Dry_Reef

Thank you. That makes sense. Sorry about the terminology. :) I'll try that. Have a feeling it means my new panels will boost in productivity all being in series. I was worried about over powering on the volts. I'll try get it changed up in the next week or two. Is there any truth that the inverter will try split the load to the smallest string ?

Hi There. So on one of my strings. I have 7 panels running in series. Then I have a single panel that is running in parallel to those.

Hi Guys, I upgraded to a Sunsynk 8kw inverter about two months ago. I did it in stages to see how the performance would change having gone from a Mustek 5kw. All North Facing. - Jhb - Full Sun I kept the old panels. Initially placing them on separate strings. 12x330w Panels - Initially it was 6\6 on each string. (3900w Total) Overall I gained Roughly 20% + efficiency. My next step was to expand my array. I moved the old panels onto a single string and they are currently in a 8series and 4 parallel config. My thought process for both sets of panels was Voltage. I was recommended to get as close to 375v and not go over 390v. So old panels spec is Mustek Solar Panels (Mono)- CNBM 6P-330 47 V 9.38A So 47*8 = 376 I placed the rest in parallel. I was not worried about clipping on Amps as my thought was get to your optimal power early as possible and like wise in bad weather \ cloudy it will help. The 2nd String I purchased JA Solar Deep Blue 4 Bi-Facials JAM66D45-600/LB VOC 47.7 V Vmp 39.44 Isc 15.95 A Imp 15.21 8 in Total , Additional 4800W 47.7 * 8 = 381.6V These I put in a 7/1 layout series parallel. I both strings I was aiming for Voltage for better low light response etc thus the different splits. Yes the system is working better. It's been just about two months now however I am not convinced I have chosen the correct layout. Unfortunately, weather has been poor but we did have one or two weeks of good weather as well. I have not had the chance to properly load the system yet by turning lots of things on in the middle of a clear day. Max I have seen was only been 6000w and rarely Normally 5000ish. I do understand if the load is not high enough it won't ask the panels to do more. But even so. I have restricted my 4x 5kw Lithium's to only charge at 60amps in total. E.g. Longer slower Charge. It is only making pear power roughly 12:00/13:00ish. Takes a long time to get there and then drops away again. I hardly ever see my amps get very high which I was expecting. Yesterday in Sunshine in Jhb I got the below Volts seems to hover around 150V to 200V - Was also expecting more ? Amps climbed to 16.5 then dropped off again. In my head. I was going to instead of having a "hill" shape PV charge it would become more like a table mountain. Get there earlier, stay there longer if required. It is better. But possibly on 20% better. I do see that each strings amps generally seem to be fairly close generally. I can see in early morning or late night the string with the Bi-Facials does do quite a bit better. Have I set them up incorrectly in the series parallel part ? Is the Sunsynk not happy with different types of panels on each string ? Or am I just expecting too much ? I don't feel I was. One Last note. This was not the installers wrong choice if that's what it is. It's what I asked for. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Guys , I recently the new bought 8 JA Bi-Facials, Deep Blue 4. They have been running in 7 in series and 1 in parallel on a single string. The Inverter is a Sunsynk 8kw. - I have another array on the other string. (Completely different panels etc) One of them was damaged during installation and cracked. The installer did swap it out however it's not identical. My current panels are JAM66D45-660/LB Voc 47.70V Vmp 39.44V Isc 15.95 A Imp 15.21 A The replacement is JAM72D40-600/LB Voc 52.40V Vmp 43.76V Isc 14.48 A Imp 13.71 A I am concerned with that this is not the same specs. I don't want to have my system restricted or not running as efficiently as possible. Also with this one panel being different could it cause any reliability longer term ?

Thanks for the responses guys. So final question then. So presumably 7 panels in series although potential very good. Simply being that if I had to go for 2x sets of 5panels eg 10 in total. As there are 10 panels they would operate best to achieve best low light (cloudy). Simply more surface area... Is it better to be aiming for 52v x 7 panels = 367v (Close to 370v being ideal) or 5x 52v = 260v (not close too 370v) not ideal but due to more panels better in low light anyway ?

Maybe I need to simplify the question. 8kva Sunsynk. Single string Max panels ? Looking at 640 / 650w Bi Facials if available. Basically. Any recommendations between 7 panels in series giving 4480 w in Series or 5120w for 8 in parallel. With parallel do you get the true 8x640w ? - Or only half the power but better at handling poor conditions ? (2 560w ? ) What do you actually get out of parallel panels ?

