Loadshedding solutions

[Dexter-morgan]

As posted on another thread, 3kva(2400w) inverter, with 2 x 100AH deep cycle Gel batteries in series for a 24v system, it is fully automated, I do not even know when the power goes off a small beep from the garage where my DB is located, I have used the dishwasher and washing washing at the same time with no issues, I have not seen the batteries anywhere below 70%, the best money I have spent, the whole system cost me around R14k and did all the work myself. Have to add the inverter is Solar ready with a built in 30A MPPT

Edited July 15, 2022 by Dexter-morgan

[Frosty]

9 hours ago, milky4130 said:

I'm with Will Smith, too complicated, can you please add some costing into the setup. My fibre & wifi is already on a cheap R800 ups from takealot. I need power for my IDT, Tv & Apple TV box, cost & which day suits you to come do the installation 😛

8 hours ago, cadenceblur said:

This would be my requirement as well + a fan

As some have said, what starts off as a 1kVA systems turns into 2, 5 and then off the grid.

Budget R10k for what you need, and you’ll get a system on wheels/casters that doesn’t require any installation. Plug and play.

I had a 1kVA system running 2x lead-acid batteries (102Ah) and the batteries lasted 3 years. I then made an error, listening to people who think they know everything, and bought gel batteries. They weren’t suited to multiple power cuts per day (batteries weren’t charging to full before the next power cut). The one battery didn’t make it passed a year.

A few work colleagues have the Ellies unit and it keeps them connected through load shedding. The more appliances you add to it, the less time you have to keep it running.

[fanievb]

se maar net
 

 

[dave303e]

https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/606066/nedbank-launches-solar-financing-product/

 

Interesting one from Nedbank- solar of grid finance, much like vehicle finance, no home loan required(you can add solar to your home loan already). I think this is a game changer, if you can afford to pay off a 250k car, you can afford to go off grid. 

[Schnavel]

57 minutes ago, Dexter-morgan said:

As posted on another thread, 3kva(2400w) inverter, with 2 x 100AH deep cycle Gel batteries in series for a 24v system, it is fully automated, I do not even know when the power goes off a small beep from the garage where my DB is located, I have used the dishwasher and washing washing at the same time with no issues, I have not seen the batteries anywhere below 70%, the best money I have spent, the whole system cost me around R14k and did all the work myself.

This is the way to do it. It is a very easy setup, if you are slightly electrically inclined, and save for a beep, and the sound of a jumbo jet taking off (fans are noisy), the only way you will know loadshedding is happening is from your neighbour's generator.

Ultimately, the best solution is to install an entire solar back-up system, but this is costly and as already mentioned, not always practical (renting etc.)

In terms of running just your indoor setup, it actually doesn't use that much power. For my PC, Hammer, screen and fan, I'm using around 250W, so a small inverter and battery kit would be more than sufficient.

Alternatively, buy a Tacx Neo, they don't need power to work 🤣

[Schnavel]

4 minutes ago, dave303e said:

https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/606066/nedbank-launches-solar-financing-product/

 

Interesting one from Nedbank- solar of grid finance, much like vehicle finance, no home loan required(you can add solar to your home loan already). I think this is a game changer, if you can afford to pay off a 250k car, you can afford to go off grid. 

I would agree with this! There are several companies now offering solar financing, and for the price it really makes sense. 

 

[Jehosefat]

Yeah, scope creep is a bastard. I started with a shitty 5KVa inverter with a 6KWh lithium battery last year (wired in to the DB already) and I just put down the deposit on an 8.8KVa inverter, another 14KWh of battery and a stack of solar panels... My bank account is having a quiet cry but I'm so over the loadshedding and Eskom.

[Steady Spin]

Best money I could have invested in my quality of life. 

5.5KVa inverter with 11KWh of lithium storage. 
Mostly off-grid except for our geyser. 

Electricity bill dropped to around R250 a month and we never sit in the dark.

Obviously this runs my Kickr and TV 😛

[Jewbacca]

I live in an area that has only been load shed twice in the last few months.....

Loadshedding... pfffft

[MongooseMan]

My system, installed in 2020.

3x Victron Multiplus 48 (one is a GX unit) (yes, it’s a lot, but we have a big property with a decent amount of usage, so I prefer a larger upfront outlay to avoid having to change things down the line)

21x 410W panels (15 facing NE, 6 facing NW, total of 7 strings of 3) 

4x US3000 Pylontech batteries

A few more pics:

 

Total cost was a lot, but the current maths suggests the system will pay for itself inside 10 years.

I will say this: if you're looking for an installer that won't mess you around, will do a great job, and will then reply to whatsapp messages on a sunday morning, hit me up: my guy is *great*. I would recommend him in a heartbeat, and this is an industry becoming more and more saturated with fly-by-night chancers.

Edited July 15, 2022 by MongooseMan

[stringbean]

Running 5.5Kva inverter with 7kw battery storage.

my advice would be spend as much as you can afford.It will be the best investment you ever make.Started with 3Kva and gel batteries but the batteries didn’t last a year so when batteries died upgraded everything.

 

[babse]

Plane ticket out the country not a better solution? 

#askingforafriend

[Popit]

44 minutes ago, MongooseMan said:

My system, installed in 2020.

3x Victron Multiplus 48 (one is a GX unit) (yes, it’s a lot, but we have a big property with a decent amount of usage, so I prefer a larger upfront outlay to avoid having to change things down the line)

21x 410W panels (15 facing NE, 6 facing NW, total of 7 strings of 3) 

4x US3000 Pylontech batteries

A few more pics:

 

Total cost was a lot, but the current maths suggests the system will pay for itself inside 10 years.

I will say this: if you're looking for an installer that won't mess you around, will do a great job, and will then reply to whatsapp messages on a sunday morning, hit me up: my guy is *great*. I would recommend him in a heartbeat, and this is an industry becoming more and more saturated with fly-by-night chancers.

Mongoose Man ,

Thanks for the pics .... are you in Gauteng ? if so , send me your guys details . Cheers .

 

 

[MongooseMan]

5 minutes ago, Popit said:

Mongoose Man ,

Thanks for the pics .... are you in Gauteng ? if so , send me your guys details . Cheers .

 

 

I'm in Cape Town, but the installer is based your side (he travels around doing installations).

Will send through.

[Popit]

2 minutes ago, MongooseMan said:

I'm in Cape Town, but the installer is based your side (he travels around doing installations).

Will send through.

Thanks 

[dave303e]

53 minutes ago, babse said:

Plane ticket out the country not a better solution? 

#askingforafriend

The grass is not always greener on the other side. So you may as well water it your side and realize it is pretty good here...