Good work and thank for sharing. I can see my self looking into this one. You did this year have a power outage. All the new stuff is looking much better this year. Thumbs up 👍
Thanks Man! Its crazy how quickly everything is coming about. Just a few years ago none of this type stuff existed...well at least that I knew of. Thanks again for hanging out to watch.🤘
Nice video Joe. The only problem I see is with the new electric code requiring an outside home electric main breaker to kill whole house power incase of a fire. Critical loads will still have power endangering firemen.
I would have loved to see you simulate a 240V load and power failure. Also - a single phase failure. Finally, during TOU see if the unit switches over during peak and switches back to charging during super off peak. And what threshold is there for off peak / charging/discharging. And can you program in emergency charging if a storm is imminent?
this thing is so new, it would be cool to see those features tested. this thing promises alot and if you can peak shave it would be super valuable for my use case.
I have this setup with 2 F3800 and 2 BP3800 connected to the HPP. The biggest limitation is the derating in the grid-on TOU mode. Each F3800 is derated to 1.9KW output per 3.8 KWH of battery capacity, either in the F3800 or the BP3800 expansion battery. And the max allowed is 6 KW top (like if you have 2 F3800 and 2 BP3800). In the grid-down scenario, then the derating goes away and you get 6 KW for 1 F3800 and 12 KW for 2 F3800s regardless of battery capacity. During Super Off Peak, the max recharging rate is 2.7 KW for each F3800 connected. But if there's plenty of time to recharge until the next Peak time, it might decide to charge slower than 2.7 KW, although you can trick it to charge at the max 2.7 KW in the Self Consumption mode with the Battery Reserve set to 100%. There is also a priority storm mode. You can also manually manipulate an SOC limit by playing with the Battery Reserve level.
Great videos, i'm enjoying your channel. With the exact configuration in the video could you plug solar into the f3800 directly and have it charge while still connected to the power panel?
Great video. I purchased the F3800 but pressing and holding the on/off button for 3 seconds does not power off the unit. I have even tried holding for longer and till no dice. Any idea what I should try? I'm ultimately trying to connect the device to the Anker app and it is failing the installation.
Great video...for the circuits in the sub panel that you will be powered by the smart panel, are they ones that are pulled out of the main panel (thus freeing up space in the main panel)? Further, if you already have one sub panel (I have one in my detached garage), are you able to add a 2nd sub panel for the smart panel and power the garage sub panel also so I could still open my garage doors in event of a power outage?
Yep, those are the ones pulled from main panel and freeing up space. Yes you could add the garage sub panel to the sub panel you want backed up. So it would be main panel-> backed up sub panel-> garage sub panel.
So to use it to the fullest of its abilities, you'd have to have your solar system AC coupled with an inverter rather than just plug right into your F3800?
The one thing i keep looking for with the different home panels is the ability to bypass having to have some type of grid connection in order to get everything up and running. They need to design one where from the begining you can use the self power mode with solar or something to charge the unit. There are those of us who have off grid cabins or homes either by choice or because it costs a small fortune to run the power to their home.
Quick secret, I was using another F3800 as my "grid" connection so if you have a generator, you could probly set it up with that. Or if you had another 240v F3800 like I did. But yes, not having grid for the initial setup would be good.
@@AveRage_Joe Thanks for the tip. I thought that might be possible. Do you have a patreon page i could message you on about this and other potential videos you do in the future that I might have questions on?
Any idea how this would be different if you also have a Powerwall/back up battery too as well as were to get a second cable for a 2nd solix to the smart panel? Getting solar installed with a Powerwall 3 but also have 2 f3800 that I ordered previously.
Everything should work like normal with the PW3. Install the home panel before a subpanel and then you have a 2nd layer of critical loads backup. If for some reason your PW3 goes dead while on battery backup then the home power panel is last defense. I have a similar setup here at my house. I have a different system then a PW3 tho.
Nice & clear. Im a newbee, could you simply use a generic automatic transfer switch and a std generator plug if you do not need the control info and solar connection ? Would that be much less expensive ? Tks.
There's a good sale right now where you can get this panel for around $1,000 which is only maybe 4 or 500 more than a standard automatic transfer switch and I think for that it's worth it
I'm wondering if I could use my smart panel as the sub panel, since its pulling from a bigger external which is the main and solar. Want to get a battery tied in to my system to counter power outages and would also like to be pulling from a battery rather than the grid during tou.
