Generator or Inverter for residential use?

[AchmatK]

Ceiling is out due to heat, batteries don't like it.
Personally I would not do the carport due to ease of theft, unless you secure it tight, concrete, steel and alarms add to the costs, as does copper wire lengths.
Kitchen / Dining room area sounds appropriate, but why on the floor, why not raise it above eyeline and paint the enclosue white or some other neutral colour? I understand the need to please the wife, but does she enjoy cooking by candlelight?

Found another internal space.

This cupboard has a bunch of books and junk that I can get rid of. DB is directly on the other side of this wall so maybe 3m of cable to the DB. The bottom section already has a door on so could put the batteries there. Put on door on the top section, take out the shelves and put the inverter there.

 

[Sinbad]

Distance to DB is really not an issue. You want as little distance as possible between inverter and batteries.

 

[RonSwanson]

Found another internal space.

This cupboard has a bunch of books and junk that I can get rid of. DB is directly on the other side of this wall so maybe 3m of cable to the DB. The bottom section already has a door on so could put the batteries there. Put on door on the top section, take out the shelves and put the inverter there. View attachment 874853

Looks good! And punch a few holes for ventilation

 

[AchmatK]

Looks good! And punch a few holes for ventilation

Wife agreed with that space provided it's not too noisy. Bottom section with door on is currently being used for the cat food and their toys. Should be able to find a space for it.

Noise level of the inverter is rated at 30 dB. With doors on it should be a bit more quiet.

 

[RonSwanson]

Wife agreed with that space provided it's not too noisy. Bottom section with door on is currently being used for the cat food and their toys. Should be able to find a space for it.

Noise level of the inverter is rated at 30 dB. With doors on it should be a bit more quiet.

Yep. Mount the inverter on rubber or cork feet against the wall, not the wood, to eliminate resonance. Plus you can line the wood and wall with dog blankets for dampening.

 

[Saba'a]

Where did you see this? Links?

This is an installation by go-solarelectrical. Not sure where as they seem to work in Pretoria Bloemfontein and Durban.

Check on their FB page

Go-Solar Electrical

Solar Hardware Supplier and Installer

www.go-solarelectrical.co.za

 

[AchmatK]

Yep. Mount the inverter on rubber or cork feet against the wall, not the wood, to eliminate resonance. Plus you can line the wood and wall with dog blankets for dampening.

Going to be a problem with mounting against the wall as the cupboard is basically like a divider with shelves on the side. And I don't think the board used would be able to support the inverter.

Found another spot in the linen cupboard in the passage. This one does have a brick wall as the back but closer to our bedroom. The top section is already used for my 24 port network switch and NAS devices and it could be moved to lower shelves after I remove the shelf in the top section. Just need to measure the hight of the inverter to see if it will fit.

 

[Sinbad]

These things need ventilation. Not got a garage?

 

[wingnut771]

Going to be a problem with mounting against the wall as the cupboard is basically like a divider with shelves on the side. And I don't think the board used would be able to support the inverter.

Found another spot in the linen cupboard in the passage. This one does have a brick wall as the back but closer to our bedroom. The top section is already used for my 24 port network switch and NAS devices and it could be moved to lower shelves after I remove the shelf in the top section. Just need to measure the hight of the inverter to see if it will fit. View attachment 874889 View attachment 874891

i think a cupboard is a bad place for an inverter, they generate heat, and need ventilation. you really looking for a spot with stable 25 degrees temp.

 

[AchmatK]

These things need ventilation. Not got a garage?

No garage.

Under the carport next to the municipal meter still seems fine then. Not concerned about security. Have outside beams and just need to get one more set to cover the section where the install will be. Cameras will be added eventually. Batteries are also very heavy and can be bolted to the wall.

Will also be easier located there for when I add the solar panels later in the year.

In the 9 years I've been here I've only had 1 burglary. It was in the first year I moved in before I had the outside beams and electric fence installed.

