Recent Posts

1

New Product Ideas and Discussion / Re: New Off Grid Inverter Charger

« Last post by onanparts on Today at 02:08:55 AM »

I'm planning a visit up at Midnite end of this week. Been too long! Last July...

I contacted my secret info source at MS the other day, claims to be a janitor but I think he's actually the person that makes sure everything is unplugged at night.....isn't that a janitor? 

Anyway, will maybe get to see firsthand a B17 putting out some 60hz 120/240 VAC under load! The janitor says he has a hidden camera in the engineering labs, and recently observed the following activity:

A single B17 AC module running on one cylinder, the modules are OHV opposed twins. On just one cylinder the output was a little over 1100 watts. Accounting for losses it was probably 1050 watts or so.
Temps were running about 65C/150F on the transistors.

Now this is where the janitor said it got interesting. No heatsinks were in use on the transistors. None! No air flow! No fans no nothing!  I recall Robin's target was 2000-2500 watts per module, with heat sinks and air flow it sure looks like the higher 2500 watt target is possible!

So a B17-5 with 4 AC power modules could be hitting the 10kW mark! 5th slot gets a CC module and that's one rocking Inverter/Charger/Charge Controllor! 

Updates and pics soon!

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: Best way to start the inverter?

« Last post by ClassicCrazy on November 14, 2018, 02:13:29 AM »

Might be more savings in energy on the smaller inverter for the no load current draw compared to the bigger one.

Larry

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: Best way to start the inverter?

« Last post by Rwbain on November 13, 2018, 11:19:47 PM »

I'm using a Tripp lite 2kw cont. 4kw max 12volt . It feels like it weighs 80 pounds. I am controlling it through the remote jack , which is kinda funky on my inverter. The remote "receptacle " is a 1/8" phone jack that uses the tip for the conductor . And the thing is switched positive..kinda lame but it works. It has "sensitivity adjustment " thats adjustable with a small POT that shuts it off when there's no a/c load present, but I can't get it adjusted correctly.  Some of my lights and other items are such small loads they don't turn it on. I used a DPDT relay as an ATS between my  gen and inverter. I switch one leg and the neutral. I have a dedicated 220 circuit as well. I'm currently brain storming using a similar set up for two inverters. As in , transferring loads between inverters . Light loads I could run through my small , more efficient inverter then switch over to the larger, less efficient inverter for heavy loads. I'm not sure it's worth the effort yet though because I'm not really sure what the efficiency is for either . I haven't thought of how to switch based on amperage draw (not that I've have this too much consideration  ). I'm sure there's a PLC or some kind of microprocessor controlled switch around but I haven't seen it. Sorry I guess I kinda rambled! !

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: Best way to start the inverter?

« Last post by ClassicCrazy on November 13, 2018, 09:46:10 PM »

I have two Kids right now . I use the load control function of one Kid for my inverter switching right now.  I set  low disconnect to 11.9 volts. I wired in a toggle switch and a mechanical  (spring) bathroom fan timer for manual control in my cabin. I also installed a toggle and bath. fan timer for my generator and im using the AGS function. The problem I have is when I put a high amp temporary load on the inverter the DC voltage drop goes below the set load control function parameter and will disconnect or shut off my inverter until recovery. That's why I have a toggle that I can "override" that function. It was dumb not including a time delay for the load function. I was considering using my second Kid's AGS function as my load/inverter control but I'm not sure that would work how I want. Right now the accessory switches I installed make it work pretty good. I can set my inverter timer for an hour at bed time and preserve juice for the a.m. I used to fall asleep with the inverter on and sometimes have to wait for charge before using the inverter the next morning. I only have to worry in the winter months. Summer I leave it on 24/7 I believe both the AGS and Load internal relays are switched negative,  but I'm starting to forget.

What kind of inverter ?  I am assuming you are using a remote switch option for the inverter and not trying to break the  DC input connection to the inverter ?
I have a timer switch on my Outback inverter in parallel with a regular switch ( to the inverter  remote shut off connection). So in normal operation I leave regular switch closed, then when I want timer I turn that on and open the regular switch . When timer runs out it shuts off the inverter ( it is still on but in very low power sleep state until I turn manual switch back on - I guess I could hook that up to contacts on my Kid or Classic like you do if I needed that ) . Anyway works fine when I want to watch TV at night but have inverter shut off and save some power after I fall asleep.

Larry

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: Best way to start the inverter?

« Last post by Rwbain on November 13, 2018, 07:18:38 PM »

I have two Kids right now . I use the load control function of one Kid for my inverter switching right now.  I set  low disconnect to 11.9 volts. I wired in a toggle switch and a mechanical  (spring) bathroom fan timer for manual control in my cabin. I also installed a toggle and bath. fan timer for my generator and im using the AGS function. The problem I have is when I put a high amp temporary load on the inverter the DC voltage drop goes below the set load control function parameter and will disconnect or shut off my inverter until recovery. That's why I have a toggle that I can "override" that function. It was dumb not including a time delay for the load function. I was considering using my second Kid's AGS function as my load/inverter control but I'm not sure that would work how I want. Right now the accessory switches I installed make it work pretty good. I can set my inverter timer for an hour at bed time and preserve juice for the a.m. I used to fall asleep with the inverter on and sometimes have to wait for charge before using the inverter the next morning. I only have to worry in the winter months. Summer I leave it on 24/7 I believe both the AGS and Load internal relays are switched negative,  but I'm starting to forget.

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: AGS and generators that work with it.

« Last post by Rwbain on November 13, 2018, 02:02:24 PM »

Sagle, Id. under Owner Installed Systems..sorry I lose Internet every 10 seconds. .

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: AGS and generators that work with it.

« Last post by Rwbain on November 13, 2018, 01:56:49 PM »

I can view the pics from my old account under the owners pictures section..? I'm getting ready for a snow so i won't be able to do much in the next couple days!

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: AGS and generators that work with it.

« Last post by Vic on November 13, 2018, 01:35:12 PM »

For some reason,   previous Posts from Rwbain,   in other Threads do not appear when uses the "Show Posts" button under that username.

Link to the previous Thread,   FWIW:
http://midniteftp.com/forum/index.php?topic=3708.0

Vic

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The "KID" charge controller / Re: AGS and generators that work with it.

« Last post by Rwbain on November 13, 2018, 12:58:17 PM »

I have to hike to a better area for service today , but the pics I posted are still on here. I can post more of the "build" or details of the wiring if anyone would like. If you look under the Owner Installed section (or whatever it's calked) I still have pics up. Under Rwbain or Sagle, I'd I believe. 

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New Product Ideas and Discussion / Re: New Off Grid Inverter Charger

« Last post by Westbranch on November 13, 2018, 01:04:40 AM »

We are going  very high tech on the B-17 ! 

We have replace ALL smoke with vape !

Hey boB, what kind of power are you using to recharge the Vape batteries, hope it's Solar...