Inverters and battery banks

[bimota]

Recently saw an MEP-903 with an Inverter setup attached, looked interesting and made me think what other inverters has the military used and what battery packs in the field.

Would greatly appreciate anyone sharing their real knowledge and real experience with DC battery banks, inverters to convert stored battery power to AC, either single or three phase.

I've seen special projects that involve solar panels, batteries and inverters but this is recent stuff, is there any systems that would be going surplus?

 

[islandguydon]

Hello, I wired my home and is on battery back up with Xantrex trace inverters, 1- 6048+ 6000 watts @ 48v the other is a double stack 5548 11,000 watts @ 48v I also installed a 3512 3500 watts at 12v in a container and use a 12v forklift battery with 4-12v solar panels. I feel I am experienced in this field with 3 systems currently running.

Fire away with your questions, also of note the military has a 3000/10,000 split 24v inverter, I have been looking for this everywhere but can not find one. Beware the military version is an inverter only, this is not a charger/inverter so you need a charge source like solar/wind/hydro etc;;;

Don

 

[bimota]

Ok, good we have similar experience. What I want to do is have the MEP-004 wired for high voltage and auto start. When one of the Xantrex or Outbacks in my case (three cottages each with battery pack, and Outbacks calls for charging, the MEP-004 starts up and charges all three separate battery packs.

So I need a high voltage 3 phase distribution to transformers to get 240 to each charger, plus low voltage start signal from all three charge controllers to the MEP-004 auto start panel.

Several challenges:
1. auto start for MEP-004
2. three phase high voltage distribution
3. Transformers (need to specify) to 240 single phase
4. three auto start signals safely combined and low voltage signal to MEP auto start
5. Probably a few more I have not thought of yet!

 

[bimota]

Ooops, wrong thread for my last reply. Don, let me know what to look for for the mil spec inverters, do you have any part or model numbers?

 

[Darwin T]

the first picture is to my well house on the back of my farm. 60 watt solar panels and it goes to a sears platinum $250.00 marine deep cycle battery to a 1,500 watt inverter and i only run it about 2 or 3 times a month for 20 to 30 minutes, and it works great.

the second picture is at my barn. the two sets of 60 watt panels go to 2 of the sears platinum batteries that i run my 12 volt stuff off of (12 volt cooler, lights both compact floressent and rechargable flashlights, battery charges for aa batteries and my dewalt 12 volt battery charger for my tools. the 3rd panel on the right goes to a xantrex xpower 1500 portable battery pack with a 1500 watt inverter. i use this for 120 volt stuff that i don't need a gererator to run, like power tools.

 

[swbradley1]

the first picture is to my well house on the back of my farm.

While I'm sure it works great is it just me or does your well house look like porta-jon from a science fiction movie?

 

[islandguydon]

1St is what is the power requirements for each building..?

2Nd is 3 phase required, probably not so change the generator configuration for 240V 1ph

3Rd I hooked up the transfer switch right after the meter, you configure the auto start from the Xantrex or out back for auto start when the battery bank drops to a certain level. BUT..!

the MEP YOU HAVE IS NOT MADE TO AUTO START, THE GLOW PLUGS WILL NOT WORK. YOU HAVE TO GET A MODULE TO WORK THE mep WITH GLOW PLUGS.

 

[Darwin T]

monded plactic deer blind so it won't rot if it gets wet. you can see my $26,000.00 crapper in the background of this picture. i park my john deere and sit on the edge of the front in loader. 18.5 acres with my deer lease on two side. no one areound and TP in the console.

 

[srodocker]

im curious on how this thread turns out as i want to add a batt bank and inverter to my camper some day

 

[PeterD]

...

the MEP YOU HAVE IS NOT MADE TO AUTO START, THE GLOW PLUGS WILL NOT WORK. YOU HAVE TO GET A MODULE TO WORK THE mep WITH GLOW PLUGS.

Because of lack of quoting, this thread is a bit confusing, but if you are referring to Bimota's MEP, I believe that it is a MEP-004 which does not have glow plugs.

I'll have to check my manual to see, but there was a 'remote' control system for the MEP-004, and IIRC, there was also the ability to auto-start it. Any auto-start would have to have some form of heating circuit too, to allow starting when cold out, such as an electric block heater, and probably a battery heater as well.

 

[bimota]

Inverters and batteries - mil surplus

Ok, let's try to stay on topic - some of the commentary is funny!
Creativity and functionality is always valued higher than beauty.

A quick web search shows several smaller inverters with NSN Numbers:

NSN 6130-01-016-1856: This is a 750-watt, 12-volt power inverter. Cost is approx $260.
NSN 6130-01-379-7042 and 6130-01-386-4798: This is a 2500-watt, 24-volt inverter. Cost is approx $2300.

