ridgebackpilot
Well-known member
- First Name
- Michael
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2022
- Threads
- 6
- Messages
- 86
- Reaction score
- 63
- Location
- Monterey Peninsula, California
- Vehicles
- 2022 Lightning Lariat ER, 2022 Mustang Mach-E GTPE
- Occupation
- Conservationist
- Thread starter
- #1
I'm starting a new thread on this to seek advice and counsel on my situation.
Like others here, my home already has a solar PV array and three Tesla Powerwall batteries, managed by a Tesla Gateway. So installing Ford's Intelligent Backup Power system would be redundant.
However, I would like to find a way to use my Lightning as a source of backup power, in case a prolonged grid outage drains my Powerwall batteries and the solar array isn't able to recharge them. I need the Lightning to function in the same way a power generator would. 7.2 kW from the truck's 240 volt outlet is plenty to run my entire house. And the truck's extended range battery pack is the equivalent of nearly 10 Tesla Powerwall batteries!
I've seen all the installations posted here of manual transfer switches and 3-pole, double-throw safety switches to wire the truck's power into home electrical systems. But none of those will likely work for me due to the complexity of integrating them into my existing solar power system. Even if I could install them, the cost would be prohibitive.
After meeting with three different electricians, the one option I seem to have left is to replace my existing SolarEdge 7.6 kW inverter with a hybrid inverter such as the Sol-Ark 8K which is wired for generator input. Properly installed and integrated with my solar power system and backup batteries, that would allow me to use the Lightning as a source of power for the house and even to recharge the Powerwall batteries. I've heard Enphase, Sunny Island, and perhaps others are also working on similar hybrid inverter technology.
Has anyone installed one of these hybrid inverters and successfully connected their Lightning? Look forward to hearing from @world2steven, @eopiela, and others.
Like others here, my home already has a solar PV array and three Tesla Powerwall batteries, managed by a Tesla Gateway. So installing Ford's Intelligent Backup Power system would be redundant.
However, I would like to find a way to use my Lightning as a source of backup power, in case a prolonged grid outage drains my Powerwall batteries and the solar array isn't able to recharge them. I need the Lightning to function in the same way a power generator would. 7.2 kW from the truck's 240 volt outlet is plenty to run my entire house. And the truck's extended range battery pack is the equivalent of nearly 10 Tesla Powerwall batteries!
I've seen all the installations posted here of manual transfer switches and 3-pole, double-throw safety switches to wire the truck's power into home electrical systems. But none of those will likely work for me due to the complexity of integrating them into my existing solar power system. Even if I could install them, the cost would be prohibitive.
After meeting with three different electricians, the one option I seem to have left is to replace my existing SolarEdge 7.6 kW inverter with a hybrid inverter such as the Sol-Ark 8K which is wired for generator input. Properly installed and integrated with my solar power system and backup batteries, that would allow me to use the Lightning as a source of power for the house and even to recharge the Powerwall batteries. I've heard Enphase, Sunny Island, and perhaps others are also working on similar hybrid inverter technology.
Has anyone installed one of these hybrid inverters and successfully connected their Lightning? Look forward to hearing from @world2steven, @eopiela, and others.
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