Chris Louw

@RookieRod If al the panels face the same direction the is no reason not to add another 2 panels. The Geyser heating should be ok most of the time with a 2kW element and a 4400kW array. The time settings you use is not economical. Al my time settings from 18:00 to 06:00 is at 35 degrees. Makes no sense to me to heat water at night with utility power. If whe really need water we switch it on manualy. We are offgrid so if we heat water with solar or battery it is from 09:00 to 14:30 .As you are pensioners this should not be a problem. The cost of adding 2 panels depends on what needs to be changed for the extra panels. In your case you want to change to 2 panels per string . The solar combiner box will have to be upgrade. Extra wire and fuses for new strings. For the rest the normal installation cost. Hope this is the correct info you want.

@RookieRod The max PV input is 4400 Watt. That is 8 of your 550W panels . 10 Panels 5500W is exceeding your limit by 25%. So 8x550 W Panels max. The inverter only has 1 mppt so you cannot use different orientation roofs spaces. I will change the Geyser element to 2kW or even lower if avialble. Then heat the geyser when excess power is avialable. a Timer on the geyser supply can be be added to assist you. I find the cost of these heating systems expensive. As you are a pensioner and only 2 adults this should work well for you.

@RookieRod The PV imput is to high 131v . The mppt operating range is 60v to 115v. When going above 115v the mppt cuts back solar production. This is because your panels is connected in 2 strings of 3 panels . Connecting the the panels in 3 strings of 2 panels wil solve the problem and inprove PV input. 131v is very close to the max input of the mppt of 145v. On a cold day this can exceed the 145v and blow the mppt. The 395 W battery input is normal . The display also shows the amount of Amps going into or out the battery. U should get about 2400 Watt input at midday. Get the cable from Sunpays for inverter to battery communication.

U can download the user manual at sacolar.com There is lot of info you need in the manual.

@RookieRod The Deichman battery specs.as per suppliers Bulkcharge 51.6v Floatcharge 51.5v Exceeding these could damage your battery.

Better than no water.

6.8 kWh from 7.8kW array , worst I had in years . But really happy with the rain we had . Some areas 70 days without water.

What a good guy. Had some private discussions with him. His mother stays in Heidelberg. RIP Don 🙏

Gauteng dam levels is high but a lot off areas does not have water on tap. Some areas now 50 days without water.

We dont need the grind. Only 2 pensioners so we use power when it is available. Load about 14 kWh per day. 7.8kW panels. Only use 4kwh out of batteries per day so they get full even if it is a cloudy day. State of batteries after today.

We have a Axpert 5kW inverter 10kWh battery backup and solarpanels to recharge batteries. System was installed 2015 .The inverter is currently not connected to local AC supply. For the last 4 years no grid power was used for recharging. Conlog officials was send to check the meter bscause I did not buy prepaid.They also checked that the seal was not tamperd with.Counsel officials have checked the system and was satisfied with the instal . Escom engineer did the COC on the solar install. We have no Electrical engineer and was informed March 2023 that the council does not have any rules in place for solar instals. We live in Gauteng. Can they force me to remove the system if they get rules inplace and be the reason why I charge from the grid as a UPS install.

This does happen if load is low and power saving mode 04 is on SEN. Change 04 to default SdS .I have tried to use the power saving mode with no success.

I would rather stay with the recommend discharge of 50 A as per Pylontech Product manual

The battery must have recommended discharge rate of 104 Amp for 5kW output. Recommended discharge rate depends on the brand of battery. Best to get the specs from the supplier.

The battery is what is limiting your output. You can only use the rcommended discharge rate of the battery.If you want the full output of the inverter, more batteries must be installed. 5.12kWh is not enough for 5kW output on batteries only. Luxpower is the better option.

3 Digit battery cell Low volt /Highvolt nice addition. What will be a safe min/max difference.

@Weso Change no5 to use. 26,27,29 can only be adjusted when on user. Default on AGM 21 v is very low DOD 100%. Try not to discharge battery lower than 50% DOD. 24.2v 12 - 24v 13 - 28.4v 26 - 28.4v 27 - 27.2v 29 -24 v.

Can you poste Settings No 11,12,13,26,27,29 and the battery Brand You are using alot of power from 105Ah batteries. The batteries might have been over discharged and have no life left.

What does all that stuff include.Get a proper quote.

@BritishRacingGreen Thanks a lot. I have disassembled the inverter before and replaced the 4 Capasitors 3300uf 63v with longer life caps a few years ago. (Coulomb modifcation) Your info will be much appreciated. Thanks

Something to consider if my inverter pack up

Yes it beter to switch mains off.

Switch off the battery. Remove + positive battery cable.Connect the resister inline. Switch on the battery for 10 seconds. Switch off the battery. Now reconnect the positive cable. The capacitors stay charged for a while. Switch on the battery. If neccessary get some help.The negatiewe must be connected.This is just a spare inverter.

@BritishRacingGreen and @Coulomb it is realy good to see how you are willing to help . @Alfie if you have an old kettle element it also works as a resister. @BritishRacingGreen i have the same inverter and it is used off grid.It is also getting old.It will be nice to have this prosedure of repairs for this problem.

I dont have info on the Mecer batteries.Remember also to set the charging current settings No 2 and no11 and equalization settings No 33-37. Lituim batteries do Not get equalized.