Mike's (non-Sunsynk) System

RonSwanson said:
Yep. Anything that heats water/food will chow power. It's actually not too bad, mine chomps 2400W.


The spikes are actually only for a few minutes. I just stagger the dishwasher and washing machine, especially when the heat pump is on.


Yes, it's actually easier in practice. You will also have the challenge of educating household members.

Aircons, tumble dryer and geyser / heat pump can go on non-essentials, and the latter can be scheduled because hot water retains its heat for quite long. Although I moved to a gas kettle, I actually still have my old electric kettle, it is useful for experimentation when I need a load.

It's been 17 months for me and I'm still optimising small things, counting watts here and there :D
Click to expand...
Indeed.

I was interested to hear that you can configure the CT coil in a way that has excess solar power non-essentials during the day if you want. I suppose once it's finished charging the batteries...

I'll have to work out our average night time load as well.

Base load plus 0-3 aircons at this stage. Maybe another aircon to be added to second household at some stage, otherwise ceiling fans there in summer and oil fin heaters throughout chilly winter...
 
hj2k_x said:
Indeed.

I was interested to hear that you can configure the CT coil in a way that has excess solar power non-essentials during the day if you want. I suppose once it's finished charging the batteries...

I'll have to work out our average night time load as well.

Base load plus 0-3 aircons at this stage. Maybe another aircon to be added to second household at some stage, otherwise ceiling fans there in summer and oil fin heaters throughout chilly winter...
Click to expand...
Yes, evening base load is important for battery sizing. Personally, I ideally want to be able to be at 40-50% SoC when the MPPT starts to deliver power the next morning, but those values will depend on the level that you can (and want) to discharge your particular brand of chosen batteries.
If you get it wrong, it's also not too much of a trainsmash, because the inverter will draw until your chosen SoC, and then switch to Eskom (if they are around).
 
AchmatK said:
That is interesting.

I would expect the DC to AC to be capped at 5kw like mine is capped at 8kw with the balance going to batteries in DC to DC.
Click to expand...
Yep, my 5 kW caps at 5kW, even though pv production is close to 6 kWh and the rest comes from the grid
 
Tariqe said:
Yep, my 5 kW caps at 5kW, even though pv production is close to 6 kWh and the rest comes from the grid
Click to expand...
What happens when you play with your settings? Some things to check:
  • Work mode 1 (timer screen), what happens when you increase the power settings?
  • Work mode 2 screen: There is an overall power limitation setting;
  • Advanced menu: Also an overall power limitation setting.
 
RonSwanson said:
What happens when you play with your settings? Some things to check:
  • Work mode 1 (timer screen), what happens when you increase the power settings?
  • Work mode 2 screen: There is an overall power limitation setting;
  • Advanced menu: Also an overall power limitation setting.
Click to expand...
My settings

Work mode 1 = 9 000w
Work mode 2 = 9 000w
Advanced settings = 12 000w
 
So some feedback on the CT coil issue.

It turns out that when the distance from your inverter to your DB board is too long, the limiting factor is not the cable length. When the length exceeds 25m, the signal reading starts dropping off exponentially. It will still kind of work, but an inaccurate reading means an inaccurate supply of PV to your non-essentials.

There's a smart meter that you can connect to the CT which will always provide the correct reading. Just waiting on a quote and I'll provide more details...
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
So some feedback on the CT coil issue.

It turns out that when the distance from your inverter to your DB board is too long, the limiting factor is not the cable length. When the length exceeds 25m, the signal reading starts dropping off exponentially. It will still kind of work, but an inaccurate reading means an inaccurate supply of PV to your non-essentials.

There's a smart meter that you can connect to the CT which will always provide the correct reading. Just waiting on a quote and I'll provide more details...
Click to expand...

A custom build transceiver would sort that out. ADC on CT output, run via copper or fibre then a DAC on inverter end to convert back to analogue.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
It turns out that when the distance from your inverter to your DB board is too long, the limiting factor is not the cable length. When the length exceeds 25m, the signal reading starts dropping off exponentially. It will still kind of work, but an inaccurate reading means an inaccurate supply of PV to your non-essentials.
Click to expand...

From what I have read people have had no issues on 35m, use a Cat5e/Cat6e cable that is rated for GB transfers. It is well insulated to any noise. You can even opt of the pure copper rated for 100m POE, it should have very low resistance.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
It's the latest with built in lithium mini batteries which then charge the main batteries :ROFL: but seriously the settings are still defaulted and haven't been changed yet until they hook up the AC...
Click to expand...
You mind providing exact model number? Will be interesting to check it out.

