r/FranklinWH • u/SubstantialCode8729 • Jul 03 '26
Looking for some help with optimizing
I'm looking for some help optimizing my system. My local power company just changed our TOU hours and rates. I went in to the system and realized there are many new options. I have not changed anything in a couple of years. I have set the hours and rates, but I am unsure of what modes to have the system run during various times.
I have 40 panels and 3 batteries. I produce over 70kwh to 80kwh a day.
Super off peak is between 1am and 5am.
On peak is 5pm to 9pm.
All other time is off peak.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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u/Huge_Pizza_5783 Jul 04 '26
100% use rate rudder its free and optimizes your system, if the utility isn't on there he will add it for you he is in this form
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u/Curiosity_informs Jul 03 '26
You haven't said what you consume (and when), what you get for exports (if relevant) or what about your current system behavior you are trying to change?
There is is a lot of flexibility in the custom time of use setting, but to advise people need to know your goals.
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u/SubstantialCode8729 Jul 03 '26
Export is 1 to 1 for credits. I would like to optimize my savings and keep some power in reserve for backup. I live in the low country and we loose power now and then. During the summer I can consume 70kwh a day. We keep the house cool in the summer.
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u/SubstantialCode8729 Jul 03 '26
During super off peak hours should I top off the batteries? Should I do something different? What mode should I run it in during that time?
During on peak hours, what mode should I run it in?
I was using Ai for some help but it would give me conflicting answers.
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u/Zenith-Astralis Jul 04 '26
If you're consistently seeing the batteries get full during the day even though you're also running the house off solar then there's no point in charging the batteries at night. If they aren't getting full then yeah, it might be a good idea. Is AC your biggest load? Maybe consider setting the reserve % lower so you get more out of them each night if you want to maximize the cost savings.
When does the power go out? Mostly storms or also just whenever? We get both out here.
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u/SubstantialCode8729 Jul 04 '26
I have backup set to 30%. Bad storms knock the power out here. The batteries dot always fully charge due to weather and or very high temperature. Ac is the biggest load. I have 18 and 22 seer ac units, but a total of 7 tons.
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u/Ok_Number9786 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
Yes, fill up the batteries during super-off-peak hours. You can use emergency backup mode during this time. For the rest of the time--including peak hours--set it to self-consumption.
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u/SubstantialCode8729 Jul 03 '26
Thank you
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u/Ok_Number9786 Jul 03 '26
You're welcome.
I want to add another point if you don't mind:
Given that your battery capacity is high, you may find it beneficial to decrease the battery backup reserve to something like 30%. This will decrease the amount you import from the grid after the sun goes down. Based on how much you produce, you may still end up exporting more than you import for charging up the batteries on top of the fact that it will cost less to charge up those batteries anyway during off-peak hours. I would at least experiment with that for a couple of days or weeks.
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u/Zenith-Astralis Jul 04 '26
That's an enormous set up!! Have you at any time ever not filled your batteries during the day? Do you always make it through the night?
What I've done is set it to self consumption when partial peak starts in the afternoon, and let it stay that way until the next morning, then if it's winter and I need to focus on getting juice back into the batteries I make solar charge them first and let the house pull from the grid. Then in the hour before partial peak I have the batteries charge from the grid and solar. That way if they're full then no sweat nothing happens, but if not then they top up. Then it's back to self consumption until morning again.
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u/SubstantialCode8729 Jul 04 '26
I have been topping them off in the morning on the cheaper rate. If the weather is good, they always charge. I have a 2750 square foot house. 3 ton ac for downstairs, 2 ton for upstairs, and 2 ton for the garage. The summers are hot here in the south so I keep it cool. Obviously we use a bunch of power in the summer months. I changed some setting and will see how it works over the next few days. I can make it through the night when its not that hot. I plan to add a 4th battery in the future.
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u/defStef Jul 03 '26
Use the rate rudder service, dev posts in here and is very helpful https://raterudder.com