Modernizing an Aging Off-Grid Power System
The original Magnum inverter and aging lead-acid battery bank at this Horne Lake property had reached the end of their useful life. Years of off-grid living also meant regularly watching battery levels and managing generator run times to make sure enough energy was available.
Kingsley Power upgraded the property to a modern 48V Victron Energy system with Ruxiu lithium storage, Cerbo GX controls, VRM remote monitoring and automatic control of the Yamaha backup generator. The result is considerably more usable energy and a system that handles many of the tasks the owners previously had to manage themselves.
Horne Lake, British Columbia
48V Victron · Ruxiu Lithium · Cerbo GX · VRM · Yamaha Generator · Automation
Automatic Generator Control for Winter
Extended periods of poor solar production are a reality during Vancouver Island winters, so backup generation remains an important part of this system.
The property's Yamaha EF4500iSE inverter generator was fitted with a custom automatic-start system controlled directly by the Victron Cerbo GX.
Instead of requiring the owners to continually monitor battery conditions and manually start the generator, the Victron system can bring the generator online when it's needed.
A 20-litre extended-runtime fuel system was also added to increase unattended operating time during longer periods of poor solar production.
Putting Surplus Energy to Work
One of the more interesting additions to the system is a simple opportunity load.
When the batteries are full and excess energy is available, the system can automatically turn on a dehumidifier in the owner's boat to help keep it dry.
When that surplus energy is no longer available, the load can be removed.
It's a small example of a much broader approach to off-grid automation: instead of wasting excess renewable generation, the system can identify when energy is available and automatically put it to productive use.
Remote Monitoring From Anywhere
The addition of Victron VRM gives the owners visibility into their off-grid power system from anywhere they have an internet connection.
Rather than physically checking equipment or wondering what's happening when they're away from the property, they can remotely monitor the system and see its current operating conditions.
For an off-grid property, that visibility can be particularly valuable when combined with automated generator control.
Less Time Managing Power. More Time Enjoying the Property.
The biggest change at Horne Lake isn't simply replacing an old inverter with a new one.
It's the owners' relationship with their power system.
After years of watching battery levels, thinking about generator run times and managing limited stored energy, they now have substantially more usable storage and a system capable of taking care of much of that work automatically.
The result is a modern off-grid system that provides more energy, requires less attention and can be monitored from anywhere in the world.
Is Your Existing Off-Grid System Showing Its Age?
Kingsley Power modernizes existing off-grid power systems with lithium battery storage, Victron equipment, generator integration, remote monitoring and intelligent controls.
New projects begin with a paid system assessment and design so the property, existing equipment, electrical loads and system requirements can be properly understood before equipment is specified.
Have a Challenging Off-Grid Project?
If you're developing, upgrading or troubleshooting a remote power system, Kingsley Power can assess the property, electrical loads, available energy sources and operating requirements before recommending an approach.
Your consultation has value beyond the assessment. If Kingsley Power is retained to supply or build the resulting system, the consultation fee can be applied toward the project.
