What is your power backup plan?

[TomXP411]

After watching David's latest video on his backup power solution, I'm seriously interested in building a system like this of my own. 

My house is already solarized, and I'm just waiting for final inspection and the operating permit. However, having the ability to run off-grid is still interesting to me, and I'm considering some of the same things David did: installing a 4-circuit transfer switch and a large lithium pack to run off-grid indefinitely, provided enough solar power is available.

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  Power station: https://www.amazon.com/BLUETTI-Portable-Station-Generator-Emergency/dp/B08MZJW9Y5 (the AC2000MAX is also a good choice)
  


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  Air conditioner: https://www.amazon.com/Midea-Inverter-Conditioner-Flexibility-Installation/dp/B08677DCKN 
  


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  Transfer switch: https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-Integration-Transfer-Switch/dp/B07C535GCZ
  


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  Solar panels: https://www.amazon.com/WEIZE-Watt-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel/dp/B08721CBST
  

The power station, AC, and transfer switch are the items (as near as I can tell) David used in his video. The solar panels are not; David bought used panels from a local retailer. 

Does David's backup and energy saving plan give you any ideas? What would you do differently? 

 

[Scott Robison]

I had solar installed about 4 years ago, but it is all on grid. It makes my electric bill effectively zero, because I generate as much or more than I use. The biggest problem (and it isn't often a problem) is when there is a power outage, because then I can't use the electricity that my panels generate (if during daylight hours, anyway). I'd like to install a battery backup at some point so that I have it when and if I need it.

One thing I rationalized is our RV as part of an emergency preparedness plan. It has some on board battery capacity, a gas generator, and propane, so if our house were to be uninhabitable in some way, we have the RV as a backup living space with the comforts of home, at least for a small period of time.

[SlithyMatt]

Before COVID, I had all the Marriott points I could ever want, and that was my plan. Since my business travel has completely stopped, I used up all my points for personal use. What definitely helps is that I moved from a place with frequent power outages (easily one every two weeks) to one with very few (just one very brief -- less than 2 minutes --- outage over the last 8 months).

[picosecond]

I have had a few multi-day outages, the longest being 5 days after Snowtober in 2011.  After that I added a gas-powered portable.  Setting it up was a nuisance, but it was better than nothing.  Until the day I needed it and the carb float valve was stuck. Gas everywhere...

Now I have a natural gas powered whole-house standby generator.  It's been great but we've only had brief outages since installing it a couple of years ago.  I considered solar + powerwall, but that won't cut the mustard if I end up powerless for a week with a foot of snow on the roof.

I also have a small place in rural Maine that houses an elderly family member.  Outages are frequent and automation is a must (it's a 3-hour drive in good weather).  There I have a similar standby generator, powered by propane.

Both installations are overkill, but I can be away and not worry about either house.

[TomXP411]

On 6/1/2022 at 2:01 PM, Scott Robison said:

I had solar installed about 4 years ago, but it is all on grid. It makes my electric bill effectively zero, because I generate as much or more than I use. The biggest problem (and it isn't often a problem) is when there is a power outage, because then I can't use the electricity that my panels generate (if during daylight hours, anyway). I'd like to install a battery backup at some point so that I have it when and if I need it.



One thing I rationalized is our RV as part of an emergency preparedness plan. It has some on board battery capacity, a gas generator, and propane, so if our house were to be uninhabitable in some way, we have the RV as a backup living space with the comforts of home, at least for a small period of time.

I've been thinking more about how to use one of those battery units in conjunction with a generator and/or solar system. David's setup has me thinking I could run the generator for 2 hours or so to charge up the battery, then let that run my equipment most of the day. So then I'm not wasting fuel by basically idling the generator when not using it. 

