We use our chargeverter in the winter time with a 5000 watt diesel generator. Our generator runs on waste veggie-oil that is filtered down to 1 micron and blended with 10% gasoline to thin the viscosity. We store this blend in a 275 gallon IBC Tote and pump the fuel blend into the generator through a 5 micron water separating diesel fuel filter. In real cold temperatures we add as much as 30% gasoline. At 20% gasoline to 80% veggie-oil the cost per kilowatt is less than the grid. We get the Waste Veggie-Oil from a local restaurant for free and all of our filters are cleanable and reusable. Blending In order to use waste Veggie-Oil it must be blended with a solvent to reduce its viscosity to equal that of Diesel fuel. The colder the ambient temperature the more solvent is needed to prevent jelling of the fuel. 10% of Gasoline is good for temperatures above 80 degrees 15% of Gasoline is good for temperatures above 32 degrees 20% of Gasoline is good for temperatures below 32 degrees 30% of Gasoline is good for temperatures below 0 degrees
I LOVE all of this information and will save it. Thank you for explaining as I coulent get any good straight info online. What diesel generator are you using?
13:45 Anything you can do to concentrate your usage to the solar hours will be a huge help. Get large chest freezers with a timer. I'm working on a hydronic system that uses a pool chiller to cool 10,000 gallons of water and use that to cool the house overnight. It's about 80% done, I'm really curious how it will work!
This is great, I just ordered one myself. I have a half dozen generators but not all of them have enough punch to run the main inverter. I have a few little 1kW portable ones so it seems like this is a great way to use any generator to charge your battery bank. I don't even see myself using the auto start stop. Just use solar during the day, batteries in the evening, then put a pint of fuel in the generator and start it up, let it run till it runs out to top off the batteries before the night. (gas generator , you wouldn't want to do this with a diesel generator)
There will be some loss going AC -> DC -> AC instead of feeding the AC through the inverter, but the benefit of doing it this way is that you can use any generator and set the amperage to where the generator runs optimally and just leave it there. It's very tolerant of input voltage swings. I have a little cheap 2 cycle generator and with no load it puts out 130 volts and under load it drops to like 100 volts. This chargeverter will handle that nicely.
Another reason to have the Chargeverter, on the LUX inverters when you switch to generator or charge from grid, it moves all of your loads to that input. So you have to have a very large generator. Or at least it does on my 6000XP.
I really need to test the gem port on this 12k and see what or how it reacts. That wont be today tho....We have another round of severe storms headed our way. Just connected the chargeverter up like 5 min ago lol
This is one of the reasons I went with the Outback inverter - you can program it to a specific current and it will try to maintain that current. So if you have a 5kW generator and the load is 10kW the generator and inverter will both pitch in 5kW. Then say, if the load drops to 2kW , the system will charge the batteries at 3kW so the generator sees 5kW either way. The inverter is rated 8kW but with a generator you can go higher since they work in parallel.
Spare shit is good to hang onto 😂. I’ve modified my system so many times I can’t remember how I got to where I am. It works flawlessly to date. My chargeverter is the first model and have used it many times to top off the batteries. Definitely a game changer if you use a small generator to save gas and noise.
I 100% get the "modified the system so many times" lol. I seem to do the same! I am a hoarder and keep eveything. Nothing wrong with the first version, you probly have moar wiring options since it didnt come with the L14 plug.🤘
Heyyyy Joe! (Jimi comes to mind :) ) You are fan-freakin-tastic! (to quote someone I have heard ...somewhere before...) Good for you with the battery expansion and the concern for the weather situation. Yesterday there were tornado warnings in the Ottawa valley with a few touchdowns, which would have been unheard of in most of Canada only a few years ago nevermind particularly here. Thank you for the video as every time I watch one, I learn and improve. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Man! Appreciate that🤘 I try to prepare for all or any weather event. They predicting MOAR severe storms tomorrow morning and night! We havent had storms like this since 2012 time frame. Ottawa aye, seems like a place that wouldnt have tornadoes🤷♂️ Stay Safe🤘
Chargeverter is nice when you have an underpowered generator. If the inverter/battery CAN handle large loads, but the genny can't, the CV prevents the genny from taking the hit. Also, sensitive electronics still seem to take a hit when power goes out (when the inverter switches from grid to battery), but having the CV charge the battery so you're always running on the inverter solves that problem too. It's probably not the best use case (eg: less efficient), but definitely solves a few problems. My CV doesn't communicate so I adjusted the voltage down a little so it doesn't peg the battery all the time. The solar is able to charge up to 100%, but I'm playing with the CV to only go up to ~95%.
@@AveRage_Joe I have a special use-case, but I've seen it happen on a few different inverters. I have a Sol-Ark 12k and I use it as a UPS for computers, network equipment and TVs unless I need it to power the house (which is rare). 99.9% of the time, it's fine, but it maybe happened once during a thunderstorm when power was up and down. Having to re-start all my computers and linux-based networking equipment annoys me tremendously so the inverter is always running now. I'm a nerd. 🤓
My reason for getting one was the 6000xp generator states the power has to be clean.. So the chargverter allows me to connect cheep generator for charging without the worry of dirty power…
@@AveRage_Joe I get everything Friday … this week I was prewire and mini split install … got mini installed last night .. they are working like champs and SOOOOOOO quit…
On the " some inverters don't like generators" subject. I am running a 14Kwh 48 volt battery system and a Magnum 4400 inverter off grid. With the generator input charging the batteries. Which i have to do a couple times a week during winter because I don't have enough solar yet... I have to had to lower the charge current setting to the batteries to 10 amps. If it's set any higher. It keeps kicking off the charger...
