Solar Power Thread

Be VERY careful about giving solar installers you don't know, the reins on this.

I've heard from more than one source about so-called solar installers that buy/install half the equipment, then run off with the rest of the money

When I do go solar, I'm gonna buy the big equipment myself (panels, inverter and maybe battery bank) and only then get an installer in to do the work supplying the rest odd bits (mounts, cables etc).

-G-
 
Hi folks. Any recommendations for where I can take a problematic Axpert inverter in for repairs?

Jhb area if possible please.
 
Gallderhen said:
Be VERY careful about giving solar installers you don't know, the reins on this.

I've heard from more than one source about so-called solar installers that buy/install half the equipment, then run off with the rest of the money

When I do go solar, I'm gonna buy the big equipment myself (panels, inverter and maybe battery bank) and only then get an installer in to do the work supplying the rest odd bits (mounts, cables etc).

-G-
Click to expand...

It must be a minefield out there. Thanks for the warning.

Will be meeting again next week with the company who quoted me.
 
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oober said:
I looked into this, but I don't like the odds about it melting down and burning down your house.
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18650 cells is a very safe and mature technology, and in use leagues above any conventional gel or acid batteries. As long as you use high quality cells and don't over discharge or over charge they are perfectly safe.

From I understand the Tesla powerwalls use 18650 cells to build the battery banks.
 
Sustainable.co.za, anyone ever bought something from them? are they legit?
I am looking for an inverter and they have different brands of pure sine wave inverters, which brand is recommended?
 
airborne said:
18650 cells is a very safe and mature technology, and in use leagues above any conventional gel or acid batteries. As long as you use high quality cells and don't over discharge or over charge they are perfectly safe.

From I understand the Tesla powerwalls use 18650 cells to build the battery banks.
Click to expand...

Yea I also understood the cells are safe per say, it was more todo with the construction/assembly of them. The way people were putting them together didn't take in safety aspects when one cell goes bad and short circuits and starts a chain reaction where other cells in the circuit around it also get heated up and short circuit etc. Potentially causing a massive reaction and fire.

Tesla is using some sort of technique in the way they assemble them which minimizes this but it is apparently quite time consuming to do yourself.
 
oober said:
Yea I also understood the cells are safe per say, it was more todo with the construction/assembly of them. The way people were putting them together didn't take in safety aspects when one cell goes bad and short circuits and starts a chain reaction where other cells in the circuit around it also get heated up and short circuit etc. Potentially causing a massive reaction and fire.

Tesla is using some sort of technique in the way they assemble them which minimizes this but it is apparently quite time consuming to do yourself.
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Using fuse wire(around 5a for most useage less or more depending on the cells) to connect the positive terminal of each cell to the busbar seems to be the most logical and bulletproof diy safety mechanism to cut out cells going into short circuit.

Lots of youtube videos showing how, it's an easy technique.

As an extra measure I'd perhaps also store the li-ion battery bank in a metal box to contain fallout from cells self destructing for whatever reason, very rare situation perhaps but they are rather volatile when they are subjected to torture testing.... Or idiots doing the same test by holding the li-ion battery in their mouths in a vape mod :crylaugh:
 
spiff said:
How many solar panels would I need to charge a 12vdc 105amp battery in say 4hrs?
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My simple calculation

Q=It, where Q is the charge at 105ah, I is the charging current and t being the charging time which is 4hrs
I= 105/4= 26.25 is the charging current you will need from your panels, the number of panels will depend on how much current can one panel supply to your battery. About 6 panels at 5 amp per panel or whatever combination as long as you get your required current.

All of the above assumes that the battery is totally discharged to zero percent and the panels are working at 100 percent efficiency, as i said it's a simple calculation.
 
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thechamp said:
My simple calculation

Q=It, where Q is the charge at 105ah, I is the charging current and t being the charging time which is 4hrs
I= 105/4= 26.25 is the charging current you will need from your panels, the number of panels will depend on how much current can one panel supply to your battery. About 6 panels at 5 amp per panel or whatever combination as long as you get your required current.

All of the above assumes that the battery is totally discharged to zero percent and the panels are working at 100 percent efficiency, as i said it's a simple calculation.
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thanks - was not quite sure if it could be done in that time. I've got the battery sitting around doing nothing so I thought I could set it up to power my house lights. they are 10 x 14w philips LED's
 
So I think what we are all trying to convey is that because you have a spare battery lying around is probably not the way to go about making use of solar power for lighting in your home ....

A more systematic design process is called for.
 
maumau said:
Please will you guys comment on the following for domestic use:

Vicrtron EasySolar 48/3000 MPPT 150/70
Canadian Solar PV Panel - 330Wp (x6)
Flat Roof Mounting System (x6)
Freedom Lite Home 5/4 Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery (10 year warranty)
Solar Cable
Energy Meter 1 phase
Surge protection, earthing and DC disconnects
Electrical COC

Kark expensive but I'm told this is a long term solution.
Click to expand...

Just a follow-up.

We decided against solar. Cost was R130k and it would have saved R3 500pa :crylaugh: :crylaugh: Even with huge electricity price increases nobody could justify the expense.

Something that put me off was the battery hums while it discharges. It was going to be installed in a cupboard in the passage or in the garage close to a bedroom. Can't live with that :(
 
maumau said:
Just a follow-up.

We decided against solar. Cost was R130k and it would have saved R3 500pa :crylaugh: :crylaugh: Even with huge electricity price increases nobody could justify the expense.

Something that put me off was the battery hums while it discharges. It was going to be installed in a cupboard in the passage or in the garage close to a bedroom. Can't live with that :(
Click to expand...

It's the inverter that hums.
 
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