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Wetkit

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  1. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from ___ in Axpert MKS 5KVA Inverter - 48V   
    @SBBS, I think you not following the discussion, or is it me?
    Anyway, the 3 Axperts you have is fine, no issues there. The only problem is that they cannot work from a common PV setup. Each inverter needs to have it's own PV strings.
    Now due to the common and shared DC bus or battery bank for a better name, the 3 Axperts will still "share" the PV between them, so you not going to loose anything. In actual fact, you should gain a little bit.
    The axpert will only switch to mains if the battery bank is low, not when there is no PV.
    With the Axpert, you either run on batteries or mains, not both. Only a true Hybrid can do that.
  2. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Clint in Solar Water Heating - Lessons Learnt to date   
    So removed the pump yesterday and it was full of gunk!!!
    Used an old bottle brush and all is looking fine now again.
    Also installed a 2nd steam release valve and relocated my water bypass line. Will see if that works better.
    The guy an SunScan where I got the steam release valve from said that the Wilo pumps does have this problem of collecting gunk and should ideally be cleaned every 6 months.
  3. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Mike in Infini 3kw installation with pre-paid meter, COCT regulations.   
    Ok, so to get back to point 1.
    What I have found was that even when the "Export to Grid" is switched off, the inverter still feed back a small amount of power to the grid.
    If this is to detect if the grid is alive, I am not sure.
    Under Parameter settings there is a heading for "Feeding grid Power Callibration". Normally this is Zero, but I have mine now set at 85W. Now my pre-paid meter is not tripping anymore
     
    For the price this is still the most flexable system money can buy!!!
  4. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Carl in Wellpoint + Irrigation   
    Ok, so some new progress with this system as well.
    I felt our home water consumption was still too high, so where else we wasting water? Do we really use 100% good drinking water to flush our toilets???
    At the same time I started looking at grey water seeing I already had a storage tank.
     
    First thing was to find a suitable place to collect the grey water. Luckly for me I had just such a location. At this position I could collect the washing machine water and both bathrooms. Only missed the bath of the main bathroom, but we normally shower, so not a great loss.
    Took a week of planning an a week-end of building and all the grey water is now pumped into the irrigation water tank. Biggest cost was the DAB sump pump for R1600. It's got a level switch, so was easy to set-up.
     
    Next was to use the irrigation water for the toilets. This took much more planning and head scratching. Luckly my plumber found a way to do it that was not too expencive and took only 2 days to install.
    We installed a new water point at each toilet. I used the same pressure pump for the toilets as for the irrigation. Only thing I added here was a pump pressure/flow controller. This enable the pump to start and stop automatically according to water usage.
    Well, as all my projects goes, here I also picked up issues. Water from the well point was very brown and dirty. This started to stain the toilet bowls and caused all the water valves to not seal 100%, so pump basically ran permanently.
    I have now had to install 2 x 150um sediment filters before the pressure pump.
    On the toilet water I have installed a further 2 filters, 50um for particles and 10um to remove most of the brown colour.
    Still busy deciding if the replacment filter cost will offset the water saving cost. At least I know if our water is now shut-off the toilets will still work :/
  5. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Mark in Solar Water Heating - Lessons Learnt to date   
    Right, some more feedback regarding my system.
    The flipping weather is playing havok. I have been running the full summer with the 80% shade netting over the 2 flat plate collectors.
    Now since April 2016 I have removed the netting as we frequently had overcast days. Problem is the water still came out too hot and have been causing airlocks!!!
    So for now I will look at cleaning the pump and installing a 2nd steam release valve.
     
    Also been thinking about a heat exchanger so I can use the excess hot water to heat the pool water. Either that or to shed the extra heat in my irrigation water tank.
     
