Generator or Inverter for residential use?

cfvh600 · Jul 28, 2020

Sinbad said:
For the record, with a 5kva, there'd be no power assist as it can pass through 22kW.

Incredible.

Neuk_ · Jul 28, 2020

Sinbad said:
Don't set it up as an ESS with gel batteries. You'll kill them in a few months. Save that setting for when you have lithium or supercaps.
For the record, with a 5kva, there'd be no power assist as it can pass through 22kW.

I'll chat to Colin about the ESS portion and the batteries we have, they only supply 2.4kWh at 50% DOD so it is not like there is a lot of capacity, perhaps just use them from 23:00 to 06:00 to run the little night time load we have and cycle them a bit? They are rated for 3000 cycles at 60% DOD...

Can you explain the pass through in more detail? Does it apply to essential and non-essential loads?

Neuk_ · Jul 28, 2020

Neuk_ said:
Can you explain the pass through in more detail? Does it apply to essential and non-essential loads?

I found this but it explains PowerAssit in A, not kW...

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/White-paper-Achieving-the-impossible-EN.pdf

I am sure our inverter has used PowerAssist on a few occasions as our domestic is using an oil heater and electric plate stove while she stays with us and I have seen the inverter on while the mains feed is on.

AchmatK · Jul 28, 2020

Last of my kit arrived today. Wiring for the panels, MC4 connectors and surge protectors. Hopefully get it installed later this week.

Wife and I both working from home and going about our normal routine with 2 kids also at home.

Battery lasted from 7am to 3pm. 8hrs.

Just a pity I could not make use of the brilliant solar weather in Cape Town yet.

Screenshot_20200728-151142_SOLARMAN%20Smart.jpg

Sinbad · Jul 28, 2020

Neuk_ said:
I'll chat to Colin about the ESS portion and the batteries we have, they only supply 2.4kWh at 50% DOD so it is not like there is a lot of capacity, perhaps just use them from 23:00 to 06:00 to run the little night time load we have and cycle them a bit? They are rated for 3000 cycles at 60% DOD...

Can you explain the pass through in more detail? Does it apply to essential and non-essential loads?

The inverter will pass through up to 100A from the grid to both essential and non-essential loads as needed.
If there's battery or solar capacity available, it will invert up to 4500W to both essential and non-essential and then bring in from the grid any shortfall required to run the load - up to 22kw.

Saba'a · Jul 28, 2020

signates said:
Last of my kit arrived today. Wiring for the panels, MC4 connectors and surge protectors. Hopefully get it installed later this week.

Wife and I both working from home and going about our normal routine with 2 kids also at home.

Battery lasted from 7am to 3pm. 8hrs.

Just a pity I could not make use of the brilliant solar weather in Cape Town yet. View attachment 882700

So my 2 batteries will be less than 6 hours. For my loadshedding purpose it should be adequate until future expansion.

Will disconnect aircon, geysers, flatlet and oven and put before inverter.

Have ordered some leds to replace some of the oldest lights, still have 2 x halogens, those funny tube lights.

Saba'a · Jul 28, 2020

Sunsynk inverter delivered

.

Now for batteries and electrician. So suppose only next week as I expected it to take a week to 2 weeks.

AchmatK · Jul 28, 2020

adielk said:
Sunsynk inverter delivered.

Now for batteries and electrician. So suppose only next week as I expected it to take a week to 2 weeks.

Nice.

AchmatK · Jul 28, 2020

It's a nice piece of kit.

My OTA software upgrade is scheduled to happen tomorrow.

cfvh600 · Jul 28, 2020

signates said:
It's a nice piece of kit.

My OTA software upgrade is scheduled to happen tomorrow.

Did you sort out the issue with the non essential loads disconnecting?

AchmatK · Jul 28, 2020

cfvh600 said:
Did you sort out the issue with the non essential loads disconnecting?

Not yet but its reduced in frequency from every hour to about every 4 hours.

Put the bedroom aircon on standby last night to test and I only recall it restarting at 6 this morning.

Will see if the firmware update resolves it.

Neuk_ · Jul 28, 2020

Sinbad said:
The inverter will pass through up to 100A from the grid to both essential and non-essential loads as needed.
If there's battery or solar capacity available, it will invert up to 4500W to both essential and non-essential and then bring in from the grid any shortfall required to run the load - up to 22kw.

I presume those figures are for the 5kVa Multiplus, I must look at the 3kVa figures and try figure it out.

Sinbad · Jul 28, 2020

Neuk_ said:
I presume those figures are for the 5kVa Multiplus, I must look at the 3kVa figures and try figure it out.

Either 16 or 50

Look on the inverter itself. Mine says "100A transfer switch" on the front.

TheChamp · Jul 28, 2020

adielk said:
So my 2 batteries will be less than 6 hours. For my loadshedding purpose it should be adequate until future expansion.

Will disconnect aircon, geysers, flatlet and oven and put before inverter.

Have ordered some leds to replace some of the oldest lights, still have 2 x halogens, those funny tube lights.

Get LEDs for the funny tube lights as well.

Saba'a · Jul 28, 2020

thechamp said:
Get LEDs for the funny tube lights as well.

Yep for those 2 and another for one bathroom. See how it looks. For funny ones will have to change fittings ... eish more money.

Not replacing lights with led in areas where we read or watch tv. But bathrooms, passages, hallway, basement, outside etc okay.

Sinbad · Jul 28, 2020

adielk said:
Yep for those 2 and another for one bathroom. See how it looks. For funny ones will have to change fittings ... eish more money.

Not replacing lights with led in areas where we read or watch tv. But bathrooms, passages, hallway, basement, outside etc okay.

Why not? Leds are fine for all the above.

Saba'a · Jul 28, 2020

Sinbad said:
Why not? Leds are fine for all the above.

May not be good for eyesight. So rather not risk. Everybody has specs

LED lights damage eyes and disturb sleep, European health authority warns | CNN

A French health authority warned of the dangers of blue light, stating this wavelength can damage the eye's retina while also disturbing our biological and sleep rhythms.

edition.cnn.com

Saba'a · Jul 28, 2020

So for bathrooms, passages, hallway, basement, outside etc I'll do that. Using energy savers in any case other than 2 funny tube halogens.

deesef · Jul 28, 2020

adielk said:
May not good for eyesight. So rather not risk. Everybody has specs

LED lights damage eyes and disturb sleep, European health authority warns | CNN

A French health authority warned of the dangers of blue light, stating this wavelength can damage the eye's retina while also disturbing our biological and sleep rhythms.

edition.cnn.com

Just buy the warm white led bulbs...

"ANSES differentiates types of blue light in its report. For example, "warm white" domestic LED lighting has weak phototoxicity risks, similar to traditional lighting, according to ANSES."

Saba'a · Jul 28, 2020

deesef said:
Just buy the warm white led bulbs...

"ANSES differentiates types of blue light in its report. For example, "warm white" domestic LED lighting has weak phototoxicity risks, similar to traditional lighting, according to ANSES."

Thanks will read up and pop into a lighting store to chat to them.

Generator or Inverter for residential use?

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