So the Ac coupled solar will also stop when the grid goes down so the solar will not charge the battery in a grid down situation. I think you need to move the solar to the sub panel to keep it active.
@@whattheschmidt Yes to be safe so the inverter can control the shutdown around 80% of the inverters rated power is what most recommend but if you monitor the load it can go much higher but it may kill the battery.
The AC coupling is only applied to the main panel on the grid side. You're assuming that the AC coupling also applies to the backup load sub panel side as well but that's probably not the case. The HPP never calls for the possibility of moving the load-side-tap solar breaker to be movable to the backup load sub panel side, so I would not presume that it will work that way. You might ruin the HPP by doing this.
@@PhongNguyen-ov7jq I would want my AC coupling to work when the utility grid is down so I can extend battery life and use the solar power produced by the grid tied solar the only difference is I supply the grid with a sine wave. Perhaps a high frequency inverter can not handle the back feed but they claim AC coupling with grid so I see no difference who provide it.
I may not completely understand how the CT clamp works it is possible the AC coupling will work when the grid is down and the ac is supplied by the Anker if the CT clamps allow power to the main panel which but I doubt it as it would back feed the utility in a power outage.
The sub panel it is connected to is your backup and operates off grid when the grid goes out. Simple relays in there cut off the grid connection and change it to the battery. Another one that does this but is its own subpanel is Ecoflow Smart Home Panel. Pros and cons to each. Cool what these can do with ease though!
I think you are correct! I dont think I fully understood what this panel could actually do! Kinda crazy, you could actually "power" your whole home and then power the sub panel if the grid goes out.
Great video. If you have home solar system, where do you connect the clamp that comes with the system prior to installing the green connector in the smart panel?
@@AveRage_JoeThank you and I understand that. Next question - if my PV system shuts down during a power outage, how do I connect the system so that it, (PV) will charge the Solix during the outage? Or is that not possible? Thank you again.
@@ajborda It's not possible. During grid-down, the main panel side is disabled to avoid grid feedback. Only the backup load side is enabled because it's isolated from grid power at that point.
I do have a different approach to this set up, i own a 3 bedroom house with only 10 120 volt circuits and I'm interested in saving on my electric bill by half, What I'm planning to do is to just move my 10 circuits to a new sub panel and leave the 240 volt circuits in the main panel like the ac stove dryer water heater etc and just feed my subpanel with the f3800 fed with just solar panels, Any comments or concerns on this approach are always welcome.
Thats exactly what you should do! Another thing thats cool about this that I figured out later is it will backfeed that main panel so you can power those as well. If grid goes out then it stops backfeeding the main but keeps powering the subpanel.🤘
I already have 9.75KW NMOT enphase system. I'm having trouble getting someone to help me with the install of whole home backup. To that end, I like both EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and Anker F3800 systems. I'm in Arizona with APS as my Utility. I had a electrician out today to get a quote, but both of us didn't know if I need emergency shutoff switch. Would someone help me here? And, what is your preference to either Ecoflow vs Anker
it's honestly gonna depend on what the loads are, remember your limiting factor for the subpanel will be what 1 or 2 f3800's can support, so like you can't run a Water Heater, Dryer and AC all at the same time with a single F3800 (hell you might not even be able to run all that with 2).
No I guess not but you would need a "panel or box" to supply power to the home power panel. Another thing I didnt realize at the time is, if you use a subpanel. This will backfeed the main panel to power all loads so you actually power the whole home when grid is there. If grid goes out, then you only power the sub panel or in your case, whatever you connect to the output side.
Ok since talking about this when you are turning on the main breaker along with the one supplying the smart panel that wouldn't cause to burn things up or the smart panel does its thing to avoid this from happening?
@@AveRage_Joe i think the trade off with ecoflo is you cant connect traditional home installed ac coupled solar like you can with this unit. you should make a video comparing the units!
Yea I think not having the breakers installed in the panel is a better design than ecoflow. Just think of something goes down with the ecoflow panel and then you could be in a bad way until you get your replacement and then you have to have someone come swap the panel. How much would that cost?
Hey Joe! Great video! I do have a question: what is the maximum wattage does the smart panel use to charge the F3800? Is it still the 1800W juat like if you plug it into a wall, or is it higher?
@@revgordon91 I have the HPP and 2 F3800 and 2 BP3800. My charge rate is 2.7 KW for each of the F3800 I have connected to it. With 2 F3800, my total charge rate is 5.4 KW to both. During the Super Off Peak time, the charge rate doesn't always go to the max 2.7 KW per F3800. But you can manipulate this by changing to Self Consumption mode and set the Battery Reserve level to 100% to get instant 2.7 KW charge rate per 1 F3800.
