The Battery Thread (Solar / Inverter)

[gbyleveldt]

Sure, I just want to give him a heads up and to prioritise me hehe. He is based in Benoni though just FYI but he does work everywhere.

He in Benoni? Would you mind sending his details by PM to me as well?

 

[johnjm]

Quick update. I realised I’m not a kid anymore and the height does get to me a bit. Now to get down as I wanted to see how they do it. Respect because it’s hard work on a hot day especially.

Impressed so far with their promptness and professionalism.

 

[powermzii]

I must admit this is one of those threads where i've tried to fully understand but it still goes over my head. Having said that keen to get a backup system for the home and saw this being advertised. Information is a bit limited on functionality etc

5kw power backup kit with 3.5kw lithium storage (freshtec.co.za)

Questions:

• Can solar be added to this kit in future (i am assuming would need to get an mppt?)? If so what is the max panels @ 350W?
• How many extra batteries could one get in future without needing another inverter / upgrading?

 

[The_Librarian]

Quick update. I realised I’m not a kid anymore and the height does get to me a bit. Now to get down as I wanted to see how they do it. Respect because it’s hard work on a hot day especially.

Impressed so far with their promptness and professionalism.

Ye, it is hard work, and not a safe job as well.

it is best to pay a bit of extra R for a professional installation as they know what they're doing.

Of course you can always go the DIY route if you want to save a few Rands. But then you are responsible for everything yourself, and may make a mistake or two.

 

[The_Librarian]

I must admit this is one of those threads where i've tried to fully understand but it still goes over my head. Having said that keen to get a backup system for the home and saw this being advertised. Information is a bit limited on functionality etc

5kw power backup kit with 3.5kw lithium storage (freshtec.co.za)

Questions:

• Can solar be added to this kit in future (i am assuming would need to get an mppt?)? If so what is the max panels @ 350W?
• How many extra batteries could one get in future without needing another inverter / upgrading?

• 1 * Inverter Kodak Solar Inverter VMIII 5kW 48V
• 1 * Pylon US3000 3.5KW lithium
• 1* Pylon Battery Cable Pack for US2000B / US3000 / Phantom-S Solar Batteries
• 1 * Pair of Battery Cables 35mm2- 1m
• 6 * Battery lug
• 1 * 125A Battery Fuse

Seems as if the inverter is solar ready?

 

[powermzii]

• 1 * Inverter Kodak Solar Inverter VMIII 5kW 48V
• 1 * Pylon US3000 3.5KW lithium
• 1* Pylon Battery Cable Pack for US2000B / US3000 / Phantom-S Solar Batteries
• 1 * Pair of Battery Cables 35mm2- 1m
• 6 * Battery lug
• 1 * 125A Battery Fuse

Seems as if the inverter is solar ready?

Sorry man - i dunno how i missed that - its the Monday blues...

Ok so it seems to be a decent deal then - one to start off with then build-up as funds permit

 

[The_Librarian]

Sorry man - i dunno how i missed that - its the Monday blues...

Ok so it seems to be a decent deal then - one to start off with then build-up as funds permit

Wait for extra feedback on this thread.

I'm not familiar with the Kodak inverters, others may have more experience/knowledge.

 

[TheChamp]

I must admit this is one of those threads where i've tried to fully understand but it still goes over my head. Having said that keen to get a backup system for the home and saw this being advertised. Information is a bit limited on functionality etc

5kw power backup kit with 3.5kw lithium storage (freshtec.co.za)

Questions:

• Can solar be added to this kit in future (i am assuming would need to get an mppt?)? If so what is the max panels @ 350W?
• How many extra batteries could one get in future without needing another inverter / upgrading?

The inverter has a built in mppt. The VMIII has a maximum solar input of 5000W.

 

[powermzii]

The inverter has a built in mppt. The VMIII has a maximum solar input of 5000W.

Thanks for the feedback guys - appreciate it.

 

[jezzad]

Quick update. I realised I’m not a kid anymore and the height does get to me a bit. Now to get down as I wanted to see how they do it. Respect because it’s hard work on a hot day especially.

Impressed so far with their promptness and professionalism.

Nice one, interested to hear how they installing on the slate style roof. Do they remove a panel then seal around it?

 

[johnjm]

Nice one, interested to hear how they installing on the slate style roof. Do they remove a panel then seal around it?

I don’t know if it is slate, they are tiles to me? I wasn’t with them when they installed the brackets, but it seems they just slide the tile upwards, install the bracket then slide it back down. It took them a while though.

Open circuit is 75v at the moment, busy wiring in the MPPT so long. Bit cloudy but I guess it’s the middle of the day which is good.

 

[Priapus]

I must admit this is one of those threads where i've tried to fully understand but it still goes over my head. Having said that keen to get a backup system for the home and saw this being advertised. Information is a bit limited on functionality etc

5kw power backup kit with 3.5kw lithium storage (freshtec.co.za)

Questions:

• Can solar be added to this kit in future (i am assuming would need to get an mppt?)? If so what is the max panels @ 350W?
• How many extra batteries could one get in future without needing another inverter / upgrading?

So, that inverter is decent. I have the same one. It's being supplied power from my 12 x 410w panels and 3 x Pylontech batteries. And Eskom when they feel like it.

Some things to note though; a single 3.5kWh battery is't recommended on this inverter. That battery does not enjoy loads above 37a (1700w) is the recommended discharge. What this means, no kettles or heavy loads like that on it.

If you're not going to be connecting a heavy load to it, ie, just lights, TVs, Pcs, etc - then no worries. But it is something to watch out for.

Price is good too. I started off with a this kit almost exactly. Just panels were added at the same time.

 

[powermzii]

So, that inverter is decent. I have the same one. It's being supplied power from my 12 x 410w panels and 3 x Pylontech batteries. And Eskom when they feel like it.

