pilotfish

If I build a submarine I am DEF going with Victron

Yes, Axpert firmware has a bit of a bug in the charge algorithm that allows the system to go to float too early under certain conditions, the firmware upgrade improves this issue.

Hi @egemnaar The software that the forum will recommend is ICC (http://iccsoftware.co.za/), which will give you good information and control over your system. I use an old Windows laptop in the solar room which I can control remotely using Remote Desktop, I am not sure how this would be done using a RasPi but I am sure others can advise you on this. If using ICC then it is HIGHLY recommended that you install the Victron BMV-702 (ask @Camel) which will greatly improve how the batteries are controlled. Get an HA-01 (ask @Chris-R) which will maintain charge balance between the batteries which is a big concern with series connected batteries. When budget allows I would suggest upgrading to 8 panels (if currently connected in 3p2s) or 9 panels (if currently connected 2p3s) which would be better suited to your current 200Ah battery bank.

Drawing power directly off the series connected batteries is a mistake unless you are drawing identical loads off each battery. Even similar fans doesn't guarantee similar loads as the operating conditions of the fans may vary. If you MUST do it then take the power off across the full bank (12/24/36/48v - whatever your bank voltage is) and the put 1/2/3/4 fans in series - or just cough up a few pennies for a 12v DC transformer. You could pray that your HA will cope with the imbalance, but if you get it wrong it could cost you a new HA and a new battery bank - and a new 12v DC transformer because you are unlikely to make the same mistake twice!

I have a PDF for a Sabre Mk5 from Landis Gyr which is probably the same piece of kit - drop me a PM if you would like me to mail it to you.

It is usually not recommended to mix batteries of different chemistries.

HUH??? I guess the short answer is YES and NO... Axpert inverters are compatible with various types of batteries, but not all types of batteries... Axpert inverters are available in a varying range, all of which require battery banks of either 24v or 48v (nominal) - the max power rating (Ah) of the connected bank would need to be carefully selected depending on the max grid charging current of the selected inverter if used as UPS type backup only, or the available PV overhead if charging via PV panels in an off-grid/grid-assist setup. What batteries have you been offered and what would you like to accomplish?

Any hints as to where to look for the cells?

I am guessing 182s14p 182p14s... I would love to give that a go - where did you find 2548 cells, what did it cost, are you using a BMS, are you happy with the resulting performance?

Ok, I was just looking at the pop-up when you hover over 6.300kW on the ladder which says 12x 300. I guess better info available elsewhere.

Looking at the stats I'm guessing that the error is in the description 12x 300 which should read 21x 300, and so the system is 6300W as listed.

I see that @Sidewinder is doing himself in - his system info in 12x 300w panels (3600w) but with a bit of dyslexia thrown in has listed his system size as 6300W. If that was corrected he would murder everyone on efficiency by miles! ...although the current output is 4437 watts at 10h44, so clearly not a 3600w panel???

Seperate into 2 arrays as follows, depending on shading (assuming 2x MPPT as mentioned by @Chris Hobson) - the system will work great. Most PV systems work hard in the morning to charge batteries etc, and then start to idle one batteries reach float, so that being the common case it makes sense to favour NE array if you had to pick one because you are likely to have excess capacity in the afternoon anyway.

The roof pitch at 15' will make the system very effective in spring/summer/autumn, but less effective in winter - if anything I would prefer to see it the other way round (favoring winter), but it will probably make a difference of 5-10% over the year. The NW pointing roof is similar situation - great in the early morning late afternoon, not so great in late afternoon early morning- probably 5% loss overall. I dont think it makes financial sense to change any angles, if you are worried about losing 15% throughout the year then rather add 15% more panel area than try and change angles.

You definitely DO NOT equalize (boost charge) an Omnipower battery as this will causing gassing and loss of electrolyte, AGM batteries are sealed and the electrolyte is not replaceable. The problem that you may have is that the OPS 260-12 requires an initial charge current of 30amps (recommended 40amps, max 50amps), if the initial charge current is lower than 30amps it results in sulphation according to the Omnipower battery supplier (Sinetech). Your off-grid Axpert system will start start off each morning by using PV to supply the load with any excess required being supplied by the battery, as PV input increases through the morning then the system will gradually take over the battery input and start to charge the battery with any energy available over the load requirement. This could start at 1 amp and increase with PV power input - but definitely not an initial current of 30amps. It is for this reason that I don't believe that OPS (now OPR) batteries are a good solution for PV systems (others may differ).