Too late now for me to change, as only saw this post now, but I ordered the:

"JA Solar 545W Mono PERC Half-Cell MBB"

Specs


Weight 32.3 kg

Dimensions 227.9 × 113.4 × 5 cm

Brand JA Solar

Warranty 12 Year manufacturer's warranty

Additional Specifications

Weight:28.6 kg

Rated Power:545 W

MCS Reference:BABT 8515-218-545W

Length:2,279 mm

Width:1,134 mm

Depth:35 mm

VMPP:41.8 V

IMPP:13.04 A

Isc:13.93 A

Voc:49.75 V

Temp. Coefficient (Mpp):-0.35 %

Clamp position on panel:Long side only

Connector Type:QC Solar QC 4.10

Efficiency:21.1 %

Pallet Size:Oversized
 
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Apart from the different logo on the outside, is there any functional difference between the Deye and Sunsynk products in SA? Does the Deye work with the new Sunsynk logger?
 
Speedster said:
Apart from the different logo on the outside, is there any functional difference between the Deye and Sunsynk products in SA? Does the Deye work with the new Sunsynk logger?
Click to expand...
Hardware wise they're the same. They run different software though. Not sure if the new Sunsynk logger will work because of that.

Will open up the inverter later and take a pic of the default logger that comes with it, and the Sunsynk guys can advise if it's the same thing on theirs.

I'm saving up for Solar Assistant in any event, think it just offers more value...
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Hardware wise they're the same. They run different software though. Not sure if the new Sunsynk logger will work because of that.

Will open up the inverter later and take a pic of the default logger that comes with it, and the Sunsynk guys can advise if it's the same thing on theirs.

I'm saving up for Solar Assistant in any event, think it just offers more value...
Click to expand...
Solar Assistant - definitely worth saving for ;)
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Hardware wise they're the same. They run different software though. Not sure if the new Sunsynk logger will work because of that.

Will open up the inverter later and take a pic of the default logger that comes with it, and the Sunsynk guys can advise if it's the same thing on theirs.

I'm saving up for Solar Assistant in any event, think it just offers more value...
Click to expand...
Its very cool
 
@Speedster here's some pics of the default Deye logger. Sorry for a crap second pic, was a bit tricky trying to get my camera around the back.

20220312_201343.jpg

20220312_131038.jpg

I'm assuming it's the same older logger that the Sunsynks came with since it's works exactly the same with Solarman. Maybe one of the other guys can confirm @Snyper564 @RonSwanson @AchmatK @semaphore @Mzezman

As for whether the new logger will work, maybe pop your supplier a message and ask. I'm not sure whether it's firmware-dependent. But if you're going to get a new logger, you may as well go with Solar Assistant...
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
@Speedster here's some pics of the default Deye logger. Sorry for a crap second pic, was a bit tricky trying to get my camera around the back.

View attachment 1268216

View attachment 1268218

I'm assuming it's the same older logger that the Sunsynks came with since it's works exactly the same with Solarman. Maybe one of the other guys can confirm @Snyper564 @RonSwanson @AchmatK @semaphore @Mzezman

As for whether the new logger will work, maybe pop your supplier a message and ask. I'm not sure whether it's firmware-dependent. But if you're going to get a new logger, you may as well go with Solar Assistant...
Click to expand...
Yep its probably solarman logger. Looks same as mine (Sunsynk inverter).
 
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SunSynk inverter with Pylontech | SolarAssistant

See an example of how SolarAssistant is used to monitor a SunSynk inverter with a Pylontech battery bank.
solar-assistant.io solar-assistant.io

The Inge, SunSynk and Deye inverters are exactly the same from a software monitoring perspective.


Edit
Is the sunsynk logger worth it? Is it as good as the solar assistant?

Real time monitoring - both
Changing settings - solar assistant yes; sunsynk not sure?
Home Assistant integration - solar assistant yes; sunsynk not sure?
 
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Mike Hoxbig said:
@Speedster here's some pics of the default Deye logger. Sorry for a crap second pic, was a bit tricky trying to get my camera around the back.

View attachment 1268216

View attachment 1268218

I'm assuming it's the same older logger that the Sunsynks came with since it's works exactly the same with Solarman. Maybe one of the other guys can confirm @Snyper564 @RonSwanson @AchmatK @semaphore @Mzezman

As for whether the new logger will work, maybe pop your supplier a message and ask. I'm not sure whether it's firmware-dependent. But if you're going to get a new logger, you may as well go with Solar Assistant...
Click to expand...
Yup that looks like the one i have as well, the old Solarman logger that integrates with the Solarman platform
 
Saba'a said:

SunSynk inverter with Pylontech | SolarAssistant

See an example of how SolarAssistant is used to monitor a SunSynk inverter with a Pylontech battery bank.
solar-assistant.io solar-assistant.io

The Inge, SunSynk and Deye inverters are exactly the same from a software monitoring perspective.


Edit
Is the sunsynk logger worth it? Is it as good as the solar assistant?

Real time monitoring - both
Changing settings - solar assistant yes; sunsynk not sure?
Home Assistant integration - solar assistant yes; sunsynk not sure?
Click to expand...

I have both. Solar Assistant is the better one for monitoring.

I use the Sunsynk for remote control more than anything else.
 
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