Spys

https://solar-assistant.io Buy Solar Assistant. It is very good. You can buy the software only or preloaded/bundled on a pi (recommend).

Ok. It seems this is a popular topic with historical discussions. Follow the link to FAQ1 in the topic below

My own 2c. I'm on my third ride on the solar merry go round. For the first two iterations, I sourced all the kit online myslef, from the cheapst online supplier. Got my local "traditional" sparky to split the DB and do the cable work. I did the rest myself. This left me with all the management and responsibility of keeping this thing going, working with an original online supplier when there was a problem, shipping boxes back to Jhb, couriers etc. (I'm in Durban). On my third iteration I took a different approach. Instead of researching vendors, brands and products, I reached installers. I found the best rated, most experienced installer possible in my area. Our initial meeting we didn't discuss any products. I gave him a list of my wants, desires and expected outcomes. I left him as the expert to recommend options to me that he guaranteed would meet my goals. Basically after lock down and a big shift to work from home, reliability and uptime was now key, (we had gone beyond a few lights, internet and the TV) post implementation single point of contact support, ease of end to end management / set it and forget. I was tired of becoming the whipping boy for the family everytime the power went off for whatever reason. Long story short, this was the best thing I ever did. Funny enough his actual labour cost was the cheapest part of the solution and really reasonable. Professional install, great personal support response afterwards. He also fixed so many unknown(to me) F@ckups from the previous tradional sparky. His initial product quotes for the inverter and battery were a bit high. I pointed out some of the cheaper quotes online. He negotiated with his supplier and got the costs inline. I would go this route again and again. Cut costs somewhere else but have a professional take you through the design and install. I am a techie at heart and my guy was great, let me sit in on the whole install. Oranised me an installer account for my system so I could still do some of my own advanced configuration etc.

Double check the cable / pins between battery and inverter?

Yup. I look at all the 10 year warranty's being offered with a squint in one eye. Good luck in 9 years, 11 months time. But hey, in the short term I sleep better.

100% on the set it and forget it. That’s exactly why I went the “integrated” LuxPower plus Hina route. And it has delivered. Both companies are very active in the software/firmware development side of things. I popped over the the SNA / LXP change log site this morning to confirm. There is a software/firmware update at least once a quarter. I have had two software updates for my Hina PowerGem battery since installed in December. As I went with the LXP model I got the free 10 year warranty extension for both the inverter and battery. This was a nice to have, not essential. They really have put a lot of effort into their management software to the point I have shutdown my Solar assistant. Having integrated inverter and battery management on a single screen just adds to that whole peace of mind thing. Something I did learn in my journey is that in the local inverter/ battery / solar space there generally is no such thing as a single authorised importer and agent for a brand, such as we see in other industries. If, for example, (and I am generalising) you see a battery on site A for R25k and the same battery on site B for R21k, there is a good chance that the cheaper battery is coming from a different route to market. The cheaper option might cost you dearly in the long run.

I know this doesn't directly answer the OP question, but if you are going with a LuxPower inverter then you should seriously consider a Hina (ESS or PowerGem) battery. They have a joint relationship with LuxPower providing integrated software and management. You can manage both the battery and inverter from a single console as well as do all firmware updates etc. The ease of integration and joint management is a blessing. It also makes for easier / better quality support if you have a problem as they run a joint support WhatsApp group locally.

So I have previously moved from Growatt to LuxPower (LXP 5K model). I was also running solar assistant on the Growatt. Solar Assistant does work with the Lux Inverters. It scans your local WiFi network for the LuxPower dongle and connects via the WiFi network. No cables to plug in. Functionality of SA with Lux inverters is very basic. No scheduling or automation etc However the level of management provided by the LuxPower dongle / portal / app is so good I eventually turned off solar assistant. The LuxPower management even has email and mobile app alerting which SA is still trying to get working.

@TaliaB glad you enjoying the batteries

I have a 12v BlueNova “drop in” on my electric fence energizer. It’s been running for 2.5yrs no problems. I have a 24v Red Pole LifePO4 drop in on my garage door motor. Been about 6 months. No problems. I have a 12v el cheapo lifepo4 on my Centurion gate slider motor. Been about a year. No problems. I have another of the 12v el cheapo lifepo4 dropped into my house alarm. About 2 years now. No problems. All of these were direct swaps with the old LA/Gel batteries. No changes to charges etc.

This was the best day this month. 6 Jan You can almost track the orbit around the sun

I’m in Kloof with 6x575w panels. Hasn’t been a great 4 weeks for solar. Some stats from the past week.

Log out of the app on your phone. Connect your phone to the WiFi network presented by the dongle Then on the phone app sign in page click on local connect.

Item: Growatt SPF 3000TL HVM-24 3kw 24v Inverter with WiFi Age: 1yr Price: R2000 Payment Method Accepted: EFT Warranty: Purchased November 2022 Balance of 2yr warranty Packaging: None Original manual available Condition: Good. Full working order Location: Kloof, Durban Reason: Upgraded to a bigger system Shipping: Not included buyer to pay Collection: Yes Link: https://www.ginverter.com/products/spf-2000-5000tl-hvm（lvm）

Hi Flouw I sent you a PM. thanks Peter