How to Pre-charge Large Off-grid Inverters SAFELY. Save your eyes and your bank account
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2024
- Does off-grid solar confuse you?
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com
Join our DIY solar community!
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:
www.diysolarforum.com
Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link):
amzn.to/2Aj4dX4
If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out EnergyPal! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: energypal.com/diysolar/
My Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):
12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/sol...
Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/sol...
Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v...
Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/ful...
Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/com...
DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/sol...
My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:
Signature Solar
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:
www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h...
Current Connected
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components:
currentconnected.com/?ref=wp
Ecoflow Delta
My favorite plug-n-play solar generator:
us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7
AmpereTime
Cheapest 12V batteries around:
amperetime.com/products/amper...
Renogy
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages!
renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx
Rich Solar
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:
richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
Battery Hookup
Cheap cell deals
bit.ly/2mIxSqt
5% off code: diysolar
Contact Information:
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com 
Наука
Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com
Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com
Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link):
amzn.to/2Aj4dX4
If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):
12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html
Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html
Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html
Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html
DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html
Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes:
-Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp
-Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels:
www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
-Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator:
us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7
-AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around:
amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
-Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out:
richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
-Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out:
shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p
-Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals
bit.ly/2mIxSqt
10% off code: diysolar
-Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA:
watts247.com/?wpam_id=3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contact Information:
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Hi Let me make this clear and I hope you respond I have just bought 2 x 2000 w KRIEGER INVERTERS Plugged them onto 6 x 1000 ah connected in series at home and one blew up the other does not even work as it should WHY ?
What size Inverter should you have if say the Voltage I tested says 64 VOLTS From the Solar to the Battery readings ? get back t o me please ASAP Troy
I sparked the contact between a 3000w psw inverter and 12v/100ah LifeP04 battery bank. The result was an unrecoverable BMS in the first battery in the bank! Good thing BattleBorn has a 10-year warranty. I wish I had seen this video first! Another FANTASTIC video, Will. Thanks for all you do.
I've watched countless videos related to this type of equipment but this is the first time I heard of this. Thanks!
Never saw your idea implemented before. It was good that you proved what damage can happen. Usually, you hear a laugh when the batteries spark and never hear how it can hurt your system! 👍
All I could look at was the wrenches on the magnets above the batteries. Seriously though, love the content, it's refreshingly simply delivered and any unintentional humor only adds to the charm. Keep it up!
Every one of those wrenches are shorter than the distance between the battery terminals. The odds of two wrenches falling and resting across each other while also touching both terminals are much higher than winning the powerball jackpot, though I am sure the guys at Dudeperfect could do it, film it, and make you believe they nailed it on the first take.
Will, thank you for sharing this safety tip! I've seen others that have a DIY build for a 24 volt system and they never talked about this!
Great public service / safety announcement! I frequently see people doing this wrong, and it's so simple not to. Now with a short video that I can point to, if I forward it on people will actually watch it!
Thanks Will! Keep doing what you love.
This worked for me. Thank you. I damaged an inverter years ago not knowing this. You do a great service with your fine programs.
Im glad you mentioned this as its something not a lot of people are aware of. For me, I use a lightbulb in a holder to charge as its a resistor and the bulb will dim once the capacitors are charged.
No kidding, you probably just saved my eyes and my life. Great video. Short to the point and extremely valuable information!
Been connecting my 24v 3000w inverter the hard sparky way countless times without dying or going blind... But for the safety of your LifePo batteries it is best to use a resistor to avoid this.
Thanks Will. Pretty much found everything I need to know to build my van solar system and feel confident its safe and will perform from your videos alone. Saved me endless trawling through questionable advice on forums.
Lots of "light bulb" comments. Remember that any simple electrical heating device (incandescent light bulb, hair dryer, soldering iron, heat gun, glue gun, etal) is essentially a resistor and will do the same thing as long as you don't exceed it's power-handling capability.
Great job as always Will, I'm SO glad I found your YT channel!
Hi, having trouble finding a resistor.. but do have a glue gun...how would I go about using it? Thanks!
