Geyser timer solution for solar

SauRoNZA said:
Well exactly 55 is enough to be deeply uncomfortable for me and scary hot for the kids.
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Yup 55 I've got to still put it just past the middle on the mixer. Cause past that it gets uncomfortable
 
Not sure if you guys have seen this newish Astute device from CBI. It looks like it would work like the Sonoff LoadShedder.

CBi Astute Smart Power Indicator (ASPI) | CBI-electric (Circuit Breaker Industries)

Download the CBi Home App on the App Store or on Google Play! Instruction Manual or YouTube Programming Videos Visit the Astute Support Hub or CBI Forum for any questions about the Astute Range More information about the ASC or ASI or ASP or ASP-D or ASA Where to buy: SA Authorised Distributors...
cbi-lowvoltage.co.za cbi-lowvoltage.co.za

One of those to control one of the other CBI Astute products should do the trick.
 
As some have said - CBI.

My solar installer did the set-up (in DB board) so I don't know the details. But it works well. I currently have my geyser also set from 12 to 3pm, but can use the phone app to switch on and off or change time settings very easily.
 
There are two factors here, hardware and logic. CBI is great for the hardware, you still need something to manage the logic. Home assistant is best for that.
 
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?
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You leave a whole 2.75kWh of stored energy for a 150litre geyser not heating it to 70. That’s 2 showers for me alone. One for a woman.

If you want to rely on the inverter to heat it makes sense to take advantage of the extra energy during the day, Otherwise you will need to use the battery or the grid after 2 people bath if set at 55.
 
denmendez65 said:
You leave a whole 2.75kWh of stored energy for a 150litre geyser not heating it to 70. That’s 2 showers for me alone. One for a woman.

If you want to rely on the inverter to heat it makes sense to take advantage of the extra energy during the day, Otherwise you will need to use the battery or the grid after 2 people bath if set at 55.
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Setting it at 70 also saved me this weekend with the extra guests who slept over. Got no complaints about lukewarm water from the geyser. Just had to boost for an hour around 7 in the morning from the inverter and again around 1 pm for 30 minutes.

The people who bathed late afternoon/evening didn't affect those who wanted to bathe in the morning, as the water was lukewarm in the morning, the inverter just had to boost it to hotter temperatures, which it didn't have to work too hard to do. At 55, I would have had complaints as the water would be cold in the morning.
 
denmendez65 said:
You leave a whole 2.75kWh of stored energy for a 150litre geyser not heating it to 70. That’s 2 showers for me alone. One for a woman.

If you want to rely on the inverter to heat it makes sense to take advantage of the extra energy during the day, Otherwise you will need to use the battery or the grid after 2 people bath if set at 55.
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www.omnicalculator.com

Water Heating Calculator

Use the water heating calculator to determine how much time and energy you'll need to increase the temperature of the water.
www.omnicalculator.com www.omnicalculator.com
To heat water from 30 to 70 with a 3kw element will take almost 3 hours using 6.9 units.
Heating to 55 from 30 will take an hour and 49 minutes, using 4.3 units.
The heating from 55 to 70 is an hour and five minutes longer and 2.6 units more.
So two baths will end up costing more in the long run as to get back to the 70 degrees is partially longer than from 30 to 55
 
1765181222591.png

Simple automation in homeassistant to switch my CBi Astute on if solar is performing decently. Average PC power is calculated against the last 30min.
 
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I had a similar setup. 8kw inverter and 10kw battery system

Geyserwise via Tuya controller to set temp and time schedules.
Loadshedding detector to turn off geyser via automation if load shedding is active.
Reduced my element from 3kw to 2kw to draw less on solar system

Worked really well our entire house runs via solar, managed to heat the geyser up over lunch time to get us through the evening requirements.

I have just installed a heat pump and although expensive this is definitely the way to go. We are pretty much off grid.
 
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jezzad said:
I had a similar setup. 8kw inverter and 10kw battery system

Geyserwise via Tuya controller to set temp and time schedules.
Loadshedding detector to turn off geyser via automation is load shedding is active.
Reduced my element from 3kw to 2kw to draw less on solar system

Worked really well our entire house runs via solar, managed to heat the geyser up over lunch time to get us through the evening requirements.

I have just installed a heat pump and although expensive this is definitely the way to go. We are pretty much off grid.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the heat pump family :)
 
jezzad said:
I had a similar setup. 8kw inverter and 10kw battery system

Geyserwise via Tuya controller to set temp and time schedules.
Loadshedding detector to turn off geyser via automation if load shedding is active.
Reduced my element from 3kw to 2kw to draw less on solar system

Worked really well our entire house runs via solar, managed to heat the geyser up over lunch time to get us through the evening requirements.

I have just installed a heat pump and although expensive this is definitely the way to go. We are pretty much off grid.
Click to expand...
What did the heat pump set you back?
 
I got this smart wifi circuit breaker for my geyser. Wire it into your DB and set the times in the app. Easy.
wifi-smart-circuit-breaker-type-timer-63a-with-power-kwh-monitoring-tuya-smart-app-geyser-timer.jpg

R375
 
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