BamBam

@GMAC Adding a small PV as you mentioned sounds like a good idea. I didn't expect the inverter to be so thirsty other than when it's charging the battery after an LS session! Switching the unit off when there's no imminent LS isn't maybe an option is it?

Thanks Eugene, Last night I timed the frequency of the fan switching. Seems that every 20 minutes it runs for 5 minutes. Does this seem normal - is this the inverter constantly "topping up" the battery? The inverter isn't really doing any inverting so to speak seeing that utility is present and set as priority. Also is this where the extra consumption comes from perhaps? Unfortunately I can't pull any diagnostics. Still trying to confirm but according to the manual a data logging wi-fi dongle was supposed to be included but it wasn't. It enables real time monitoring via app or desktop - speaking to the supplier to get an answer.

Hi all, So finally upgraded from my desktop Mecer to a 5kw Luxpower SNA5000 with a Volta Stage 1 battery (48v 100Ah). PV will have to come later, finances permitting. After installation I was skimming through the settings and noticed that the inverter was set to lead acid battery as opposed to lithium. Was worried by this and immediately contacted the installer who assured me that it made no difference as the BMS overrides this setting and takes care of itself. Does this sound right? Maybe it's just OCD but seeing "lead acid" on the display sticks in my eye! Plus that battery type option should surely be there for a reason right? Also I've noticed that my electricity consumption has gone up a fair bit. Normally overnight I'd use about 3ish but last night it consumed 6 units. Both readings took into account a 2 hour loadshedding stint. Lastly, is it normal for the inverter's fan to spin up periodically? Maybe 3 or 4 times an hour for about >5 minutes each. This is during normal conditions where utility is present and supplying full load. Hope you guys can help with these questions.

Many thanks guys, lots to think about!

Ah ok. Had no idea that the essential/non essential loads were something designated on the inverter. If that is the case then that Luxpower may not suit my needs. This is quite a rabbit hole.

Unsure of the oven's rating but it's a double oven, each with 2 elements so if they're both on at the same time I guess they'd consume over the 4kw as you mentioned!

so does that mean that your mains would be diverted after the prepaid meter but before the inverter, with one line going into the inverter and into specific breakers in the DB, and the other line going straight into the oven and geyser's dedicated breakers right?

Thanks all - below is the setup I'm interested in. Will have to try and figure out what the inverter can pass through. Our day-to-day consumption is minimal, so this is adequate but if for some reason I'm using, say, an angle grinder while the oven and washing machine are running then I don't want that pass-through value to be a bottleneck. Highly unlikely scenario, but still. https://www.utilitypal.co.za/product-page/volta-luxpower-lithium-battery-5-12kw-inverter-5kw-installation

Hi all, just a question regarding the above: So my basic understanding is that if you have, for example, a 5kW inverter then that value represents the maximum output it can sustain when inverting. Does that output value also apply when the mains is restored? So in the scenario where you're in a 2 hour loadshedding stint your inverter can only power devices totalling 5kW consumption. Then loadshedding is suspended and the inverter falls back onto mains. Does this mean that despite you being on mains supply you'll still be governed by the inverter's max output? Or does the mains supply then just "pass-through" the inverter? Hope that makes sense.

Thanks - I had no idea Sunsynk had such a product. Will investigate further. Thanks GreenFields. The plan is to go wall mounted, but as TaliaB mentioned I guess the first question is that of budget. Will have to do some sums and see what the result dictates.

Hi all, new to the forum and very keen to pick some brains on my way to a proper solar solution eventually (finances permitting)! Currently I have Mecer 1440w 24v desktop inverter with 4 100AH lead acids but would like to replace with something with more functionality and scalability - ultimate goal is to have solar generation to at least offset if not completely replace Eskom usage and everything plumbed into the DB but that's way down the road. The current setup is more than adequate as all it powers is 3 computers with peripherals, 1 TV and an LED floodlight at night. It handles a 4 hour load shed with ease. For now, the idea I have is to get an off-grid 24v or 48v setup with an appropriate LiFePo4 battery going into one of those Ready Boards (a small DB with integrated plug points as well as breakers and earth leakage, so it'll be an independent system. From the board we'll just run leads to the devices mentioned above, much like we are now (that Mecer has 3 plug points built in). One of those trolley AIO jobbies would probably be a decent upgrade but I'm really trying to think further down the road. What sort of battery/inverter combo would you recommend? Any inverter over 5000w would be overkill for our needs though integrated BMS for the lithium batteries would be nice. Any thoughts on this idea? Am I overlooking something crucial? Thanks in advance.