This video has been incredibly helpful. I blew the fuses in the exact same inverter you have used in your video by not pre-charging the capacitors and hope this fixes the issues
I'm in the process of researching setting up a solar system on a small narrow boat over here in England. All the videos I've looked at and read up online I've not come across this information. Thank you very much.
The first time in all my years of doing solar that this has been mentioned. Thank you sir!
I thought your the dude who heated up a miniature sausage everytime they work ALSO
@@fojrsepta4959 huh?
Thanks again Will for keeping things simple and easy to understand. Really appreciate your useful examples…..I’d be burning alot of money if not for folks like you….learning important stuff here.
Awesome video as always saw your interview with Jamie, that was so stoked.
I listen to Wills videos just so i can hear him say “TITAN”! My favorite part every time!
And butt-ON
“TiTAN” makes me smile every time he says it.
GAF
I used to use a incandescent test light to charge the capacitors in high power car audio systems. The benefit is the light glows dimmer and dimmer as the caps charge. The light across the inverter input will discharge too. Nice videos. Thanks.
dude your videos are ALWAYS on point, to the point and incredibly clear and helpful - thanks a metric TON bro!! My new litto batts are ALMOST here and I just so HAPPENED to see someone popping a small switch and searched out what it was, i have a 10000w 24v split phase inverter!! You just saved me ruining alot of expensive stuff thanks thanks thanks!
Thank God I saw this video before connecting my first inverter and battery together today. Thank you!
I had no idea! My problem is now solved. I was about to return this brand new inverter 4000 watt. Thanks Will!!!!
Thank you for telling and EXPLAINING about the resistor to charge and to discharge. That was something nobody mention to me lol. Gordon.
Thank you for this useful info. I have always wondered how to connect high voltage inverters without a spark, now I know
Great video! Higher value resistors at lower wattage will work too. Just takes longer. Large value capacitors do definitely pack a punch.
Just found your channel today. Already subscribed. You just gave me an answer to an issue I have in my RV power system. I have two Battle Born batteries wired in parallel going to a Blue Sea battery switch. I also have a Victron Energy MultiPlus Compact 12/2000 Inverter Charger. Every so often when I switch the batteries on the system would not start. I would have to cycle the switch off and back on to get it running. After watching your video, I now know that I was triggering a disconnect on the Battle Born Charge Controllers. To fix this I will get a momentary toggle SPST switch and that wire-wound resistor and put them across the switch terminals. I will toggle the switch on for a couple of seconds before switching the batteries into the system. Thank you very much.
That is good to know, I would have assumed big inverters would have some circuitry to prevent this but guess it's bad to assume! For a permanent setup you could probably have a resistor as part of the circuit by default and a separate switch to bypass it. I guess ideally two switches so you can still isolate the entire thing.
By far one of your most important, accurate and useful video that I have seen since subbing. Way better than you loosing time on overpriced underperforming fraudulantly called solar generators.
good advice well done I have been in this trade over 50 years now .
For my backup power system i built for my computer room. After i burnt up the contacts in a pair of high current relays i added a pre charger. Just using a resistor and a car horn relay. From memory the resistor im using is one of those ones designed for if you use LED replacement lights on your car to load the circuit more. The arduino i use to control it all just turns the precharger on for 5seconds before closing the main relay to the inverter.
Thanks for the great advice and safety tips. I hope all your viewers heed your advice. Like your channel for the great information about solar products and your honest reviews of the products.
Lucky to have a Fry's that is still stocked - many are suffering due to business changes. Good idea on using a resistor.
Dude, you are perfecting the perfect off grid system that can power a house out of a shed, including transportation! Wow! Using solar panels that can be downgraded to charge anything less powerful than and including a house! Shit, if you pakcage that like you have done with generators and sell it undercutting the market to get it out there would change everything! You do this and that's revolutionary. ✊🏽
I discovered a method of precharging capacitors using no extra parts. Just the battery and the inverter. However, this method can only be used if you built your own battery from 3.2v cells. Simply attach the positive inverter cable to the positive side of the battery, then touch the negative cable to the negative post of the first cell in the series. Then touch it to the second negative post, then the third, etc. This allows you to use the battery itself to slowly ramp up the voltage, 3.2v at a time.
