Solar Panels Query

[Nix]

(10 September 2013, 00:05)Steve Wrote: What about using a battery to power a small inverter, then feeding the output of that inverter into the "mains in" on the grid tie inverter, to fool it that mains was present. Once running you could keep the small inverter battery charged from the grid tied inverter.

Obviously only of use in a grid down situation because you'd have to disconnect the "real" mains connection.

Hi Steve - wondered this myself but wasn't sure how the inverter (has to be pure sine wave of appropriate power) would handle a back feed from a grid tie inverter. It's circuits are going to be completely different and more delicate to a normal mains sub station which is acting as a step down transformer. What really made me nervous about this was that the grid tie would be trying to supply 3kW of power which can do some serious damage. Problem is I'm not sure anyone will know. I've tried querying suppliers on other issues and they are seriously lacking in knowledge sometimes. I think the only way to find out is to try it but you risk wiping out one or both of your units plus a fire!

Quote:hi
may i just say that someone with little or no knowledge should not access and modify an existing system,
but it is possible if you know what you are up to.

Thanks again for reiterating this. I keep stating this myself but my fear is that someone somewhere will ignore this with disastrous results! I could easily modify this type of grid tie system BUT finding a safe, cheap and effective way for someone else, with little or no knowledge, to do it is the problem. I still haven't got the right answer yet.

High voltage electricity is DANGEROUS!!