Victron vs Axpert

Compton_effect

Compton_effect

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I'm getting quotes from various installers for a solar system.
Not completely off-grid, but with enough battery load to handle 4 hours of load shedding, as well as adequate solar power during a normal day to charge the batteries and carry a decent load in my house.
I have two quotes so-far. One from Gauteng Water Heating- aka Gauteng Solar, and one from Hidrouland. Almost the same specs - except the one has a Victron 5kVa Multiplus inverter, and the other a Axpert 5kVa.
But I see a massive price difference between the two. Almost R20 000.
Now I know Victron is a good brand, but so is Axpert - according to all my recearch.

But which one is the best choice price-wise?
 
Would you mind sharing the prices quoted on the other components and installs etc? I'm curious to know the price if these things professionally installed.
 
If you plan to use the solar for more that just charging batteries, I'd rather look at the Infinisolar (no the Axpert).
 
The victron is the better kit and will have much better support and possibly a longer life but for a 20k savings if all the other equipment is equal you can probably afford the risk of the unit packing up after 5 or so years.
And as said above the axpert has a smallish solar panel alowance so just make sure you are aware of the limitations of each unit.
 
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greg_SA said:
If you plan to use the solar for more that just charging batteries, I'd rather look at the Infinisolar (no the Axpert).
Click to expand...

The Infinisolar is a grid-tied inverter. Axpert is Hybrid. If he doesn't plan to feed back to grid, then why opt for the Infini ?
 
Beachless said:
The victron is the better kit and will have much better support and possibly a longer life but for a 20k savings if all the other equipment is equal you can probably afford the risk of the unit packing up after 5 or so years.
And as said above the axpert has a smallish solar panel alowance so just make sureyou are aware of the limitations of each unit.
Click to expand...

Thats the thing I worry about. Do people actually realise that these units have this short lifespan ?
 
Beachless said:
if all the other equipment is equal you can probably afford the risk of the unit packing up after 5 or so years.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I bought a Cotek SK1000 224 for R2.5k on eBay with shipping. It is 10 years old according to a sticker inside the unit. I haven't had a single issue. Voltage still in tolerance, starts 980w angle grinder without issues (angle grinder has plenty of startup current requirements), etc. It has run through multiple load shedding sessions (hardly gets hot, etc. no problems)

The guy said he removed it from a bus (so wasn't exactly a friendly environment). I replaced the fan and cleaned it out, that is it.

There is literally no reason an inverter should pack up. There are no moving parts other than the fan.

Any quality brand will last 10+ years IMO.

I am interested to hear the prices of Victron, it already sounds somewhat overpriced to me tbh. At a quoted R6k for a new Cotek SK1000 224 I thought that was hugely overpriced. Anything over that to me is crazy.
 
The_Traveller said:
Thats the thing I worry about. Do people actually realise that these units have this short lifespan ?
Click to expand...

Sales people will tell you they are just as good as the best german engineered units so I guess not.

For me the biggest issues are the low pv wattage allowance, charge rate, slowish switchover (20ms) , and then the short lifespan that they are designed for. But at 1/3 the price I can live with that but you need to be informed about its shortcommings.
 
The_Traveller said:
The Infinisolar is a grid-tied inverter. Axpert is Hybrid. If he doesn't plan to feed back to grid, then why opt for the Infini ?
Click to expand...

Yes, the Infisolar allows grid-tie, but can be used off-grid as well. AFAIK, the Infinisolar allows a mode of use where it can supply all the power to your house, and when you need more than its maximum, you can add the extra power from Eskom. So you get the maximum advantage of your solar. I think the Victron units can do this too...

The down side with something like the Axpert, is that you have to connect it permanently to specific loads which together are less than its maximum.

The main things that draw a lot of power are your geyser, oven and pool (and aircons). If these are not connected to your solar system, then your savings will not be great.

I still believe that for load shedding, solar should be ignored completely.
 
greg_SA said:
Yes, the Infisolar allows grid-tie, but can be used off-grid as well. AFAIK, the Infinisolar allows a mode of use where it can supply all the power to your house, and when you need more than its maximum, you can add the extra power from Eskom. So you get the maximum advantage of your solar. I think the Victron units can do this too...

The down side with something like the Axpert, is that you have to connect it permanently to specific loads which together are less than its maximum.

The main things that draw a lot of power are your geyser, oven and pool (and aircons). If these are not connected to your solar system, then your savings will not be great.

I still believe that for load shedding, solar should be ignored completely.
Click to expand...

Thanks Greg. So -basically - if the Victron suddenly needs more load - it takes it from the mains, while still pulling from solar. Whereas the Axpert will switch directly to mains. (Started reading the whitepapers in Victron's site)
 
Compton_effect said:
Thanks Greg. So -basically - if the Victron suddenly needs more load - it takes it from the mains, while still pulling from solar. Whereas the Axpert will switch directly to mains. (Started reading the whitepapers in Victron's site)
Click to expand...

Yes, that is my understanding, and also possible with the Infinisolar. The reason those inverters are more expensive is because their output has to be in sync with the grid. I don't own one of the above inverters, so maybe someone else can also comment - it is just based on my reading of the manuals, etc.

I have an Axpert - purely used as a UPS. I don't use the solar input.
 
greg_SA said:
Yes, that is my understanding, and also possible with the Infinisolar. The reason those inverters are more expensive is because their output has to be in sync with the grid. I don't own one of the above inverters, so maybe someone else can also comment - it is just based on my reading of the manuals, etc.

I have an Axpert - purely used as a UPS. I don't use the solar input.
Click to expand...

Your understanding is correct. I'm actually contemplating to upgrade my Axpert to a Infini for this very reason.
 
You can increase the solar charge capacity on the Axpert by adding another MPPT charger.

Most electronics can often outlast their warranties by many years. At the same time, any electronic device can stop working long before it's due - regardless of make and origin. At the price of the Victron you could install 2 Axperts and have some fail-safe as well. And you'll have double the solar charging capacity.
 
The_Traveller said:
Thats the thing I worry about. Do people actually realise that these units have this short lifespan ?
Click to expand...

Who says they have such a short lifespan?
This information is being made up on the spot...

What SoftDux-Rudi said. There is just as good a chance that these will last as long as the Victron.
 
Gnome said:
Who says they have such a short lifespan?
This information is being made up on the spot...

What SoftDux-Rudi said. There is just as good a chance that these will last as long as the Victron.
Click to expand...
Manufacturers themselves ...
 
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