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WynandK

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  1. Hi Guys, I'm kinda new to this forum as well as to solar, but I have had enough of the "Price of darkness" every now and then. I purchase an AXPERT 1KVA inverter charger a while back which I wanted to use in my grow tunnel, but never go around to doing so. So now I want to install it in my home to at least, run some lights and maybe the TV from it. I also have two 100W solar panels that I would like to use but since the AXPERT has a built-in charger it is not important. I purchased 2 x 105 Ah Batteries to supply power in the event of a power failure. I have however noticed something which I need to clarify before connecting the panels. The panels have the following electrical ratings: 100W. Vmp:18.0 V. Voc: 22.2v. Imp: 5.56A. and Isc: 6.58A. The AXPERT manual recommends PV's to the following specs: Pmax 85W. Vmpp: 17.6V. Impp: 4.83A. Voc: 21.6V and Isc: 5.03A 1. How important is it that the panels match the specs, provided by the manufacturer to the letter? 2. I received a CD with the AXPERT, but I don't know what I did with it. Is there somewhere where I can download the software from the Net? i managed to get the manual but I'm not sure what was on the CD so I don't know where to start looking. Cheers Wynand
  2. Duisend dankies Jaco. Dit het my oe bietjie oopgemaak. Sal maar vir eers dit wat ek het gebruik vir back-up as Eskom af gaan. Die behoort die sisteem (Pompe) aan die gang to hou vir 2,5 ure. Sal maar net 'n changeover insit sodat dit outomaties kan oorskakel
  3. Got you. We're probably from more or less the same time. TV (test pattern and one news broadcast) came in my matric year '75
  4. Hi Antony, That was probably in the days when sex was safe and cars were dangerous? Been here 3 years now. Moved from Richards Bay.
  5. Jaco, Thanks for your help. Measuring their consumption now is not possible as the nutrient does not get cold enough for the heaters to work. The nutrient should ideally be kept between 20 and 26 deg C. During summer it is more likely to go up to 30/32 deg C so I have to put iced bottles into the reservoir. In winter however it will be a different story but the fact that the reservoirs are buried will help to keep the temp. If I had to venture a guess, I would say they would probably work a total 2 - 3 hours per night, during the winter. They are set @ 22 deg C and would want to keep the temperature there. They will therefore switch on and off all the time but the total "on" time would probably not be more than 3 hours per night. I think, work on your gut feel for now or disregard the heaters for now, as it is still far to winter. I can always add more batteries should it be necessary. I have in any case only got one hydroponic system going and am busy building the second one. The third one is still a way off.
  6. Hi Jaco and thanks, Well basically I have only one pump running continuously for now (40W) and 1 fan (45W) running during the day, but only when it is very hot inside the tunnel. I will eventually have 3 pumps of which 2 will run continuously (night and day)and the third one will run every hour for about 15 minutes, during the day and maybe once every 3 hrs, for 15 minutes during the night. I will eventually also have 4 fans (Normal oscillating fans) running during the day, but like I said only when it is very hot in the tunnel. I open up the sides of the tunnel for airflow but have a heat build-up high up, under the plastic covering The lights are only used at night but very seldom as I try and do everything during daylight hours. The aquarium heaters whilst on all the time, are controlled by thermostats and will probably only work in the winter months and then mostly during the night when temperatures plummet. My nutrient reservoirs are buried in the ground, so the temp remains pretty constant. My main aim for the solar system is to ensure nutrient flow to the plants during load shedding but running it completely off-grid is the ideal.
  7. Hi all, Name's Wynand and I live in Villiersdorp WC. I bought two 100W solar panels yonks ago for my off-road caravan but have never used them and have since sold the caravan. I recently started a Hydroponic system in my backyard and was thinking of using the panels to power the hydroponics. I Ordered an Axpert VM1000/1000VA inverter/ MPPT regulator from Takealot which I am waiting for and which will be used for the hydroponics and intend to get two 100Ah batteries shortly. The system, when completed, will be totally off-grid. My hydroponic system will eventually consist of about 3 or 4 pond pumps (40W each). 3 or 4 fans (40/45W ea) 4 x CFL bulbs (10W each) and about 3 x 100W aquarium heaters but only the pumps will run continuously I'm a qualified electrician but have absolutely now experience in Solar, so I joined here in the hopes that, if the paw-paw hits the fan, I'll be able to get some help and advice. Cheers Wynand
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