Building a 3rd variable AC diversion load for the solar power system in the house.

Next step is to incorporate this 3rd diversion load into the existing home automation system. To do this, I had to abstract all the direct device parameter or property references into conditional expressions. This way, the settings of the 2 light dimmers can be combined. Instead of having 2 [0..100] dimmers, there's now a [0..200] virtual dimmer.

In the Program Logic Core (PLC), references to device properties in conditional expressions automatically update the expression when any change to the underlying device is changed. There's no need to add synchronization code. Also abstracted was the maximum dimmer setting. The final part of the dimmer addition was to then split up the [0..200] final dimmer set point such that the first dimmer handles [0..100] and the 2nd dimmer handles [101..200].

This approach works better with the previously added damping feature. Before, with the diversion load on Line 1 assisting the diversion load on Line 2, the code was set up to wait for the dimmer on Line 1 to shut down before ramping down the dimmer on Line 2. For example if both 600W dimmers were maxed out at 100%, Line 1 had to go from 100-50-25 -...0 before Line 2 could start from 100-50-25-...0. Now, with one larger capacity dimmer on Line 2, it can go from 200-100-50-25-...0, which is much faster than before (usually only 1 more time increment). This sort of situation is common with partly cloudy winter days were the system will go from full sun on cold panels, to full shade and back to full sun in a matter of minutes.

Simple plan is to add a radiant oil heater, as a 600W resistive load, to a Z-Wave controlled light dimmer and use that as an additional diversion load for the solar power system. This will increase the capacity of the load on Line 2 to 1200W with the original 600W load on Line 1. Note Line 1 and 2 are the two 120V split phases of the 240V house power circuit.

As far as installation, I have outlets in the family room that are on the Line 2 side of the breaker panel. Both the original DIversionLoad2 and the new DiversionLoad3 are plugged into one of those 20 amp outlets. Likewise, my original DiversionLoad1 is plugged into an outlet in the living room that's on the Line 1 side of the breaker panel. That way, each of the diversion loads, only uses up excess power on the side of the breaker panel they're plugged into.

Parts used:
600 watt Z-Wave light dimmer:
https://amzn.to/4aeyOF5
Used the Utra-Pro model: https://amzn.to/3ViUmMS
Picked up a dual gang electrical box, cable clamp and cover plate at a hardware store. I had an old PC power cable for the cord and an old receptacle left over from swapping in a GFCI outlet.

Radiant oil heaters, you want a simple heater, no digital display or push buttons:
https://amzn.to/3Vdnbdz
Used the Kismile unit: https://amzn.to/43lr81F

In the next video, we'll look at the updated system in operation...
Subscribe for more content like this
Comment, rate, share & click the bell icon
And as always, thanks for watching

Intro/Outro:
Louisiana Fairytale by Austin Rogers
https://web.archive.org/web/201704022...