Geyser timer solution for solar

cavedog

cavedog

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I'm finally getting my small solar setup going.

8 x JA solar panels with a 5.2KW Inverter. I'm getting a 5KW battery just to use as backup since the electricity seem to be somewhat unstable in the area with a number of outages.

So the plan.

Run inverter in SUB. Still making use of Tshwane if solar isn't enough but keeping the battery on standby for outages.

I want the geyser to run from around 9am to 2pm daily so it can run of the solar. My issue is what if the grid fails during that time and I'm on battery. I don't want the geyser to drain the battery. The geyser should come on between 9 -2 daily on the condition that grid is online so if the solar isn't enough it uses the grid which is fine but if grid is offline it should not come on.

Anyone advise?
 
cavedog said:
I'm finally getting my small solar setup going.

8 x JA solar panels with a 5.2KW Inverter. I'm getting a 5KW battery just to use as backup since the electricity seem to be somewhat unstable in the area with a number of outages.

So the plan.

Run inverter in SUB. Still making use of Tshwane if solar isn't enough but keeping the battery on standby for outages.

I want the geyser to run from around 9am to 2pm daily so it can run of the solar. My issue is what if the grid fails during that time and I'm on battery. I don't want the geyser to drain the battery. The geyser should come on between 9 -2 daily on the condition that grid is online so if the solar isn't enough it uses the grid which is fine but if grid is offline it should not come on.

Anyone advise?
Click to expand...
Easiet would be to have a switch that can tell if there is grid or not - something like this > https://www.geewiz.co.za/sonoff-pro...-shedding-detector-kit-with-instructions.html then you have another similar switch for the geyser then logic says, if loadshedder indicates grid then run grid else don't.

Something more complex but more flexible is getting your inverter connected into Home Assistant and then running the logic from there to power / not power certain smart switches
 
CBI Astue in your DB or CBI Astute isolator at your geyser and be done with it.
I have them on 3 x geysers and a pool pump with a heat pump.

1765100459433.png

1765100511498.png

Edit: I did not read your specific requirements, only saw it now. Not sure what solution is available for your use case.
 
Firstly, get yourself setup on HA and then an astute on the devices you want to control. Which inverter are you getting/do you have? Does it have HA integration?
 
In theory you could have the geyser connected to the auxiliary load of the inverter and then it will only run when certain conditions are met.

support.sunsynk.com

Aux Load Settings Guide

Aux Load Settings Summary / Purpose This article explains how to configure the Aux Load, Generator Input, and Micro-Inverter (AC-Coupled) Input settings on Sunsynk inverters. These settings determine how the inverter interacts with solar, batt...
support.sunsynk.com support.sunsynk.com

Only problem there is I don’t use this function and I’m not sure if you can manually override it when necessary but I’m guessing you could just adjust the values accordingly.

Personally I also have a CBI Astute and both it and my inverter (Sunsynk) talk to Home Assistant which does all the logic of time/excess to turn the geyser on and off.
 
cavedog said:
I'm finally getting my small solar setup going.

8 x JA solar panels with a 5.2KW Inverter. I'm getting a 5KW battery just to use as backup since the electricity seem to be somewhat unstable in the area with a number of outages.

So the plan.

Run inverter in SUB. Still making use of Tshwane if solar isn't enough but keeping the battery on standby for outages.

I want the geyser to run from around 9am to 2pm daily so it can run of the solar. My issue is what if the grid fails during that time and I'm on battery. I don't want the geyser to drain the battery. The geyser should come on between 9 -2 daily on the condition that grid is online so if the solar isn't enough it uses the grid which is fine but if grid is offline it should not come on.

Anyone advise?
Click to expand...
What make / Model inverter did you get?
 