So your Magnum 4400 doesnt like generators either. What generator are you using? The chargeverter may be a good option. Also depending on the size of genny, you may even be able to keep it connected and connect the chargeverter at the same time. I know a 10kw diesel wouldnt mind at all😁
My generator is a Honda eu2200. My magnum has all the add-ons, including the generator auto-start and the full bypass breakers. The I don't remember how high the charge current settings go but I'm pretty sure it's at least 20 amps to the batteries but I think it's considerably more. At 10 amps, the charger is only pushing only about 500 watts to the batteries... I'm definitely considering upgrading to something like that chargeverter
Hi Joe!!! Listen, right now you have so much inverter power (with the LuxPower and the EP Cube) and battery capacity (between the EP Cube, the Ethos tower and the Rollie Tower) that you should consider moving to a whole house backup configuration... and with the military generator and the chargeverter just recharge your batteries directly from them, triggering this process from the BMS's info and not from the inverter (if that is possible)... Oh, and you also have the Anker F3800 to power its panel....!!! Wow, dude!!! You can practically not use the grid... AT ALL!!!! How lucky are you, man??!!! See ya...!!! 👋👋
What I did on my pre-existing house is move some of the heavy loads like AC/heat/water heater to a separate feed and then have the inverter power the rest. You do have to be mindful. Right now the electric stove, dryer and water well are heavy hitters that are still on the inverter so you have to make sure you only run one of those 3 things at the same time.
Risking the inverter is not worth it for most people especially in an offgrid situation that would leave them without power or underpowered. Most generators put out fairly dirty power especially when the load is really high. The Chargeverter is two telecom rectifiers (Huawei R4850G2 I think) connected to a PCB that the slots can go into. I think that carries all the power AC and DC. These telecom rectifiers are bulletproof. The telecom industry really expects nothing but the best in their installations.
I am new to your channel and have watched several of your videos. Could you do a total system overview? I am a litte confused on the various different systems and how they work with each other.
I use a Chargeverter for direct -> battery charge as it's simpler than trying to go thru my inverter and fool with load vs diversion to charging and matches / let's my generator run at a steady pace. I also have one in my camp trailer with it's own 120v @ 30a plug on the exterior to charge the battery directly from a 3500w @ 120v generator. This lets me simultaneously charge but also use the full 3000w of my MPP Solar 3048LV for loads (mini-split, k-cup, microwave, hot water, TV, etc..). When the MPP Solar 3000w diverts amps to charging there is less for loads and it's a challenge to run everything we like to run. Also, in general, for a 100a @ 48v charger with both 240v and 120v capabilities it's a fantastic price :)
I've got two of these. I have the original yellow one from when I had my gas generator and when I got my MEP 803a 10 kilowatt generator I bought a second one which is the New Black model. I noticed the black model doesn't put out quite as much current as the yellow model it tops out at around 89 amps versus 93 and a half amps. By the way I have the same injury on my forehead when my African gray parrot tried to land on my face the other day.
I do like the idea of using a three phase generator to charge a battery bank which can then supply two phase power. My concern is how much loss you introduce from all those conversions.
Using a generator to charge batteries has two big advantages. One is it's more efficient and that means you don't have to run the generator continuously just until the batteries are charged and the other is that you get clean power from your inverter all the time regardless of what generator you're running. And for diesel generators there's an advantage too because you're running a consistent 90% or better load which allows the diesel engine to run at full temperature and prevent wet stacking from occurring in the exhaust system.
I like my Ecoflow dual fuel generator. Propane, no need to throw gas in there, charges DC directly to my Ecoflow Delta Pros. Automatic start/stop based on charge too even.
I’ve been contacting you about being forced into using a 6K generator on the 18k but now I’m wondering if this unit will solve my problem so I can use my Honda 2000? Big question if so is how to I connect the cable to my Ethos batteries?
You could use either generator. Id stick with the 6kw. Do you have both battery lugs from ethos to inverter? If so you could probly add a small cable run with a busbar or run both ethos cables into one lug and then into one lug on the inverter. Then connect the charger to the other lugs on inverter. Ill have to mess around with it and find a good way.
Only have quick disconnect Amphenol connectors on batteries to bare wires going into EG 4. My old system I just plugged my genny in and the inverter started charging. Why does this new system seem so weirdly complicated?