    So far I have only switched on the electrical element to test my setup. To date never needed it
  6. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from ___ in Figuring out a Hybrid setup   
    I think you can run the Imeon without a battery bank, but that will not help when load shedding hits you.
    Perhaps Mike can answer you better, as I do not know the Imeon that well.
    You looking for about R30k for the Imeon, R30k for 3kw PV and say another R30k for about 300Ah storage. Say another R10k for installation.
    This is only ballpark figures, as all will depend on your specific requirments and site.
  7. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from ___ in Figuring out a Hybrid setup   
    If you get your bill from City of Cape Town and have a Solar PV connected to the grid, you need to register.
    Best way to get around this is to have your system off-grid by having a change-over switch to switch between solar and grid power.
  8. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from viper_za in Figuring out a Hybrid setup   
    I think you can run the Imeon without a battery bank, but that will not help when load shedding hits you.
    Perhaps Mike can answer you better, as I do not know the Imeon that well.
    You looking for about R30k for the Imeon, R30k for 3kw PV and say another R30k for about 300Ah storage. Say another R10k for installation.
    This is only ballpark figures, as all will depend on your specific requirments and site.
  9. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from bruce wayne in Figuring out a Hybrid setup   
    I think you can run the Imeon without a battery bank, but that will not help when load shedding hits you.
    Perhaps Mike can answer you better, as I do not know the Imeon that well.
    You looking for about R30k for the Imeon, R30k for 3kw PV and say another R30k for about 300Ah storage. Say another R10k for installation.
    This is only ballpark figures, as all will depend on your specific requirments and site.
  10. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from bruce wayne in Figuring out a Hybrid setup   
    Hi BatBoy,
    You looking for a Hybrid inverter and nothing else.
    Currently your best option would be the Imeon, as the 5kw Infini price is nuts . There is also other options, but most of them have battery voltages from 96V up to 192V !!! (IngeCon or AEC)
    Just make sure your really want to run ALL night from batteries, as this will put a huge strain on the bank and your wallet.
    Just make sure you understand the limitations of each Inverter.
    The Imeon can do 6kw, but only when it runs from mains. During a power failure you limited to 3kw, so plan accordingly to avoid dissapointment.
    Regarding the feedback to the grid, it is not worth it IMO. According to City Of Cape Town, you have to apply for permission for a solar PV system connected to the grid, period. Even if you NOT planning to feed power back to the grid. So far I know the Imeon is an approved unit, but the paper exersize is just not worth it.
    For your own safety and others, just make sure you get a COC from your installer or electrician. Also inform your home insurer to make sure they aware of the PV system.
  11. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Chris Hobson in Figuring out a Hybrid setup   
    Hi BatBoy,
    You looking for a Hybrid inverter and nothing else.
    Currently your best option would be the Imeon, as the 5kw Infini price is nuts . There is also other options, but most of them have battery voltages from 96V up to 192V !!! (IngeCon or AEC)
    Just make sure your really want to run ALL night from batteries, as this will put a huge strain on the bank and your wallet.
    Just make sure you understand the limitations of each Inverter.
    The Imeon can do 6kw, but only when it runs from mains. During a power failure you limited to 3kw, so plan accordingly to avoid dissapointment.
    Regarding the feedback to the grid, it is not worth it IMO. According to City Of Cape Town, you have to apply for permission for a solar PV system connected to the grid, period. Even if you NOT planning to feed power back to the grid. So far I know the Imeon is an approved unit, but the paper exersize is just not worth it.
    For your own safety and others, just make sure you get a COC from your installer or electrician. Also inform your home insurer to make sure they aware of the PV system.
  12. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from FRZ0n in Solar Geysers: Guide me   
    Hi FRZ0n,
    Is both geysers close to each other or very far away?
    If they close together, I would combine them to give a total storage of 300L. That will work great for solar heating.
    Still keep one heatpump and use that for backup, rather than elements.
    Through a lot of experimentation I found the best solar water heating to be a pumped system with a decent controller. Vacuum tubes works way better than flat plates, but they do cost more.
    I have to ask why such a huge heatpump was installed on a 150L geyser?
  13. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from SOLARWIND in Buying components - some experiences.   
    Eish, I also hate to hear of stories like this.
    For one I know the costs involved with all of this, and for it to be going down the tubes is extremely bad.
    I guess you had to pay in full before said company would order anything?
     
