A recent post on a poor man's V2H setup got me wonder how V2H works. And how easy this would be for an emergency backup situation.
Googling around I see GM will gladly sell you some $13K system (need professional install they say) with a battery, smart hub,..... Isn't the EV already the battery? The minimum system seems to be pushing $7k for a $1700 smart bidirectional charger (EVSE) and some $5K management hub that does stuff I don't quite understand and also claims to have a small battery in it. So three batteries now??
Other companies seem to be pushing other expensive system where when your EV is plugged in it monitors household power use. It can then add power to the house or charge the EV when cheaper. Needs to have current monitors on the feeds, etc.... Hook up to your solar system or backfeed the grid. Blah Blah Blah.
Why? I just want something where when power goes out I can plug the car into the generator inlet and backfeed my panel via it's interlocked breaker.
So, do current (or future) V2H enabled EV's actually use the existing on board charger, or add an onboard inverter, to send AC back down wire feeding the EVSE? Or do they send DC direct from the battery to a separate inverter? Sending 400V DC back sounds like the NEC would flip out. If it sends AC back down the line I would need some type of "transfer switch" so not to route the car generated AC current back into the circuit breaker feeding the car.
I guess with something like an F150 I could plug into the 7.2Kw plug on the truck, but I want the full 11.5Kw or 19.2Kw the car can provide other wise its not worth the cost/effort.
Thanks
Jim M.
Googling around I see GM will gladly sell you some $13K system (need professional install they say) with a battery, smart hub,..... Isn't the EV already the battery? The minimum system seems to be pushing $7k for a $1700 smart bidirectional charger (EVSE) and some $5K management hub that does stuff I don't quite understand and also claims to have a small battery in it. So three batteries now??
Other companies seem to be pushing other expensive system where when your EV is plugged in it monitors household power use. It can then add power to the house or charge the EV when cheaper. Needs to have current monitors on the feeds, etc.... Hook up to your solar system or backfeed the grid. Blah Blah Blah.
Why? I just want something where when power goes out I can plug the car into the generator inlet and backfeed my panel via it's interlocked breaker.
So, do current (or future) V2H enabled EV's actually use the existing on board charger, or add an onboard inverter, to send AC back down wire feeding the EVSE? Or do they send DC direct from the battery to a separate inverter? Sending 400V DC back sounds like the NEC would flip out. If it sends AC back down the line I would need some type of "transfer switch" so not to route the car generated AC current back into the circuit breaker feeding the car.
I guess with something like an F150 I could plug into the 7.2Kw plug on the truck, but I want the full 11.5Kw or 19.2Kw the car can provide other wise its not worth the cost/effort.
Thanks
Jim M.