I heard that the dams have dropped a further 1% since you started your excavations

If you decide to go with the 325Wp then I recommend either 2 or 4 panels. The 265W panel is usually a 60 module panel that can be run 3 in series on the Axpert, but the 325W is a 72 module panel that is best used 2 in series with your inverter as your open circuit voltage could exceed 145v max under certain conditions.

From Goggles...Plasma vs LCD "In plasma HDTVs, the phosphors that create the image on the screen light up themselves, and don't require back-lighting. This doesn't mean it's more efficient than backlit LCD screens, though. On the contrary, plasma panels are much heavier than both CCFL- and LED-backlit LCDs, and consume much more power."

It is the Plasma which sucks big energy, I have a 32", 40" and 55" LED which all draw almost exactly the same at around 70W

Haha, I didn't want to say anything when I read your post earlier - but I foresee some smoke! You would kinda need to know the difference between A/mA, AC/DC, and voltage tests in parallel while current tests in series - if this is Greek then get someone else to do the tests for you, it will be cheaper than most multi-meters.

That is a reasonable price for a reasonable quality panel (if it is Canadian Solar) so no reason to avoid that I can think of. Which Axpert inverter do you have?

I believe that the Microcare unit is telling you that your panels are under-powered; ".....the PV panels are limiting the amount of energy delivered to the MPPT to charge the batteries...." Your system is bitching because you haven't provided enough PV power for it to do it's job, like asking the Italian slaves to build you a railroad and then feeding them rice instead of pasta... you need more PASTA!

I would say that your installer is dodging what is clearly a warranty issue. I suggest taking the system out of service NOW before the failed battery results in total bank failure (when one starts to go your other batteries will drop like dominoes). Bypass the inverter for now so that you are grid only until the issue is resolved. After taking the system out of service try and charge up the faulty battery with a high quality 12v battery charger - if it responds then you can try putting it back into service, but my guess is that you will have to replace the dodgy battery (which i would recommend over replacing the entire bank in this instance, considering their relative youth). Note that if the battery does respond to individual charge and you decide to put it back into service then charge ALL the batteries in the same way before doing so, and then make sure to fit an HA-01 battery balancer to limit the chance of re-occurrence.

I was looking at a water-from-air machine the other day (in sympathy with our Capie cousins, I live in Joburg with plenty cheap water and have a very productive borehole powered by PV) and it turns out that it is just a heat exchanger that produces condensation at the cool element that is collected at the output. That sounds very similar to me to the operation of and air-conditioner, which as luck would have it also produces a lot of condensate which is currently dumped into drainage systems and treated as effluent at great cost. What would happen if it became law that all condensation from every aircon/heat-pump etc in any building above a certain size (say 2000m2) had to be captured and re-used in grey water systems for that building, how much water could be saved?

Hi @WillieC Your system appears to be 3x Axpert MKS 5k inverters in parallel, with 8 panels connected to each inverter probably arranged as 4 strings of 2 panels in series, and an 800Ah common battery bank made up of 16x 200Ah batteries arranged in 4 strings of 4 batteries. The software that you require to monitor your system is ICC. It comes in Rasberry-Pi and Windows versions, but not Mac as far as I am aware. I run it on an clunky old Pentium Laptop running Windows 10 and it works brilliantly - in fact I don't know how anyone could effectively run a PV system such as the one you have without similar monitoring software. You can download the software for your chosen platform at http://iccsoftware.co.za/about/download-2/ The computer (whichever route you decide to go) is connected to 1 of the 3 Axperts via the USB terminal. I would also recommend that you get a Victron BMV-702 which addresses the 1 major fault of the Axpert (and most other inverters as well) being the method used to monitor battery State Of Charge (SOC) - the Axpert estimates SOC via battery voltage, whereas the BMV measures amps in/out of the battery which is a vastly more accurate method. Accurate SOC information is important for ICC to make accurate decisions on when to switch between Grid and Battery modes in order to protect your batteries from damage (lets hope you are not too late). The BMV will also communicate with ICC via a USB connection ICC is like a high performance athlete on crutches without the BMV. If you decide to go this route then contact @Camel regarding the BMV and he will provide you with the correct equipment. It all sound a bit complicated but really isnt once you get started - some sameples of ICC output below.