FIRST: You're very good. SECOND: off-grid solar since 2011. THIRD: mechanical engineering limitations. 29:00 Saw you were talking about WHY TO USE THE CHARGEVERTER. Forgive the rambling. Considered buying one of these to top off the FLA batteries from a 120V Honda 2200i generator but EG4 said it wouldn't work for my BOOST voltage, 63 VDC. ... That's when I got the 7200 watt inverter generator. Mostly I'm going to learn how to live on less. I have tried to charge my FLA system running through a Sunny Island 5048. ... In the event there is low solar. Wouldn't work with my 12 KW WinCo tri-fuel (non inverter) generator. There are ways to relay it in and trick the Sunny Island but it is a 12-year old unit. Worked once I bought an inverter generator. Clean power matters, apparently. JUST BOUGHT AN ECO FLOW DPU. ... WANT TO BE READY QUICK. Might do the all-in-ones later. There was a time when I put 100,000 miles on vegetable oil. A little long in the tooth
Nice! Since 2011 thats great! I had a 12v backup system back then and ran a good portion of my house but nothing 240v. Had 12 trojin t105, xantrax 2kw puresine inverter and maybe 1000 watts of solar with a trace charge controller😁 Sooooo a DPU BABY! YAYAAA😁🤘
@@AveRage_Joe ... I guess I was an early adopter. ... I guess I'm stuck back in the 20th century with FLA, even AGM... Why? Because "acid is always going to be acid." I got 10 years off my first set of Trojan L16H-ACs. ... Voltage is voltage and 12 volt batteries are always going to be in any car you find along the side of the road if/when it becomes "Mad Max". Got switched on after 9/11. Did it for the backup, not really interested in charging an EV. ... But then I'm also the guy who drove a Mercedes from North Carolina to Iowa and back on vegetable oil. Why? I sold coffee on the gas lines of 1973. Even at 13 I realized I didn't want to be beholden either to Exxon or OPEC. As a young cadet going out to see for the first time I was watching oil tankers manipulate the oil price in 1979. Honestly? I think most people would be best be served by helping them focus on the bare minimum for when poop hits the fan. ... But I guess people want more more more more more more more more. Me? 3 hots and a cot. Let me explain: I sailed in the Merchant Marine on a World War II VICTORY SHIP that could make turns on the propeller without any electrical power available. ... The job was to get home. Look, I know it's a new day and age, but I think even bringing up air conditioning for what's likely to happen is a bit excessive. I grew up without any air conditioning so I'd be happy with a window unit as a cool room. ... That and a wood stove for the winter. BUT ... I'm also taking the plunge with the Delta Pro Ultra. ..... That was a big move for me. Big choice between that and to Delta Pros with a hub.
Buy beans while they're cheap. Learn to grow potatoes. Raise rabbits, get chickens. Collect rainwater. Get out of debt. Secure sound money. Develop community. Check out DIY Solar Power Will Prowse EV ... The remarkably open-minded video about smaller government.
What is the idle power consumption of the chargeverter if one had it on all the time? I am thinking about buying one to replace the 2 power supplies that I have plugged into the grid that keep the batteries at about 25-30%SOC when I am not getting enough solar during the winter months. This keeps the batteries at around 25-30% capacity during long strings of cloudy days so if the grid goes down I still have enough power to make it well into the next day where the panels can produce and begin charging everything back up.
I'm pretty sure Will Prowse said it was 50W at most but if you are connected to solar or grid it goes down to 30W...not sure why unless its pulling from those and not taking into consideration the power its mooching from them.
I’m confused, if you have a generator connected to the EG4 then why would you need the Chargeverter? Oops you explained at the end. PLEASE do the check of the EG4 with a generator as I just ordered it with Ethos batteries.
Nice review! A 25% difference in SoC when connecting those two packs in parallel is a bit too spicy for me, but now we know... I'd go a bit easier on them and get them within 5% first! Not keen on the name, as "Chargeverter" suggests its a bi-directional inverter, when it's just a high power charger, but it's a nice box to have. For a really cheap solution, I have three 250W 54.6 V 13S scooter chargers, and use them in parallel to charge my lowly 5kWh battery at 750W 15A to a reasonable level!
Andy at Off-Grid Garage did some experimenting and found that it was pretty safe to link batteries with asymmetric charges. It's basically driven by their internal resistance which limits their ability to dump excessively. You just need to make sure your connections are robust enough for the load. I agree that it's just a smart charger, not a 'chargeverter'. I was shocked that it dropped it's output when he reconfigured it, seems clumsy.
@@BobHannent Makes sense on first connection to ramp up the current, but after making an adjustment? That's really an unacceptable cludge, which could be fixed with a firmware update, but how easy would that be to do?
That generator is 3 phase isn't it? I assume it's 240v between any 2 legs (L1, L2, L3), so L1 and L3 are 240 degrees out of phase from each other, instead of 180 degrees on single phase. I guess that change in the waveform doesn't matter? 3 phase hurts my head.
@@AveRage_Joe Ah, that makes sense! Didn't think it has a switch. :P Apparently you would just get 208v and not a tsar bomba with 2 legs on a 3-phase system, so not the end of the world.
AveRage Joe, You are able to parallel two different types of batteries 🔋. Are the two different batteries CANBUS compatible, or are parallel connecting them just 48VDC? I have been told that you cannot parallel different types of batteries 🔋, because my batteries manufacturer has gone out of business and I want to increase my battery bank.
Yeah I am just paralleling 2 sets of 48v batteries. I am only using the comm from 1 set. Both have 16 cells inside. Shoot Ive actually paralleled my 14s lithium ion with a 16s lifepo4. What brand are your batteries?
Most companies will tell you, you cant parallel other batteries. 1, they wany you to buy only theres. 2, it will damage them. 3, warrenty. Ive been doing it for years. No problem.
We just replaced it a few years ago. Also will add that here in Nebraska, its not recommended to use a heatpump style due to the extream cold we get. The heatpumps usually go into "emergencey" mode and then acts like a regular gas furnace. Thats what all the people that I have talked to said. So we went with a regular HVAC system. We did consider it tho.
