Olorin

Just an update on the system - system has been working very well over the past few weeks, but I have a problem. The battery indicator lights (there are 6 lights indicating 100% charge), only 4 of them are lighting up. When I first had the system installed 5 lights were on, I assumed the 6th light wasn't related to the battery, so I wrote that off, but when I spoke to Hubble today they tell me that all 6 lights should be on when the battery is fully charged. My installer has checked settings and says everything is fine. I assumed the LED lights were maybe blown hence why they aren't lighting up, but if I switch the battery off and then on all 6 LED lights cycle through so the lights aren't faulty. What the one Hubble expert told me is that I need to do a firmware update and that he reckon will resolve the issue. Has anyone performed that and is it easy to do? They said I need to get a RS232 to USB cable. They emailed me a link to firmware, it's like 450KB. My installer keeps telling me he's busy so I fear I might have to do this myself. Any pointers?

Sorry just one last question regarding the APL and UPS modes - are there any downsides or consequences that I need to be aware of if running in UPS mode? It's not going to damage my inverter or battery in the long term? I'm just a little worried as I just splurged on this equipment a week ago, just want to make sure it's safe to do so.

Thanks! Well to be fair the high pitched hissing sound is only on Eskom power, on battery power its totally silent. I spoke to the suppliers and they gave me a technical explanation that I've already forgotten, but according to.him the buzzing/hissing is normal

Modina, just to let you know you were right! I set my inverter to UPS and it worked, no more shut downs. Thank you very much for the fix!! If I come across other people who have this issue I'll be sure to let them know.

Again, thank you for the time you took to reply. I feel bad as my response will be fairly short in comparison. I have a Marantz SR-5011 receiver. Regarding the inverter settings, I'm scared to even navigate the menu without an installer present as I fear I might accidentally mess something up, however if I read the manual for my Kodak it does indeed say that APL is the default setting. My installer is coming around tomorrow morning as I see a exclamation mark flashing on my inverter and I'm not sure why - I'll ask him to change the APL to UPS and see if that has any effect on the receiver. Many thanks for your detailed reply.

Thank you for the reply. Regarding the buzzing sound, why is it that it goes away entirely when only running on battery power but yet on Eskom power I have the buzzing? That's what I don't understand. Regarding my AV receiver turning off and then on again, so I have a Marantz AV receiver. On the mybroadband forums there was a guy who has an Onkyo AVR and he tells me the same thing happens on his when load shedding hits. I was just hoping there was a way to get around this - some people say I should get a UPS, the off/on again issue is going to be a problem long-term I think. I bought my inverter and batteries to run my AV, otherwise what's the point? Just run lights and fridge? I spent a good deal of money (for me, anyway, if R40K is anything). I just don't like it when the amplifier switches off and on again, so if there is a fix to this I'm all ears.

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjK06f5n8P-AhWLme0KHTG4CXQYABAPGgJkZw&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAES2QHg9vd_yMpiwmsaVi4l0tHPGgWogQzYUq40G79vXmK9B2aNYGtKyjBewnlKrWXHOzpA9GkiPZNu71N39rjG4yVxeeeAbNmfaFjBTeP2mpv5KoGAA_si_Tgn30d_C6-j1yoK9onGMhWtKKLJfFGWHAKnqCSDpYlhbnaNCyFMFlpv2eqbVUq9nUuOUsB4jBzamvuig3OGkLQ-30jJIlVrn2oeWBP2XOwv4pr4C5aOq6RT_sBIWvnEq7maLMngFy7gPcDlv5vWVT-GFjmMhX7Mhhlit1Yb3daXom7T&sig=AOD64_3DzpfyCUl3sLL84XsYRmF-sxhg9g&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwj8saD5n8P-AhWZaMAKHTrKAEIQwg8oAHoECAYQDA&adurl= Okay so I buy this gadget and then what? I'm not technical, so what am I to do then?

I'm just concerned what long term effect the switching off/on again this will have on my amplifier. Obviously I would prefer it not to happen at all, but I don't want to spend a lot of money either. I just forked out R40K on this system for my small apartment

I dont know what that means.

DC UPS? Damn was hoping something smaller like a a special multiplug or something

Just a question, I might have asked it before, but when I'm load shedded, my AV receiver switches off and then on again - takes about 3-4 seconds. When battery power switches to Eskom, there is no issue, so this presumably has something to do with AC Pure sine and inverter Pure Sine not matching precisely. Is there anything I can do to prevent the AV receiver from switching off and on again when I'm load shedded?

