Gremlin

Hi Stefaan Thanks for the info. I see your Absorption and Float are quire close - .15v vs my .8v My cables are 35mm2 and each 1.2m in length. I think this is ok with a bridge of 200mm. I think you will need two balancers; one for each pair of batteries in series. Do you know the purpose of Tail current Disabled? I think I need to invest in a GX (?) so that I can use a VRM.

Ok - so got some feedback from my questions from Revov so positng them here for anyone with the same problem: Yes the batteries will balance over time the more they are cycled. The battery balancer is not required but does help to keep the batteries balanced on the top end when almost fully charged. Each battery has slightly different internal resistance, this can be mitigated by having the cable lengths the same and as short as possible. If they become way out of sync then by connecting the batteries in parallel and leaving them for a 24 hour period will allow the cells to share the energy between them. Recommended absorption time is 1 hour.

I have a Victron Easysolar 24v off grid setup and recently replaced my Lead acid batteries for Revov 200ah 12v. I was in touch with the Revov tech support prior to installation and they recommended that I use a victron battery balancer, which is fine (although I was surprised because the Revov has an internal BMS) because I had one with the 200ah lead acids. So firstly, I used a multimeter to check voltages on both batteries and was surprised to see out the box they were both exactly 14.1v. So in theory, balanced. I connected them in the afternoon so they were on load overnight. Remember I'm off grid so no option of additional charge. In the morning when they hit float the victron battery balancer warned of high voltage on the lower battery with numerous alarms. The Revov app showed alarms for cell balancing in one battery and a discrepancy of 0.4 volts between batteries. The high voltage battery was at 100% charge and the lower at about 97%. The settings I user defined on the Victron MPPT are Bulk(Adsorption) 28v and Float 27.2v (both of these are 0.2v below the Revov stated max). In the absence on ANY information regarding the charging algorithm I stuck with the Victron default for LiFePO4 of 2hr fixed absorption duration . Unfortunately I am not on site at the moment and will be back on the weekend so don't know what the battery status will be. However I have a couple questions: 1. Will the batteries overtime balance?? They are not overused during the week with nominal load. 2. Is the Victron battery balancer required or even a good idea (not withstanding the Revov advice received). 3. If the batteries don't reach equal voltage, is this a major problem? Should I disconnect and revert back to my old lead acids. 4. Any suggestion to get the batteries balanced between them and also the cells internally? 5. What is a recommended time to be on absorption? Is a fixed period of 2hrs too long? Or could I use the Adaptive Adsorption setting for LiFePO4 batteries. I had hopped that this would have been a drop in exercise but it seems not. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Also since I am not there permanently I cant really monitor the system.

I have the Victron Easysolar installed in an offgrid situation with 2 x 200aH Gel batteries. I naively assumed that the inverter factory settings were sensible and only got a VE direct smart dongle for the solar MPPT charger. What I did not realise is that the voltage cutoff is set to 19v. So with the past 10days of cloudy weather my inverter managed to run the batteries to almost zero SOC several times and Im sure they have been damaged. This cant be undone, but unless I can change the voltage cutoff on the inverter (Multiplus Compact 1600vA) I will just keep killing batteries in cloudy weather. Why the default for lead acid batteries is not 24v is beyond me......but whatever. So the manual says I need a : " RJ45 UTP cable and the MK2.2b RS485-to-RS232 interface. If the computer has no RS232 connection, but does have USB, a RS232-to-USB interface cable is needed" Now I cant find a MK2.2b online but only a MK3 VE Bus to USB. Will this be compatible with the older Easysolar? If it is it will I assume negate the need for a RS232 - USB cable??? Secondly, the RJ45 female connector is not external on the Easysolar. Is it even accessible with the cover off. Ideally I would like to locate a Victron agent / expert in Cape Town to assist with the changes to the inverter settings, for which I am happy to pay. The only drawback is that I will have to disconnect the entire unit from the batteries, AC leads etc in my cottage in Picketberg and bring the unit through...........F*&%$ I intend to replace the batteries with Lithium batteries but again, no desire to kill 20K of battery with inverter settings I cant change. Any assistance, pointers, suggestions for experts will be greatly appreciated.