    However, I like the idea of naming and shaming, as it can protect the rest of us as well from using this so and so.
  14. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from ___ in Time to purchase some solar panels   
    Ok, think I figured it out.
    You have a live or neutral that is crossed before or after the E/L unit.
    So what this means is you perhaps have a live from after the E/L feeding a circuit. The neutral of this circuit is then connected before the E/L unit.
    It can also be the neutral.
     
    The E/L unit works on sencing the diffence in current between live and neutral.
    If the diff is bigger than 30mA it thinks there must be an earth fault somewhere and trips.
     
    Happy hunting.
  15. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Carl in Time to purchase some solar panels   
    Ok, think I figured it out.
    You have a live or neutral that is crossed before or after the E/L unit.
    So what this means is you perhaps have a live from after the E/L feeding a circuit. The neutral of this circuit is then connected before the E/L unit.
    It can also be the neutral.
     
    The E/L unit works on sencing the diffence in current between live and neutral.
    If the diff is bigger than 30mA it thinks there must be an earth fault somewhere and trips.
     
    Happy hunting.
  16. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Chris Hobson in Time to purchase some solar panels   
    Ok, think I figured it out.
    You have a live or neutral that is crossed before or after the E/L unit.
    So what this means is you perhaps have a live from after the E/L feeding a circuit. The neutral of this circuit is then connected before the E/L unit.
    It can also be the neutral.
     
    The E/L unit works on sencing the diffence in current between live and neutral.
    If the diff is bigger than 30mA it thinks there must be an earth fault somewhere and trips.
     
    Happy hunting.
  17. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Noobie in Time to purchase some solar panels   
    Sounds like you could have an earth or neutral issue on the inverter somewhere.
    Perhaps is when the inverter changes from batteries to mains or the other way round.
  18. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from SOLARWIND in My Newbie Install.   
    Great job there.
    What area you located in?
    Which way is the panels facing?
    How many units you generating per day?
     
    I would like to recomend you look at putting the electrical cabling inside plastic conduit or trunking.
    Do you have fuses installed on your 48V DC coming from the battries?
  19. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Chris Hobson in PV Output Team - Southern Africa   
    Ok, so I have joined as well.
    Will be updating once per month manually.
    Still trying to figure it all out....
  20. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Mark in PV Output Team - Southern Africa   
    Ok, so I have joined as well.
    Will be updating once per month manually.
    Still trying to figure it all out....
  21. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Chris Hobson in Time to purchase some solar panels   
    Hi Noobie,
     
    If you having problems with battery cycling, perhaps you need to look more closely at your battery settings?
    25V at 50 amp and 25V at 10amp is totally diffrent.
    2nd one might be battery size? The bigger your storage capacity, the less likely it would be to cycle so many times.
     
    I split my loads after the inverter. Those I would like backed up during loadshedding (lights + TV) and those just looking to run on PV, like the fridge.
    I used a 220V contactor powerd from Eskom power. So if Eskom falls out, the contactor also falls out and thereby disconnecting the loads I would not like to run on UPS power.
  22. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Shaun in maximum distance from PV array to Charge Controller   
    Is there no way you can bring the inv and batteries closer to the PV?
    Running 230V AC over 60m is no problem, but 60m with 16mm cable is going to cost you $$$.
  23. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from Arandoza in Newbi Requires Advice on a PV ONLY Build.   
    Hi Kevin,
     
    Welcome!
     
    1. What type of power meter do you have? Disc or prepaid?
    2. What is your avg monthly consumption? Units?
    3. How much money you willing to spend?
     
    Cheers
  24. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from ___ in Newbi Requires Advice on a PV ONLY Build.   
    Hi Kevin,
     
    Welcome!
     
    1. What type of power meter do you have? Disc or prepaid?
    2. What is your avg monthly consumption? Units?
    3. How much money you willing to spend?
     
    Cheers
  25. Like
    Wetkit got a reaction from superdiy in Best Axpert string config 5kva   
    Well, remember that with normal DC invertors, the PV voltage is first converted to battery voltage, then only used again from the batteries for the conversion back to AC.
    Only with some Hybrids and GTi the PV voltage is converted strait to AC, but then the PV input voltage would be much higher than 230V DC.
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