Hi Guys, So the time is getting closer. I have a 8kw Sunsynk. Currently running a single string with 12 330w old style panels. So 3900w. 47V - 18.76 - No Clipping, not massively efficient either being old panels. But will keep them for now. These are setup for summer at 11 degrees currently north facing. On the 2nd string I am looking to try and maximise what the system can produce on that string. I presume that means with the 22a limit I will probably be clipping a bit during peak. Essentially, to maximise that 5kw available Mppt. So not sure yet ongoing series or parallel based on panels. I have been leaning towards Bifacials. I have a unique area available that is elevated with roughly 1m\2m below the panels and enough space to allow extra light in to try and maximise light for earlier mornings, later afternoons and cloudy \ rainy days. Yes, I have enough space for the larger panels. These will be setup for a 30degree tilt north facing. I know 370v is the ideal sort of range to be in on the panels. Not sure though what happens when it's lower like say 200v ? Not as efficient in lower light ? The two panels I was looking at were. Longi 545w Bifacial - 49.65 Voc 13.85amps Series would be x7 panels would be 347v 13.85amps = Max 3 815W Parallel x8 panels 198.6v amps 27.7 = 4 360W - Essentially i could loose 20%efficiency from clipping at peak. So may only see 3488 in perfect conditions Max ? But should do well in non-optimal times if I have this all correct.... ? JA640W Deep Blue 4.0 BiFacial. These aren't here yet but sounds like they are coming in 3/4months time. 52.87V - 15.31A Series Max - 7Panels = 370.09V --- The sweet spot apparently ? 4480W Parallel 30.62Amps - 8Panels - I could loose 28% efficiency from clipping so Max 3 686W ? I was wondering with the efficiency and clipping. If you lose say 20 / 28% at peak. Is that how much you could expect to gain at off peak. E.g it would do more with less light due to the larger "oversizing" So on a normal day instead of a rough peak of call it 4400w at 12:00-13:00 say. Roughly 14kw as well from 10:30-14:30 overall. With clipping you may get 3600w at say 10:30-14:30 (14.4kw estimate potential) but then have max for that time. 1. Objectives of the panel expansion. Be off Grid as much has possible to lower the bill further. Currently using call it 5/10kw daily still from the grid. 2. Cater for poorer weather. Although do have panels in parallel already for that. 3. Possibly help with the future of charging a small Electric car during the day additionally. (Like a Mini that only has a 28kw usable battery) 4. With the Ja Panels not being in country yet... is it worth the wait. I can wait the 3/4months. they are more efficient panels with the latest tech. Logi will probably be cheaper as they are available currently. Deep Blue 4.0 do claim to get up to 26% efficiency..... I also know that charging the Lithium battery's of which I have 4x currently exceeding 60amps is not recommended so as to keep their lifespan running well. But the car could accept the quick charge...

Thanks Guys. That's more than I thought it would do. That will be perfect for that string.

Thanks for the reply. So am I correct in saying. This would be 6x330w=1980w max power On my old inverter I used to get the full 3900w. Just not sure of how that was strung together on a single string. Suppose that would work quite well with shading etc for early mornings and late afternoons

Hi guys. I am in the process of upgrading my system. The new installed inverter in the Sunsynk 8kw. it does have 2 strings. I am keeping my old panels on one string and will expand panels on the other string. What I wanted to know, well is many things…. Current panels are 330w ,47v, 9.38a x12 panels old inverter only had a single mppt and they were all connected. But I am not sure how… I would like to try use all of them since I have them & on a single string. I know in series they will over power at 564v and ideally should be aiming for 370v i can see that 8 panels in series is 376v so pretty close. Presumably for efficiency this is best. However in cloudy / shadow may have a problem. Paralleled of 6 each should help but then my voltage is only 282v. However all panels would be used. Whats the negative of this lower voltage ? Would it pick up actual detected sunlight later same for sunset as there are not as many volts ? Is there a possibility of running these in a series and parallel combination ? eg 8 in series and only 4 of those have a parallel connection but then voltage is right and some shading tolerance built in. I will be buying more panels for the 2nd string but that’s a whole other conversation. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks Coulomb. Currently if it’s there is a higher load say 2kva and it gets cloudy it is auto compensated for or filled in from the grid. same at night it runs off grid until the power actually fails and goes onto battery’s. Does that mean mine is on grid then and then a 2nd inverter would thus make more sense ? On the attached you can see how it draws from grid when there isn’t sufficient supply.

Hi guys. So I have been in my new place for about 2months now in summer. I have the below 1x Axpert King 5kva 12x 325W Panels 4x Gel batteries 200Ah …. Which are almost dead ☠️ I still use roughly 8/14kw every evening (guessing geyser) & overall around 25/30kw in a 24hr period. last 6days has been 24.19Kw average extra used from the grid. 1. I have noticed that often the panels don’t produce what they could because the load is too low. Turning on extra appliances suddenly allows extra solar to be produced. So my thought is that there is still part of the house that is not on the 5kva. Things like geyser and the odd plugs etc. Not sure why it’s so high in the evening.Will investigate I know it wouldn’t be significant savings maybe only 2/5kw a day but possibly a start I can keep building on ? If I could expand with an additional 5kva Axpert in parallel. ( not extra batteries or panels as yet) Then during the day when the panels are “idiling” they could be used to power the Geyser and help supplement the power it consumes. My thought is at worst my Eskom bill would drop off a little. 2. I could expand possibly batteries next moving to maybe 3x 4.8Kva Lithium batteries as a start to run through the evening to lower that grid usage. Think that’s 14.4kw of which I could run it down to 11.52 Then expand later as we require more…. 3. Then expand on panels as we go. is that possible. Eg maybe but some extra panels as I go of the same type till I’m at a size required. 4. If my max I can use on the inverter is 4000W. Could I put say 6000w worth of panels on. I know at peak it would only produce the 4000w. But would that allow more to be produced under poor conditions like clouds or early morning / late afternoons etc. meaning say early morning normally only makes 300w at a guess now it could potentially make 450w.

