Olorin

Why does anyone move from a 1.5KVA to a 3KVA inverter? I figure if there is a +- R2000 difference or slightly less between a 1.5KVA and a 3KVA, it's probably worth getting the extra just in case. Not that I know anything - most of the people I've spoken to say I shouldn't consider anything LESS than a 3KVA and funnily enough, someone from Power Forum recommended a 5KVA! Go figure! And this after I explained my usage patterns, my equipment etc, etc. So who knows. In the span of 2 weeks I've had so much conflicting information from a bunch of installers that it's made my head hurt. One guy specced a system costing R50K! Without installation. For a small 2 bedroom apartment. 🤣 Like, if that is what they recommend for someone like me, then I can't even imagine what system they would recommend for a medium sized household.

Just some useless information, but I have a prepaid meter and I use roughly 4.5-8 units (if I use my geyser for 1 hour 30 min) of electricity a day - I'm usually away on weekends, but I'll factor in weekends anyway, and assuming max 8 units, so x 30 = 240 units a month. Not sure this helps with calculations or anything.

Unfortunately I'm not knowledgeable enough to know if this is much better than using the 2 x S-120AH batteries. It says 2200 Cycles @ 100% DOD, 4000 Cycles @ 80% DOD, the S-120 is 2000 cycles at 1c. Again, this will be used with a 3KVA Axpert variant.

Why? Probably because the Victron inverters are like double the price or more compared to the Axperts? And the Pylontech battery is already R16K (presumably, assuming pricing is accurate) and combined is wayyyyy more than I was prepared to spend, then I have to search through the yellow pages (okay, I'm kidding here, or maybe not) and find an installer who will be prepared to install these components as the few I've spoken to are reluctant to install anything that they don't personally supply and then installation costs will probably be much higher too.

Basically what you've confirmed is that I know nothing. Maybe you're right, I should just stick to the original plan and just get 2 x S-120 batteries (why S-100 if I may ask, if the S-120 is like a few hundred more?) with a 3KVA Axpert variant. I'm probably overcomplicating things - my budget can only really accommodate an Axpert 3KVa inverter with either 2 x 100AH lithium batteries or 1 x 24V AH100 battery - I was thinking of maybe pushing my budget a few thousand rand more and getting the Pylontech battery, but .... basically that isn't without it's pitfalls either according to you, so I'm kinda out of my depth now. Then I have to worry about the installers not wanting to install the equipment because I'm not buying everything through them, which is another concern. I'm damned if I do - buy a complete solution and end up paying considerably more, or buy the components yourself and pray there is an electrician prepared to do the work. I've never used so many emojies in one day.

I assumed budget priority *should* be put on the battery first and the inverter second?

Dammit, you see, now you have thrown ANOTHER spanner in the works. I've heard owners of Axpert inverters not giving any troubles at all for years, and now you come along and scare me off them? Your power consumption habits and mine will be very, very different. For one I'll never use a kettle on the inverter. I live alone, in a 2 bed flat. Not sure why your inverters failed on you multiple times, that is a worry.

Can you advise on the following : https://onlineshop.gcsolar.co.za/product/pylontech-up2500-2-84kwh-li-ion-solar-battery-24v-can-connection/ I just saw this at under R17K and it's available in stock. It seems to have better specs than the AM-4 Hubble at R20K - 6000 cycles at 80% DOC! Is there something I'm missing, why is this battery so much cheaper and it offers much better performance according to what I can see. Please offer your 2c.

Thanks I'll give Power Forum store a call on Monday. I have so many things going through my mind right now with batteries and inverters and I'm undecided yet on what my configuration will be. I was kinda set on the S-100 batteries, but now the S-120 seems better at no additional cost. Inverter still 3KVA, Axpert variant, they're all the same basically so it shouldn't matter which one I go for (I assume). However I was looking at batteries a little earlier today and came across the Hubble AM-4 which is a much more serious battery - it's on special promotion at LEC Energy for just under R20000. So about R4000 more than 2 x S-120 batteries. S-120 batteries claim 2000 cycles at 1C - not sure what that means. The AM-4 is 1st life, they claim 6000 cycles at 50% DOC and 3000 cycles at 100% DOC and a much better warranty. Decisions, decisions. In this game I guess you can always get something better if you just spend a few thousand extra here or there.

I just checked on their website and their S120 batteries are like basically the same price as the S100. Seems like a no brainer until it says not suitable for 48v operation so i can only use 2 in series. If I want to expand to 4 batteries then I'm screwed? They say first life cells on the S120. Edit : on hubble website also says 2nd life cells. Geewiz has inaccurate or just plain misleading info on their website!

