TomGeorge:
Hi,Why can't you route your CT clamps?
If you simulate the CT outputs, how will your system controller know what is going on?
Can you please tell us your electronics, programming, Arduino, hardware experience?
I think you need to realize your system with batteries and grid tied unit and charging system is a complex balance of power, and an accurate measurement of REAL current is a critical part of that.
This where you need professionals to do your installation, not just for safety, but approval by your utility and insurance company.
Tom...
Hi Tom. Routing CT clamps would require a lot of drilling, and even then would not be perfect as I have two separate solar arrays with two inverters in separate locations. I'm software engineer by trade - so programming arduino or esp8266 is an easy part for me. I already have a home automation system that collects data in real-time from both solar pv inverters and consumption data from "Network OWL" device - all is pushed via UDP broadcasts into rapberry pi.
What I want to achieve is to be able to control battery storage with my own code (charge when surplus PV is available, or at night when electricity is cheap, most likely take into account weather forecast). Software part is easy - but I'm having problems finding a decent hardware that I can control.
Essentially all battery storage systems use CT clamps - so I'm hopping for relatively easy way to "hack" the system and replace CT input with my hardware+software. One system that is of good price is this one
This system is using CT clamps that output current (voltage would be much easier!) - so I'm exploring if it's possible to "simulate" such CT clamp, and when connected to the battery charger/inverter to tell it that either there is spare PV, or that it should start discharge. It would be much better to have like RS232 interface to be able to control it (no it does not, already asked the vendor).
My own research point to DC to AC circuit needed: http://www.theorycircuit.com/arduino-inverter-circuit/. I wonder if you guys have comments/ideas/show stoppers here (I'm not electrical engineer so better to ask first :)).
If this is not feasible - I will wait until some battery storage with proper API will be available on the market.
Cheer,
Irek