Thanks for all your responses guys. Loks like it’s just easier to stay on the Mecer inverter and just expand if there’s no real reason other than quality to move to a Victron.

Thanks for your reply 👍🏻 So if I got another new Mecer 5kva. What would match up to the Mecer Axpert King ? & Then I read this just now. mid this valid for the more modern inverters like my Axpert King ? im sure mine is splitting up the load etc and topping up ?

Hi guys. So I have as mentioned an Existing installed and running Axpert King 5Kva inverter. And now to the questions. I would like to expand to roughly 10kva. 1. Knowing these can run in Parralel. Does it need to be another 5kva and expand it ? Could I add an 8Kva in Parallell with my 5? 2. Is there any particular reason I should rather be looking at a different make all together like a Victron 8/10Kva ? im defiantly not unhappy with what I already have.

Hello guys. I have had my Solar Monitoring software for just over a month now. I ended up going with the Centurion Solar Solution. https://centurionsolar.co.za/solar-management-hub/ Its called SMH ( Solar Management Hub ) In short they supply a pre configured Raspberry Pi ready to go. Literally just plug it in and away you go. I can use anydesk if required to jump onto it , reboot or update etc. updates come via a notifications and are as easy as clicking update. The local web page that is provided has a ton of info to view everything in depth. Or go back and check logs etc. I subscribe to the mobile App. R50 bucks a month but we’ll worth it. shows all the standard info on one screen. Live Data such as current solar charge, batter SOC , charging discharging , grid etc. Also some history like max charge during the day. Actual consumption. Total Solar produced for the day. Total grid consumed. Then there is the option to dive into the logs and check history on a number of items. On the main screen you can also click into the live consumption and get a more detailed live view on the last 60min worth of info in a graph that you can select or deselect on the fly. PV produced, grid , battery used etc. All in I am very happy with the software. Notifications are done via the app and also can be sent via Telegram. Last Note. Support. Yes I am a paying subscriber. But when ever I have had a query. I log a ticket via mail and every time it’s answered and resolved quickly. I don’t know any other software or systems. All I am familiar with is this system & I am very satisfied 👍🏻

Ok, So just told I must use. Bi directional usb cable. will try and hunt for a long one …

These are the connections on the bottom of the unit.

Hi guys. So decided to try tackle my setup today. Bought a Rasberry Pi which has the monitoring software on it. Pretty sure my unit is an Axpert King ? I inserted a picture show what is installed. Unit has a Bluetooth logo… doesn’t seem to have Wireless. Are those lan ports ? or is that a USB port ? Can see it has a serial connection. Anyone had experience connecting to this type inverter ? Hoping to try connect to this unit today… Do I need to purchase something extra to get this working ? Previous owner of this house was monitoring this unit just not sure how….

Picked up the Centurion Solar solution yesterday. Will try and give it an install over the weekend and see how things go. Thanks for all the advice guys. It was much appreciated.

Ok, So just had a nice long chat with the guys at Centurion Solar. Seems to tick all the boxes I’m after. pity about the monthly subscription. but I am a sucker to have a nice interface. Can always Vnc etc if wanted like the other apps from the sounds of it. Anyone using the Centurion Solar solution ? would be nice to hear some comments good or bad before I go that route.

Thanks. Lots of info. will read up on centurion Solar next 👍🏻

Thanks guys. had a look. Great price. Interface looks pretty good. But does it do power management ? Can SONOFF devices be Intergrated ?

Hi Guys. John here. I just bought a new house. It comes with the following. Axpert 5kva inverter (Think Gen1 - No built in Wifi but seems to have Bluetooth Symbol) 12x 335W Panels (Think that's 3900W potential ) After I washed them most I have seen was an increase from 2500w to 3070w) Think you should only loose 10% due to efficiency ? Gel Batteries SONOF devices x6 I have an iPhone & Fibre with Wifi. So far I have been able to use eWeLink and hooked up all the SONOF devices. Seems to work quite well. What I havn't gotten right yet at all is a way to communicate with the inverter without standing infront of it watching it, pushing buttons and watching PV etc. So, What am I wanting to achievie ? Automation of loads. Eg. Without load shedding possibly some pumps can be turned off run down the batteries a bit and save on some power till the sun recharges the batteries again. Then be able to view whats actually happening like Solar Yield etc. 1st prise would be an App. Just nice interfaces generally to mull through the Data is always great. I have seen a product called ICC Software running on a Rasberry Pi that seems quite slick. Are there any recommendations you guys can give that would help with the power control & possibly a bit with home automation ?