I may get a few extra panels specifically to charge the battery unit, and use that for backup power when the grid is down. I just put up solar, too, and I bought enough solar power (8.5KW) to offset my bill. But I'm still considering adding another 2.4KW through the AC2000MAX to add another extra bit of off-grid functionality. If I can offset an extra 1-2KW by moving my gear over to off-grid solar power, then we can earn that money back by going further negative with our net metering... considering the cost of electricity here, the 2000MAX and 2KW of solar would pay for itself in about 3 years. 

Now I find myself wishing I'd gone with a slightly smaller install, so I could spend the $3000 it would take to replicate David's setup.

[Scott Robison]

On 6/1/2022 at 4:42 PM, TomXP411 said:

I've been thinking more about how to use one of those battery units in conjunction with a generator and/or solar system. David's setup has me thinking I could run the generator for 2 hours or so to charge up the battery, then let that run my equipment most of the day. So then I'm not wasting fuel by basically idling the generator when not using it. 

We have a 1000 wh battery that my wife uses when we're in the RV to run her CPAP, which we charge from our home AC as needed. What I'd really like to get is a something comparable to a power wall so that I have lots of emergency power, but for now that's more than I want to spend.

[kelli217]

On 6/1/2022 at 4:01 PM, Scott Robison said:

The biggest problem (and it isn't often a problem) is when there is a power outage, because then I can't use the electricity that my panels generate (if during daylight hours, anyway).

How much would it cost just to add an automatic transfer (or isolation) switch? Not a full battery setup.

[Scott Robison]

On 6/2/2022 at 8:39 AM, kelli217 said:

How much would it cost just to add an automatic transfer (or isolation) switch? Not a full battery setup.

It isn't something I've investigated so I can't say. I should contact the contractor that put in the system originally and see if it is possible.

[TomXP411]

On 6/2/2022 at 7:39 AM, kelli217 said:

How much would it cost just to add an automatic transfer (or isolation) switch? Not a full battery setup.

Unfortunately, It's not as simple as just installing a transfer switch.



Solar uses a grid tie inverter to convert the panels' DC power to AC power and synchronize it with the utility company power. Grid tie inverters aren't meant to be a primary power supply and won't work when there's no power coming into the house. Since solar power is very variable, you need the grid to act as a sink for the excess power and a supply when the solar power isn't enough for your demand. So you still need a battery system or a 4KW+ generator to provide a source of 240V power that the solar inverter can sync up with. That's part of what PowerWall (or a similar system) does: it provides a power sink to allow you to use your solar off-grid.

That, of course, requires an automated transfer switch, which is a bit more expensive than the manual one that David demonstrated.

 

 

[Edmond D]

On 6/1/2022 at 12:57 PM, TomXP411 said:

What would you do differently? 

I live on Vancouver island, a location fought with wind storms knocking out power, tsunami potential, earthquake risks and forest fires too. We rarely see any thunderstorms or tornadoes, and rarely a heat wave or snow storm. Anyway disaster prep is rather big here; I'm not prepared and I know it.That being said I've joined my town's emergency communication radio volunteer group - are HAM licences and use of a portable radio. If a disaster hits hopefully I get a shelter bed & food for volunteering - I will get a emergency role.

Anyway three items that I though of that might influence how you prepare for the next disaster:

- Candles are discouraged as they now present a fire hazard. I still am going to have some, but both my wife and I grew up with using them. We aren't expecting heat or significant light from them, just more of and emotional comfort item (which has it's own value.)



- Dishes. A fiend went through a power outage for a couple of days. He had a BBQ and camping stove. He found the bulk of the fuel was used to heat water for washing dishes. He recommends paper plates for his emergency kit - they can be garbaged/burned and save on fuel and time. He also suggest a couple of those evil plastic utensils that probably are in our kitchen drawer for that someday use that hasn't come. the hopefully would be washed and recycled after the disaster.

- See what your government has to help you be informed for the next issue - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/seniors/health-safety/emergency-and-disaster-preparedness If you have the will consider volunteering in your local community, the benefits are great.