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Vernonstanley

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  1. It sounds like you've done a lot of research and have a good understanding of your energy needs. Here are some answers to your questions: 1) Will the 5x455w panels be sufficient to power the system for non-essentials throughout winter/summer if we experience prolonged periods of breakdowns from COJ/Eskom? It's hard to give a definitive answer without knowing more about your energy usage patterns, but in general, a 5kW solar system should be sufficient to power the essentials you listed as well as some non-essentials during periods of extended power outages. The number of panels you have should provide enough energy to recharge your batteries during the day and power your loads at night, as long as you are mindful of your energy usage. Keep in mind that during the winter months, when there is less sunlight, you may need to conserve energy more carefully. 2) Is it worth it to go for the more expensive Sunsynk/Deye inverter, or is the Luxpower SNA5000 a better value? The Sunsynk/Deye inverter is generally considered to be a higher quality product than the Luxpower SNA5000. However, if you're on a budget and don't need all the features of the Sunsynk/Deye, the Luxpower may be a good choice. It's important to evaluate the specific features and capabilities of each inverter to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. If you have concerns about the cost of the system, you might also consider getting additional quotes to compare prices and features from different suppliers. Overall, it seems like you've done your homework and are on the right track to a successful solar installation. Good luck with your project!
  2.    Vernonstanley reacted to a post in a topic: 5kw solar system for small household
  3. Yes, it is possible to add solar panels to your existing setup with a Lifepo4 battery and inverter charger. However, you will need to make sure that the solar panels you choose are compatible with your battery and charger, and that you have the necessary components to connect them. Here are the steps you can take to add solar panels to your setup: Check the specifications of your Lifepo4 battery to make sure it can handle the charging voltage and current of the solar panels you want to add. Also, check the specifications of your inverter charger to make sure it can handle the charging voltage and current from the solar panels. Choose a solar panel or panels that are compatible with your battery and charger. Look for panels that have a voltage and current output that matches the charging specifications of your battery and charger. Purchase a solar charge controller that is compatible with your battery and charger. The solar charge controller will regulate the charging voltage and current from the solar panels to prevent overcharging your battery and damaging your charger. Install the solar panels and solar charge controller according to their instructions. You will need to connect the solar panels to the solar charge controller, and then connect the solar charge controller to your battery and charger. Monitor the charging process to ensure everything is working properly. You should see the solar panels charging your battery and the inverter charger converting the battery power to AC power. Remember to be cautious and follow the instructions carefully when making any changes or modifications to your electrical system.
  4. It is generally not recommended to connect any device directly to a lithium-ion battery without taking proper precautions, as it can potentially damage the battery or create safety hazards. The Hubble AM-2 battery has a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) that is designed to protect the battery from overcharging, over-discharging, and other potential issues. Connecting an external device, such as a Raspberry Pi, directly to the battery terminals could potentially interfere with the BMS and its ability to monitor and control the battery's performance. The current drain of a Raspberry Pi is typically relatively low, especially if it is not performing intensive tasks or running multiple devices simultaneously. However, even a low current drain can affect the performance of a lithium-ion battery if it is not properly managed. To ensure safe and optimal operation of your Hubble AM-2 battery, it is recommended that you use a proper DC-DC converter or power supply that is designed to work with the battery's BMS.
  5.    Vernonstanley reacted to a post in a topic: Solar assistant connecting to battery
  6.    Vernonstanley reacted to a post in a topic: What does TN-C-S earthing mean?
  7. I found what was a very clear article: TN-C-S Earthing System: Detailed Explanation, Diagrams This definition is based on IEC 60364-1 and describes the meaning of the term well. Example: TN-C-S system 3-phase 4-wire. The PEN conductor is separated at the origin of the electrical installation.
  8. It sounds like you have a good understanding of the process for upgrading the battery and wiring it to the gate motor and solar charge controller. Just to clarify, you should remove the existing 9Ah battery and replace it with the new 200Ah battery. The new battery should be wired to the solar charge controller, and the charge controller should be connected to the solar panel to enable charging. You can then connect the gate motor to the battery and wire the 12V light to the load section of the charge controller. As you mentioned, it's important to use a cable with a suitable ampacity to handle the current draw of the gate motor. You should also ensure that the solar panel is capable of producing at least 18V to properly charge the battery. Additionally, if your gate has an external light connector, you can use this to trigger an external light when the gate opens. However, you will need to ensure that the light is connected to a suitable power source and wired correctly to avoid any potential safety hazards.
  9. The MOV (Metal-Oxide Varistor) on the floodlight input is a component designed to protect against transient voltage spikes and surges. It is not uncommon for MOVs to degrade or fail over time, especially when exposed to frequent or high-energy transients. However, it's possible that the UPS may have produced a voltage spike or surge that exceeded the MOV's maximum rating, causing it to fail. This could be due to a fault in the UPS itself, such as a failed component or an incorrect setting. To test the UPS, you could try connecting different loads of varying sizes and types to it and monitoring the output voltage with a multimeter or oscilloscope. You could also check the manufacturer's documentation and support resources to see if there are any recommended tests or procedures for checking the UPS's performance. It's also a good idea to check the input voltage and waveform of the UPS to ensure that it is within the UPS's specified operating range. This can help ensure that the UPS is not being subjected to excessive or unstable input power that could cause it to produce undesirable output waveforms or voltage spikes.
