Geyser timer solution for solar

Regarding the Hellermann Tyton digital programmable geyser timer, does anyone know how to reset a particular time slot back to it's original setting (-- : --) without resetting the entire unit?

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Regarding the Hellermann Tyton digital programmable geyser timer, does anyone know how to reset a particular time slot back to it's original setting (-- : --) without resetting the entire unit?

View attachment 1905548
had that issue the other day and I just reset the whole things was quicker
 
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Quick question.

Since most inverters does not have 100% efficiency what is the difference between running the geyser when the solar power is on vs just letting the solar inverter charge batteries and then running the geyser of the batteries an hour or 2 before showering?
 
Quick question.

Since most inverters does not have 100% efficiency what is the difference between running the geyser when the solar power is on vs just letting the solar inverter charge batteries and then running the geyser of the batteries an hour or 2 before showering?
AI says:
1779555681353.png
 
Quick question.

Since most inverters does not have 100% efficiency what is the difference between running the geyser when the solar power is on vs just letting the solar inverter charge batteries and then running the geyser of the batteries an hour or 2 before showering?
More than the inefficiency part is the aspect of using up battery capacity where there is no real need to (the geyser load can be shifted to the day easily).
During the day one rather harness the PV available and push it straight into the geyser.
With sufficient pv, batteries often get full by midday , and then energy gets wasted if not used on things like geysers etc.

So where shifting the load to the day is possible ie geysers, that's the best route to go.
 
More than the inefficiency part is the aspect of using up battery capacity where there is no real need to (the geyser load can be shifted to the day easily).
During the day one rather harness the PV available and push it straight into the geyser.
With sufficient pv, batteries often get full by midday , and then energy gets wasted if not used on things like geysers etc.

So where shifting the load to the day is possible ie geysers, that's the best route to go.
Not that easy in winter…
 
Not that easy in winter…
Not everywhere is the same in winter. Normally JHB is pretty clear in winter. Normally, so far this has been a very cloudy 5 months. Think I saw more sunny days in Edinburgh
 
More than the inefficiency part is the aspect of using up battery capacity where there is no real need to (the geyser load can be shifted to the day easily).
During the day one rather harness the PV available and push it straight into the geyser.
With sufficient pv, batteries often get full by midday , and then energy gets wasted if not used on things like geysers etc.

So where shifting the load to the day is possible ie geysers, that's the best route to go.
Best strategy:
1779616950998.png
 
How does one do so automatically?
AI says there are 2 methods:

Method 1: The Inverter "Smart Load / Aux" Output (Best Option)

If you have a hybrid inverter (like a Sunsynk, Deye, or Luxpower), it has a dedicated set of physical terminals called "Aux" or "Smart Load". You connect your geyser to this output via a heavy-duty contactor/relay.
You then program the inverter's screen with these rules:
  1. Set the Time Window: Limit the Smart Load to run only between 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM.
  2. Set the Battery Priority: Tell the inverter to only activate the geyser if the battery State of Charge (SoC) is above 80%.
  3. Set the Off-Switch: Tell the inverter to immediately shut off the geyser if the battery drops below 75% (e.g., if a massive cloud rolls over).
Why it works: Your 5kW solar array will automatically prioritize charging your 15kWh battery first thing in the morning. At 11:00 AM, if the battery is safe, the inverter clicks the geyser on using purely excess solar.

Method 2: The Smart Wi-Fi Timer & App Automation (Easiest & Cheapest)

If your geyser is wired into your standard home DB board, you can replace its traditional timer with a smart timer like a CBI Astute Smart Controller (ASC) or a Tuya/Sonoff 20A Smart Switch [2, 3].
You can then link your Inverter App (e.g., SolarMan, Sunsynk Connect) and your Smart Switch App using a free automation platform called IFTTT (If This Then That) or Home Assistant:
  • Rule 1 (Time-based): Program the smart switch to turn on daily at 11:00 AM and turn off at 2:30 PM.
  • Rule 2 (Solar-based condition): Create a condition: "IF battery power is below 80% OR solar production is below 2500W at 11:00 AM, THEN turn off/do not start the geyser."