That would be SWEET! Isnt it a lot of chemical mixing kinda stuff tho? I could maybe do waste veggie oil. Think all I need for that is a way to heat up the oil and a good filter.
Plastidip your wrenches and ratchet for electrical insulation. I've seen first hand what happens when a 120v DC battery cabinet gets shorted with a wrench. The poor bastard that did it lost his hand, the wrench almost instantly melted in his hand. It was a horrible thing to witness when I was 22 years old. He was wiring a group of 12 volt 100 amp lead acid batteries to make a 120 volt DC cabinet. He had to make 3 of them for a 3 phase cabinet. This was old technology back in 1987. Huge tank wound transformers that weigh in excess of 500 lbs. Crazy stuff.
Question? Why not just buy fully rated tools then at this point? Overall not that expensive, considering your alternative stated situation. Sorry you had to witness that... I use my rated tools even on my Nissan leaf battery swaps 🔋👍. Take care everyone
I would guess the reason why the generator is "derated" for 100% load is because the 80% load would be where it runs the most efficient. But allows for overhead if needed, especially for them being 3-phase.
The charging voltage that this unit appears to be capable of is far too low to fully charge a 48 Volt LFP battery. The manual for this cheap charger states that this unit is only capable of a 57 Volt maximum output. The output should be capable of reaching at least 58.4 Volts or 3.65 Volts per cell to fully charge a 48 Volt LFP battery. This unit appears to be poorly designed.
You should reconnect the 12kw growatt and power your whole home, air conditioner and all. Why are you backfeeding? You have plenty of battery. Put your air con off grid.
@@AveRage_Joe When I get past this Illness Buy Trailer start Build 8X22ft Sharp Trailer 400 watts x7 roof Trying to design Battery system sized EG4 6000XP off grid Start 1x EG4 280 amp battery plus wire box EG4 Hybrid 12k mini split Slow House 10,0 fridge Tv 4 camera system outside Microwave hot plate hot water heater and other small ideas from a normal house 12v stuff back up deal heater all lights led water pump usb a usb c port in wall Toilet composting 2 12 v max air fan Honda eb2800i backup power only
@AveRage_Joe yep, EG4 can't help because they rely on the distributors to do warranty, spent hours apon hours with SS tech support and was told that it was my fault it failed because I must have used it to much
@AveRage_Joe it was about 6 or 7 months ago, hours of trouble shooting and testing, breaker was good, nothing looked or smelled burnt, as far as I could tell all of the magic smoke was still unreleased, very frustrating, spent months saving money to buy it and now I'm out the money and the charger
Like# 1 - batteries, batteries, we need stinkin’ way more batteries! When I get some property, Imma gonna dig a subterranean battery house a good distance from everything JIC. But it would also keep the batteries at a good constant temp!
We use our chargeverter in the winter time with a 5000 watt diesel generator. Our generator runs on waste veggie-oil that is filtered down to 1 micron and blended with 10% gasoline to thin the viscosity. We store this blend in a 275 gallon IBC Tote and pump the fuel blend into the generator through a 5 micron water separating diesel fuel filter. In real cold temperatures we add as much as 30% gasoline. At 20% gasoline to 80% veggie-oil the cost per kilowatt is less than the grid. We get the Waste Veggie-Oil from a local restaurant for free and all of our filters are cleanable and reusable.
Blending
In order to use waste Veggie-Oil it must be blended with a solvent to reduce its viscosity to equal that of Diesel fuel. The colder the ambient temperature the more solvent is needed to prevent jelling of the fuel.
10% of Gasoline is good for temperatures above 80 degrees
15% of Gasoline is good for temperatures above 32 degrees
20% of Gasoline is good for temperatures below 32 degrees
30% of Gasoline is good for temperatures below 0 degrees
I LOVE all of this information and will save it. Thank you for explaining as I coulent get any good straight info online. What diesel generator are you using?
it is an All-Power 6500. they call it a silent generator. it is enclosed like your but not as well built. it has a 10 HP diesel by Yanmar
13:45 Anything you can do to concentrate your usage to the solar hours will be a huge help. Get large chest freezers with a timer. I'm working on a hydronic system that uses a pool chiller to cool 10,000 gallons of water and use that to cool the house overnight. It's about 80% done, I'm really curious how it will work!
This is great, I just ordered one myself. I have a half dozen generators but not all of them have enough punch to run the main inverter. I have a few little 1kW portable ones so it seems like this is a great way to use any generator to charge your battery bank. I don't even see myself using the auto start stop. Just use solar during the day, batteries in the evening, then put a pint of fuel in the generator and start it up, let it run till it runs out to top off the batteries before the night. (gas generator , you wouldn't want to do this with a diesel generator)
There will be some loss going AC -> DC -> AC instead of feeding the AC through the inverter, but the benefit of doing it this way is that you can use any generator and set the amperage to where the generator runs optimally and just leave it there. It's very tolerant of input voltage swings. I have a little cheap 2 cycle generator and with no load it puts out 130 volts and under load it drops to like 100 volts. This chargeverter will handle that nicely.
Another reason to have the Chargeverter, on the LUX inverters when you switch to generator or charge from grid, it moves all of your loads to that input. So you have to have a very large generator. Or at least it does on my 6000XP.
