josievich

So my folks for a solar system with the Luxpower SNA5000 and ToBo batteries (LiFePO4s) The installers set the inverter to manage the batteries as Lead Acid and when I try change that to Lithium Ion, I can’t find the correct protocol setting. Anyone have any info on this brand. Google shows nothing

Thanks for the replies. Maybe long term is the wrong wording. After paying for the solar, budgets don’t allow a full retrofit or heat pump. A PTC element looks to be around R2k max and normal 2kW element is around R200. That looks like something affordable in the immediate term, with additional battery/panels/hear pump a consideration for next year perhaps

Oh okay, thanks… somehow didn’t consider a normal 2kW element. If it work then I’ll probably go with that. In theory, will it simply take twice as long to heat up going from a 4kW.. assuming no other losses?

We finally pulled the plug (when stage 6 was announced) and got a solar kit installed. 5 kW hybrid inverter, 2.7 kW of panels (priority was beating load shedding , not decreasing costs yet), and a 7.2 kWh battery pack I’ve got some questions around the geyser with a 4 kW element, both as a temporary and long term solution 1) Short Term I’ve been putting the geyser on at around noon and the solar works with the battery (and Eskom once battery drains to 80%) to heat up. This allows hot water for the night but geyser still needs to go on again at 5AM for the morning. Would settings the temp as high as possible be a good idea so we can potentially on have it on once a day (during peak solar output) to maximise solar use? 2) Long Term Would converting to a PTC 2kW element be good enough in the long term? Good enough to reduce the use of Eskom further that is. This is relatively cheap and would allow the geyser to be powered purely by the solar during the day. It would take longer from what I gather, but we only need hot water after 16.00 or so

@Bobster Thanks for the comprehensive response. A couple of notes from my side The 3.1kw is the absolute max, based purely on looking at the power ratings of the devices and assuming all are on once. Definitely will not need that at once The plan with the geyser (for now at least) is to have it on the non-essential and supplement with Eskom when required. I gather a decent hybrid inverter would blend that properly (Sunsynk, Dewe, etc)? Maybe later on I can look at changing that up, but from a priority perspective, having the backup for essentials (with solar as a bonus) is a priority. I don't mind losing the geyser during load shedding. Can always manually turn it on later when power is back Already on prepaid - spending about R1.5k/month now in summer, typically R2.2k last winter

Thanks, and charts you can share will be great. Been having a look at some of the charts on the forum as well

Correct, that is the peak and would likely never reach close to that. But sounds like the 5kW is more that enough for my situation then And if I add additional batteries in the future I take it the output will go up appropriately? So 4.8kW total out if 9.2kWh batteries in total? That's great to hear - I'm looking at a similar system. In Joburg, but I appreciate the offer

Hi everyone, So been reading (mostly on this forum which is amazing) and want to confirm a few things and validate my understanding. We're looking at getting some solar in both to combat load shedding as well as start saving on the Eskom bill. Consumption We use about 650 kWh in summer, and around 850 kWh in winter. I did a quick walk around the house and would put the below as my consumption Essentials at 3.1kW - Plugs in lounges (PC, laptops, screens, modem/routers, TVs, sound systems) + lights (LEDs) + fridge Security system in place, plugged in socket in baby's room (don't know how much it uses) 200L Kwikot with 4kW element on a timer Regularly used - 1kW dishwasher, washing machine, 1.5kW Air fryer, Nespresso, 1.5kW fin oil heater in baby's room at night (not on max though) Gas hob in place. Electric oven but very rarely used - the air fryer is usually used The Plan Currently looking at getting a 5kW hybrid, a 4.8kW battery, and solar panels (max possible) if budget allows. If budget doesn't allow then we'll put in the panels after 6 months - 1 year Ideally looking to have the geyser on the same system. Don't want to have a separate project on the geyser (heat pump, etc), and happy to change timer. Alternatively I can look into a lower kW element. Logic says it will simply take longer to heat up Dishwasher, washing machine can be used at appropriate time as well. Fin oil heater from what I read use the 1.5kW to heat up the oil to set temp then go off till oil temp drops. In general these don't use 1.5kW constantly so can see how long it survives off battery So bedrooms, lounges, fridge socket on essential load, the rest on non-essential Clarifications First of all, does the above plan make sense and is it feasible? And for some of the more specific questions The kW rating on the inverter e.g. 5kW, 8kW is the power is able to convert from DC to AC i.e. the total solar power or battery power is can use? So above means I should ensure the essentials are below the inverter rating AND any battery output limitations? During none-load shedding situation and peak sun, the excess solar energy can be used on the geyser/dish washer/washing machine with any shortage pulled from Eskom? If set up batteries to be prioritized at night (except for when load shedding is expected), they will be used first and only switch over to Eskom once minimum set charge is reached? Would a lower kW element assist in spreading out the energy by lowering power requirement, so during peak sun it would make use of solar (assuming other loads are also low at the time)? Thanks