conradl

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

In February 2020, I had a typical "load shedding beater" system installed, as I work from home and need a constant power supply and a steady internet connection.  It consisted of the following:
1 x 24V Growatt 3kVA Inverter
2 x 200Ah lead acid batteries
3 x 330 Canadian Solar Panels
1 x Geyser plate with a Geyserwise control panel.
The system was installed by a company that should most definitely be added on the no-go list and there were a lot of teething issues.
Everything ran from the inverter, except my kitchen plugs, jacuzzi and the geyser.   
In December 2020 I added a 4th 330W panel, just to carry me through the day, should there be load shedding.

Inverter and batteries. DBs with no blanking plates... Sies!

My 4 panels.

Geyser plate.
This system served me well, until I discovered this forum... sigh.
Watching all of you post about your nice batteries, inverters, monitoring, etc. got me all depressed.
So I decided to jump into the endless money pit called solar energy, or whatever your flavour is.
Since the 24V Growatt is not really upgradeable, I needed to get a new inverter.  New inverter means new batteries and before I realised it, my wish list was worth more than my car.
Here goes.  Version 1.0 of the upgrade:
Tomorrow is the day.  I am replacing the Growatt with a 8kW Deye inverter, with 2 x Pylontech US3000C batteries.  I will also be adding two more 330W panels to fill the current frame, mounted on the roof.
I realise that I will be light on batteries and solar generation, but that will have to wait for upgrade version 1.1 or 2.0 or maybe 3.0.
I bought a secondhand 19" server cabinet, where my batteries will live.  It has space for 4/5 batteries, so it's futureproof. While I was at it, I moved my fibre router, PoE's and media laptop into the top cabinet. (the wiring is still a mess).

The nice thing about the enclosure is that it already has fans to keep the batteries cool:

I will post more pictures after the upgrade tomorrow, or as the installer goes along...
Part of V2.0 will be to add an array of 450W panels for the 2nd MPPT, as I still have plenty of roof space available:

That is me for now.
DieDusman out

If I had the choice again I would go with only solar panels and no geyser EVT. I really think the extra solar panels is more versatile than the tubes.

The 5.5k Sunsynk is a great little hybrid inverter, punches well above its weight.
This was mine on Monday, sustained 6.2K for around 30m:

Solarman data:
Updated Time
Inverter Type Rated Power(W) DC Voltage PV1(V) DC Voltage PV2(V) DC Current PV1(A) DC Current PV2(A) DC Power PV1(W) DC Power PV2(W) Total DC Input Power(W) 2022/01/31 12:05:23 Single phase LV Hybrid 5000.00 291.70 295.40 10.60 10.60 3046 3076 6122 2022/01/31 12:11:17 Single phase LV Hybrid 5000.00 310.00 313.60 10.00 10.00 3047 3075 6122 2022/01/31 12:17:11 Single phase LV Hybrid 5000.00 296.60 300.70 10.40 10.40 3044 3078 6122 2022/01/31 12:23:05 Single phase LV Hybrid 5000.00 288.90 293.50 10.70 10.70 3041 3081 6122

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

So, my install was done yesterday
 
Summary:
1 x 5kW Sunsynk Inverter and
14 x 455W JA Solar panels
2 x Hubble AM2 batteries (another one planned for)
Installation took appx 6 hours and I'm very happy with attention to detail that team applied, to the DB as well as what's "hidden" the trunking and main DB.
Lessons learnt (if anyone else ever encounters a similar situation):
We had issues with the inverter "tripping" with a F20 (overcurrent) error intermittently. This happened on and off without a definite idea of why it was happening. No issues at night and the house was running off the batteries fine through the night. This morning, Leshen checked on the system and at around 10am the error started popping up non-stop. The inverter would trip (power ironically stayed on in the house), and alarm for 2/3 minutes before going back to normal. it would run alright from 1minute - 10minutes and trip with the same error. Leshen came over and did some investigation. Finally, there is only one SPD installed in the DB with both Negative poles of the PV string connected to one SPD. Leshen then connected each String to its own SPD, and it's solved the problem (touch wood)! 
 
I want to thank @Leshen and his team again. The Customer service really is great! Also thank you to Steve of PowerStore for supplying the equipment.

The whole world is upside down nowadays -- who knows - maybe by the end of the year the sun will rise at the south pole 😉 

We all like show and tell, right?  So creating my placeholder for my install that will be taking place over the coming weeks/months.
Planned Equipment:
SunSynk 5kW Hubble AM-2 5.5 12x 455W JA Solar in 2 strings  Looking forward to sharing the build and running of the implementation over the next period.