I really need to test the gem port on this 12k and see what or how it reacts. That wont be today tho....We have another round of severe storms headed our way. Just connected the chargeverter up like 5 min ago lol
This is one of the reasons I went with the Outback inverter - you can program it to a specific current and it will try to maintain that current. So if you have a 5kW generator and the load is 10kW the generator and inverter will both pitch in 5kW. Then say, if the load drops to 2kW , the system will charge the batteries at 3kW so the generator sees 5kW either way. The inverter is rated 8kW but with a generator you can go higher since they work in parallel.
Spare shit is good to hang onto 😂.
I’ve modified my system so many times I can’t remember how I got to where I am.
It works flawlessly to date.
My chargeverter is the first model and have used it many times to top off the batteries.
Definitely a game changer if you use a small generator to save gas and noise.
I 100% get the "modified the system so many times" lol. I seem to do the same! I am a hoarder and keep eveything. Nothing wrong with the first version, you probly have moar wiring options since it didnt come with the L14 plug.🤘
Impressed the genny started first crank-nice
Me TOO🤯 You see the cob webs on the side door stretch and break apart as I opened the door lol. Its so dirty too. I should presure wash it.
I have the 10,000 watt version. Love it.
Heyyyy Joe! (Jimi comes to mind :) ) You are fan-freakin-tastic! (to quote someone I have heard ...somewhere before...) Good for you with the battery expansion and the concern for the weather situation. Yesterday there were tornado warnings in the Ottawa valley with a few touchdowns, which would have been unheard of in most of Canada only a few years ago nevermind particularly here. Thank you for the video as every time I watch one, I learn and improve. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Man! Appreciate that🤘 I try to prepare for all or any weather event. They predicting MOAR severe storms tomorrow morning and night! We havent had storms like this since 2012 time frame. Ottawa aye, seems like a place that wouldnt have tornadoes🤷♂️ Stay Safe🤘
Chargeverter is nice when you have an underpowered generator. If the inverter/battery CAN handle large loads, but the genny can't, the CV prevents the genny from taking the hit. Also, sensitive electronics still seem to take a hit when power goes out (when the inverter switches from grid to battery), but having the CV charge the battery so you're always running on the inverter solves that problem too. It's probably not the best use case (eg: less efficient), but definitely solves a few problems. My CV doesn't communicate so I adjusted the voltage down a little so it doesn't peg the battery all the time. The solar is able to charge up to 100%, but I'm playing with the CV to only go up to ~95%.
100%. Which inverter are you using. All inverters that I have used will switch without tripping the electronics.
@@AveRage_Joe I have a special use-case, but I've seen it happen on a few different inverters. I have a Sol-Ark 12k and I use it as a UPS for computers, network equipment and TVs unless I need it to power the house (which is rare). 99.9% of the time, it's fine, but it maybe happened once during a thunderstorm when power was up and down. Having to re-start all my computers and linux-based networking equipment annoys me tremendously so the inverter is always running now. I'm a nerd. 🤓
oops, wrong account. I haven't had my coffee yet.
@@AveRage_Joe oh and "why not just use a UPS on the electronics?" I had one. It died. Chargeverter was cheaper. 😂
😆😆
My reason for getting one was the 6000xp generator states the power has to be clean.. So the chargverter allows me to connect cheep generator for charging without the worry of dirty power…
There you go!💥🤘 Exactly what I was saying. How you liking the 6000xp?
@@AveRage_Joe I get everything Friday … this week I was prewire and mini split install … got mini installed last night .. they are working like champs and SOOOOOOO quit…
On the
" some inverters don't like generators" subject.
I am running a 14Kwh 48 volt battery system and a Magnum 4400 inverter off grid. With the generator input charging the batteries. Which i have to do a couple times a week during winter because I don't have enough solar yet...
I have to had to lower the charge current setting to the batteries to 10 amps. If it's set any higher. It keeps kicking off the charger...
So your Magnum 4400 doesnt like generators either. What generator are you using? The chargeverter may be a good option. Also depending on the size of genny, you may even be able to keep it connected and connect the chargeverter at the same time. I know a 10kw diesel wouldnt mind at all😁
My generator is a Honda eu2200.
My magnum has all the add-ons, including the generator auto-start and the full bypass breakers.
The I don't remember how high the charge current settings go but I'm pretty sure it's at least 20 amps to the batteries but I think it's considerably more.
At 10 amps, the charger is only pushing only about 500 watts to the batteries...
I'm definitely considering upgrading to something like that chargeverter
Hi Joe!!!
Listen, right now you have so much inverter power (with the LuxPower and the EP Cube) and battery capacity (between the EP Cube, the Ethos tower and the Rollie Tower) that you should consider moving to a whole house backup configuration... and with the military generator and the chargeverter just recharge your batteries directly from them, triggering this process from the BMS's info and not from the inverter (if that is possible)...
Oh, and you also have the Anker F3800 to power its panel....!!!
Wow, dude!!! You can practically not use the grid... AT ALL!!!!
How lucky are you, man??!!!
See ya...!!! 👋👋
What I did on my pre-existing house is move some of the heavy loads like AC/heat/water heater to a separate feed and then have the inverter power the rest. You do have to be mindful. Right now the electric stove, dryer and water well are heavy hitters that are still on the inverter so you have to make sure you only run one of those 3 things at the same time.
8:05 Did I just saw a Generator input in you inverter to which you can connect your generator without any external devices lile this charverter?
