Solar Generac PWRcell manual AC-Coupling!

I got my used Generac PWRcell system installed!
This is just after installing it on a sunny day. I'm able to use it to power up my grid-tie Enphase micro-inverters, as long as there's some place for that power to go.
Mostly, it can just go right into the PWRcell battery.

I can now take my garage off-grid if I want. Mostly, I just wanted to add a battery and be able to use my grid-tie-only solar panels in a blackout situation.

I shot the installation of the battery. I'll be working on editing that into a proper video.

[BenjaminNelsonX]

It appeared that the battery hit the Maximum State of Charge % that I had it programmed to DURING the video. Sure enough, if there's no place for the power to go, the system shuts down, and then automatically restarts about 10 seconds later. The grid-tie system waits 5 minutes before trying to reconnect. Plenty of time to simply turn it off OR add more loads, such as plugging in an electric car to charge, or turning on some electric heat in the winter.

[raffly]

I can’t believe you found one of those at a thrift store !! How incredibly lucky !!!

[DrFruikenstein]

That looks like fun.
I'm not allowed to have large solar arrays where I live, so a few small panels is all I can do (maybe solar roof shingles is the answer to that).
Because I get most of my energy from the utility, I like to put an UPS in every room for lights when the power goes out. If the power is out for too long, I'll shut off the kitchen breaker to isolate the circuit and use my Kenworth with a double male drop cord to keep the fridge cold. This works well, except for the expense of using a 15 Litre diesel engine to make one kilowatt of continuous electricity. Maybe I can get a car alternator for the over powered (22hp) giant lawn tractor I have, and mount an inverter under the seat to lower the cost a bit.

[Thereminator]

The 'On Grid' gods were Angry that day my friend! ⚡🤬⚡

[offgridwanabe]

At least you know there is a safety built into the battery and it works. Even if you use a relay to switch to grid when the battery is full it is still likely the grid ties will shut down for 5 minutes as it regulates to the grid. If it is like my MagaSine it will change over automatically if the load and grid tie is run through the panel that the inverter controls then the pass through is done by the inverter all the time so it is synced whether fed by the grid or the battery. Another funny thing in mine is the feed is reversed or 180 out of phase between the inverter and the grid confusing, right.

[mrschmiklz]

Lol! Congrats! BTW, What are you doing with that nissan leaf motor???

[Dli]

Lol, good timing... You need more loads it appears... ;)

[xavierneckor]

Doesn't Generac have firmware update for you to enable frequency shifting to curtail grid-tied inverter power when the battery is nearly full? You do need to have newer Enphase microinveters to support frequency-watt control.

[davidmcclare]

hi would a potential fix be to slightly alter the mains frequency to tell the grid tie inverters to reduce there output power?

[wva]

how much did you get the generac stuff for?