I'm looking to put together a tiny off-grid system to charge my Nissan Leaf. I typically use around 5 kWh daily, but the grocery store where I usually charge is currently experiencing issues with its chargers. I've been thinking about using an EG4 3000EHV combined with a 5 kWh battery. However, I'm curious if there are better inverter options out there, ideally one that supports split-phase for 240V charging of my Leaf. My budget is around $2,000, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
When will you be charging your Leaf? If you're planning to charge during the day when solar is available, you can manage with a more affordable setup than if you need to charge at night. Do you already have a charger for your Leaf? If you stick with the 120V slow charging, a 3 kW inverter with about 2 kW of panels should work fine, but if you want a fast charge requiring 40 amps at 240 volts, then you'll need to step up your panels and inverter to at least 10 kW.
Honestly, I own both the EG4 3000EHV and the 6000XP. Given the current prices, I'd recommend the 6000XP since it's not a huge leap in cost but offers way better features, including split-phase support. Plus, integrating with less expensive batteries like eco-worthy server rack batteries can save you a good chunk of change. Just ensure that the batteries are set properly for communication. If you're on a budget, definitely look for affordable solar panels, even used ones can do the trick well.
The EG4 gear is pretty solid for home use! For your 5 kWh a day usage, the setup you've indicated should usually suffice. Just a heads up, if you’ll need to make it work with solar power, you’ll want about 1,500 to 2,000 watts of panels to ensure you can recharge that battery, assuming you get around four hours of usable sunlight each day. Just be aware that your entire setup might go over budget; the inverter and battery alone could already put you around $2,600, not counting the solar panels and accessories. If you’re thinking about 240V charging, the EG4 6000 is definitely a strong option—it can handle both 120V & 240V split phase and is priced around $1,700.
Totally agree! Plus, having that extra capacity with the 6000 will definitely pay off in the long run.