Yeah this inverter has a gen port which I could use. Ill be testing that out soon.🤘
Risking the inverter is not worth it for most people especially in an offgrid situation that would leave them without power or underpowered. Most generators put out fairly dirty power especially when the load is really high.
The Chargeverter is two telecom rectifiers (Huawei R4850G2 I think) connected to a PCB that the slots can go into. I think that carries all the power AC and DC.
These telecom rectifiers are bulletproof. The telecom industry really expects nothing but the best in their installations.
I am new to your channel and have watched several of your videos. Could you do a total system overview? I am a litte confused on the various different systems and how they work with each other.
I use a Chargeverter for direct -> battery charge as it's simpler than trying to go thru my inverter and fool with load vs diversion to charging and matches / let's my generator run at a steady pace. I also have one in my camp trailer with it's own 120v @ 30a plug on the exterior to charge the battery directly from a 3500w @ 120v generator. This lets me simultaneously charge but also use the full 3000w of my MPP Solar 3048LV for loads (mini-split, k-cup, microwave, hot water, TV, etc..). When the MPP Solar 3000w diverts amps to charging there is less for loads and it's a challenge to run everything we like to run. Also, in general, for a 100a @ 48v charger with both 240v and 120v capabilities it's a fantastic price :)
100% Nailed it! 😁🤘 Hell yeah! Thats basically what I was tryin to say lol
I've got two of these. I have the original yellow one from when I had my gas generator and when I got my MEP 803a 10 kilowatt generator I bought a second one which is the New Black model. I noticed the black model doesn't put out quite as much current as the yellow model it tops out at around 89 amps versus 93 and a half amps.
By the way I have the same injury on my forehead when my African gray parrot tried to land on my face the other day.
I do like the idea of using a three phase generator to charge a battery bank which can then supply two phase power. My concern is how much loss you introduce from all those conversions.
Very nice. Inspiring. Can you run AC all night now on just tge batts? Gratz if so! Gratz anyway tho.
If we get a full day of sun and I can fully charge, YES🙌 If we get all the clouds and storms.....NO lol.
Using a generator to charge batteries has two big advantages. One is it's more efficient and that means you don't have to run the generator continuously just until the batteries are charged and the other is that you get clean power from your inverter all the time regardless of what generator you're running. And for diesel generators there's an advantage too because you're running a consistent 90% or better load which allows the diesel engine to run at full temperature and prevent wet stacking from occurring in the exhaust system.
I like my Ecoflow dual fuel generator. Propane, no need to throw gas in there, charges DC directly to my Ecoflow Delta Pros. Automatic start/stop based on charge too even.
@@whattheschmidt There's a kit you can add to the diesel generator that allows automatic control as well. Cost about $500.
Couldnt agree moar!
I like the auto option!
Ive seen it on some forums and want to get it! Just gotta wait for the cashflow!🤘
As always great content and I think it should be called the rolling tower of power just saying.
Not a bad name and just slightly different so Andy cant say I copied LOL
I’ve been contacting you about being forced into using a 6K generator on the 18k but now I’m wondering if this unit will solve my problem so I can use my Honda 2000? Big question if so is how to I connect the cable to my Ethos batteries?
You could use either generator. Id stick with the 6kw. Do you have both battery lugs from ethos to inverter? If so you could probly add a small cable run with a busbar or run both ethos cables into one lug and then into one lug on the inverter. Then connect the charger to the other lugs on inverter. Ill have to mess around with it and find a good way.
Only have quick disconnect Amphenol connectors on batteries to bare wires going into EG 4.
My old system I just plugged my genny in and the inverter started charging. Why does this new system seem so weirdly complicated?
Nice Testing! I need a military generator for my chargeverter
Thanks Man! Yes you DO! I got mine for $1500. Then paid to have it shipped/delivered. Ran it about 10hrs today🤷♂️😆
@@AveRage_Joe I have been looking online. Will see what I can get
FIRST: You're very good.
SECOND: off-grid solar since 2011.
THIRD: mechanical engineering limitations.
29:00 Saw you were talking about WHY TO USE THE CHARGEVERTER.
Forgive the rambling. Considered buying one of these to top off the FLA batteries from a 120V Honda 2200i generator but EG4 said it wouldn't work for my BOOST voltage, 63 VDC. ... That's when I got the 7200 watt inverter generator.
Mostly I'm going to learn how to live on less.
I have tried to charge my FLA system running through a Sunny Island 5048. ... In the event there is low solar.
Wouldn't work with my 12 KW WinCo tri-fuel (non inverter) generator. There are ways to relay it in and trick the Sunny Island but it is a 12-year old unit.
Worked once I bought an inverter generator. Clean power matters, apparently.
JUST BOUGHT AN ECO FLOW DPU. ... WANT TO BE READY QUICK. Might do the all-in-ones later.
There was a time when I put 100,000 miles on vegetable oil. A little long in the tooth
Nice! Since 2011 thats great! I had a 12v backup system back then and ran a good portion of my house but nothing 240v. Had 12 trojin t105, xantrax 2kw puresine inverter and maybe 1000 watts of solar with a trace charge controller😁
Sooooo a DPU BABY! YAYAAA😁🤘
@@AveRage_Joe ... I guess I was an early adopter. ... I guess I'm stuck back in the 20th century with FLA, even AGM...