 
AI says there are 2 methods:

Method 1: The Inverter "Smart Load / Aux" Output (Best Option)

If you have a hybrid inverter (like a Sunsynk, Deye, or Luxpower), it has a dedicated set of physical terminals called "Aux" or "Smart Load". You connect your geyser to this output via a heavy-duty contactor/relay.
You then program the inverter's screen with these rules:
  1. Set the Time Window: Limit the Smart Load to run only between 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM.
  2. Set the Battery Priority: Tell the inverter to only activate the geyser if the battery State of Charge (SoC) is above 80%.
  3. Set the Off-Switch: Tell the inverter to immediately shut off the geyser if the battery drops below 75% (e.g., if a massive cloud rolls over).
Why it works: Your 5kW solar array will automatically prioritize charging your 15kWh battery first thing in the morning. At 11:00 AM, if the battery is safe, the inverter clicks the geyser on using purely excess solar.

Method 2: The Smart Wi-Fi Timer & App Automation (Easiest & Cheapest)

If your geyser is wired into your standard home DB board, you can replace its traditional timer with a smart timer like a CBI Astute Smart Controller (ASC) or a Tuya/Sonoff 20A Smart Switch [2, 3].
You can then link your Inverter App (e.g., SolarMan, Sunsynk Connect) and your Smart Switch App using a free automation platform called IFTTT (If This Then That) or Home Assistant:
  • Rule 1 (Time-based): Program the smart switch to turn on daily at 11:00 AM and turn off at 2:30 PM.
  • Rule 2 (Solar-based condition): Create a condition: "IF battery power is below 80% OR solar production is below 2500W at 11:00 AM, THEN turn off/do not start the geyser."


Thank you….with the geyser on at times between 11:30-2pm I am struggling to get batteries full. Need more than the 10 panels I have
 
Thank you….with the geyser on at times between 11:30-2pm I am struggling to get batteries full. Need more than the 10 panels I have

Maybe try drop geyser temp? 70c is a bit wasteful. try 60.
Coming from some one that lets it get to 70c now and again he is correct its honestly a waste + plus the hotter you want the longer it takes

i can give you some anecdotal records have kept (150l / 3kw)
Minutes to heat up by 1c

to 50c +/- 3.5m (so if you start around 15c it will take 2 hours)

50c to 55c +/-4m (20 m)

55c to 60c +/-4.5m (23m)

60c to65c +/-5m (25m)

65cto70c +/-5.5m (30m)


so to get your geyser from ice cold to 60 will take 2 and a half hours
but to get it a further 10c will take another hour

honestly stick from 55 to 60 keep it a balance between heat and capacity



Do not drop the element size! ignore people that suggest that
 
Coming from some one that lets it get to 70c now and again he is correct its honestly a waste + plus the hotter you want the longer it takes

i can give you some anecdotal records have kept (150l / 3kw)
Minutes to heat up by 1c

to 50c +/- 3.5m (so if you start around 15c it will take 2 hours)

50c to 55c +/-4m (20 m)

55c to 60c +/-4.5m (23m)

60c to65c +/-5m (25m)

65cto70c +/-5.5m (30m)


so to get your geyser from ice cold to 60 will take 2 and a half hours
but to get it a further 10c will take another hour

honestly stick from 55 to 60 keep it a balance between heat and capacity



Do not drop the element size! ignore people that suggest that
This is what I've been telling people. Plus that 70 degrees doesn't stay hotter for much longer anyway.
Even my heat pump is now taking an hour and a half to get the water warmer. Incoming water is 10 degrees
 
This is what I've been telling people. Plus that 70 degrees doesn't stay hotter for much longer anyway.
Even my heat pump is now taking an hour and a half to get the water warmer. Incoming water is 10 degrees
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You know AI pulls from sources, some of them can be old
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It can only really pull from what it "knows" or it can find ;-) not exactly the best source of info, as it can't even tell you what the accurate cooling rate of a geyser is as the information can be decades old.
 
You know AI pulls from sources, some of them can be old
View attachment 1910495
View attachment 1910496



It can only really pull from what it "knows" or it can find ;-) not exactly the best source of info, as it can't even tell you what the accurate cooling rate of a geyser is as the information can be decades old.
Yes, and if you have excess solar then it makes sense to waste it with making water hotter as you are still storing more energy as every degree counts.

If you don't have excess solar, then drop your temps so you waste less as every kWh counts.
 
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