Also just a question - I just had loadshedding now, my AV receiver went off and then came back on again. Is that normal? Is that what is supposed to happen? My TV was uninterrupted and my lights were fine, just my AV receiver. Not sure why.

So an update - system was installed today. Installer reckoned I didn't need to have the circuits separated and he was right. We did a test on battery power, TV on, lights on, amp on, kettle on ... no problem. There was about 25% reserve capacity remaining. Tried the same test but with the microwave, no problem. The geyser and oven/stove are not connected however. However I'm experiencing an issue that may not be an issue at all - the Kodak inverter. When on Eskom power, there is a hissing sound coming from it. It's a specific type of high frequency but it sounds like a hissing sound. I can hear it even 4-5 meters away when there are no other sounds. However if we using battery power the hissing sound goes away. Only on Eskom power - the installer has no idea. There are no fault codes showing on the inverter. Otherwise apart from the hissing sound, everything is working 100%.

Lithium, the Hubble am4.

Anyone?

Hi gents, I pulled the trigger on this inverter + battery, should be installed next week. My question is, is there is an app that I can download to monitor battery % during/after load shedding? That's the only reason I would want the app, just to monitor battery health.

Any place you'd recommend to get LEDs and dimmer switches? I'm based in Cape Town.

Stupid question - my folks had this inverter installed a few weeks ago, they don't have the app working yet (installer said he would arrange it, still waiting). How can they check battery % left after 2-4 hours of load shedding on the inverter? I cycled through the menu pages with the arrow buttons but couldn't make heads or tails of what I was seeing. Can anyone help?

Thank you for explaining, I think I've made the right decision after all. Need to replace my halogen lights with LED bulbs is next on the agenda.

Thanks, this makes sense!

I'm probably second guessing myself since I've just ordered the components and they are on their way but.... do you get 5KVA inverters that operate on 24V that would work with the AM-4 battery (which is also 24v?)

Thanks guys for the responses. So most of you recommend splitting. I'm also thinking of long-term as I don't plan on staying in my apartment for more than 2 years at most and I'm thinking of the next buyer - I'll sell with the inverter/battery installed to add value to the property (I live in an apartment complex). Obviously the sole consideration wasn't to make money, but just for quality of life, but if the added bonus means I've added value to my apartment by having a fully installed system with a great warranty (hence the addition of the Hubble AM-4, 10 year warranty - 3000 cycles at 100% DOD, 6000 cycles to 50% DOD) then that's a bonus. Of all the axpert inverters, the Kodak is one of the very few to carry a 3 year warranty. All this means is that... I'm going to have to buy myself a whistling kettle. I'm planning on adding a gas stove in the next 2 months. The only appliances I won't have access to during load shedding would be microwave and oven. A part of me is thinking I probably should have opted for a 5KVA inverter like my dad - he is running everything off his inverter, kettle works, microwave works, oven, toaster etc - just can't use more than two at a time without the inverter making a bleeping noise (while TV and fridge/freezer is on), but I didn't want to overspend knowing that I'm probably not going to stay in my apartment for more than 2 years. If I had spent another R10K on top of what I've just paid I probably could have managed it (I spent R30K on inverter/battery), but I'm certainly not going to get another R10K back when I sell. I think I've bought the right system, but you know, just wished I could run everything.

Just wanted to give the community an update as it's been a while since this thread was active : pulled the trigger on the Kodak 3KVA inverter with Hubble AM-4 battery yesterday, should have it installed Thursday next week. Just wanted to ask the members for advice : I have a decision to make, either I ask the electrician to separate circuits for major appliances or I put everything through the inverter. Major appliances being the kettle, oven/stove and microwave. However I'm not going to be using the microwave, the kettle and the oven simultaneously. If I use an appliance it would be one at a time. I might use the microwave to heat up food for 2 minutes, then after I might use the kettle. I understand these appliances can use a LOT of power - like the kettle. However if I'm only using one at a time is that still doable on a 3KVA inverter? If I'm running a TV and a fridge? No lights? I am planning on buying a gas hob/electric oven which will help with cooking during loadshedding, but I just need to ask the forum whether I should tell the electrician to separate the circuits for major appliances or keep everything as is and just be careful and logical about how I use my appliances. Thoughts?

Thank you very much for the details. Will give the a shout. Thanks!

I visited the DIY Solar Power forum and people are experiencing the same problem with the fan noise going full tilt even when not under heavy load with this inverter. Updating the firmware seems to have resolved it, allegedly. So can anyone here please comment if the firmware update has reduced the fan noise?