I am considering a multiple Apex 300 (2 or 3) with multiple B300K’s and hub A1 to be used as a flexible and modular home back-up. No fixed solar,(at this point). I already have a 100 amp sub panel installed to my 200 amp main box. The sub panel currently has my essential circuits in service. The sub panel also has a safety interlock enable/disabled breaker connected to an outdoor outlet for my gas generator. I would like to be able to not only feed that sub panel (safely) with my apex/hub a1 system but also recharge my system using my generator (ideally sharing current with my essential breakers). The Bluetti documentation is too basic for me or my electrical guy to have any real confidence going forward. I appreciate any help from the community. Thanks.
Please keep in mind with 3 - Apex 300’s it can only output max of 50 amps at 240 volts. So your sub panel might draw more power than the devices can support.
For my setup I have 2 - Apex 300s with 6 B300Ks 3 on each stack with the Hub A1 and two SolarX 4Ks in parallel.
For my sub panel I am using a Nature’s Generator 12 Circuit 50 amp Manual Transfer Switch
I had my electrician connect the essential circuits so basically everything in the home except the AC/Heater/Emergency Heater/Water Heater/Oven/Washer and Dryer
The Manual Transfer switch is connected via the 50 amp outlet on the Hub A1
Then I had the electrician install a 50 amp outlet on the main line under the main breaker panel that the Hub A1 plugs into. That allows the battery to recharge if you want it to.
Currently I have mine set to custom and use a self consumption so it charges only on solar and drains to the set charge level and then select the Charging option to tell it to charge off of main when I want it charge using both.
I will be swapping some circuits to connect the AC/Heater once all my panels are mounted as they are heat pumps and pull well under the max of my units.
Thanks AB.
Your basic setup minus the solar is in the ballpark of what I imagined. I have a 200 amp main panel feeding a 100 amp sub panel with about 20 breakers, one (240v 30a) of which is safety interlocked to the main sub breaker and serves as feeder access for my 7kw portable gas generator.
The sub box has some essential circuits(breakers) such as well pump, upstairs fridge, a virtually unused and always open (240v 20a) dual baseboard heater (emergency finished basement heating source) and a mix of 15 and 20amp wall outlets (including 2 or three basement circuits). The finished walkout basement would be a likely option in a more prolonged cold or extremely hot weather power outage.
Thanks for reminding me about total draw. Gotta keep the math in mind.
I think I would have to install another (very small) 100 amp box between the main and sub into which the hub a1 would feed power to an interlocked 30-50 amp breaker to ensure main power is disconnected. This box wood feed the sub panel either from the main 200 amp service or by just the hub a1.
The charging side would connect to the sub panel and allow the interlock on the 30 amp generator breaker to be opened and power from the generator would feed both a very limited number, if any (math), of lower draw breakers and simultaneously feed the a1 and charge the Apexes and batteries.
I have 2 AC180p’s for spot power supplying as needed.
Probably am asking for too much and/or overthinking.