T + 2 Days
So the whole house ran off the batteries the whole night. Because of the boost I gave the geysers yesterday no morning topup was required, leaving the batteries at just over 30% at breakfast time.  Then I noticed some grid draw - I have the "Battery Start" setting on 30%, depite timeof use showing 20%.  Quickly fixed that and this allwed the batteries to drain to 26% before solar production exceeded load.
In an effort to replicate yesterday's manual geyser boost I set the conventional geyser to go to 65°C between 13:00 and 15:00, and the solar geyser to do the same from 15:00 to 16:00 (afraid I may boil it if I ramp up the temperature early).  This worked, but my timing was out - despite the semi overcast weather the batteries were fully charged by 12:00, leaving and hour gap in production before the first geyser kicked in.  With the stormy weather in the afternoon I had to use some battery power to top up the solar geyser.  21.6kWh generated for the day - above the 2/3 of 30 kWh I am aiming for so satisfying enough.
 
Interesting - minor differences between string 1 and 2 during the day ... would love to see this on a clear day to estimate the shading effect of my twin palms. 

I learnt something about small spaces and ventilation ... put the fan at the bottom of the door blowing into the room and put a vent at the top of the door. 
use a temp probe or timer to control the fan.
Filters on fan are great for keeping the dust out ... however I have found people tend to forget to the clean the filters ... resulting in more damage. 

OK, as I posted elsewhere I was looking out for a Black Friday deal for a "8kW System" - hate that way of thinking because I don't believe 8kWp PV, 8kW inverter and 8kWh storage is a balanced system for most users - almost certainly it will be way heavy on panels and light on storage, resulting in lots of unused energy. 
I got lucky with a super deal, fully installed with COC essentially for a little less than I could buy the main components in the retail market.  In the end, my selected equipment reads like this:
14 x Canadian Solar CS3W-455MS HiKu Super High Power Mono PERC modules - that is 6.37kWp but with my roof angle of 7° I will start with a 8 or 10% drop off the bat 8kW Deye SUN-8K-SG01LP1
-US/EU Inverter 2x Shoto SDA10-48100 5.12kWh LiFePO4 batteries for 10.24kWh of storage. I think I'm still panel-heavy and storage-light but I do believe it is better balanced than a typical "8kW system". And a third battery is only a card swipe away...
My installation started on Thursday, and will only be completed later today (Saturday), but here are some early pics:    

Before, looking true north. Stoep roof slopes 7° to north. Pool heater tubes more or less where the panels will go.
 

Before, looking west. Notice palms that can only be touched at risk of permanent solitary confinement. Will keep them trimmed.
 

Pool heater is history
 

Mounting structure installed, panels being laid down
 

First panels being installed. Finicky work this.


All treehugger ... solar geyser framed by solar panels


Most panels up - looks better than the pool heater tubes!
 

All panels installed - looking west


Another one looking east - roof looking tatty and needs some paint. Nice winter project coming up.
 

All panels in looking east


Surprise! The laundry room where the inverter will go has drywall cladding over face brick. To offset the inverter to an effective flush mount required some nifty brackets. Mecano courtesy of Builders. Only minor mods required. The loose end was tack welded after the pic was taken.
 

Cutout for inverter done, brackets fitted. End day 1. Lesson for the day: Get your roof checked by a professional contractor before starting. The guys fastened some of the loose sheets but a coat of paint beforehand would have been ideal.
 

Inverter, AC breakers (left), DC breakers (right), fusebox (below) and batteries installed. Should have been mounted 200-300mm higher to clear the counter top I want to install - will have to make a cutout for the fuse box.
 

Inverter and associated hardware


End day 2. Batteries comms tested. Unseen work was to connect the PV strings and bring the DC cable to the other side of the house, which required roof sheets to be lifted. Lesson for the day: do not attempt DIY for a project of this size if it is your first one - bound to cost more in time (and posisbly real money) when done.
So on to final wiring and commisioning today!
 
 
 

Sorry for the long delay @conradl
Below is a simplified diagram of what I have. Hope this helps.

@RyanF, would you mind doing an illustration of what you did (ie where spring type and non-springtype NRV is). I have the exact same problem and the heattrap the plumber put in doesnt work, just like your findings has illustrated.

@YellowTapemeasure, i have 2 x evacuated tube solar geysers, both with 3kW elements. Only the one element is setup to switch on in the morning in winters. I also suffer the thermosiphoning effect that I've seen somewhere else in the forum (will try fix that as well).
Had a 45min discussion with Steve, before i had to go to a meeting