Adding solar to inverter-battery systems 101

wingnut771 said:
You would need another 2 to make 48V plus a 4S balancer.
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Yup, @impracticaldogg would need two for a 48V system. There are Kodak's that can do 24v such as this one: https://segensolar.co.za/product/ko.../kodak-solar-off-grid-inverter-vmiii-3kw-24v/ (Cost around R8k)

Downside is that it's only 3kw and not full hybrid.

If you're investing to upgrade, then I'd add the extra batteries and go 48V. Balancer would probably be required, but apparently these Nova's do have a BMS system, but I'm sure they won't communicate with each other.
 
TheRoDent said:
Yup, @impracticaldogg would need two for a 48V system. There are Kodak's that can do 24v such as this one: https://segensolar.co.za/product/ko.../kodak-solar-off-grid-inverter-vmiii-3kw-24v/ (Cost around R8k)

Downside is that it's only 3kw and not full hybrid.

If you're investing to upgrade, then I'd add the extra batteries and go 48V. Balancer would probably be required, but apparently these Nova's do have a BMS system, but I'm sure they won't communicate with each other.
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If you have 2 12V fatboys already, it makes sense to just get another 2 leaving you with 48V 218Ah instead of going out and buying another 48V 218Ah battery for R60000 and sell the 24V inverter to defray expenses.
 
That's what happens when we complicate things unnecessarily, how did a 48V inverter even get into the picture?

OP has what he has, he needs to add solar on it, one day when he wants to expand the system he will ask questions that are relevant to that.
 
It's like we've come full circle.

R5k all in to solar upgrade the mecer I would guess and just leave the panel on the floor.
 
wingnut771 said:
It's like we've come full circle.

R5k all in to solar upgrade the mecer I would guess and just leave the panel on the floor.
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Exactly.
I'm home still no power in my area, but my Mecer's LFP's are fully charge up and ready for the evening.
Did not Cost me R200K.

Downside is I do have to run the genny for the freezer and for the Mrs to cook. <-- something I would skip if we had "normal" Stage 6.
 
AlphaJohn said:
Exactly.
I'm home still no power in my area, but my Mecer's LFP's are fully charge up and ready for the evening.
Did not Cost me R200K.

Downside is I do have to run the genny for the freezer and for the Mrs to cook. <-- something I would skip if we had "normal" Stage 6.
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Who's suggesting a R200k solution?

R60k-R80k, sure...but under the recommendation that he considers future-proofing given:
1) The increasing prices of the equipment
2) The fact that we're loadshedding @ Stg6 during what should be one of our lowest demand periods.
3) Being able to derive more benefit from the system.

In my mind if you've gotten the point of considering putting up solar then you may as well consider expanding the solution while you're at it.
 
I was originally thinking about a top-up system as @AlphaJohn suggests. Then started to wonder if I should plan more carefully in case I wanted to upgrade later i.e. where are the bottlenecks to watch out for @Iwojima

Then checking against a basic solar battery (Pylontech UP2500 48V seems common) realised it costs waaaay less than buying another 2 of my 218Ah Blue Novas @wingnut771

.... so now I'm dazed and confused all over again @TheChamp ....

But thanks everyone for all the comments anyway :)
 
impracticaldogg said:
I was originally thinking about a top-up system as @AlphaJohn suggests. Then started to wonder if I should plan more carefully in case I wanted to upgrade later i.e. where are the bottlenecks to watch out for @Iwojima

Then checking against a basic solar battery (Pylontech UP2500 48V seems common) realised it costs waaaay less than buying another 2 of my 218Ah Blue Novas @wingnut771

.... so now I'm dazed and confused all over again @TheChamp ....

But thanks everyone for all the comments anyway :)
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Let me put it this way. The only reason my system works is
A. I am in a complex that is anti solar
B. Plan to move in the near future.
Above is the reason why my Sako inverter is still in a box in the spare bedroom.

If I stayed in a house I would have installed the Inverter onto DB ages ago with proper solar on the roof.
 
impracticaldogg said:
I was originally thinking about a top-up system as @AlphaJohn suggests. Then started to wonder if I should plan more carefully in case I wanted to upgrade later i.e. where are the bottlenecks to watch out for @Iwojima

Then checking against a basic solar battery (Pylontech UP2500 48V seems common) realised it costs waaaay less than buying another 2 of my 218Ah Blue Novas @wingnut771

.... so now I'm dazed and confused all over again @TheChamp ....

But thanks everyone for all the comments anyway :)
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2 reasons.
1. Bluenovas are ****ing expensive and just overpriced imho.
2. 2 x 218Ah = (2 x 12V x 218Ah = 5.23kWh) VS Pylontech UP2500 2.84kWh

So the Pylontech has half the capacity, is it half the price?

So you will have 4 bluenovas with a total capacity of 10.4kWh.

Also, Pylontech is a 0.5C battery so you would only be able to use 1.4kW out of your inverter before the battery overloads.
 
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impracticaldogg said:
I was originally thinking about a top-up system as @AlphaJohn suggests. Then started to wonder if I should plan more carefully in case I wanted to upgrade later i.e. where are the bottlenecks to watch out for @Iwojima

Then checking against a basic solar battery (Pylontech UP2500 48V seems common) realised it costs waaaay less than buying another 2 of my 218Ah Blue Novas @wingnut771

.... so now I'm dazed and confused all over again @TheChamp ....

But thanks everyone for all the comments anyway :)
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I think take more time to decide what you want to do, improve on what you have or build a completely new system. You can always sell what you have now to contribute to the costs of the new system.
 
I have this inverter Mecer Solar Inverter , it already has a solar charge controller on it.

My load is between 150w and 180w (I am powering my modem and my two TV's) , if I just slap a 250w solar panel on the inverter will that work?

Bonus question: Can someone recommend a solar panel that will work with the above setup.
 
wingnut771 said:
..... Pylontech is a 0.5C battery so you would only be able to use 1.4kW out of your inverter before the battery overloads.
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What does 0.5C mean? Seems it is a measure of the ability of the battery to accept current. What is the industry average?
 
marhsava said:
I have this inverter Mecer Solar Inverter , it already has a solar charge controller on it.

My load is between 150w and 180w (I am powering my modem and my two TV's) , if I just slap a 250w solar panel on the inverter will that work?

Bonus question: Can someone recommend a solar panel that will work with the above setup.
Click to expand...
Anyone ?
 
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