same thing!
Peace out!