Why? Because "acid is always going to be acid." I got 10 years off my first set of Trojan L16H-ACs. ... Voltage is voltage and 12 volt batteries are always going to be in any car you find along the side of the road if/when it becomes "Mad Max".
Got switched on after 9/11. Did it for the backup, not really interested in charging an EV. ... But then I'm also the guy who drove a Mercedes from North Carolina to Iowa and back on vegetable oil.
Why? I sold coffee on the gas lines of 1973. Even at 13 I realized I didn't want to be beholden either to Exxon or OPEC.
As a young cadet going out to see for the first time I was watching oil tankers manipulate the oil price in 1979.
Honestly? I think most people would be best be served by helping them focus on the bare minimum for when poop hits the fan. ... But I guess people want more more more more more more more more.
Me? 3 hots and a cot.
Let me explain: I sailed in the Merchant Marine on a World War II VICTORY SHIP that could make turns on the propeller without any electrical power available. ... The job was to get home.
Look, I know it's a new day and age, but I think even bringing up air conditioning for what's likely to happen is a bit excessive. I grew up without any air conditioning so I'd be happy with a window unit as a cool room. ... That and a wood stove for the winter.
BUT ... I'm also taking the plunge with the Delta Pro Ultra. ..... That was a big move for me. Big choice between that and to Delta Pros with a hub.
Buy beans while they're cheap.
Learn to grow potatoes.
Raise rabbits, get chickens.
Collect rainwater.
Get out of debt.
Secure sound money.
Develop community.
Check out DIY Solar Power Will Prowse EV ... The remarkably open-minded video about smaller government.
Why not just plug the gc chargeverter into the 12k/6k xp generator input?
Pretty sure the gen ports wants 240vac.
What is the idle power consumption of the chargeverter if one had it on all the time? I am thinking about buying one to replace the 2 power supplies that I have plugged into the grid that keep the batteries at about 25-30%SOC when I am not getting enough solar during the winter months. This keeps the batteries at around 25-30% capacity during long strings of cloudy days so if the grid goes down I still have enough power to make it well into the next day where the panels can produce and begin charging everything back up.
I will have to check! Thanks for the reminder💥🤘
I'm pretty sure Will Prowse said it was 50W at most but if you are connected to solar or grid it goes down to 30W...not sure why unless its pulling from those and not taking into consideration the power its mooching from them.
HOWdy A-R-A-J, ...
Thanks for the REVIEW ...
COOP
the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA
...
Thanks for Watching!💥🤘
I’m confused, if you have a generator connected to the EG4 then why would you need the Chargeverter?
Oops you explained at the end. PLEASE do the check of the EG4 with a generator as I just ordered it with Ethos batteries.
I plan to test that out!💥🤘
Nice review!
A 25% difference in SoC when connecting those two packs in parallel is a bit too spicy for me, but now we know... I'd go a bit easier on them and get them within 5% first!
Not keen on the name, as "Chargeverter" suggests its a bi-directional inverter, when it's just a high power charger, but it's a nice box to have.
For a really cheap solution, I have three 250W 54.6 V 13S scooter chargers, and use them in parallel to charge my lowly 5kWh battery at 750W 15A to a reasonable level!
Andy at Off-Grid Garage did some experimenting and found that it was pretty safe to link batteries with asymmetric charges. It's basically driven by their internal resistance which limits their ability to dump excessively. You just need to make sure your connections are robust enough for the load.
I agree that it's just a smart charger, not a 'chargeverter'. I was shocked that it dropped it's output when he reconfigured it, seems clumsy.
@@BobHannent Makes sense on first connection to ramp up the current, but after making an adjustment? That's really an unacceptable cludge, which could be fixed with a firmware update, but how easy would that be to do?
@@ahaveland it feels like a design decision, I can't imagine a programmable regulation circuit which would require stopping the output.
@@BobHannent Indeed, every hobby lipo charger I own or have seen allows changing the current mid-charge without resetting and ramping up from 0 again!
When I was in the army, our generators were each the size of a conventional truck .
Those are still available. I could only afford this smol🤏 size😆😆
That generator is 3 phase isn't it? I assume it's 240v between any 2 legs (L1, L2, L3), so L1 and L3 are 240 degrees out of phase from each other, instead of 180 degrees on single phase. I guess that change in the waveform doesn't matter? 3 phase hurts my head.
Yeah it can do 3 phase. There is a switch behind the front gage panel. 3 phase hurts my head to but then again, I have never once messed with it🤷♂️
@@AveRage_Joe Ah, that makes sense! Didn't think it has a switch. :P Apparently you would just get 208v and not a tsar bomba with 2 legs on a 3-phase system, so not the end of the world.
AveRage Joe,
You are able to parallel two different types of batteries 🔋. Are the two different batteries CANBUS compatible, or are parallel connecting them just 48VDC?
I have been told that you cannot parallel different types of batteries 🔋, because my batteries manufacturer has gone out of business and I want to increase my battery bank.
Yeah I am just paralleling 2 sets of 48v batteries. I am only using the comm from 1 set. Both have 16 cells inside. Shoot Ive actually paralleled my 14s lithium ion with a 16s lifepo4. What brand are your batteries?
Most companies will tell you, you cant parallel other batteries. 1, they wany you to buy only theres. 2, it will damage them. 3, warrenty. Ive been doing it for years. No problem.
Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for Watching!💥🤘
Those damn wasps. I got zapped yesterday. I'm still swollen.