I need a single panel - does anyone have one in stock or available??? It is the full frame 2015 x 996mm panel (not the short frame)

Surely the pylontech 24v battery would almost cost that?

My two new personal favourites: 1. Powerforum Store - Steve is the most helpful guy and good prices. What a pleasure doing business 2. Sonop Solar (sonopsolar.co.za). - What a pleasure making an online purchase! Made the order Monday night, got invoice Tuesday and paid, delivery received Thursday morning!! and this from Citrusdal to Simonstown. Good prices too! They are definitely my go too people from now on. A huge shout out to their team.

I have one of those - works ok...........but not great!

Thanks - Indeed it does help. Appreciate your advice and information as well as all the others before. Learning as I go along and this explains the families of panels! Regarding the original choice of panels I am restricted to 4m2 of panels due to the sectional title rules hence the two (at the time) largest wattage panels available. But as I said I need a third so going to stretch the rules a bit!!

Thank Mike, appreciate the heads up. Steve from the Powerforum shop also advised the same and will hopefull get one of the 410W for me.

Ja you would think!!!??? This is the list of outlets I tried. All had a 405W on their sites: Segen Solar Cape Solar Supplies (lekker oke but no stock, is keeping an eye out for me) Sonop Solar Tika Solar Mega Solar (also a lekker oke and super helpful!) ArtSolar GCSolar BKSolar Civic SolarWorld Rubicon PowerForum (Steve is going to help me out with a 410W when they arrive) Im really not sure who the major distributors are? Some of the above seem big, some small.

Thanks - I appreciate the input!! Now to find the 410W!!

I'm hoping that the site guru's can assist with a question around panels in parallel. I bought and installed a small simple system: EasySolar 16oo 24V Victron and 2 X JA Solar 405W panels to run a fridge and LED lighting in an off grid cottage. The system has worked extremely well from onset. But I find I need to add an additional panel to deal with a bit more load during daylight and when overcast. So the EasySolar has a PV Voltage limitation so the panels needed to be in Parallel. Now I need a third panel, I cant find a 405W JA Solar panel for love or money. It has been suggested that while not ideal I could add a JA Solar 410W panel which operates at a slightly higher voltage. So my question is, is this advisable in a parallel array? The spec sheets attached say there is a 5W variance but this could equate to 10W between the panels. I'm desperate as I dont want to buy 3 new panels of the same. I would really appreciate some expert advise here.

No-one??

I am desperately looking for a single JA Solar panel 405W JAM72S10-405/MR, (Mono PERC 144 half cell module). I need one more for a parallel array. Im in Cape Town and will collect.

I am desperately looking for a single JA Solar panel 405W JAM72S10-405/MR, (Mono PERC 144 half cell module). I need one more for a parallel array. I have asked around with no luck so far. Any help would be gratefully received!!

I just need one of these JA Solar 405W Mono MBB Percium Half-Cell Silver Frame MC4 - no special on these?

An easy solution (but with a moderate cost outlay) is a cartridge filter system (a large industrial size not the small stuff for your RO kitchen system) and a ozone generator and pump for your storage tanks. Try Wassertec for the ozone system, but it costs some bucks! But will last indefinitely as they do commercial systems. last I looked water tanks for potable water are not permitted due to possible contamination if you have leaks

I recently did a DIY off-grid install in my cottage in the bush. This includes: 2 x 405 w JAsolar panels (each connected with its own 6mm cabling to fusebox then to the Easysolar) in parallel Victron Easysolar 1600/24v/100/50 with dongle 2x 200Ah Gel batteries Battery balancer Keto Disconnect with 120A fuses Fuses x 4 @ 10A It incorporates PV fuses for each PV panel (fuses on each line so 2 per panel), a Keto disconnect for the batteries. The EasySolar Inverter incorporates a small AC distribution board with AC breakers and Earth Leakage breaker. I have 2 earth spikes installed by a registered electrician (including house wiring) and everything is earthed, PVs, Inverter etc. So I asked professional advice and requested a paid inspection and prior to any inspection was advised that I needed an SPD (based on photos of the install). This was for surges and NOT lightning protection. So I have a few questions 1. Is an SPD necessary for an off-grid installation particularly for one of such modest size? Wheres a surge going to come from with the closest Eskom 2km away! 2. If I do indeed require an SPD what size? Number of Poles? Type? 3. I was advised that an Electrical Engineer would need to sign off...........the call out fee is more than 5k before the inspection takes place. 4. That the use of sprague (flexible conduit) was not permissible for the DC cabling between PV fuse box to EasySolar (the rest is in conducting in the wall) and that this needed to be put into trunking. Seriously? Ive seen many gallery installations that have sprague. Im not trying to second guess the professional here, just it does seem unusual to my untrained mind and would really welcome some comment! If im being a bit thick that's fine I can accept this and "kak and betaal!" I should say that everything works like a dream thus far. The Easysolar really was easy to install. So look forward to comment!

