Generator or Inverter for residential use?

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Saba'a

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Will see if Jaco can get the growatt or maybe even Deye/Sunkyst 5kva for a decent price.

Think price you paid a bargain.

But happy to go with the Growatt for R15 000. Basically R2000 more for the wifi option.
 
TheChamp

TheChamp

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wingnut771 said:
but the cable is rated for 120A.
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You are right, the cables are rated for 120A meaning he's theoretically limited to just under 6000W, but he is still able to get to the full 8000W if he wires another similar battery bank in parallel to split the current, connect that to a bus and the inverter can comfortably pull the whole 166A. So it's not necessarily an overkill, it all depends on how grand his ambitions are.
 
AchmatK

AchmatK

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wingnut771 said:
but the cable is rated for 120A.
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You are right.
thechamp said:
You are right, the cables are rated for 120A meaning he's theoretically limited to just under 6000W, but he is still able to get to the full 8000W if he wires another similar battery bank in parallel to split the current, connect that to a bus and the inverter can comfortably pull the whole whole 166A. So it's not necessarily an overkill, it all depends on how grand his ambitions are.
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My plans are very ambitious.

Only essential loads will draw from the battery and that will be less than 5kw at any time. Already saving for the next battery bank which will be another 3 pylontech 3.5kw batteries and another 8kw sunsynk inverter to take me competent of grid.

There are two outputs on the inverter, essential and non essential loads. Only essential loads will draw from the battery if there is no grid power.

My geyser, out building with pool pump and well pumps and air conditioners are the non essential load and will only get electricity from the inverter if the grid is present or there is enough solar generation.
 
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wingnut771

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thechamp said:
You are right, the cables are rated for 120A meaning he's theoretically limited to just under 6000W, but he is still able to get to the full 8000W if he wires another similar battery bank in parallel to split the current, connect that to a bus and the inverter can comfortably pull the whole 166A. So it's not necessarily an overkill, it all depends on how grand his ambitions are.
Click to expand...
what does that look like? thick copper plate?
 
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wingnut771

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signates said:
You are right. My plans are very ambitious.

Only essential loads will draw from the battery and that will be less than 5kw at any time. Already saving for the next battery bank which will be another 3 pylontech 3.5kw batteries and another 8kw sunsynk inverter to take me competent of grid.

There are two outputs on the inverter, essential and non essential loads. Only essential loads will draw from the battery if there is no grid power.

My geyser, out building with pool pump and well pumps and air conditioners are the non essential load and will only get electricity from the inverter if the grid is present or there is enough solar generation.
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hey @signates, what does the inverter end of the pylontech cable look like?
 
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Saba'a

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RaptorSA said:
My budget was R50K but with equipment at R46K plus another R10.5K for install I went slightly over.
A similar system with two cool but butt ugly Pylon batteries would have been closer to R90-100K with install.

I'll PM you the guy/company I used if you're interested (Ranburg/Roodepoort region).

It was their first Lithium install but they were bloody excellent at support and I'd gladly pay it again if I could.

I almost tried the install myself at some point but that would have been a really dumb idea, you really need to know what you're doing (at least I can say I was the one who figured out the battery comms issue :))
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Hi @RaptorSA

Since I am considering the 5KV Growatt (Sunsynk will probably be just too much, unless I get a 8kva for R27 000 ). Just wanted to know your experience to date?

With hindsight, still happy with choice to go for Growatt?
 
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Saba'a

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adielk said:
Another question. Am I reasonable to ask my electrician to return my Kodak Inverter as I'd rather buy a Growatt for the wifi capability.

He insisted to open box to check everything inside. Not me, I'd have left it sealed. Its totally unused still.

Otherwise its for sale, paid R12 900 .
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Success. He's collecting it today.

Now Growatt - some complain its just a fancier Chinese voltronic. Some installers have no faith in it and @signates link shows complaints about app.

Sunsynk - as good as Victron and cheaper but still pricy as hell. Has proper wifi and app seems good @signates 8KV at R27 000 a bargain but I'd say over R20 000 for a 5KV would be expensive?

I must be honest, I find the choices bewildering. Victron is overpriced imho but to be fair good support and reliable it seems.
 
AchmatK

AchmatK

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adielk said:
Success. He's collecting it today.

Now Growatt - some complain its just a fancier Chinese voltronic. Some installers have no faith in it and @signates link shows complaints about app.

Sunsynk - as good as Victron and cheaper but still pricy as hell. Has proper wifi and app seems good @signates 8KV at R27 000 a bargain but I'd say over R20 000 for a 5KV would be expensive?

I must be honest, I find the choices bewildering. Victron is overpriced imho but to be fair good support and reliable it seems.
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You should look at the Sol-ark YouTube channel. It's the American branded version of the SunSynk unit. It's what convinced me to go with the sunsynk unit. I think I watched 5 hours of their webinars over 2 days. They go into detail about the different connection options. They also get the 12kw single phase version there.

You can ignore their reference to 110v 60hz.
 
AchmatK

AchmatK

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wingnut771 said:
hey @signates, what does the inverter end of the pylontech cable look like?
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Other end of the battery cable and the inverter side where they are attached.

Still need to put a fuse and isolator switch between the batteries and inverter which means that I will need to cut the supplied battery cables. 20200722_073344.jpg 20200722_073405.jpg
 
AchmatK

AchmatK

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Making light work of the tree.

They will also cut up the wood and leave it for me. Going to use it in my fireplace.

Another R5k added to my installation costs. 20200722_083543.jpg 20200722_094112.jpg
 
AchmatK

AchmatK

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I love the trees but have about 25 trees all around my perimeter. Cutting down 3 made a huge difference to the amount of sunlight that now reaches the front of the house. Most of the other trees are at the back and the other side. House is also NNW facing so was missing a lot of sunlight in the late afternoon due to the willow tree.

Electrician cancelled today and will be back tomorrow to install the inverter and split the DB. 20200722_113045.jpg
 
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