Mike's (non-Sunsynk) System

ands45 said:
Up and running for a week now and very impressed with the unit so far. The inverter is the Luxpower LXP 5k, with 1 Dyness battery and 8x545w panels.

It blends from all 3 sources seamlessly, I've set the priority to PV, Battery, then AC. It draws from the battery for non-essential side as well, probably is a setting for it, but I am fine with that. Will just adjust the SOC cut-off levels when night time load shedding is expected (as you can set different levels for when on-grid or off-grid). The web and app monitoring are great, with loads of information, and you can manage all configuration. There is a couple minutes delay in updates but not really an issue.

Haven't tested the EPS yet as we haven't had any loadshedding this week, but hopefully should be seemless. Also the unit is dead silent, even with max load

Such a great feeling to have all daytime load covered by the system, except now and then when heavy load and it needs to import a bit like below.

View attachment 1321948

For anyone interested in the specs:

View attachment 1321970
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Cool. Will be interesting to compare.

Please create thread to follow ito production and usage.
 
Question on insurance, is there generally anything additional needed for your building insurance with a solar installation?

I phoned Santam and they said I just need to check the insured value is adequate (and have a valid CoC) but my broker said I should add accidental cover to fixed machinery. This is an extra cost which I would prefer to avoid if not necessary but also don't want to have an issue down the line. Thanks
 
ands45 said:
Question on insurance, is there generally anything additional needed for your building insurance with a solar installation?

I phoned Santam and they said I just need to check the insured value is adequate (and have a valid CoC) but my broker said I should add accidental cover to fixed machinery. This is an extra cost which I would prefer to avoid if not necessary but also don't want to have an issue down the line. Thanks
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I didnt have to add anything once confirmed that the cover was enough
 
ands45 said:
Question on insurance, is there generally anything additional needed for your building insurance with a solar installation?

I phoned Santam and they said I just need to check the insured value is adequate (and have a valid CoC) but my broker said I should add accidental cover to fixed machinery. This is an extra cost which I would prefer to avoid if not necessary but also don't want to have an issue down the line. Thanks
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Depends on your needs. I'm also with Santam. It's covered automatically as a fixture of the building against the standard Insured events/perils (fire, storm, theft, etc). If it breaks down electronically, electrically or mechanically, you need that optional accidental damage to fixed machinery cover.
 
Katelknaap said:
Depends on your needs. I'm also with Santam. It's covered automatically as a fixture of the building against the standard Insured events/perils (fire, storm, theft, etc). If it breaks down electronically, electrically or mechanically, you need that optional accidental damage to fixed machinery cover.
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Thanks, that helps explain it. Possibly worth having it then, will see
 
ands45 said:
Thanks, that helps explain it. Possibly worth having it then, will see
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Most definitely is worth it, also covers your other fixed machinery like garage door & gate motors, stoves, aircons, pool pumps, etc. You decide how much cover you want and pay an extra premium on that amount. I think it's about R 10 per R 1000 of cover, so about R 100 / month for R 10k cover.
 
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Katelknaap said:
Most definitely is worth it, also covers your other fixed machinery like garage door & gate motors, stoves, aircons, pool pumps, etc. You decide how cover you want and pay an extra premium on that amount. I think it's about R 10 per R 1000 of cover, so about R 100 / month for R 10k cover.
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Ya that definitely makes it worth while, didn't think of other items like that being covered as well
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Have the same. Schedule looks like this.

View attachment 1303712
Thinking about it now, I prefer having the battery get me to morning. Would hate to have an outage at 4am, geyser wakes up at 5am and drains the battery flat before sunrise...
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Hello there, please welcome me in your midst. I have experienced exactly that, this morning - system shut down completely while I waited for dear old ADR to end the load shedding session. Wasn't expecting that.

Thanks for all the inputs on this thread, though. Steep learning curve.
 
Katelknaap said:
Most definitely is worth it, also covers your other fixed machinery like garage door & gate motors, stoves, aircons, pool pumps, etc. You decide how much cover you want and pay an extra premium on that amount. I think it's about R 10 per R 1000 of cover, so about R 100 / month for R 10k cover.
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So the extra premium is only R75 a month for R100k cover which seems very decent
 
ands45 said:
So the extra premium is only R75 a month for R100k cover which seems very decent
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R 100k cover is playing it very safe. Chances of items up to that value all breaking at the same time or one item being that expensive failing, is very unlikely.

The most expensive item in my house that would fall within that cover, would probably be the Hubble battery that I've just bought recently. For most of my items, R 30k cover would be more than enough.

Also check your policy's definition of "fixed machinery". It might not include solar equipment. I know my Santam policy till a few years ago didn't. Some insurers might not have expanded their coverages to keep up with the times.
 
Katelknaap said:
R 100k cover is playing it very safe. Chances of items up to that value all breaking at the same time or one item being that expensive failing, is very unlikely.

The most expensive item in my house that would fall within that cover, would probably be the Hubble battery that I've just bought recently. For most of my items, R 30k cover would be more than enough.

Also check your policy's definition of "fixed machinery". It might not include solar equipment. I know my Santam policy till a few years ago didn't. Some insurers might not have expanded their coverages to keep up with the times.
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It's only R75 so not really an issue, to save maybe 30 or 40 a month and possibly not be fully covered. I went with R100k cause that's the total cost of my install. I'm with Santam and my broker knows that's what the cover is for so sure it should be included but will double check the policy tomorrow.

Also want to add to the system in future so then won't need to update the insurance
 
ands45 said:
It's only R75 so not really an issue, to save maybe 30 or 40 a month and possibly not be fully covered. I went with R100k cause that's the total cost of my install. I'm with Santam and my broker knows that's what the cover is for so sure it should be included but will double check the policy tomorrow.

Also want to add to the system in future so then won't need to update the insurance
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If you are with Santam you are sorted. Just make sure you have enough Powersurge cover as well as that's separate from the Accidental Damage cover.
Better yet, ask your broker about their Executive product and if you qualify.
 
Upgrade time next month. Have about 70k to play with until next year.

Do I go with 2 more batteries, or 1 battery and 6 panels?
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Upgrade time next month. Have about 70k to play with until next year.

Do I go with 2 more batteries, or 1 battery and 6 panels?
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shuuu... choices choices

Solar Advice >>
1658948916913.png

Solar Suppliers>>
1658949182923.png

then add sundries and labour to install?
 
Mzezman said:
shuuu... choices choices

Solar Advice >>
View attachment 1355260

Solar Suppliers>>
View attachment 1355262

then add sundries and labour to install?
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Yeah that's why I'm thinking 60k excl sundries and installation. It leaves 10k for that. So it's either 2 batteries, or 1 battery & 6 panels.

The concern with going for 2 batteries is not having enough PV to run load and charge batteries.

Going with 1 battery and 6 panels maxes out the panels for the inverter, and gives an ok boost to night time use. Might still fall a bit short for next year winter, but there's at least a better chance of getting 1 more battery next year than the same panels.

Or am I smoking something?
 
Or best of both worlds, 2 batteries + 4 panels ? 8k of panels is not small (9 per string should be within tolerance?)

1658949916874.png
 
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