 

[Saba'a]

No garage.

Under the carport next to the municipal meter still seems fine then. Not concerned about security. Have outside beams and just need to get one more set to cover the section where the install will be. Cameras will be added eventually. Batteries are also very heavy and can be bolted to the wall.

Will also be easier located there for when I add the solar panels later in the year.

In the 9 years I've been here I've only had 1 burglary. It was in the first year I moved in before I had the outside beams and electric fence installed.

Which batteries? I'll need to make up my mind this week, latest early next week.

As for pv panels ... artsolar clearly has enough business since to date no quote incl. shipping.

So will look around Pretoria if I do opt to add them. Just not sure budget can afford it.

 

[Saba'a]

No garage.

Under the carport next to the municipal meter still seems fine then. Not concerned about security. Have outside beams and just need to get one more set to cover the section where the install will be. Cameras will be added eventually. Batteries are also very heavy and can be bolted to the wall.

Will also be easier located there for when I add the solar panels later in the year.

In the 9 years I've been here I've only had 1 burglary. It was in the first year I moved in before I had the outside beams and electric fence installed.

Suggest you then enclose carport. I have beams and stay in a security estate but still wouldn't trust.

 

[AchmatK]

Still not decided on which batteries yet.

I seem to be having the same issue you are having with panel suppliers.

No replies to chats on their websites or emails. Business must be booming. Going to look for a local supplier where I can walk in and buy what I need. Have R60k to spend on a decent lithium battery bank.

 

[Speedster]

Still not decided on which batteries yet.

I seem to be having the same issue you are having with panel suppliers.

No replies to chats on their websites or emails. Business must be booming. Going to look for a local supplier where I can walk in and buy what I need. Have R60k to spend on a decent lithium battery bank.

If you're willing to drive / walk-in inverter warehouse might be an option. There has been varied feedback on their online support and orders, but if you are collecting then that shouldn't be a factor. Their prices look to be quite a bit better than the rest.

 

[AchmatK]

If you're willing to drive / walk-in inverter warehouse might be an option. There has been varied feedback on their online support and orders, but if you are collecting then that shouldn't be a factor. Their prices look to be quite a bit better than the rest.

Problem is I'm in Cape Town.

 

[Speedster]

Problem is I'm in Cape Town.

Oops, my bad. For some reason I had you in Pretoria

 

[wingnut771]

Which batteries? I'll need to make up my mind this week, latest early next week.

As for pv panels ... artsolar clearly has enough business since to date no quote incl. shipping.

So will look around Pretoria if I do opt to add them. Just not sure budget can afford it.

the issue with artsolar from when i dealt with them before this pandemic is they don't usually have stock and make to order so when i placed my online order and paid, i still had to wait 2 weeks. i can only imagine it being worse now with reduced staff rotation and whatnot because of covid. think one needs to be a bit patient during these times, maybe call them and see what their situation is?

 

[Saba'a]

Oops, my bad. For some reason I had you in Pretoria

I am

 

[Saba'a]

the issue with artsolar from when i dealt with them before this pandemic is they don't usually have stock and make to order so when i placed my online order and paid, i still had to wait 2 weeks. i can only imagine it being worse now with reduced staff rotation and whatnot because of covid. think one needs to be a bit patient during these times, maybe call them and see what their situation is?

They asked me for details for a invoice but to date no response to query as I need to know price incl. shipping.

Want the 400w panels x 10 for about R25000 but how much shipping is my worry.

Budget stretched if I go for 2 lithium batteries as well.

 

[thehuman]

Problem is I'm in Cape Town.

Try these guys paid 1950 x vat for 380w pannels
I used PE branch tho
Rubicon Cape Town
Unit 5, North Precinct Montague Park, Topaz Blvd, Montague Gardens, Cape Town, 7441
021 555 0570

Rubicon · Unit 5, West Block, Topaz Blvd, Montague Park, Cape Town, 7441

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