TimCam

Once you're complete with your install, Eskom won't load-shed for months to come. 😆😂

Looking at that datasheet, only 50A will be drawn from the battery, then it'll need 120V to be able to provide 6000W output. You right about that problem.🤔 Maybe make up a custom lithium battery with the right BMS. A couple of people on the forum enjoy doing such projects.

Hope you enjoy your time on the forum. There are many knowledgeable and helpful people, and other newbie's too.👍 Can you share what equipment you have installed, or are planing to install. Always interesting to hear about different setups.

Looking at the specs De0n19 gave. Simplest choice is to start with a Hubble AM-2 lithium battery at 5.5Kw. The low end of this inverter is 40V, so no problem there, as the Hubble's range is 42V to 53.6V. This inverter can charge or discharge at 66A, the Hubble will have no problem with this, as its a 1C device, and can supply 100A. If you need more storage, but NOT more voltage (which you don't need) you can parallel 15 of these batteries to give yourself 82.5 Kw. Look on the powerforum shop for these batteries to get prices and specs. https://powerforum-store.co.za/collections/featured-products/products/hubble-lithium-am-2-51v-5-5kwh100ah

Thanks for the info, I'll stay away from the bad one's. I normally get my stuff from Midlands Solar in Pietermaritzburg, and so far am happy, with no problems. Its a small shop, but he seems to be able to source most things, if he has none in stock. These MC4's don't have a brand name, but I've had no issues at all. 👍

You have an 8.8 KW inverter, and 1 Hubble AM2, the most your battery can give is 100A, therefor +- 5000W. Maybe your inverter wanted more, but couldn't get it so faulted out with a F20?

As hoohloc says the Geyserwise PTC element is a good start, and is about 15% more efficient than your current resistive element. Have a look at the link below. Depending on your geyser size, select the appropriate wattage. https://www.geyserwise.com/products/elements/2200-w-ptc-ac-element/ Gas is an option too, but then plumbing is needed, and using a gas geyser is a totally different experience, which some people don't like.

Thanks for the heads up. Was the connection intermittent or high resistance in the bad connectors?

From the Specs below, your Inverter can be powered by a Generator.👍 This popular and affordable off-grid inverter from KODAK employs a tried and tested methodology of reliability and stability. Perfect for use as purely a backup device or a full off-grid solar inverter. 5kVA Pure sine wave inverter Up to 4.5kW PV Array 48V DC Battery Connection High Voltage MPPT – Up to 430V DC Configurable input voltage ranges for home appliances and personal computers via LCD control panel Configurable battery charging current based on applications via LCD control panel Configurable AC/Solar Charger priority via LCD control panel Compatible to utility mains or generator power Auto restart while AC is recovering Overload / Over temperature / short circuit protection Smart battery charger design for optimised battery performance Cold start function Can operate in parallel mode with up to 9 identical units But like Basil Katakuzinos says above, get a higher spec generator than your inverter, so it can handle the House Load, and charge the battery at the same time. Also, as Scorp007 says, you can change the battery charging current, so that your generator can handle it, and the house load. With a generator, you might have to set the upper and lower voltage and frequency (Hz) wider than for mains, or the inverter will give error messages, and not work in a stable fashion. i.e. Set lower V to 185V, and upper V to 260V. Set lower Hz to 47 Hz, and upper Hz to 53.5 Hz. Bad weather really is annoying. 😆😂

Get a cheap logic analyzer, and try and decode the communication.😀 https://www.banggood.com/USB-Logiic-Analyzer-24M-8CH-Microcontroller-ARM-FPGA-Debug-Tool-p-1177821.html?cur_warehouse=CN&rmmds=search

What exactly happened to the inverter? Did it die with no display output, and no AC output, or go up in smoke? Did the PV input stop working, or the batteries disconnect? It would be helpful to others like myself who also have the same unit to know exactly what happened. How many Pylontech batteries, and JA Solar Panels, etc. My Sunsynk 8K has been installed for about 2 months now, and I'm really enjoying the savings. 👍😀 I hope you can reach a resolution soon.

Generators normally run a bit high on the frequency side, especially petrol generators. Set your upper frequency to about 53.5Hz and lower to 47.0 Hz. This will sort out most problems. Also confirm the generator is earthed to your incoming supply earth, and the inverter is connected to the same earth. Plus DON'T forget to make sure Zero Export is ticked, or you could fry your generator if you are producing power from PV and feeding back to the generator. You will burn out the coils or the AVR.

Very nice view. I see you can squeeze a few more panels in if needed. Lovely tranquil surroundings, hope you got a round or two in while there.😆

So jealous of your customer.😀 Still saving for some Hubble AM-2's Lovely looking install, is he hoping to be off grid completely?

A simple thought, when connecting a generator to the Main input and not the AUX port, make sure Zero Export is ticked, or the Generator will complain or be damaged.

Are you Municipal fed 3 phase or Eskom 3 phase? Also do you run 3 phase equipment, or is this just a "nice to have"?

The things we do for our wives. When you are finished and have an enclosure for everything, don't forget switches and fuses. Besides my lovely new Sunsynk 8K inverter, years ago I have also wired my house up for 12V DC LED lights to beat load-shedding. I used a 16 button RF remote to switch on the different lights. The units feed was fused, and each LED light was fused. The MOST important thing to remember about DC is don't mess with it, or your house will burn down. Have decent wiring, and FUSES. Enjoy your project and light up your house while your neighbors are in the dark during load-shedding. 😆 Regards, Tim

Hello all, Just getting into the full house Hybrid experience, after messing around with multiple UPS around the house in the past. I have found this little pulse charger has been able to revive a few gel batteries to useful service again. https://www.banggood.com/Enusic-12V-6A-Pulse-Repair-LCD-Battery-Charger-For-Car-Motorcycle-Lead-Acid-Battery-Agm-Gel-Wet-p-1365821.html?rmmds=product_topselling&cur_warehouse=CN&act_poa=SKUA55473 Always use "South Africa Direct Mail", as this is a courier service for +- R27.0 to your door. Post Office doesn't work anymore. The battery must be taken offline, and connected to the charger / Pulse repairer one at a time, and it normally takes a day and a half to two days to complete the repair cycle. Before checking, I let the battery "rest" for a day. On my old analogue "battery tester", some batteries have gone from 200A crank pre to 1000A crank post. But with any old batteries, the service life is still questionable. Regards, Tim P.S. Enjoying my New SunSynK 8K, Manufactured date:- 2104254101