Some help for the new kid

Doom5003

Doom5003

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So, let me first say upfront, i know very little about electricity and inverters etc. and the more i read the less i feel i know.
What i am hoping to get done sometime later this hear and accomplish is have enough power to stay loadshedding.
I probably wont be going off-grid anytime, soon if at all. Just looking for something small to power my 48" Sammy LED TV, 1 router, 2 small fans, and 2 LED light for about 3 hours.
Currently the household uses about 16 units power a day, not sure if that's below or above average.
I would like something that i can expand upon in the future and add solar to the mix to save some money and if all goes well, in a few years time, be able to run most from solar during day and batteries during night.

The inverter should be able to handle firstly loading batteries, while house is on grid, then when batteries are fully loaded, help supplied power, thus reducing power costs. Not sure if this is possible. Some of what i read, this can be done and is automated.

The budget, hoping to keep this as "cheap" as possible, but at the same time dont want to have to buy another inverter down the road due to bad planning/ cheaping out on parts.

Load shedding , when it hits, is between 1 or 2 times a day, for about 2.5 hrs at a time.
Any advice regarding units, brands and capacity would be much appreciated.
 
Currently the household uses about 16 units power a day, not sure if that's below or above average.
Click to expand...
Not bad.

I would like something that i can expand upon in the future and add solar to the mix to save some money and if all goes well, in a few years time, be able to run most from solar during day and batteries during night.
Click to expand...

Get yourself a decent 5kva hybrid inverter, something like this. https://www.sustainable.co.za/axpert-king-5kva-5000w-48v-hybrid-inverter.html

The budget, hoping to keep this as "cheap" as possible, but at the same time dont want to have to buy another inverter down the road due to bad planning/ cheaping out on parts.
Click to expand...
Impossible, you keep it cheap you get cheap and you have to buy again in future, easy as that. Decide what you want. Alternatively you can get a smaller, less expensive inverter with the view of having your circuits on different inverters, like having lights on one and plugs on another.
 
thechamp said:
Not bad.



Get yourself a decent 5kva hybrid inverter, something like this. https://www.sustainable.co.za/axpert-king-5kva-5000w-48v-hybrid-inverter.html


Impossible, you keep it cheap you get cheap and you have to buy again in future, easy as that. Decide what you want. Alternatively you can get a smaller, less expensive inverter with the view of having your circuits on different inverters, like having lights on one and plugs on another.
Click to expand...
These are the inverters im currently looking at, not entirly sure which are the best and what the difference are between the lot, especially the Kodak all seem like the same to me
solaradvice.co.za

KODAK Solar Off-Grid Inverter VMIII | Off-Grid | Buy Now

The KODAK VMIII is an upgrade from the original Off-Grid version, with a 5kw rating with various upgrades it'd fast becoming a best-seller.
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za
solaradvice.co.za

KODAK Solar Off-Grid Inverter MKSII | Off-Grid | Buy Now

KODAK Solar Off-Grid Inverter MKSII. It NRS approved Solar Inverter it is a good quality option for any grid connected systems.
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za
solaradvice.co.za

5kW Off-Grid Inverter King with UPS | Buy Now

This Off-Grid Inverter King with UPS is packed with great features that will make integration, monitoring and scaling your system easy.
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za
solaradvice.co.za

Growatt 5kW Low Voltage Inverter | Buy Now

Growatt SPF 5000TL Off-Grid Solar Inverter with AC input with a built-in MPPT solar charge controller, provides reliable power conversion in compact size.
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za
solaradvice.co.za

Mecer 5kW-48V Off-Grid inverter II - SolarAdvice

This is a multi-functional inverter/charger, combining functions of an inverter, solar charger and battery charger to offer uninterruptible power support with portable size. Its comprehensive LCD display offers user-configurable and easy-accessible button operation such as battery charging...
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za
 
The Kodak King.
  • Built-in Bluetooth for mobile monitoring Detachable LCD control module with multiple communications (Android App is available)
  • Supports USB On-the-Go function
  • Reserved communication port for BMS (RS485, CAN-BUS or RS232)
  • Configurable AC/PV output usage timer and prioritization
  • Parallel operation up to 9 units
  • Robust UPS (uninterrupted power supply) for essential loads with zero transfer time
The other Kodaks don't have this feature, it's only the Kodak King and the Mecer. The two are basically the same thing anyway. The most expensive one of the Kodaks is the best one, pick between that and the Mecer.

I don't have any experience with the Growatt.
 
thechamp said:
The Kodak King.
  • Built-in Bluetooth for mobile monitoring Detachable LCD control module with multiple communications (Android App is available)
  • Supports USB On-the-Go function
  • Reserved communication port for BMS (RS485, CAN-BUS or RS232)
  • Configurable AC/PV output usage timer and prioritization
  • Parallel operation up to 9 units
  • Robust UPS (uninterrupted power supply) for essential loads with zero transfer time
The other Kodaks don't have this feature, it's only the Kodak King and the Mecer. The two are basically the same thing anyway. The most expensive one of the Kodaks is the best one, pick between that and the Mecer.

I don't have any experience with the Growatt.
Click to expand...
Regarding the battery, im looking at this
solaradvice.co.za

PylonTech Battery | Lithium-ion US2000 C Plus 2.4kWh | Best Price Online

Store solar energy with the best of them using the PylonTech Battery. Made from Lithium-ion, the US2000 C Plus 2.4kWh has a 10 year warranty.
solaradvice.co.za solaradvice.co.za
Any thoughts?
 
Are any of the inverters in the above list, especially the King and VM iii, true hybrid, meaning, do they really blend solar pv with utility or do they switch over completely to grid, if solar is not enough
 
Tariqe said:
Are any of the inverters in the above list, especially the King and VM iii, true hybrid, meaning, do they really blend solar pv with utility or do they switch over completely to grid, if solar is not enough
Click to expand...
Good question, would also love to know.
Didnt even know about this. Learning more and more
 
Tariqe said:
Are any of the inverters in the above list, especially the King and VM iii, true hybrid, meaning, do they really blend solar pv with utility or do they switch over completely to grid, if solar is not enough
Click to expand...
The King blends. Not the others
 
The king does not blend, it's an Off-Grid inverter.

The Kodak King and the Axpert King are the same product, Segen branded Kodak on the Axpert (Voltronic) product. Same with Mecer, they do the same.
 
Can we have a meaningful discussion about the King's power blending abilities and put this to rest once and for all?
 
powerforum.co.za

Axpert King 5kW

Hey guys Basically there is no info available on the Axpert King 5kW inverter, except from Voltronic. I bought one recently (got it for R10k + R150 shipping). Thought I would post some pics & info as I gather. Top view: Top view with the control panel cover removed: Wiring cover removed: Rear...
powerforum.co.za powerforum.co.za
This guy stripped one
Could act like a online ups , with bypass if can't cope
 
This will explain exactly how these inverters work. The Axpert is just another brand of the same thing as the Kodak and Mecer units.

 
nsbrown said:
If you want a good Hybrid inverter the Goodwe is probably one of the best you will get.
Click to expand...
more expensive but is a proper hybrid, it can do everything including feeding into the grid which the king can't do.
 
I think that is every model except the King.

As far as I know the King will blend PV and Mains AC with an internal mechanism, but will never feed back into the grid. Simply can't do that.
 
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