Make a video bro. I understood nothing
The thought of the spark when I am about to connect these terminals always gives me concern.
Thanks Will.
I had seen this video, but forgot about the caps after blowing out a 30A fuse during some load testing.
Putting in the new fuse was a little scary! The lesson is now welded in, so to speak.
I didn't have a 10W low resistance resistor handy, so I put some clips on a 120vac 40w light blub. Works fine.
Hi Will,
Thanks for all the videos and detailed explanations. You have helped to make our RV electrical upgrade easier and safer. Thank you!
Tod
Love your videos. I've learned so much and I understand it. You have a way of explaining these ideas in easy to understand language. Thank you! Also...will you be evaluating the new Ecoflow Delta 1300 solar generator? That one looks promising but I would love to see what you find out about it.
Good to know. Inverter companies should include this information and a resistor in the packaging with their inverters. It wouldn't cost them Jack Diddly Squat and it might keep someone from damaging their eyes, batteries, or other equipment.
Thanks, you are the only one on you-tube that has said to do this, I guess all those experts need to learn a little more. You would think that at least Battle Born would tell their customers that in a video??
Making something as boring as a resistor, interesting! You've done it again. Thanks for the great info!
super informative and helpful!!
Thanks for saving everyone's eyes and bank accounts !!
On old submarines the action of switching on those massive battery banks would sometimes release ball lightning .
I always wondered why I would only get one spark and wondered why the spark was so big! Thanks! I've done 3500 watt magnum inverter chargers with 600ah busses and never could get around the massive spark! Unless I used the battery disconnect lol
Excellent video. I fried my inverter during hurricane Fiona (I'm in Prince Edward Island, Canada) and this would have saved me some grief. Thank you
Great video, thanks.
What about if the inverter (connected) is turned off for extended period of time. Do the capacitors remain charged?
Many people install a switch or circuit breaker between the battery and inverter. Whenever the switch is flipped on, it will also generate a spark. I suppose we could manually pre-charge manually or install a push-button switch with resistor before flipping the switch but is there some kind of contactor, delay, relay, and/or device available off the shelf that can be installed across the breaker/switch to AUTOMATE the pre-charging? I doubt such an accessory cost much to make.
All good info. I was just looking for how to safely discharge my inverter.
Thx for this info. I built a 3 battery bank about 4 years ago with a 2000 watt inverter and nobody ever mention this to me. Yes, i got some nice sparks when connecting the terminals to the inverter, but i figured it must just be a mild normal thing (not dangerous). Your $1 resister is about $10 with shipping.
Yes several other youtube channels claim the sparking is of no worry and normal... I do not know if that is true or not that the sparking do not damage anything, it can for sure lead to things welding stuck...
Solark 8k comes with 2 resistors just for this reason to topup the capacitors initially.
Great info! Ordered some resistors today after having to recently take a die to the threads on my old inverter. After sparking heavily on hookup, I couldn’t thread the nut on the stud without chasing the threads. I believe my new inverter is the same one featured here (PS-3000KAR). Was going to design/build a low voltage disconnect for it, but discovered it has the newer style ‘tactile’ on-off switch. It requires that you hold the button down to turn it on after disconnecting, negating the ability to turn it back on unattended. Any workaround you can see?
Thanks Will, another informative episode. I am surprised to learn that large wattage inverters don't have a high value leakage resistor soldered across the input terminals to allow them to discharge over a few seconds once power is removed.
They should have a relay to automatically discharge through the normally closed terminals of the relay.
@@ajarivas72 Absolutely, a relay is the ideal solution.
Hey Thanks will, perfect timing. I just got my 3k Renogy inverter yesterday. I am starting the 800watt solar for my 5th wheel Montana I live in full-time. I am wondering how I am going to wire it to my 50 amp system though.
