Inverter Recommendations

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edmundp

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Hi All,

Could anyone please offer me some advice on what is the best inverter out there to get?

I need something in the 3 - 5 Kw Pure Sine range with MPPT charger/solar controller & automatic switch over on mains fail? (Hybrid Grid Tie)

Ideally it should be a modular type system that I can expand to Eskom independence over time. (I.e. more than one inverter that can be sinus synced.)

Approx. prices would also be appreciated. There is just so many systems out there that I am totally confused and bewildered.
 
Schneider conext xw system. Will cost about R50k. Very modular.

If you want affordable Infinisolar is the only affordable hybrid.
 
edmundp said:
Well - affordability is always a factor...
Click to expand...

Not sure of your budget, but I cannot afford to drop 50k on such a system.

Currently I have a 600w unit running my lights. I am now looking at getting a second 1500w system to power only my essentials. The rest of the house can stay on Eskom forever.
 
Well ja. I can I suppose, but I do not want to.

Best at this point is something like a 5Kva Axpert unit at about R 10 000. The Microcare stuff is just too expensive from what I can see.

The Axperts can also be synced to run inverters parallel for later expansion. Just hoping I am missing a good product somewhere at a reasonable price?

That should take care of the basics for now. The fridge, pool pump and hairdryer can run of Eskom for now. The rest I will put on gas.

Just wanting to give them the finger...
 
edmundp said:
Well ja. I can I suppose, but I do not want to.

Best at this point is something like a 5Kva Axpert unit at about R 10 000. The Microcare stuff is just too expensive from what I can see.

The Axperts can also be synced to run inverters parallel for later expansion. Just hoping I am missing a good product somewhere at a reasonable price?

That should take care of the basics for now. The fridge, pool pump and hairdryer can run of Eskom for now. The rest I will put on gas.

Just wanting to give them the finger...
Click to expand...

Ah yes, the all South African dream.

But due to budget constraints most of us can't. I must say having the lights on solar is really awesome already, especially when the neighbours sit in the dark. I just go about like nothing is wrong. Just hoping to add about 1500w onto that so that I can power my TV or PC and the fridge if you start going down for extended periods. I do have a generator for my office, but it's noisy and I don't much like it. Gas stove is sorted and I will be replacing the geyser with gas soon, so all that is sorted. I can live my life without a hairdryer or microwave or an aircon.
 
Ja - I have a 5.5Kva geni also, but it makes a moerse noise and the fuel is not a long term solution. Hairdryer is the significant other's BTW.:)
 
I bought a 2.4Kva UPS from mantech for R10k. Powers my house except for the usual stove, aircons, geyser and kettle.

All lights (LED), TVs, fridge, equipment runs fine.
 
johnjm said:
I bought a 2.4Kva UPS from mantech for R10k. Powers my house except for the usual stove, aircons, geyser and kettle.

All lights (LED), TVs, fridge, equipment runs fine.
Click to expand...

johnjm, how long does that system last under load shedding powering all the mentioned equipment running simultaneously please? (All lights (LED), TVs, fridge)
 
How long is a piece of string. Depends on how many batteries you have.

I went with the minimum of 2x12v 100Ah batteries as the system is 24v.

After 2.5 hours of use the batteries have 60% juice. Assuming I don't run them all flat I could get 5 hours of use till 30% which is safe for the deep cycles I have.

You will be surprised how little power your house uses without those heat generating appliances.

The biggest thing is to convert lights to LEDs. That alone allows me to run all my stuff simultaneously.

I can even make an espresso from a saeco bean to cup machine.
 
edmundp said:
Hi All,

Could anyone please offer me some advice on what is the best inverter out there to get?

I need something in the 3 - 5 Kw Pure Sine range with MPPT charger/solar controller & automatic switch over on mains fail? (Hybrid Grid Tie)

Ideally it should be a modular type system that I can expand to Eskom independence over time. (I.e. more than one inverter that can be sinus synced.)

Approx. prices would also be appreciated. There is just so many systems out there that I am totally confused and bewildered.
Click to expand...
It's hard to do better than the MLT Drives PowerStar II - hybrid intelligent grid-tied. Designed and built in SA for African conditions, these systems are robust. Check them out at mltdrives.com. Head office is in Kenilworth, Cape Town.

I've been using the 12kW model for several years now. It manages everything smoothly, including exports. No regrets and recommended without hesitation. But not cheap.
 
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