Clamps arrived from Lumax yesterday, look really robust.

I can give you some experiences that I had recently with online retailers in setting up my small solar system: 1. www.dixonbatteries.co.za - I purchased my Victron Easysolar from them delivery was quick, and the price 50% less than anywhere else. I really appreciated their friendly service and would use them again in a flash. 2. www.setsolar.co.za – I purchased some batteries, KETO disconnectors, cabling and bits and bobs and very happy with the price. I did collect so hard to know what delivery would be like. It’s a bit out of the way for me in Epping but would definitely use them again. 3. www.sustainable.co.za - I purchased 2 x 405 Watt PV from sustainable.co.za and had to substitute JA solar from the original Canadian Solar panels ordered due to unavailability even though I'd paid upfront. I subsequently found that I could have found the JA solar panels cheaper elsewhere but by then we were in lockdown so moot point. I then ordered a solar panel mounting kit from Sustainable and collected directly from Sustainable’s premises in Lockdown 3. I did not notice that one of the rails was damaged because they were wrapped in shrinkwrap but when it came to the installation last week, I saw that one was badly deformed. Additionally the mounting clamps were wholly unsuitable for a Diamondek Roof Sheet profile (I even sent them the technical spec, this is a raised seam “cliplock”) even though I was told telephonically they were designed for this purpose. The clamps did not grip firmly, would have pulled off in a wind and also damaged the paint coating. They actually looked homemade although the box said “Solarframe”. Additionally, the bolts applied were incorrectly lengthed and hence binding with the rail preventing proper tightening. I have notified Sustainable and the only reply thus far is that the goods were supplied in good order and I must have damaged the rails!! Will I use them again……not if you poked needles in my eyes! Ive attached pics so you can make your own mind up! 4. https://www.lumaxenergy.co.za/ - While I was waiting for a response from Sustainable, after a day, I emailed a company called Lumax Energy. They specialise in solar mounting solutions. Not strictly an online store, the reply from Hannes Pienaar was almost instantaneous, he was extremely knowledgeable about their products, suggested the correct product for my exact needs and invoiced and despatched them to me all in the space of 10 mins. No problem that my order was small and they presumably supply large installations. That’s service. I would recommend them to anyone! 5. www.Sonopsolar.co.za – I asked them if they would consider doing a onceover of my system and issue a COC (My installation is 50km out of Citrusdal). Still to happen (cause I cant mount the F*#^ PVs cause of the Sustainable kak, but quick and very friendly response.

I bought mine from SetSolar but the price was way less than on their website!! Still cant work out from the .pdf how it is wired!!

Hi Plonkster - Here I was all dressed funny waiting for advice! Thanks I really appreciate the input. When starting out you can read as much as you like (understanding about 50% of what you read) but nothing is more reassuring when you get the advice of someone who has real knowledge and experience. Regarding PV cable size, I have used a couple of online calculators and they seem to spit out 4mm2 for 20A. I was always going to use 6mm2 multi-stranded cable so I assume I will be ok? Thanks for the advise on the KETO and I will retain this. The EasySolar does have an earth leakage but earthing (which I have been advised to do) is a whole can of worms in itself!!! In town one would just use the grid supply earth. The area where my cottage is, is well off the beaten track and so getting an electrician out to install one problematic. Putting in an earth spike in rocky ground almost impossible and where the hell does one get a copper grid to bury 1 meter below ground!!!? And that the soil is bone dry does not help....... All sent to try me! Thanks again for the advice!

Shoh! Did I offend someone? Not a single reply, not even insults! 🤣🤣🤣

And to double my post count and ensure that your first post goes acknowledged - I wish you the best of luck!