Loadshedding solutions

[Frosty]

29 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

yep

Make sure you get a (decent) qualified electrician to wire it, if you go the solar panel route. 

Insurance will want a CoC, and you will need fuses, circuit breakers and more as it is DC.

Note the (decent) implies exactly that; I’m having to pay another electrician to fix the installer’s initial problems. 

[NickGM]

Does anyone out there have any experience with Synapse inverters and Pylontech (Lithium) batteries? I recently received a quote where these products were specc'd. I only ask because the main brands I really hear about (and keep hearing people recommend) are Sunsync Inverters and Hubble batteries.

[tinmug]

6 minutes ago, NickGM said:

Does anyone out there have any experience with Synapse inverters and Pylontech (Lithium) batteries? I recently received a quote where these products were specc'd. I only ask because the main brands I really hear about (and keep hearing people recommend) are Sunsync Inverters and Hubble batteries.

I don't with either, but have heard about someone with Pylontech batteries linked to some or other inverter and when he bought additional batteries the two sets of Pylontech were not compatible (something about a circuitboard change Pylontech had made, rendering the older batteries incompatible). 

Hubble should be good, Revov is good, Freedomwon is good (and expensive) and Sunsynk has a very good reputation. 

[The Ouzo]

In anticipation of loadshedding last night I ran an extension cable to the TV Room. Simply unplugged the multiplug from the wall and plugged it into the extension to the inverter. TV, HT Amp, fibre and 2 x Apple time capsules. 

With everything running the inverter reported 11% load.

 

But we never had loadshedding at the scheduled time so could  not test to see how much battery dropped.

[Schnavel]

39 minutes ago, NickGM said:

Does anyone out there have any experience with Synapse inverters and Pylontech (Lithium) batteries? I recently received a quote where these products were specc'd. I only ask because the main brands I really hear about (and keep hearing people recommend) are Sunsync Inverters and Hubble batteries.

Yup, I have both a Synapse and Pylontech batteries. I have been running my system for 1.5 years now with no issues.

Synapse is just a rebranded version of the Axpert inverters - they are not a fully hybrid system, but are roughly half the price of the Sunsync / Deye units. Pylontech are a well established brand in the solar industry and supply a large number of batteries. If you do go this route, make sure you have some proper monitoring software available, as the standard Axpert monitoring isn't the greatest. I'm using ICC which allows for the proper monitoring and it even gives a beautiful dashboard layout.

[117]

43 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

In anticipation of loadshedding last night I ran an extension cable to the TV Room. Simply unplugged the multiplug from the wall and plugged it into the extension to the inverter. TV, HT Amp, fibre and 2 x Apple time capsules. 

With everything running the inverter reported 11% load.

 

But we never had loadshedding at the scheduled time so could  not test to see how much battery dropped.

11%... Thats a big pull for the portable inverter. It'll be a good test to see what the actual draw down is over an hour - that'll give you a realistic time usage - maybe run the test when you have no shedding and check the recharge rate over the subsequent hour

You'd get a longer use on the inverter if you drop the HT amp from the system when needed

[finallygotabike]

Guys,

 

I am making a shameless punt for a power business I am involved in:

 

http://www.ganelec.co.za

We are the South African agents for the OUCO range of inverters & Batteries which is distributed via ARB wholesale electrical across the country with local in-country support. We do both Residential & Commercial installations.

Further to this, we also have access to various finance partners offering finance options for any Backup Power or Solar Installation.

 

We are the South African agents for the OUCO range of inverters & Batteries which is distributed via ARB wholesale electrical across the country with local in-country support. We also supply the JA range of Solar Panels.

 

Further to this, we also have access to various finance partners offering finance options for any Solar Installation.

[The Ouzo]

33 minutes ago, 117 said:

11%... Thats a big pull for the portable inverter. It'll be a good test to see what the actual draw down is over an hour - that'll give you a realistic time usage - maybe run the test when you have no shedding and check the recharge rate over the subsequent hour

You'd get a longer use on the inverter if you drop the HT amp from the system when needed

Seriously? I thought 11% is small. 

But yes I need to check what the battery drain is after 1 hour. 

[TheoG]

1 minute ago, The Ouzo said:

Seriously? I thought 11% is small. 

But yes I need to check what the battery drain is after 1 hour. 

For Lead-Acid batteries, the drain can not be too small EVER if you want them to last for a decent time period.

[Frosty]

The perfect storm:

Eskdom feeder tripped (no power in large parts of Alberton) + rain + a depleted battery = no power at home.

[TheoG]

9 minutes ago, Frosty said:

The perfect storm:

Eskdom feeder tripped (no power in large parts of Alberton) + rain + a depleted battery = no power at home.

Yip and sun-power is ALSO k@k today 🙈

I'm getting just enough PV to power my work PC, switched the fridge off.  Batteries is getting charged VERY slowly !

Edited November 8, 2022 by TheoG

[117]

51 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

Seriously? I thought 11% is small. 

But yes I need to check what the battery drain is after 1 hour. 

11% will be relative to the draw per hour 

More importantly is to know the recharge rate/time - that will give you an idea of how much time you need to reload the tank for the next round 

@TheoG - If you want R50 of prepaid to recharge the batteries in this overcast weather, let me know I'll send you a coupon 😉

[TheoG]

3 minutes ago, 117 said:

11% will be relative to the draw per hour 

More importantly is to know the recharge rate/time - that will give you an idea of how much time you need to reload the tank for the next round 

@TheoG - If you want R50 of prepaid to recharge the batteries in this overcast weather, let me know I'll send you a coupon 😉

Hahaha, I got more than 800 unit buffer but it help stuff all since we are midst an extended Eksdom power failure as @Frostypointed out.

As soon as the power comes on though, I will take you up on that offer .... 🤪😂

Edited November 8, 2022 by TheoG

[Frosty]

The one thing I can’t control remotely is the solar geyser that requires a boost occasionally. Luckily I have a smart wife that realized what was wrong and she switched it off.

I also have one string disconnected; technician can’t work on a tin roof when it‘s wet. Hopefully string 1 can fully charge the battery before later afternoon.

[TheoG]

Just now, Frosty said:

The one thing I can’t control remotely is the solar geyser that requires a boost occasionally. Luckily I have a smart wife that realized what was wrong and she switched it off.

I also have one string disconnected; technician can’t work on a tin roof when it‘s wet. Hopefully string 1 can fully charge the battery before later afternoon.

That's very nice & useful.  Unfortunately, my inverter cant/wont communicate, so I need to monitor things manually.  Got 2 separate panels on my geyser and basically forget about it, I hardly ever use Eksdom to boost the geyser, even on bad sun days.

[Frosty]

At least I’ll have power for my workout later; and perhaps a cold shower.

My backup training is either my old wheel-on non-smart trainer, or rollers that need a new timing “o-ring”.