A bit confusing because of the subpanel. Ideally the power outage should be detected and battery power should be sent back into specific circuits in main panel.....
except that is simply IMPOSSIBLE, it's not how main panels work, if you send ANY power back into the main panel you energize the entire main panel AND you backfeed the grid energizing the power lines that the linemen may be working on and you could KILL the guys trying to get your grid back working.
As always great content and I really do appreciate and enjoy seeing your back up projects.
Thank You! I really enjoy the battery backup projects. There are so many options these days its amazing people dont have one.
@AveRage_Joe you are so right im going to get one for backup power and to drop cost of power bill
Nice demonstration. I always enjoy your videos.
Thank You! I Apprecitate that!
Nice informative video. I was hoping you would have shown how to transfer the critical loads from the main panel to the sub panel.
Good work and thank for sharing. I can see my self looking into this one. You did this year have a power outage. All the new stuff is looking much better this year. Thumbs up 👍
Thanks Man! Its crazy how quickly everything is coming about. Just a few years ago none of this type stuff existed...well at least that I knew of. Thanks again for hanging out to watch.🤘
These easy switches that all the companies are coming out with are so easy to install it makes solar backup diy friendly for beginner
How do the eight critical circuits get into the sub panel?
Can already installed roof mounted solar panels charge the f3800 in the event of grid failure?
So refreshing to see an electricians screwdriver being used. 👍
😁 I need to get another set. I keep boogering up the insulated coating near the end and my gloves get caught lol.
Did you hook up the inside power panel or outside
power panel?
Nice video Joe. The only problem I see is with the new electric code requiring an outside home electric main breaker to kill whole house power incase of a fire. Critical loads will still have power endangering firemen.
Id have to look at those codes again. I thought I remember it saying HVdc. I know for Roof solar you need RSD.
Nice, thought out demonstration on how to install the system. Thanks!
Does the Solar HAVE to be AC Coupled or can you plug solar panels into the solar input on the F3800 while connected to the Home Power Panel?
I would have loved to see you simulate a 240V load and power failure. Also - a single phase failure. Finally, during TOU see if the unit switches over during peak and switches back to charging during super off peak. And what threshold is there for off peak / charging/discharging. And can you program in emergency charging if a storm is imminent?
this thing is so new, it would be cool to see those features tested. this thing promises alot and if you can peak shave it would be super valuable for my use case.
I have this setup with 2 F3800 and 2 BP3800 connected to the HPP. The biggest limitation is the derating in the grid-on TOU mode. Each F3800 is derated to 1.9KW output per 3.8 KWH of battery capacity, either in the F3800 or the BP3800 expansion battery. And the max allowed is 6 KW top (like if you have 2 F3800 and 2 BP3800). In the grid-down scenario, then the derating goes away and you get 6 KW for 1 F3800 and 12 KW for 2 F3800s regardless of battery capacity. During Super Off Peak, the max recharging rate is 2.7 KW for each F3800 connected. But if there's plenty of time to recharge until the next Peak time, it might decide to charge slower than 2.7 KW, although you can trick it to charge at the max 2.7 KW in the Self Consumption mode with the Battery Reserve set to 100%. There is also a priority storm mode. You can also manually manipulate an SOC limit by playing with the Battery Reserve level.
Great videos, i'm enjoying your channel. With the exact configuration in the video could you plug solar into the f3800 directly and have it charge while still connected to the power panel?
Thank You! Yes, solar can be attached directly to the F3800 while connected to the home power panel.
Hi great video i was wondering if this system would work with my 200 amp service coming into my house
Great video. I purchased the F3800 but pressing and holding the on/off button for 3 seconds does not power off the unit. I have even tried holding for longer and till no dice. Any idea what I should try? I'm ultimately trying to connect the device to the Anker app and it is failing the installation.
Great video...for the circuits in the sub panel that you will be powered by the smart panel, are they ones that are pulled out of the main panel (thus freeing up space in the main panel)? Further, if you already have one sub panel (I have one in my detached garage), are you able to add a 2nd sub panel for the smart panel and power the garage sub panel also so I could still open my garage doors in event of a power outage?
Yep, those are the ones pulled from main panel and freeing up space. Yes you could add the garage sub panel to the sub panel you want backed up. So it would be main panel-> backed up sub panel-> garage sub panel.
