I think I am in the right spot, and I am hoping that among the ranks someone will be able to answer my question.
So we are about to take delivery of a pole barn package for our farm. Currently I do not have grid power back onto the property and my intention is to go ahead and wire the building for electricity and install a generator plug and transfer switch to power some basic lights and outlets.
We are also planning on installing a small off-grid solar system which will power a security system with a cellular dialer. The system is relatively low draw and sizing for that isn't an issue but it does bring around my actual question.
I am looking at probably a 200W or 400W solar system with one, possibly 2 deep cycle batteries for storage. I am looking at a Xantrex true sine wave inverter for the system since I am assuming that the electronics will need that over a modified sine wave. So I am looking at either a inverter OR or charger/ inverter. In my research the price difference between the two for a true sine inverter are fairly sizable.
The reason I am looking at a Inverter/charger is I would like the ability to have the batteries charged via the generator if we happen to be out working and can run it for a few hours. So the cost difference is enough that I am trying to decide if I could install a true "off-grid" system with only an inverter coming from the batteries to power the security panel AND also connect a AC charger to the battery bank that could be powered by the generator to also charge the batteries?
If the sun was out, I would suspect that technically it could be receiving charge from both the solar charge controller as well as the AC charger, would that be a problem? Most charge controllers seem to read the batteries and charge accordingly. I realize that I would need to make sure the AC charger was properly connected and capable of powering more than one battery (should I decide to go that route) which may bring the pricing up to a more even number, but the Xantrex SW2000 can be had for under $400.00 and is an Inverter only, the Xantrex ProSine 2.0 2000W inverter/charger comes in at a shade over $1,000.00. If I use two batteries I am pretty sure I could use a single AC charger and charge both batteries in parallel using the Generator and I could buy a good AC charger for 2 bills, so I would end up $400 in the black which would probably pay for a couple of good deep cycle marine batteries or at least get me dang close.
So what am I missing, when I get grid power back to the buildings then I may bump up to a hard wired charger inverter, but with grid power I would likely not need the back-up anymore so I don't want to go all in on a high dollar inverter/charger that will not be needed in a year or so.
Also, I am looking at the Grape Solar 400W Kit, which comes with the Xantrex inverter I mentioned above.
I appreciate any input.
So we are about to take delivery of a pole barn package for our farm. Currently I do not have grid power back onto the property and my intention is to go ahead and wire the building for electricity and install a generator plug and transfer switch to power some basic lights and outlets.
We are also planning on installing a small off-grid solar system which will power a security system with a cellular dialer. The system is relatively low draw and sizing for that isn't an issue but it does bring around my actual question.
I am looking at probably a 200W or 400W solar system with one, possibly 2 deep cycle batteries for storage. I am looking at a Xantrex true sine wave inverter for the system since I am assuming that the electronics will need that over a modified sine wave. So I am looking at either a inverter OR or charger/ inverter. In my research the price difference between the two for a true sine inverter are fairly sizable.
The reason I am looking at a Inverter/charger is I would like the ability to have the batteries charged via the generator if we happen to be out working and can run it for a few hours. So the cost difference is enough that I am trying to decide if I could install a true "off-grid" system with only an inverter coming from the batteries to power the security panel AND also connect a AC charger to the battery bank that could be powered by the generator to also charge the batteries?
If the sun was out, I would suspect that technically it could be receiving charge from both the solar charge controller as well as the AC charger, would that be a problem? Most charge controllers seem to read the batteries and charge accordingly. I realize that I would need to make sure the AC charger was properly connected and capable of powering more than one battery (should I decide to go that route) which may bring the pricing up to a more even number, but the Xantrex SW2000 can be had for under $400.00 and is an Inverter only, the Xantrex ProSine 2.0 2000W inverter/charger comes in at a shade over $1,000.00. If I use two batteries I am pretty sure I could use a single AC charger and charge both batteries in parallel using the Generator and I could buy a good AC charger for 2 bills, so I would end up $400 in the black which would probably pay for a couple of good deep cycle marine batteries or at least get me dang close.
So what am I missing, when I get grid power back to the buildings then I may bump up to a hard wired charger inverter, but with grid power I would likely not need the back-up anymore so I don't want to go all in on a high dollar inverter/charger that will not be needed in a year or so.
Also, I am looking at the Grape Solar 400W Kit, which comes with the Xantrex inverter I mentioned above.
I appreciate any input.
