heine

You could find these brand new for R10,990 right now. You might want to revisit the price.

Hi We can do the Hubble AM-5 @R17 077,50 Vat included delivery included
contact [email protected] or Whats app him on 067 189 7084

Have you tried PowerforumStore? https://powerforum-store.co.za/collections/batteries/products/hubble-lithium-am-5-5-12kwh-51-2v-battery

Speak to Wimpie, he mentioned a while ago he could get pretty good prices.

Regards,
Heine

Have you tried PowerforumStore? https://powerforum-store.co.za/collections/batteries/products/hubble-lithium-am-5-5-12kwh-51-2v-battery

Speak to Wimpie, he mentioned a while ago he could get pretty good prices.

Regards,
Heine

This may make the calculation to become self sufficient and disconnected from the grid more likely methinks...

Hi Neil,

I think it makes perfect sense. Irun solar-assistant (https://solar-assistant.io/help/getting-started/prepare-device) which I see appears to support Sunsynk inverters too. Solar-assistant makes it very easy to configure rules such as, switch to Eskom when battery power drops below X. I ran my Geyserwise PTC element (https://livestainable.co.za/products/geyserwise-2kw-230v-stainless-steel-ptc-geyser-element-2000w-ac-only?variant=43669700608180&country=ZA&currency=ZAR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwna6_BhCbARIsALId2Z0gT62T5gpLeDw2t85-oQNwNH8OdKndp23Q4OnxU5nqsG88UlFSr4caAm-iEALw_wcB) from a single 5kw Kodak when the tubes did not generate enough power until not too ago using Solar-assistant and also some additional home automation (Homeassistant) to manage total load. I now have 2 x Kodak 5kw and more panels so life is less complicated as far as managing the load. I was actually able to pay for much of the expansion using my calculated saving from my initial system over a couple of years.

I also decided to go with a AC powered pump for the tubes and that is connected to my inverter too. Why another battery and tiny solar panel I reasoned.

You don't mention which area you reside in. Here in Cape Town and surrounds we really struggle a bit with solar generation during winter. You might not have those issues to also consider.

In all honesty, if I had the opportunity to do it all other gain, the one thing I would change would be rather go for a heat pump instead of the tubes. In summer, I often have to cool down the water overnight using the Geyserwise "away mode", but in winter it is a challenge and often have to boost the temperature using the element, Having said that, if you have a regular 3kw or high element for your geyser, I would suggest be very careful with your current 5kw setup. Downgrading the wattage and/or going for a Geyserwise PTC element might be something to consider.

What I also did when I only had a single 5kw inverter was install a change over switch for the geyser which allowed me to switch to Eskom directly in winter and via the inverter in summer and then still had Solar-assistant to manage the actual source of power during summer.

Hope it helped and I didn't confuse the heck out of you. If there is anything unclear or you more question please reach out.

Kind regards,
Heine

I bought one in March last year and have been happy enough to purchase a second a few months ago for a very good price from GWStore. I am considering getting a third some time in the (hopefully not too distant) future.

Hi Nick,
 
I have a similar setup although I decided on evacuated tube collector and just had my electrician connect the geyser to a change over switch with which I can manually (does not happen often) switch between Eskom and my inverter. Sometimes I just switch on the element for a while to boost the water temperature like I did today. I still want to try and automate that, but I would typically only do it when the battery has reasonable charge and there is some sun. When it is really overcast, I switch the geyser to Eskom, switch the element on an just let it heat up without drawing from the inverter.
 
Regards,
Heine

Short update... I sourced 2 x 545W panels which should be on their way shortly and just purchased an EPEVER 30A MPPT as per @Scorp007's suggestion. I will feedback some more once it installed.

Hi Heine,
I second Scorp007's proposal to just put an array panels on the Western side to a total of similar Volts of the Eastern array and parallel to your single MPPT.
Just confirm midday Amps will not exceed max allowed. Cost of separate charger and/or switchgear is better invested in more panels.

A big plus is you can scale the Epever MPPTs by using them in parallel after one puts the same settings on each one. 

Just compare:
Victron 100V/30A 12/24V solar controller R4000
EPEVER/Tracer 150V/50A 12/24/36/48V R4000
My choice the 2nd product anytime. 

I bought my 20A Epever from Thesunpays @ R1300. Every possible setting for any battery including lithium via PC cable. Communica also have some great MPPTs from time to time. 
This at Itnerfricashop. Prices are changing all the time. 

 

@Scorp007  Where do you buy your R 1500 MPPTs?  For R 1500 you can't even buy a decent 12V 8A lead acid battery charger.

I know that Victron is top end stuff, but they seem to go up in stages of current and in stages of voltages.  I am sure that many of Victron's MPPTs and other equipment such as inverters are of a common design and often will use the same PCB with just slightly beefier MOSFETS to take higher current / voltage.  Then charge R1500 more, just because it can handle 10A more, yet basically is the same.

I have seen other manufacturers follow similar trends, albeit at lower prices than the Blue boxes.

If you consider the above, you really do realize what you mentioned earlier in a different post.  Axpert inverters are excellent value for money, considering all the stuff crammed into those boxes.

@GreenFields
Gave good inputs to take note of. 
The easy way is to supply the maximum current MPPT can handle as well as the maximum MPPT Voltage. 
Also how are your 4 panels connected series/parallel on the eastern side. 
If you can have the panels on the western side to the same or close to the Western side you can just parallel the 2 sides if the MPPT can accept it. 
It is also very easy to add  R1500 external MPPT of say 30A and you can then use this 54Vx30A=1620W to directly charge the battery. Ensure this MPPT can take the voltage based on how you are going to connect the new panels. Some of us have increased the lower voltage Axpert PV input this way. 

Makes sense, but just double-check your plans for 2 x 605W panels against the MPPT specs on the inverter.  Your Voltage may well be too low on that string to start up the MPPT if it's the typical high-voltage input type.

There is a Shoto specific cable available on the Solar-assistant shop. I also found the values coming from inverter to be unreliable with a totally different setup. Purchasing the correct cable to connect battery to Raspberry Pi solves that issue

There is a Shoto specific cable available on the Solar-assistant shop. I also found the values coming from inverter to be unreliable with a totally different setup. Purchasing the correct cable to connect battery to Raspberry Pi solves that issue