If you’re close to EOL of your AC, moving to heat pump will significantly reduce your HVAC loads and let you run through the night.
We just replaced it a few years ago. Also will add that here in Nebraska, its not recommended to use a heatpump style due to the extream cold we get. The heatpumps usually go into "emergencey" mode and then acts like a regular gas furnace. Thats what all the people that I have talked to said. So we went with a regular HVAC system. We did consider it tho.
I had this same set up in my head, beat me to it lol
BOOOOM💥😆🤘 We getter Done!
@AveRage_Joe now run it on black diesel or home made biodiesel and you got it made lol
That would be SWEET! Isnt it a lot of chemical mixing kinda stuff tho? I could maybe do waste veggie oil. Think all I need for that is a way to heat up the oil and a good filter.
@@AveRage_Joe I'm a fool, if I can do it... lol
Black diesel just requires filtering and thinning.
Oh that doesnt sound bad. Ill have to looker up!
great vid. thanks.
Plastidip your wrenches and ratchet for electrical insulation. I've seen first hand what happens when a 120v DC battery cabinet gets shorted with a wrench. The poor bastard that did it lost his hand, the wrench almost instantly melted in his hand. It was a horrible thing to witness when I was 22 years old. He was wiring a group of 12 volt 100 amp lead acid batteries to make a 120 volt DC cabinet. He had to make 3 of them for a 3 phase cabinet. This was old technology back in 1987. Huge tank wound transformers that weigh in excess of 500 lbs. Crazy stuff.
I will have to do that as Id like to keep all my digits amd limbs!🤘
Question? Why not just buy fully rated tools then at this point? Overall not that expensive, considering your alternative stated situation. Sorry you had to witness that...
I use my rated tools even on my Nissan leaf battery swaps 🔋👍.
Take care everyone
I feel like plastic dip would not help this
I think a nice coat would help.
Harbor Freight has insulated ratchets for like $12
I think another pro is you can turn off the generator for refuelling
True! Or refuel while its running🤭🤫🤐😆
Also allowed me to directly charge battery for overnight without bypass to load..
I would guess the reason why the generator is "derated" for 100% load is because the 80% load would be where it runs the most efficient. But allows for overhead if needed, especially for them being 3-phase.
Sounds like that could be true!😁🤘
The charging voltage that this unit appears to be capable of is far too low to fully charge a 48 Volt LFP battery. The manual for this cheap charger states that this unit is only capable of a 57 Volt maximum output. The output should be capable of reaching at least 58.4 Volts or 3.65 Volts per cell to fully charge a 48 Volt LFP battery. This unit appears to be poorly designed.
You should reconnect the 12kw growatt and power your whole home, air conditioner and all.
Why are you backfeeding? You have plenty of battery. Put your air con off grid.
I am powering the entire house with the lux inverter to include the AC. The lux only backfeeds the main panel and stops there.
I am Sputh of Lincoln
South
Nice where at? What kind of projects you got goin on?
@@AveRage_Joe
When I get past this Illness Buy Trailer start Build
8X22ft Sharp Trailer
400 watts x7 roof
Trying to design Battery system sized
EG4 6000XP off grid
Start 1x EG4 280 amp battery plus wire box
EG4 Hybrid 12k mini split Slow
House 10,0 fridge
Tv 4 camera system outside
Microwave hot plate hot water heater and other small ideas from a normal house
12v stuff back up deal heater all lights led water pump usb a usb c port in wall
Toilet composting
2 12 v max air fan
Honda eb2800i backup power only
You’re the best!
Mine failed, warranty wouldn't replace it, not happy
For REAL?
@AveRage_Joe yep, EG4 can't help because they rely on the distributors to do warranty, spent hours apon hours with SS tech support and was told that it was my fault it failed because I must have used it to much
How can one "use" it to much? Thats just redik! When was all this?
@AveRage_Joe it was about 6 or 7 months ago, hours of trouble shooting and testing, breaker was good, nothing looked or smelled burnt, as far as I could tell all of the magic smoke was still unreleased, very frustrating, spent months saving money to buy it and now I'm out the money and the charger
@@todamnbadDo you still have it?
Like# 1 - batteries, batteries, we need stinkin’ way more batteries!
When I get some property, Imma gonna dig a subterranean battery house a good distance from everything JIC.
But it would also keep the batteries at a good constant temp!
WINNER!💥💥💥💥🤘
The little pigmy of Powwaa !
PIGMY POWAH BOOOOOM💥💥😆😆😆😆🤘
LFG!!
😆💥💥💥💥🤘
the pixies will not go through the wrong color wires
Pixies dont care what color 🤯
Being colour blind in your wiring is not a problem.
Purfect! EZPZ😆💥🤘
WHY ISN'T IT YELLOW??!!
The old model was Yellow. I have that one and it works great.
Do you prefer LELLOW
I kinda like the grey. It matches moar of my stuff😆
@@AveRage_Joe hah I do too actually. The yellow was just so iconic and crazy looking. Grey looks so much more... normal.
Like# 9
Thank You!!!💥🤘
It’s not Yellow? Will it still work? Can we say clean 🧼 voltage.
You have a backup to your main power (off grid) 😂 it will be amazing.
It seems to work in grey😆 Can NEVER have to many Backups to the Backup to the Main Backup🤔😃
Sarah Ashton-Cirillo does solar 🤣