By: on June 21, 2022
Been running off-grid  on batteries since midnight.  Getting useful info.   Data so far: Time: 6am. 6/21/2022 ...
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By: on May 14, 2023
Got an early start before sun rise. The solar array's micro inverters communication not reporting issues are finally resolved. Given that the communication is done over the power line, the signal degrades over a distance. The solution is to split the arrays half and center feeding the AC trunk and communications hub in the middle of it so it's closer to the source.   The downside  is I have put the communication hub in the back yard in the metal cabinet. The problem is anything with an RF sig...
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By: on February 28, 2023
The solar snow panel protection and snow dumper design idea worked like a charm.  I haven't built the automation system for it yet, so it's currently being done manually. However,  the current snow storm has already given me some ideas to improve the snow dumping design process. The blue tarp is just currently used for fleshing out ideas. The final build will be made for a clear material to allow for the panels to still produce power while being protected.   ...
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By: on February 26, 2023
In the process of going off-grid, it looks there are still a few more things that are still on the grid which will be resolved soon: the cat fountain and the toilet.  
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By: on February 4, 2023
Weird. When the system is not connected to the grid , the iq7+ microinverters are not reporting/communicating the data of the individual panels to the gateway, but the live total power production is given. Trying to figure a work around for this. Update: My thought process is this. When the grid is on, it doesn't need to draw as much power from the system. So, signal integrity of the microinverters remain intact since it communicates over the power line. Take the grid away and the signal int...
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By: on November 14, 2022
Solar System: All the bugs have been worked out. Only thing left to-do is split the solar array branch in two and then center-feed the power output for better signal integrity and voltage balance.  https://www.crypto-city.com/photo/album/19384/solar-debugging/   Powerline Solar Signal Integrity ...
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By: on July 17, 2022
Chicken curry and sauteed Amaranth from the back yard. Amaranth grows in the wild and is considered a weed.  If you like spinach, you'll like amaranth. Loaded with good nutrients. Its seeds can be used for flour or popped. It's like a dense grain. It's considered a superfood.  
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By: on July 12, 2022
Here it is. Now it's a smart toilet that cleans your butt, AKA a bidet.  It's got a heated seat, endless warm water, self cleaning and sanitization and it even cleans your butt. Update July 17, 2022: The wash cycle at the highest water temperature draws about 800 watts and the dry cycle draws roughly 65 watts. The parasitic load while it's on standby is too low to register (less than a watt). ...
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By: on July 7, 2022
Started at 7:30pm last night and finished 4:30am this morning.  Drilled mounting holes on the solar panel frames and  installed the Enphase IQ 240v AC micro inverter.  A much simplified setup.   Got rid of all of the DC string wires. Now there is just one  240v AC trunk line that hooks up to the output side side of the 18kw master inverter inside the house. See the rest of the solar install photo album here: https://www.crypto-city.com/photo/album/15231/simplified-solar-ac-coupled-system/ ...
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By: on July 3, 2022
Overnight charging from the grid. If I have 3x the solar panels on the NY property I wouldn't need the grid at all.   The dilemma, even with only 2x I wouldn't have any backyard space left. Not that it can be called a yard to begin with.   Texas, on the other hand, I'll be able to put up to 80 football fields of solar panels if I choose to.
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By: on May 16, 2023
Visual data is invaluable for analytics and solar design improvements. This blog will track the type of day and what kind of production it produces for the next seven days. Results will be posted daily and at the end will be used to improve the system. So what's the conclusion? I need to put out more solar panels and add more batteries. ...
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