The Battery Thread (Solar / Inverter)

[netstrider]

So I scored one of these for free (second-hand).

https://oricolimports.co.za/products/axpert-king-off-grid-inverter

Now I need to get batteries and panels.

Tried postponing the wedding to get batteries and panels but the lady didn't like that idea. /s

Am I correct in saying I'll have to use two panels in series as sets, and then in parallel to remain within the voltage limits of the DC in from the panels on this unit? Assuming 450W or greater panels.

 

[TheChamp]

So I scored one of these for free (second-hand).

https://oricolimports.co.za/products/axpert-king-off-grid-inverter

Now I need to get batteries and panels.

Tried postponing the wedding to get batteries and panels but the lady didn't like that idea. /s

Am I correct in saying I'll have to use two panels in series as sets, and then in parallel to remain within the voltage limits of the DC in from the panels on this unit? Assuming 450W or greater panels.

Your panel voltage should ideally be within the mppt range,

MPPT Range @ Operating Voltage

60 VDC~115 VDC

at it's highest it should not exceed the max Voc which is 145V.

So yes, two panels in series if you are using the 400W range of panels., you can then parallel them up to a maximum of current that is less than 80A.

 

[Mzezman]

Batteries will apparently be in stock on Wednesday so my installer will finish up on Thursday.

Did they come through and how is it going?

 

[maxxis]

Did they come through and how is it going?

I'm fuming! Between my installer, Hubble, and Steve at Powerforum the ball was seriously dropped. I ordered two AM2s and non are allocated in the shipment that arrived recently. This after multiple promises that everything is ok.

I understand the logistics issues recently but what grates my goat is a pathetic admin and lack of communication between the parties involved.

 

[Mzezman]

I'm fuming! Between my installer, Hubble, and Steve at Powerforum the ball was seriously dropped. I ordered two AM2s and non are allocated in the shipment that arrived recently. This after multiple promises that everything is ok.

I understand the logistics issues recently but what grates my goat is a pathetic admin and lack of communication between the parties involved.

Damn man - I'm sorry hey. That's really not great esp after all the other delays

 

[maxxis]

Damn man - I'm sorry hey. That's really not great esp after all the other delays

Couple of phone calls made and received today. Some progress from the looks of it. I just want to be off grid again in the timeline that was promised to me.

 

[RonSwanson]

I'm fuming! Between my installer, Hubble, and Steve at Powerforum the ball was seriously dropped. I ordered two AM2s and non are allocated in the shipment that arrived recently. This after multiple promises that everything is ok.

I understand the logistics issues recently but what grates my goat is a pathetic admin and lack of communication between the parties involved.

I am sad to hear about your experience. My own experience with Steve was the complete opposite, I found him to be an exceptionally good communicator, and he even communicated far more frequently than I expected. It is one of the things that characterised Steve's service to me, and one of his strongest points.

 

[semaphore]

Some nice production today.

 

[Mzezman]

Some nice production today.

View attachment 1209964

Smaller array - the power purchased is to run the evening loads and top up battery. Ran off solar / battery since midnight until 5pm

 

[semaphore]

Smaller array - the power purchased is to run the evening loads and top up battery. Ran off solar / battery since midnight until 5pm

View attachment 1209970

Yep, I'm charging the battery from purchase power now. Tried to use the battery a bit to get me past the heavy loads in the day until the evening but alas clouds.

 

[semaphore]

Yep, I'm charging the battery from purchase power now. Tried to use the battery a bit to get me past the heavy loads in the day until the evening but alas clouds.

If I get one more 5.5 battery I'd be able to supplement my entire evening load until the morning as well, definitely going to look into that.

 

[Mzezman]

If I get one more 5.5 battery I'd be able to supplement my entire evening load until the morning as well, definitely going to look into that.

I'm also 1 battery away from being able to get through the night if bonuses are good i'll get a 9.6kWh but if not i'll get a 4.8. Will also work to reduce base load - there are some guzzler lights

 

[semaphore]

I'm also 1 battery away from being able to get through the night if bonuses are good i'll get a 9.6kWh but if not i'll get a 4.8. Will also work to reduce base load - there are some guzzler lights

My load till about 00:00 is just under 900 watts, then it drops to around 400 watts, then peaks to 2.4kw at around 7.

 

[Mzezman]

My load till about 00:00 is just under 900 watts, then it drops to around 400 watts, then peaks to 2.4kw at around 7.

Interesting, mine is about 700w but peaks in the 900-1.2kw depending on if the aircons are on or not.

 

[AchmatK]

I'm also 1 battery away from being able to get through the night if bonuses are good i'll get a 9.6kWh but if not i'll get a 4.8. Will also work to reduce base load - there are some guzzler lights

If I do not let my geyser switch on at 5am for the morning shower routine then my batteries gets me through the night with 20% spare capacity.

 

[Mzezman]

If I do not let my geyser switch on at 5am for the morning shower routine then my batteries gets me through the night with 20% spare capacity. View attachment 1209974 View attachment 1209978

Is that dip in prod when the East goes off and the west comes online? quite a noticeable reduction there... also interesting to see the west gives you production until just before 8pm... stunning

 

[AchmatK]

Is that dip in prod when the East goes off and the west comes online? quite a noticeable reduction there... also interesting to see the west gives you production until just before 8pm... stunning

All my panels are at 5° which is almost flat on my carport.

The dip is the battery being full and no place for pv production to go to so it limits to the load. CoCT disconnected me during this time so could not feed any excess back to the grid. They reconnected me at 16:00 on that day so pv went back online and started feeding back to the grid.

 

[wingnut771]

All my panels are at 5° which is almost flat on my carport.

The dip is the battery being full and no place for pv production to go to so it limits to the load. CoCT disconnected me during this time so could not feed any excess back to the grid. They reconnected me at 16:00 on that day so pv went back online and started feeding back to the grid.

What do you have to pay CoCT?

 

[Mzezman]

All my panels are at 5° which is almost flat on my carport.

The dip is the battery being full and no place for pv production to go to so it limits to the load. CoCT disconnected me during this time so could not feed any excess back to the grid. They reconnected me at 16:00 on that day so pv went back online and started feeding back to the grid.

Interesting... this thing of not having anywhere to put PV is a problem neh

 

[AchmatK]

Interesting... this thing of not having anywhere to put PV is a problem neh

If only government saw the opportunity that this problem can bring them with getting all the home excess pv to feed into the grid. They could use this to run the pumps for the pumped storage dams during the day or other needs.

There's a **** load of domestic pv on private homes and office parks going to waste during the middle of the when batteries are full.