@@AveRage_Joe Thank you very much!
So to use it to the fullest of its abilities, you'd have to have your solar system AC coupled with an inverter rather than just plug right into your F3800?
@AverRage Joe thanks for the great video. What do I do if my main panel has no more breaker space?
Nice review. The app looks super easy to set up... unlike other systems.
Thanks Man! Yeah the app was pretty easy to setup and navigate!🤘
The one thing i keep looking for with the different home panels is the ability to bypass having to have some type of grid connection in order to get everything up and running. They need to design one where from the begining you can use the self power mode with solar or something to charge the unit. There are those of us who have off grid cabins or homes either by choice or because it costs a small fortune to run the power to their home.
Quick secret, I was using another F3800 as my "grid" connection so if you have a generator, you could probly set it up with that. Or if you had another 240v F3800 like I did. But yes, not having grid for the initial setup would be good.
@@AveRage_Joe Thanks for the tip. I thought that might be possible. Do you have a patreon page i could message you on about this and other potential videos you do in the future that I might have questions on?
@davidbailey3289 You bet! Yeah patreon link is in description!💥🤘
Any idea how this would be different if you also have a Powerwall/back up battery too as well as were to get a second cable for a 2nd solix to the smart panel? Getting solar installed with a Powerwall 3 but also have 2 f3800 that I ordered previously.
Everything should work like normal with the PW3. Install the home panel before a subpanel and then you have a 2nd layer of critical loads backup. If for some reason your PW3 goes dead while on battery backup then the home power panel is last defense. I have a similar setup here at my house. I have a different system then a PW3 tho.
Nice & clear. Im a newbee, could you simply use a generic automatic transfer switch and a std generator plug if you do not need the control info and solar connection ? Would that be much less expensive ? Tks.
Yes you can do that. I did that exact thing in another video!🤘
There's a good sale right now where you can get this panel for around $1,000 which is only maybe 4 or 500 more than a standard automatic transfer switch and I think for that it's worth it
I'm wondering if I could use my smart panel as the sub panel, since its pulling from a bigger external which is the main and solar. Want to get a battery tied in to my system to counter power outages and would also like to be pulling from a battery rather than the grid during tou.
Which smart panel do you have?
So the Ac coupled solar will also stop when the grid goes down so the solar will not charge the battery in a grid down situation. I think you need to move the solar to the sub panel to keep it active.
And the solar needs to be less powerful than the inverter in the Anker Power Panel.
@@whattheschmidt Yes to be safe so the inverter can control the shutdown around 80% of the inverters rated power is what most recommend but if you monitor the load it can go much higher but it may kill the battery.
The AC coupling is only applied to the main panel on the grid side. You're assuming that the AC coupling also applies to the backup load sub panel side as well but that's probably not the case. The HPP never calls for the possibility of moving the load-side-tap solar breaker to be movable to the backup load sub panel side, so I would not presume that it will work that way. You might ruin the HPP by doing this.
@@PhongNguyen-ov7jq I would want my AC coupling to work when the utility grid is down so I can extend battery life and use the solar power produced by the grid tied solar the only difference is I supply the grid with a sine wave. Perhaps a high frequency inverter can not handle the back feed but they claim AC coupling with grid so I see no difference who provide it.
I may not completely understand how the CT clamp works it is possible the AC coupling will work when the grid is down and the ac is supplied by the Anker if the CT clamps allow power to the main panel which but I doubt it as it would back feed the utility in a power outage.
awesome, thanks for the review!
Thanks for watching. I shared one of your last videos on FB. Many people were asking about RSD and how to get it working.🤘
@@AveRage_Joe great, thanks
So this can feed power back to the main panel and is like grid 0 use by watching the L1/L2 from grid?
The sub panel it is connected to is your backup and operates off grid when the grid goes out. Simple relays in there cut off the grid connection and change it to the battery. Another one that does this but is its own subpanel is Ecoflow Smart Home Panel. Pros and cons to each. Cool what these can do with ease though!
I think you are correct! I dont think I fully understood what this panel could actually do! Kinda crazy, you could actually "power" your whole home and then power the sub panel if the grid goes out.
@@AveRage_Joe if that’s the case where it can supplement the main panel if grid is up, that’s a game changer.
Great video. If you have home solar system, where do you connect the clamp that comes with the system prior to installing the green connector in the smart panel?
I show a min later and it will go on 1 of you AC solar input wires.👍
@@AveRage_JoeThank you and I understand that. Next question - if my PV system shuts down during a power outage, how do I connect the system so that it, (PV) will charge the Solix during the outage? Or is that not possible? Thank you again.
