coj off-grid process

wingnut771 said:
@Düber, care to comment? How many hours a day did you run yours before it blew up at 75% load?
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It's difficult to average out as everyday it was needed was different, but probably anything between 4 to 8 hours on particular days, perhaps a bit longer on some.

To put it into context, my 18 year old 5 kva Honda has done duty for 24/36 hours at a go for many years with no issues whatsoever. It's down to the quality of the alternator. The Honda has a much better one fitted compared to the Ryobi/Loncin/MacAfric etc.

I (and I think many people will/do) underestimated how much power you actually need to charge batteries and keep people happy.
Sounds easy in the beginning and on paper...
 
Düber said:
It's difficult to average out as everyday it was needed was different, but probably anything between 4 to 8 hours on particular days, perhaps a bit longer on some.

To put it into context, my 18 year old 5 kva Honda has done duty for 24/36 hours at a go for many years with no issues whatsoever. It's down to the quality of the alternator. The Honda has a much better one fitted compared to the Ryobi/Loncin/MacAfric etc.

I (and I think many people will/do) underestimated how much power you actually need to charge batteries and keep people happy.
Sounds easy in the beginning and on paper...
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This is why I intend on a Honda when I eventually decide to cut the cord.
 
My solar install is scheduled for early April.
2x 5kVA Multiplus II's, 1x BSL 16 kWh, 18x JA Solar 610 W (10.98 kW), 3x Canadian Solar 460 W (1.38 kW).

The plan is to run this setup through winter and summer rains, then disconnect. Might have to add another battery, and at some stage will switch electric geyser to heatpump.

So hopefully by this time next year I can also post my CoJ disconnect notice here.
 
AntennaMan said:
My solar install is scheduled for early April.
2x 5kVA Multiplus II's, 1x BSL 16 kWh, 18x JA Solar 610 W (10.98 kW), 3x Canadian Solar 460 W (1.38 kW).

The plan is to run this setup through winter and summer rains, then disconnect. Might have to add another battery, and at some stage will switch electric geyser to heatpump.

So hopefully by this time next year I can also post my CoJ disconnect notice here.
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What MPPT/s will you be running?
 
Neuk_ said:
What MPPT/s will you be running?
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2x Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250/100-Tr, 1x Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35.

The 3 Canadian solar panels will be on a small piece of roof facing Northeast, getting sun early in the morning. The 18 JA solar panels will face Northwest, getting full day into late afternoon sun.
 
Neuk_ said:
Nice :cool: Less than 25% of our latest CoJ bill.
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I assume you are postpaid? And yeah, if I was connected to them without solar and using some 500kWh a month, I would be paying 5 to 6k a month total. Paying 2k is definitely a welcome reprieve.

Edit: @wingnut771 That is basically @cavedog's system every year since he paid 40k for his install.
 
ghaye said:
Just wait till the DA takes over. THEY know how to pad an invoice. (But at least you get a little bit back for your money).
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Not sure they can pad it anymore than the ANC. Level 1 water restrictions with dams overflowing. Sewerage per sqm not per water usage, post paid line fees 3 times higher than anywhere else.
Refuse removal when they feel like it. Remember we're paying for 5 ceos
 
Lupus said:
Not sure they can pad it anymore than the ANC. Level 1 water restrictions with dams overflowing. Sewerage per sqm not per water usage, post paid line fees 3 times higher than anywhere else.
Refuse removal when they feel like it. Remember we're paying for 5 ceos
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You forgot the secret recipe. Tis the City of Gold where everyone earns huge salaries. So of course you must pay for the privilege living in such a pradise.
 
ghaye said:
You forgot the secret recipe. Tis the City of Gold where everyone earns huge salaries. So of course you must pay for the privilege living in such a pradise.
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Already have that on property taxes. Plus the CoJ is always looking at ways to pad the bill for us. If we got any service that would be nice though
 
denmendez65 said:
I assume you are postpaid? And yeah, if I was connected to them without solar and using some 500kWh a month, I would be paying 5 to 6k a month total. Paying 2k is definitely a welcome reprieve.

Edit: @wingnut771 That is basically @cavedog's system every year since he paid 40k for his install.
Click to expand...

Yep, post paid electricity and water, 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, nanny, gardener, domestic worker, only two electric geysers because the third is kept off, lots of bloody lights, a pool, two fountains, ****ed roads, useless municipality, leaking water, etc.
 
Neuk_ said:
Yep, post paid electricity and water, 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, nanny, gardener, domestic worker, only two electric geysers because the third is kept off, lots of bloody lights, a pool, two fountains, ****ed roads, useless municipality, leaking water, etc.
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Something that helped me to reduce the energy consumption quite a bit mainly at night was replacing the lights outside. Think I mentioned it before. Its pitch black outside of my house but I have these lights that kick in from quite a distance all around the wall. Garages are 25W motion lights. 3 of them. Outside the 3 garages facing the street is 4x25W ones that really light up everything. I estimate it saved me about 1.5kWh a night. That's how my night baseload stays around 45W with little to no battery drain after bedtime.

All from Temu also for dirt cheap. 1.5 years and going strong with no failures. I think the silicone waterproofing I did is visible on the image. That is the sole reason for them lasting long. Without it I think in 1 rainy season they would have been dying one by one. You need much more power savings than that but i think the little stuff adds up.

unnamed.jpg
 
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