Hey everyone! I'm looking for some feedback on my backup system plans—I want to use it as a whole home backup in case the grid goes down. Here's what I've got in mind:
I'm planning to set up an EG4 6000XP wall-mounted unit with 14.3kWh vertical batteries. I want to connect a Nema 14-50 extension cable to an existing Nema 14-50 outlet in my garage; I previously owned a Tesla, so that outlet is already installed.
For charging, I'll hook up the Chargeverter directly to the batteries and either use a 240VAC cable linked to a Predator 3000 generator or a 120V AC cable to the outlet next to the unit. I'll use the AC cable for convenience and the 240VAC when the grid fails and solar isn't generating power.
Additionally, I'm planning to connect four 380-watt solar panels that produce 38 amps. I know there are better panel options out there, but these are free from a company that doesn't need them anymore.
Am I overlooking anything important? Would appreciate any advice or insights! Thanks!
1 Answer
Your plan sounds solid, but I recommend adding more panels in the future. I have a similar setup with 8 500W bifacial panels and wish I had a few extra to avoid issues charging during cloudy weather. Just a heads up—while you can connect a 120V source to the generator input on the 6000XP, it limits your output to one leg, which is only 3000W. It might be better to grid tie it to your main panel and set up a transfer switch for critical loads. Running your whole house on the 6000XP could be a bit tricky.
Good point! I need to think about the feasibility of my wife being able to set everything up alone during an outage. With a 2-year-old and a 7-month-old, I believe she’d have more luck just getting the generator going and connecting it to the Chargeverter when I'm not around. I'll definitely look into adding more panels later.