I'm clearly too stupid to understand. I've emailed Geewiz. They need to amend the specs on their website otherwise they are misleading people.

According to Geewiz website the S-100 12V batteries are 1st life batteries, not 2nd life. https://www.geewiz.co.za/lithium-ion-batteries/153798-hubble-s-100a-12kwh-12v-100ah-lithium-ion-lifepo4-battery-first-life-cells.html?sfdr_ptcid=2961_617_674575116&sfdr_hash=e2ef7a010818e0e64c6de192ae95bf8e&gclid=Cj0KCQiAt66eBhCnARIsAKf3ZNGnHZhYQARuf8HrC_JPYJb3tApjKV-eZ6TIe_xyPKmN9oATyiW9DzcaAgbkEALw_wcB

Thanks guys for the advice. So the next question - do you guys know of any electricians or installers that will do the work (in the northern suburbs, Cape Town) if you supply own inverter and battery (or batteries)? Some guys I've spoken to are hesitant to do the work if they don't know or are unfamiliar with products they don't supply but if I were to supply the items myself I'll probably save a good few thousand rand. I'm not opposed to using the installer to provide everything, but if they don't have stock and I can source stock from a different supplier then I have to go that route.

Can you explain what 2nd life means? Is one cycle depleting charge from full to 0?

Does anyone have experience with these batteries? Any good? I was recommended 2 of these batteries together with a 3kva axpert inverter. Technician told me they carry a 5 year warranty although when I looked online it shows 2 years.

I appreciate your advice. I don't know how many cycles the Hubble 12V 100Ah batteries are.... right now R25K is really pushing my budget to the max. Problem is, stock is a problem as it is and if I wait and save up I'll probably pay more as prices will increase further. Some companies are pushing R45-50K systems on me without installation and I just don't have that kind of money and for someone who lives alone, in a small 2 bed apartment, I just don't see the point.

If I ever want to add additional capacity I could just add another 2 x 100AH batteries at a later stage right?

Sorry just to add, I saw the price of a Pylontech UP2500 and it's like R23000 just for the battery. Then I still need a 3KVA inverter and installation with all accessories etc. So it's quite a large jump in price over 2 x Hubble 100AH 12V batteries.

I don't understand. The AM4 and Pylontech have a cycle life of two to four times more than the 2 x 12V 100Ah batteries? So it will last a lot longer? The thing is, I don't want to go totally overboard with my requirements. Most people have told me that a 3KVA with 2 100AH lithium batteries will more than take care of my needs for 4 hours+ based on the gear I have in my apartment. I have a small apartment. Using a battery like the UP2500 is probably more for larger households with stronger demands. I'm just running a set up with an AVR, subwoofer, TV, Laptop, PC, fridge and some LED lights. My power usage is going to be fairly low given that I'm not going to use my PC or laptop generally when I'm using my surround sound system which will probably use the bulk of the power.

So I've been quoted on two systems , one is 2 x 100 AH Hubble 12V batteries with a Axpert model 3KVA inverter. Installed, my electrician tells me +- R25000. But someone else said I should get 1 x 100 AH 24V battery, same price with a 3KVA inverter. So what is the pro/con with going for 2 x 12V vs 1 x 24V battery if they are both 100AH?

I see geewiz sell a digital watt meter : https://www.geewiz.co.za/gadgets/43656-digital-watt-meter-kill-a-watt-measure-your-electricity-usage.html Would this gadget tell me how much power I use if I use my surround sound system while my fridge is working etc?

Hi everyone, Just joined the forum. So I have the following I need to be powered : 55" LED TV, AV receiver, subwoofer, router, notebook, PC, fridge and LED lights in 2 rooms and a bathroom. If I go into the specs of each item and look at the max power and add everything up it would amount to +- 2000 watts max. Now there is no way I'll ever come close to 2000 watts. I reckon I won't even come close to 1000 watts. My PC won't ever be on when I'm using my laptop and my sound system, which accounts for most of the power draw, won't be used concurrently with everything else, so power demands should be much, much lower than what the total max is. However the important question is, what is my average consumption? Or peak consumption? I have absolutely no idea. How does one measure their average/max consumption in real time? In order to spec a system that can comfortably power my equipment for 4 hours+ I would need to know what the consumption is, but I don't know apart from adding up max power which tells us nothing in reality. If anyone can give advice on this it would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to spec a system that is grossly overkill (some overkill is good for reserve, but it can quickly get out of hand) for my needs. My apartment is owned by me, so I was thinking of an inverter wired into the DB with lithium iron batteries (or battery) and not a trolley system.