SauRoNZA said:
In theory you could have the geyser connected to the auxiliary load of the inverter and then it will only run when certain conditions are met.

support.sunsynk.com

Aux Load Settings Guide

Aux Load Settings Summary / Purpose This article explains how to configure the Aux Load, Generator Input, and Micro-Inverter (AC-Coupled) Input settings on Sunsynk inverters. These settings determine how the inverter interacts with solar, batt...
support.sunsynk.com support.sunsynk.com

Only problem there is I don’t use this function and I’m not sure if you can manually override it when necessary but I’m guessing you could just adjust the values accordingly.

Personally I also have a CBI Astute and both it and my inverter (Sunsynk) talk to Home Assistant which does all the logic of time/excess to turn the geyser on and off.
Click to expand...

I use this ( on the Deye) got the Geysers and ovens and you can change the settings is needs be, yes it's got a bit of fuzzy logic depending on which of the multiple settings you use.

I'm my case I set it always on and 50% battery SoC
So if grid is on it will use solar, And or batteries if not enough there it will supplement with grid power, but if no grid it will only power them if the batteries are over 50%
 
Last edited:
I Got smart load inverter with geyser wise controller + 1.5 KW element. Access power just tops the geyser to 65C - 70C and manually (via grid). Acts like a solar geyser. SINOFF Smart Switch to control which of the two geysers turns on if 3kw access both turns on . So geyser act as power storage.
 
I have mine on HA and I have a logger on the inverter so I can manage the geysers based on time and battery SOC.
I had 2 asutes one on each geyser but one blew and I replaced it with a Sonoff POWR320D
 
Dark Agent said:
I Got smart load inverter with geyser wise controller + 1.5 KW element. Access power just tops the geyser to 65C - 70C and manually (via grid). Acts like a solar geyser. SINOFF Smart Switch to control which of the two geysers turns on if 3kw access both turns on . So geyser act as power storage.
Click to expand...

Jirre are you trying to burn the dirt off?
 
My geyser works on CBI.
Screenshot_20251208_072357_CBI Home.jpg
I'm in control.
I can switch this device on and off anywhere. Holiday at the coast etc. Just need my phone on hand.Screenshot_20251208_072738_CBI Home.jpg
 
Dark Agent said:
I Got smart load inverter with geyser wise controller + 1.5 KW element. Access power just tops the geyser to 65C - 70C and manually (via grid). Acts like a solar geyser. SINOFF Smart Switch to control which of the two geysers turns on if 3kw access both turns on . So geyser act as power storage.
Click to expand...
but how long does it take to hit 65 with such a small element?

I got similar set up but 2 geysers at 3kw (8kw inverter) but just use the geyser wise smart on both to control everything (don let both geysers come on a the same time but i have tested it both and the oven can go on at the same time bu i rather not push it)
set up some routines to let i go to certain temps based around times 65C in the day but 40-46C if its not hot enough in the early morning or evenings and blast to 70 if there is lots of PV and no where to dump it
SauRoNZA said:
Jirre are you trying to burn the dirt off?
Click to expand...
you clearly dont live with the lizard people
 
SauRoNZA said:
Jirre are you trying to burn the dirt off?
Click to expand...
Some people like their water with the ability to make coffee from the tap.
I mean 55 already feels quite warm, maybe they are secretly lizard folk? Or they use more cold to mix?
 
isie said:
but how long does it take to hit 65 with such a small element?

I got similar set up but 2 geysers at 3kw (8kw inverter) but just use the geyser wise smart on both to control everything (don let both geysers come on a the same time but i have tested it both and the oven can go on at the same time bu i rather not push it)
set up some routines to let i go to certain temps based around times 65C in the day but 40-46C if its not hot enough in the early morning or evenings and blast to 70 if there is lots of PV and no where to dump it

you clearly dont live with the lizard people
Click to expand...
Tm lizard people...
 
Lupus said:
Some people like their water with the ability to make coffee from the tap.
I mean 55 already feels quite warm, maybe they are secretly lizard folk? Or they use more cold to mix?
Click to expand...

Well exactly 55 is enough to be deeply uncomfortable for me and scary hot for the kids.
 
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