The solar power system has been working well and it looks as if we will not need to run the generator much at all. We did find out about three problems with our particular system.
1. Ceiling fans have a component inside called a power limiter. It limits the power used by the lights to 180 watts and the manufacturer is required by law to install them. When I installed our first fan the component blew right away and the lights would not work. I ordered a new part, installed it and it blew again. After researching a bit I found that the unit works just fine without it so I just straight wired the lights and problem solved. The bulbs are all LED and total less than 25 watts anyway.
2. Clocks that plug into a wall outlet including the one on the range, use the power frequency to keep time. Standard frequency is 60 hertz. The inverter power is something like 59.9 hertz which causes the clocks to lose 2 minutes per day. We have a battery powered wall clock.
3. The bigger problem. When we installed our new washer, it would not work. Called repair man, waited for weeks, he came out and thought he fixed it, immediately it was not working again. Returned it, got another and it would not work either. Must be the inverter power. Started the generator to see and sure enough it worked fine on generator power. We washed on Saturdays for a few weeks, having to run the generator to do so. More research and found that the oscillating motor action causes spikes in dips in the power supply. A motor run capacitor is supposed to help with that. Researched again and found a device on line that is marketed saying it will save electricity. It is called a powersaver 1200 and it is just a motor run capacitor in a nice box. I changed the power wires over to a power cord with plug, plugged it in the same outlet as the washer and it worked! The washer works fine now on inverter power. That will save a lot of fuel and wear and tear on the generator. I will need to put a warning sticker on it though because the capacitor stores energy and if the device is unplugged, the plug prongs are a shock hazard until discharged (about 15 minutes).
Cabinets are moving along at glacial speed.
The island cart can be moved around or stowed away for more floor space. Counter tops are due in about 2 weeks.
