LIVING OFF THE GRID

Living off the grid. Net-Energy Backup 4400, Watt Hours 9,600 +, Inverter Output 4,400 watts, Volts 48. Follow these steps to get a better idea on how to modify your battery bank or how to select other types of batteries for your bank. Each step has its own link for product description and easy selection to make modification as needed. We already know that the output power is 4,400 watts and the bank should be 48 volts. Selecting the batteries will determine the watt hours for the battery bank. Just keep in mind that volts x amps= watts. 1000 watts = 1 kilowatt. For this project we are going to start with a Pre-Wired Magnum Power Panel. This will make the installation super simple as 1, 2, 3.

1 - Pre-Wired System: Magnum inverters are installed on the MidNite MNE250(175)STM-L gray steel E-Panel with an ME-RC50 remote display, a BMK-NS, 1 MNEPV2 breaker for BMK, a MidNite Classic 150 charge controller with built in DC-GFP and Arc Fault detector, an MNDC array breaker, an MNDC charge control breaker, two or three MNSPD surge arrestors, and battery temperature sensors. The MidNite MND3RACCPLME is a Magnum battery-based inverter system, made for AC coupling to a grid-tie inverter, in an outdoor enclosure with room for batteries, which will be listed below. It has 120/240 VAC output, and is fully assembled and tested. Includes a Magnum MS4024 PAE inverter, Magnum RTR router, MidNite E-Panel, two SPD surge arrestors, and GT inverter circuit relay. This is all installed inside a MidNite MNBE-D3R battery enclosure which, in this configuration, can hold four Group 31 or GC2 or GC2 tall batteries (batteries should be selected by the customer according to your budget). The maximum size grid-tie inverter that can be installed with this system is 3.6 kW. 49″H x 39″W x 21″D. The dimensions and weights are approximate and do not include crating. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/midnite-solar/

2 - Battery Enclosure: Choose the proper sized Battery Enclosures for the size and number of batteries that you need. Use multiple Battery Enclosures , side-by-side, for larger banks. They are designed to use with sealed batteries. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/battery-enclosures/

3 - East Penn-MK Battery: (8 Batteries of 12 V each) four and four to make a 48 volt bank. Select the perfect battery for your application, in terms of amp hour and budget. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/east-penn-mk-battery/

To properly design a battery bank and start living off the grid, you need to account for the storage capacity required, the maximum discharge rate (the sum of all the loads which might be run simultaneously), the maximum charge rate (the current output from the solar array or wind turbine though the charge controller), and the minimum ambient temperature at which the batteries will be used. Whichever of these factors requires the largest capacity will dictate the size of the battery bank. The storage of a battery, the amount of electrical energy it can hold, is usually expressed in amp-hours (Ah). Using one amp for 100 hours means 100 Ah have been used. A battery bank in a PV power system should have sufficient capacity to supply needed power during the longest expected period of cloudy weather when the solar array cannot keep up. If there is a source of on-demand backup power, such as standby generator with a battery charger, the battery bank does not have to be sized for worst-case conditions. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/battery-bank-information/

4 - Why to use Larger Cable? Battery Cables: Low-Voltage power systems with inverters can have very high current through the cables that connect the inverter to the batteries. Large AC loads like microwave ovens, toasters, irons, and washers can cause an inverter operating on a 12 VDC battery system to draw over 100 A. Large motors may draw 300 to 500 A during start-up. When cables between batteries, and from the battery bank to the inverter, are too small, the current available to the inverter is limited and it may fail to supply larger loads. Properly sized cables also impose less resistance and thereby help maximize system efficiency. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/battery-cables/

Living off the grid Added components: The Router ME-RTR provides parallel capability for the MS-PAE Series inverters and includes many of the same features as the ME-ARC advanced remote control. The router is designed with a user-friendly LCD display and rotary SELECT knob that allows all connected MS-PAE (or MS-PE) Series inverter/chargers to be programmed in sync without the need to program each inverter separately. The router will accommodate up to four MS-PAE inverter/chargers in parallel plus accessories. For owner's manual: http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/router-me-rtr/

Magnum MS4024 PAE inverter: No series stacking required: The unique design of the MS-PAE Series can provide 120 and 240 volts output in one unit, eliminating the need to stack two units together to get 240 volts. Read the manual: http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/ms-pae-series-inverter-charger/

Parallel stacking: You can parallel up to four inverter / chargers for up to 17.6kw of power at 120/240V. The MP panels and router are required for parallel stacking the MS-PAE Series. Power Factor Corrected (PFC) Charger: Our PFC charger is built into all of our inverter chargers. It uses less energy from a generator than a standard charger – using 25-30% less AC current than standard chargers. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/ms-pae-series-inverter-charger/

Living off the grid Additional features:

• System Monitor Gives Instant Status and "Percent of Full" Battery Info
• AC and DC Input Breakers
• Inverter Bypass Switch Allows Choice of Generator / Grid or Inverter Output
• Easy to Connect Color Coded Buss Bars for AC and DC Connections
• Multiple Available Knockouts for Conduit Attachments
• Single System Grounding Point
• Fully Assembled and Tested by Experienced Factory Trained Technicians
• All Required Internal Cables and Connectors

*** Living off the grid battery bank can be charged by using solar modules, wind power, hydro-power, generators and/or grid power. If you are looking for a perfect system generator to power your home or office, or even start a shop to build battery banks for your area, this is a practical and easy way to start. Keep in mind that you can also stack battery banks enclosures for larger applications.

So basically, you can really do almost anything you want when it comes to building a battery bank. It is recommended to start with a pre-wired system to reduce installation time.

All living off the grid pre-wired systems listed on our site are fully tested before they leave the shop. So you already know that you are receiving a fully tested working product that you can pass on to your customers knowing that it will power their home or office for years to come.

By following these same steps you can build several battery banks and provide your services where and when is needed. You control the budget. It's important to select the right type of battery for each project. The main key I already told you, and that is to start with a pre-wired system unless you are familiar with the installation process. Now is time to start building your battery banks.

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