  10. You are correct that it shouldn't be necessary to jump through hoops to get your battery and inverter to communicate properly. Ideally, the installer should have provided the correct communication cable and ensured that the system was set up correctly from the start. Unfortunately, in some cases, installers may not have the necessary knowledge or experience to properly set up and configure a solar system, including communication between the battery and inverter. In addition, some inverter models may not support certain features such as solar energy priority.
  11. The behavior you're describing with the Pylontech UP2500 battery is not normal and could be indicative of a problem with the battery or the inverter. While error 69 may be a normal warning that can be rectified with a firmware upgrade, the amber ALM light changing to the red PROTECT light, followed by the battery rebooting and repeating the cycle is not expected. It could indicate that the battery is experiencing an issue with overcurrent, overvoltage, or other electrical irregularities. I would recommend contacting the manufacturer or supplier of the Pylontech battery and the RCT Axpert inverter for further assistance in troubleshooting the issue. They may be able to provide guidance on how to properly use and maintain the equipment, as well as options for repair or replacement if necessary.
  12. It is normal for lithium-ion batteries to have some degree of capacity loss over time and with use. However, it is unusual for a new battery to exhibit such a rapid decrease in capacity.
  13.    Flarkit reacted to a post in a topic: Earthing solar panels
  14.    Chris_S reacted to a post in a topic: Earthing solar panels
  15.    GreenFields reacted to a post in a topic: Deye in Off-grid mode
  16. Hi! I'm sorry to hear about the issue with your storage batteries. The fact that your system was functioning well for a month before the problem occurred suggests that there may be an issue with the batteries themselves or with the way they are being used. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem: Check the battery voltage: Make sure that the voltage of the batteries is within the specified range for the CFE 5100 batteries. If the voltage is too low, it may indicate that the batteries are not being charged properly. Check the battery temperature: High temperatures can affect the performance of lead-acid batteries. Make sure that the battery temperature is within the specified range for the CFE 5100 batteries. Check the battery connections: Make sure that the connections between the batteries, the inverter, and the charge controller are secure and free from corrosion. Check the battery water level: If you have flooded lead-acid batteries, make sure that the water level is within the specified range. Check the inverter settings: Make sure that the settings for the Growatt SFH 5000 inverter are correct for your battery type. The inverter should be configured to properly charge and discharge the batteries.
  17.    Vernonstanley reacted to a post in a topic: Deye in Off-grid mode
  18. Hi! Yes, it is possible to have the DEYE 8kW inverter run in off-grid mode while still being connected to the grid. Hybrid inverters like the DEYE 8kW are designed to operate in both off-grid and grid-tied modes, and allow you to switch between the two modes as desired. To have the DEYE 8kW inverter operate like an Axpert type of inverter, you need to set the inverter to "standalone" or "off-grid" mode, which will prevent it from following the grid voltage and instead allow it to function as an independent power source. In this mode, the inverter will charge the batteries using its own internal charger, and will use the stored energy in the batteries to power the load. The inverter will switch to grid power only when the batteries are depleted and need to be recharged. To switch to off-grid mode, you can refer to the user manual of the DEYE 8kW inverter, which should have instructions on how to change the operating mode.
  19.    Vernonstanley reacted to a post in a topic: Deye in Off-grid mode
  20. Hi! The Mecer 3kW inverter is an off-grid power inverter and does not typically have Bluetooth connectivity built-in. To add Bluetooth functionality, you can add a separate Bluetooth module to the inverter. However, adding a Raspberry Pi is not the only way to achieve this. There are several commercially available Bluetooth modules that can be added to the inverter to provide Bluetooth connectivity. These modules typically communicate with the inverter through RS232, RS485, or USB, and can be programmed to provide the desired Bluetooth functionality.
  21. Hi! Yes, the Axpert 3kVA - 24V inverter system can be configured to charge lithium batteries properly and safely. However, it's recommended to check with the manufacturer or a qualified electrician to confirm that the inverter is compatible with lithium batteries and that the proper charging settings are used. As for the lithium battery, it is recommended to choose a battery with a capacity that can handle the load and depth of discharge (DoD) required for your system. The capacity you choose will depend on the amount of power you need to store and how often you need to discharge the battery. A common lithium battery type is LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate), which is known for its long life, high stability, and high current discharge capability. In South Africa, you can find lithium batteries from various suppliers, including PowerBrick, Energi TriPak, and GetPower. It's always a good idea to compare the specifications, warranty, and cost of different options before making a decision. It's also important to note that the installation of a lithium battery requires specialized knowledge and should be performed by a qualified electrician. Additionally, the battery bank should be properly sized and configured to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the batteries.
  22. The SANS (South African National Standards) 10142-1 regulations dictate the electrical installation requirements in South Africa. According to these regulations, electrical panels must be connected to an earth electrode system that is separate from the earth electrode system used for the main earthing of the building. This separate earth electrode system must consist of one or more electrodes, such as ground spikes, that are driven into the ground. Regarding your question, if your home's earth is connected to the utility earth and a ground spike, you can use this existing ground spike to connect the electrical panel. However, it's always advisable to consult with a qualified electrician to ensure that the installation meets the relevant safety regulations and standards.

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