@@ajborda It's not possible. During grid-down, the main panel side is disabled to avoid grid feedback. Only the backup load side is enabled because it's isolated from grid power at that point.
I do have a different approach to this set up, i own a 3 bedroom house with only 10 120 volt circuits and I'm interested in saving on my electric bill by half,
What I'm planning to do is to just move my 10 circuits to a new sub panel and leave the 240 volt circuits in the main panel like the ac stove dryer water heater etc and just feed my subpanel with the f3800 fed with just solar panels,
Any comments or concerns on this approach are always welcome.
Thats exactly what you should do! Another thing thats cool about this that I figured out later is it will backfeed that main panel so you can power those as well. If grid goes out then it stops backfeeding the main but keeps powering the subpanel.🤘
I already have 9.75KW NMOT enphase system. I'm having trouble getting someone to help me with the install of whole home backup. To that end, I like both EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and Anker F3800 systems. I'm in Arizona with APS as my Utility. I had a electrician out today to get a quote, but both of us didn't know if I need emergency shutoff switch. Would someone help me here? And, what is your preference to either Ecoflow vs Anker
Does the Home Power panel max out with the 12 critical load circuits or could you use a larger subpanel with more critical loads?
it's honestly gonna depend on what the loads are, remember your limiting factor for the subpanel will be what 1 or 2 f3800's can support, so like you can't run a Water Heater, Dryer and AC all at the same time with a single F3800 (hell you might not even be able to run all that with 2).
Oh, so like a UPS but more in depth and made to run continuously.
Yep, what ever you have connected to the sub panel will continue to work like a UPS.👍
Is sub panel necessary if you will be powering all circuits
No I guess not but you would need a "panel or box" to supply power to the home power panel. Another thing I didnt realize at the time is, if you use a subpanel. This will backfeed the main panel to power all loads so you actually power the whole home when grid is there. If grid goes out, then you only power the sub panel or in your case, whatever you connect to the output side.
Ok since talking about this when you are turning on the main breaker along with the one supplying the smart panel that wouldn't cause to burn things up or the smart panel does its thing to avoid this from happening?
Great video! Thank you!
Thanks for watching!🤘
great video
i wonder why they don't integrate the sub panel with the power panel. does ecoflow do it this way also?
Maybe this way is "easier" since many might have a sub panel installed already. Yeah EcoFlows panel has it built in.
thanks for your reply
@@AveRage_Joe
@@AveRage_Joe i think the trade off with ecoflo is you cant connect traditional home installed ac coupled solar like you can with this unit. you should make a video comparing the units!
Yea I think not having the breakers installed in the panel is a better design than ecoflow. Just think of something goes down with the ecoflow panel and then you could be in a bad way until you get your replacement and then you have to have someone come swap the panel. How much would that cost?
Hey Joe! Great video! I do have a question: what is the maximum wattage does the smart panel use to charge the F3800? Is it still the 1800W juat like if you plug it into a wall, or is it higher?
Its higher since it uses the cable directly to the panel.
@@AveRage_Joe Oh ok! Any idea the charge rate?
@@revgordon91 I have the HPP and 2 F3800 and 2 BP3800. My charge rate is 2.7 KW for each of the F3800 I have connected to it. With 2 F3800, my total charge rate is 5.4 KW to both. During the Super Off Peak time, the charge rate doesn't always go to the max 2.7 KW per F3800. But you can manipulate this by changing to Self Consumption mode and set the Battery Reserve level to 100% to get instant 2.7 KW charge rate per 1 F3800.
@@PhongNguyen-ov7jq Interesting! Thanks for the info!
i didnt think eaton was still going .. well not in the uk anyways i have 100's of breakers for eaton boards but nothing to put them in
I am not a fan of this panel. It works but it seems like the local hardware store will have better options.
A bit confusing because of the subpanel. Ideally the power outage should be detected and battery power should be sent back into specific circuits in main panel.....
except that is simply IMPOSSIBLE, it's not how main panels work, if you send ANY power back into the main panel you energize the entire main panel AND you backfeed the grid energizing the power lines that the linemen may be working on and you could KILL the guys trying to get your grid back working.
Doesn’t this technically require a net metering agreement with your utility? It is hardware capable of exporting.
NO because the Smart Panel that you connect the F3800 to doesn't allow power to flow out to the grid making it an OFF GRID system.
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