This is the new stuff we won't find surplus yet:
Tactical Power Products

DRS Power Solutions - Inverters

NSN N/A 6130-01-452-0577 6130-01-439-1789 Military Part Number N/A 0CCB0405570 0CCB0DUI24/32DQ

There are many support sets like medical and radio where power inverters are needed. So that is another place to look.

There is an old thread "Inverter Help" with some good input.

Can those on the thread clarify if they are using mil surplus inverters or commercial stuff? In mil surplus - what are they?

I also see ExelTech 3 phase 6kw inverter listed - very interesting - anyone have one? I'm buying!

 

[bimota]

MEP-004 auto start panel

Ok, on the MEP-004 I plan to install a GSC 300 Control Panel. These are quality auto start panels for diesel generators, the wiring for glow plugs and such is not overly hard for electronic technician types. Probably to be avoided unless you are a tech or engineer. I installed a couple on MEP-903 gensets and they work great, about $300 for 24 volt model with relays. The panels also can be configured for all digital gauges.

I was hoping someone has already done this on a MEP-004 to save me the time of reading and interpreting the wiring diagram. It would be nice to find a MEP-103 which is also automatic frequency control but they seem hard to find - anyone want to trade a MEP-103 for something?

If anyone want to work with me on automating the MEP-004 I'll be doing that this fall (Sept.-Oct.) time frame to be ready for the winter generating season.

 

[islandguydon]

I have attached a few pictures of the 11,000 watt system which is Trace 5548 stacked, and the 6000 watt system which is a 6048 stand alone, Both systems come with an auto start feature 2-3-4 wire config to auto start your MEP004, I took the time and called Xantrex/Trace to ask tech services about your machine. They confirmed the fact you need an additional relay with a timer to activate the glow plugs. This will cycle 4 times. If the generator does not start after the 4th time the system will shut down. I hope this helps. I am not familiar with Outback but I am confident the controls are the same.

I threw in a couple pictures of the battery's, If you can get these. Sprint just switched from battery back up to Diesel generator back up. These sell new for $2,480.00 each I got 50 delivered from Texas for $6,000.00. Reason for 50 was 24 per 48v bank since they are 2.03vdc each + 2 spares. They hold 4800Ah each. Also of note: you run your input and output after the meter..! Get a hydrometer and keep the "SG" Specific Gravity at the manufactures spec and make sure the electrolyte level is always full..!!!!!!!!

All the systems are the same either 12v 24v 28v 36v 48v or 60vdc. I chose the 48v because I got a good deal on the battery's, they are the heart and soul of any system.
I hope I have answered some of your questions. Also of note get a reconditioned electric forklift battery, The AH rating is amazing and the cost is well worth the money. In the long run you will never buy another battery again and you can get a auto watering kit with a 5 gal tank for cheap. This makes your system user friendly and safe.

DON'T HOOK UP BEFORE THE METER, ALWAYS AFTER THE METER OR YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR OWN POWER and it is not safe to do so, FYI..!

Don

 

[PeterD]

... to auto start your MEP004, I took the time and called Xantrex/Trace to ask tech services about your machine. They confirmed the fact you need an additional relay with a timer to activate the glow plugs. ...

Again, a MEP-004 does not have glow plugs, so any company suggesting that there are glow plugs there doesn't really know enough about these units to give advice.

 

[islandguydon]

OK you might have it right, I own the 3kw with ask, 2-5kw with ask a 10 kw with out ask and they are all diesel, I do not own the 15kw Mep 004 like the one in question, but, I also have owned and still do several diesel trucks. Every piece of equipment I own which is diesel fired has glow plugs. Its just the nature of the beast for diesels 40Hp and up. I believe the MEP004 is a diesel 6 cylinder.

ALSO OF NOTE: PeterD; Glow plugs are a standard thing when you talk to the tech guys concerning alternative energy and inverter/chargers, I may be wrong but feel I am not.

HERE IS THE TECH MANUAL FOR THE MEP-004

http://eshop1.chem.buffalo.edu/images/PDF-Files/mep-004-15kw-03.pdf

PerterD Please let me know if I am wrong...K If I am wrong I will admit responsibility for it like I always do.

Don

 

[islandguydon]

PeterD You are correct, I stand corrected. Shocked the SXXX out of me.

 

[unclebeau]

OK;
I'll ask, Why no glow plugs?

 

[PeterD]

Too much thread drift, if someone starts a "why (no) glow plugs" thread I'll post a short writeup on why.

 

[Darwin T]

OK;
I'll ask, Why no glow plugs?

because it don't need them! what is the next question i can clear up for you?

 

[NMDUECESWILD]

OK;
I'll ask, Why no glow plugs?

In generator applications glow plugs are not used, I have installed diesel generators from 15KW to 2megawatts. What is required is a block heater, In an application where you do not have commercial power available glow plugs would work with a relay for the glow plugs and a time delay relay for the auto start circuit.