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Ivan
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« on: April 25, 2009, 10:55:45 PM » |
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The grid-connected PV output must have recently (slightly) exceeded demand. I watched in awe as my meter wheel started going in reverse. And then it stopped.
It's a totally academic issue, but I guess the meter has just one rachet cam. I assumed, for no particular reason that it would have many, so would stop instantly - it looks like the meter wheel will travel anything up to one revolution backwards before it's stopped.
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Justme
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« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2009, 11:22:40 AM » |
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If its going to be a regular happening then I suggest you fit a timer to your freezer (or other loads) to use up all the extra power made (as I guess you are not getting paid for it). Set it to only run during peek solar hours & again during the E7 period if when tested its not holding its temp cold enough. Ours is just getting 4 hours per day (11 till 3 as thats when we get most solar as we are not quite south facing) & stay plenty cold enough.
Justme
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Navitron solar thermal system
30 x 58mm panel 259L TS
1200watts solar 120vdc
FX80 Solar controller
Victron 12v 3000w 120a
200w (250w peak) 12v turbine as a tester
6kva genny
6 x 2v cells 1550amp/h 5C
24 x 2v cells 700amp/h 5C
Total bank 4350 amp/h @12v
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heatherw
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« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2009, 01:30:54 PM » |
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You must spend an awful lot of time watching your meter, Ivan.  |
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Amy
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« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2009, 01:44:02 PM » |
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Only if the paint has dried. No tv in Ivans house cos hes saving money and watching the meter to see how much. |
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Ian
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« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2009, 08:12:23 PM » |
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Many mechanical meters have a tendency to allow the wheel to temporarily spin backwards until the anti fraud mechanism arrests its travel. However, the wheel is actually working against a light spring so that when consumption exceeds export, the wheel spins very quickly in the forward direction for up to a revolution.
If you continue to watch your meter in awe as it spins backwards, prepare to be in some consternation as it accelerates quickly in the forward direction.
Regards,
Ian
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Amy
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« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2009, 08:42:05 PM » |
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For the price of two pairs of marigolds, a decent 1100v screw driver and a lot of nerve, you can over come these problems |
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Ivan
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« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2009, 09:50:57 PM » |
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No, I don't spend a lot of time watching the meter - just happened to be checking how the red lights work on the Ampy export meter, when I noticed the black band on the meter wheel going the wrong way.
Ian, thanks for the input - I should have guessed the energy debt would be repaid just like the Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle.
Amy, unfortunately there's a lot of TV in my house at the moment. My 3yr old loves the film 'Robots' and watches it at least twice a day, and three times if she can get away with it.
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sunandwindy
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« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2009, 09:48:58 AM » |
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I find this thread a bit strange as I too have a dial meter and it quite often goes backwards for long periods of time, and certainly doesn't spin forward after reversing!
(edit - dial as in spinning disc)
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« Last Edit: May 02, 2009, 12:12:14 PM by sunandwindy »
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knighty
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« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2009, 02:38:32 PM » |
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some of the older ones don't have agear in them to lock them if they go backwards...
iirc all of the "non reversing" ones should have a little picture of a gear in the corner of the glass at the front ?
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Ivan
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« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2009, 09:39:13 PM » |
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There aren't supposed to be any that go backwards still in use, although a lot are. If you have an export meter fitted, they are supposed to check that your meter doesn't go backwards (so you don't get double-points!).
Personally, I like the idea of meters that go backwards ('net-metering' as the Americans call it). It's simple and reasonably fair. However, due to the way electricity is traded and the paperwork involved, it can't integrate with the UK's system.
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sunandwindy
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« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2009, 07:54:59 AM » |
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We don't have an export meter.
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MEDWARD
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« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2009, 01:53:14 PM » |
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Only just fitted my panels Saturday, I was chuffed to bits watching my meter go backwards on Sunday. I celebrated by putting the kettle on and having a cup of tea, I won't be boiling the kettle ever again..
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