Great Tip Will !! , Do you Have a recommended Sequence of Wiring a New System , Solar Panels to MPPT to Battery to Inverter? Which Components should Get Wired First Safely and sequence of NEG to NEG & POS to POS
Very useful info for DIY enthusiasts, I personally use car/mo-bike tail lamps [filament type not LED] for charge discharge those capacitors. ;)
The Epever Ipower plus (5000W) has current limit to prevent sparkles/Arc when connecting the 48V batteries bank, this is nice, I did not have to use a resistor (LifePO4)
Great video. I have done exactly what you are doing using a value of 200 ohm or larger and leave it connected for a minute or so. Another thing I have done is use a tail light bulb from a car in series with the inverter and the battery. (12 volt system) I just leave it connected unitl the bulb goes out and give it a few seconds more for good luck. The bulb will be bright and slowly dim. If the bulb suddenly goes out it may have burnt out so be careful if using the bulb method.
Switching on three MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70-50 in parallel with just the bms (jk bms b2a20s20p) works fine for me so far 👍
Chunky soft shop pencils work well too! Mine measured about 20ohms.
So for mobile power I was thinking about installing a 2000 watt inverter in my truck and running off the trucks battery. Should I install a higher AMP alternator to keep up with the load?
Thanks! Glad I saw this video before putting together a new solar system.
Do You Recommend Using A Super Capacitor like 2 Farad Before The Inverter To Smooth Dips From Heavy Amp Draw?
Victron smartsolar mppt controller has no manual switch built in. So a loud pop and arc/spark occurred every time I connect it to battery. How do I stop this from happening?You present decent quality video contents. Thank you sir.
Thank you. Great info. I recently bought 4x Lifepo4 cells for a 12 volt battery bank, a Daly Bms 200 amp and Victron gear including a Victron 12/1600/70 Inverter / charger. Do I also have to do a pre-charge with this inverter / charger? And do I have to do this once when connecting the inverter / charger or do I have to do this every time I want to use the inverter function?
Question: I switched from ANL fuses to circuit breaker fuses to isolate my inverters in my RV when not needed. I got the spark on the ANL fuses when rewiring and didn’t like it. When I upgrade to lithium, is there a spark internal to the inline circuit breaker fuses and will that hurt the BMS since it’s not closing the circuit at the battery terminal.
Outstanding information . Please , could you help with the mystery "WIFI on the road" subject ? There seems to be similar misinformation in this area . THANKS
I have a question; how to size the safety disconnect for 100 KWH battery bank ?
I have my 2000 watt pure sine wave connected through a separate on/off switch when not in use, which is done frequently. What impact is there on the battleborn batteries when it is reconnected through the on switch? I do this in case there is any draw from inverter on batteries when off. I do not see any burn marks on my batteries.
So did I just damage my battle born battery? I had a spark when I tried to connect my inverter to my negative terminal. Is it pooched?
hi Will, how can we size the resistor? can I use the same 25w 35omhs for a 2kw inverter in a 24v system?
Would it be worthwhile to add a capacitor bank to help with large pulls from the battery bank? Like the Maxwells
Hi , I have followed these steps because I was getting a massive spark when trying to connect the inverter for the 1st time , I got the 25w resistor as mentioned and it still sparks , I've tried leaving resistor connected for a minute or so but it gets very hot . I've then tried again but still the massive spark ....please help
Hi there. I have a 5kW off-grid system I'm installing soon. What size resistor would I need for doing this connection safely?
Is this (resistor) required if you don't disconnect the hot or ground ? Is this (resistor) only required during initial hook up of Hot and Ground to terminals ?
Thanks @Will for sharing your knowledge. Can you share some video about low PV 3kw hybrid inverter system details? I made one with 2 phono 540W panels (parallels). it's open circuit voltage is 49V. Rated power voltage is 41V. but when I connect panels to the inverter, it never comes the voltage above 37V. As I check the range is 34V to 37v. The issue is my inverter's (SAKO Isun 3kw) operation voltage is 36V to 80V. Seems my off grid system not working on most efficient way, since incoming panel voltage is not on appropriate range. As I see it will not generate more than 800W from panels in the noon and when the sky has no cloud. Have you ever faced any issue like this?