Some things to note though; a single 3.5kWh battery is't recommended on this inverter. That battery does not enjoy loads above 37a (1700w) is the recommended discharge. What this means, no kettles or heavy loads like that on it.

If you're not going to be connecting a heavy load to it, ie, just lights, TVs, Pcs, etc - then no worries. But it is something to watch out for.

Price is good too. I started off with a this kit almost exactly. Just panels were added at the same time.

Thanks for this insight - the primary goal would be backup so definitely no heavy loads on this. Luckily we have a gas stove to cooking and boiling of water can be done there. Pool pump, aricons and geyser will also NOT be driven by this. Ideally I would get this to start, then add 8-10 panels in month 2 or 3 then add another battery in month 4 or 5.

With your panel and battery setup i am assuming you are able to get through the night with most of your loads?

 

[Priapus]

Thanks for this insight - the primary goal would be backup so definitely no heavy loads on this. Luckily we have a gas stove to cooking and boiling of water can be done there. Pool pump, aricons and geyser will also NOT be driven by this. Ideally I would get this to start, then add 8-10 panels in month 2 or 3 then add another battery in month 4 or 5.

With your panel and battery setup i am assuming you are able to get through the night with most of your loads?

My setup, I have the whole house powered. every light and plug. I run the pool pump on this inverter during the day too and if there is enough sun, I turn the A/C too. Geyser and stove are excluded from this.

The 12 panels, gives me 4500w of usable power on a very clear day and most days 3000 to 4100w. If the load exceeds that, the inverter takes some power from the batteries.

My setup allows me to run my house from 22:00 to 17:00 the next day; without touching the grid - except for my geyser and stove which is not connected to the inverter.

With a load of roughly 600 to 700w - you can expect 3hrs out of the battery.

 

[powermzii]

My setup, I have the whole house powered. every light and plug. I run the pool pump on this inverter during the day too and if there is enough sun, I turn the A/C too. Geyser and stove are excluded from this.

The 12 panels, gives me 4500w of usable power on a very clear day and most days 3000 to 4100w. If the load exceeds that, the inverter takes some power from the batteries.

My setup allows me to run my house from 22:00 to 17:00 the next day; without touching the grid - except for my geyser and stove which is not connected to the inverter.

With a load of roughly 600 to 700w - you can expect 3hrs out of the battery.

Hopefully over the months i'll get somewhere close to your type of setup - to be able to go approx 18hrs 'off grid' would be most ideal. Thank you for this - let me continue to do the budgets and planning and see where i can get to this and next month

Where are you located btw (general area) ?

 

[Priapus]

Hopefully over the months i'll get somewhere close to your type of setup - to be able to go approx 18hrs 'off grid' would be most ideal. Thank you for this - let me continue to do the budgets and planning and see where i can get to this and next month

Where are you located btw (general area) ?

It takes a lot of time and planning. I spent months on the system design with a good friend of mine before pulling the trigger and also started off with a single Pylontech battery - hence I know about the kettle issue; it was a pain in my life lol.

I'm located in Randburg. JHB. Yourself?

 

[johnjm]

Hi all

Just a question , the solar panels are in etc and charging the batteries.

According to the panel spec, max voltage is rated at 33w each so the max is 66v in series which I have them connected in. This is not open voltage just FYI.

The MPPT is indicating 72v though, which is the same as what it was when it was an open circuit. What gives, I was under the impression that the MPPT would indicate the max power voltage and not open circuit.

Or maybe it’s because the batteries are charged or it’s a cloudy day. Confusing nonetheless.

 

[Tinuva]

It takes a lot of time and planning. I spent months on the system design with a good friend of mine before pulling the trigger and also started off with a single Pylontech battery - hence I know about the kettle issue; it was a pain in my life lol.

Interesting.

Also waiting to get my panels installed. They in the garage but waiting on CoCT SSEG application to give go-head. At least the new prepaid meter was installed today.

That said, the inverter, GoodWe 5048ES and 2x US3000 pylons already installed and they work amazing during loadshedding. Able to run the kettle on it although prefer not to. The dishwasher also runs fine on it since we run it during the night and had that 1 surprise loadshedding slot.

The only thing that scares me, is the hairblowers on half setting. I can hear other things in the house go more hume when wify uses that on Eskom power.

Pool pump is on the inverter, but for now, if Eskom is down, home assistant stops the pool pump and pause the timer until power is back.

 

[johnjm]

Hi all

Just a question , the solar panels are in etc and charging the batteries.

According to the panel spec, max voltage is rated at 33w each so the max is 66v in series which I have them connected in. This is not open voltage just FYI.

The MPPT is indicating 72v though, which is the same as what it was when it was an open circuit. What gives, I was under the impression that the MPPT would indicate the max power voltage and not open circuit.

Or maybe it’s because the batteries are charged or it’s a cloudy day. Confusing nonetheless.

Okay I answered my own question. The 72v is the open circuit because the batteries were charged and there was no load on the inverter.

As soon as I put a load onto the inverter the voltage dropped to 62v was is the max power point it looks like (well voltage), and it is pretty cloudy right now.

Then the amps shot up on both battery and PV side.

Very interesting stuff, actually quite addictive hehe

I’m a little unhappy on the finishing of the wiring on the inverter side and a mismatched isolator, so he is out sourcing it to come back and finish. Need to replace these batteries though...

 

[powermzii]

It takes a lot of time and planning. I spent months on the system design with a good friend of mine before pulling the trigger and also started off with a single Pylontech battery - hence I know about the kettle issue; it was a pain in my life lol.

I'm located in Randburg. JHB. Yourself?

Garsfontein, Pretoria. In terms of installation - roughly how much did your initial install cost and would you recommend the people that did it?