Post by terracore on Mar 18, 2019 23:52:58 GMT
I would like to see a reverse UPS product similar to this one:
I actually own and use the above product, and it works well, but it is lacking in features I would like to see added. Basically it acts like a reverse UPS, switching from solar to grid power, and then back again, when the batteries reach programmable thresholds. But some useful features it is missing:
* The addition of a timer, so, for example, you can optionally program it to never use solar/battery power during specified time limits (like for example when there is no sun). I'm currently doing this with a separate transfer switch and an appliance timer.
* An easy/big "bypass" switch so you can override any of the settings and tell it to be either "on grid" or "on battery" regardless of what the programming is telling it to do. For example if it's programmed to switch to grid power if the battery drops to 11.2 volts, there are times when you might want to disregard that setting without having to scroll through confusing menus to change it (like during a power outage).
* A second outlet with it's own programmable battery voltage threshold. Why? There are times when I would like things turned on only when I know the batteries are fully charged or nearly fully charged, that I don't really need to otherwise power. For example, when my batteries are completely full I turn on an LED grow light and use it to grow romaine. But if its dark overcast for a few days the romaine doesn't care if it goes without LED light for a few days. Other people would use "extra" power for pond pumps and other uses. As is you can use a second one of these units daisy chained to the first one to effectively do the same thing, but I'm not going to spend that much money for a voltage controlled switch. Converting "extra" power into food is itself a type of energy storage.
* An option if there is no grid power available, and the batteries are nearly depleted, to start a generator and accept that in lieu of grid power.
Another, more expensive model, could go one step further and in the generator scenario it would also charge the batteries. Probably not a feature I would use, therefore I wouldn't want to pay extra for it because I understand how much that would increase the cost. In fact you could even have three models, the basic model, basic plus generator start, and basic plus generator plus charger. There is an inverter company that makes the exact same end-product I described (basic plus generator plus charger, minus some of the features I listed like 2nd outlet, timer, etc) but I can't afford the bells and whistles of the unneeded features.
I have another product idea but I'll save that for another thread.