Good video. I have a question that I hope you can answer. I found a 100W 50 Ohm Resistor for the same price. Can I use that one instead?
Thank you for the video. I happen to have a 25w 100 ohm resistor. Is this capable of doing the job?
Do you have to do this with an
Inverter/Charger as well? Just bought a Victron 3000W Multi Inverter/Charger.
Hi, thanks for the information.
What size of resistor do I need for connecting a 5kW 48V solar inverter/charger and a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery?
Thanks.
I got everything you said but the inverter has a ground wire and I have a stand-alone solar setup in my trailer. I have hitch batteries already grounded to the frame. On the inverter where do I put the ground wire? Or do I just forget it's there?
Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste .. 🙏🏻 😊 ✌ ☮ ❤ 🕊
Do I use a 300 or 600 AMP braker between the battery's to the inverters positive cable on a 12v 6000-12000 watt inverter
You can use a double sided pencil in a pinch, the graphite is a conductor and has around 20 ohms of resistance.
if we hook it up to a battery switch before hooking the battery to the inverter and then switching it on will it still pop the BMS in the battery? Should I still use a resistor for first time turn on when doin git that way?
Would be interested in your thoughts about the new "Silent 80" all electric/solar luxury catamarans...
Do you have a video on connecting power from an inverter to a breaker box?
Hey Will, is it the same case for a Victron Multiplus 2, or anything that has an on/off switch. If so I assume the Inverter should be turned on when connecting resistor?
do you have any info on how to add a 20amp 12v outlet for higher power like 2000watt for I have this giandel 4000watts inverter and the installed outlets are just for 1500watts
This is great, but I do have a question... I was under the understanding you were supposed to attached the positive lead to inverter last. Can you do this same thing between the positive lead and the positive terminal on the multiplus inverter, or should i do this only between the negative busbar from batteries and the negative lead of the inverter?
Would you recommend that I do this on my new portable battery bank that is a 12V / 200Ah LiFePo4 battery and a 2000W Pure Sinewave inverter?
Or is this just for higher voltage systems lik 24 and 48 volts?
Edit: I just bought the components about a minute ago and I thought I might as well ask, so I know if I should buy one of these resistors as well.
Great info and safety PSA also! Save your eyes!
If you don’t use the inverter much and have a battery cutoff switch to it does this mean every time I use the inverter I have to pull the connections off and do the resister on batteries again???
Question:
I have a flat screwdriver with that small lamp inside for testing voltage or sth
Could this also work?
Can't find any 24w resistors like that in my area
Thanks for addressing safety issues!
If you have an off-grid system where the inverter is wired through a switch and it's been off for weeks (think RV), do you have to pre-charge the capacitors before you turn it on? If so, how? Do you have to disconnect, then reconnect?
So if I have 2 Enduro 12v 100ah LiFePO Batteries in Parallel and a Renogy 2000 watt Inverter do I have to use a resistor to connect them?
I ran into this problem on this setup. 100ah chins with renogy 1000 watt inverter. I was using heavy duty disconnect on negative in my rv installation. When I switch on the bms went into protection mode. So not all smaller inverters and lithium will operate correctly without pre-charge.
Looking dorky is being safe, thanks for the video, 👍👌❤🇨🇦
Hi will I'm new to the world of inverters what size resistor would you recommend for a 200amp 12v lithium battery to charge 2000 to 3000 watt inverter, many thanks lee
As an after thought I decided to install a Renogy 2000w inverter to my already built solar system. I have 3 100ah BattleBorn batts in parallel so its a 12v 300ah system. I currently have a 250a fuse at the battery before the main disconnect and will be connecting the inverter to the positive busbar that is connected after the main disconnect. The max continuous watts I plan on drawing will be about 1500 for only a few minutes (toaster oven).
Two questions: 1, will this fuse be ok and 2, do I need to use the pre-charge resistor? Thanks for the help.