Jim D's posts

Most 50hz to 60hz conversions involve going to from the 50hz AC to DC, then back to a 60hz -- often a modified sine wave, but you can certainly do a sine wave for higher cost. 

For a true sine wave, I'll bet you could also use an UPS system like a Tripp Lite SU1000RTXL2UA, which accepts either 50hz or 60hz as input but outputs only 60hz. 

I've recently had some dealings with John from PA (also goes by "Ping" and "Flash") who does mods to run diesel engines off of waste veggie oil.  He also sells used solar panels.

See http://www.greasebrothers.com/services.html

Perhaps he can point you in the right direction for your biodiesel quests.

OK, I see that you did exactly what I was talking about... now I feel a bit better!  You have a nicely done system... it even "looks" safe, which I swear if half the battle for code compliance. 

Off topic, are you finding that the 85w panel is sufficient to charge two 8Ds?

First time poster, new PV system builder here... building it all from scratch and learning as I go.  I'm trying hard to comply with all NEC code, so I want to do things right the first time.

That said, I'm putting two 55W panels on a shed roof.  It will be grounded, have disconnects, and will have ground fault protection with an output, ultimately, to a Xantrex modified sine-wave 1000W inverter with two AC outlets. 

The entire purpose of the PV system is to have motion-detection lights on the outside of the shed and a small light on the inside of the shed. 

My question is this: 
I have two AC outlets off of the Xantrex inverter... so how can I connect that to lights?  I certainly know how to create a grounded, CFGI-protected AC branch circuit that wires into a typical motion-activated outdoor light, but that would involve splicing a power cord coming out of the Xantrex inverter.  Can I do that?  I could make it look nice with junction boxes and raceways, but there would always be that cut extension cord sticking out of the inverter.

Looking at NEC 2008, I don't see anything specifically prohibiting this since it would no longer be an extension cord per se but rather the "inverter output"  to a "single 120-volt supply."  (NEC 2008, 690.10 Stand Alone Systems)

What do people do here?  Do I only use the inverter outlets to plug in appliances/lighting directly ... or can I connect that inverter output to lighting sockets and lighting fixtures that do not use outlets?

Thanks for the help!

--Jim