shanghailoz

Say what? As far as I remember from my young l33t hax0r days in the 80's you got charged per call, so assuming no-one picked up the phone (bane of my existence late 80s/early 90's @ home), then you were golden.

Suggest join the FB group DIY Powerwalls, also the forum https://secondlifestorage.com/ Spot welding is the painful part really. Assume you already have a decent charger? eg iMax or similar What BMS were you planning on using?

I think I'll probably go with the Pylontech for now, vs s/hand. They're local for me - only up the road a few km in Zhang Jiang Technical Park, will go visit them in the new year, and have a chat. Whats the best pricing for purchase in Western Cape right now for the US2000B Plus?

@stoic Can you take a photo of the BMS, and the batteries for me. More photos of the whole battery setup if possible, so I can see what the parts are. Thx.

Hmm. I did get a "data sheet" from Herolds, although it is a bit dodge, with PDF edit over existing text. It does however show you the importer. - 2ia.co.za who's site takes you to http://revov.co.za/product-specs/ Google cache of 2ia.co.za shows these two people, and they claim to be selling the BYD Box, their names are also on the data sheet. +27 (0)83 212 0746 [email protected] +27 (0)63 019 6139 [email protected] LinkedIn shows Lance is likely from TIA Telecom, ex MTN, which makes sense, as they allegedly have partnered with BYD to sell batteries for telecom usage. Their facebook is rather clear about them re-using recycled batteries. https://www.facebook.com/pg/2IAenergy/posts/ Guess I'll be in touch with Herhold's to confirm if these are new or re-used sets, then decide. Thanks for the heads up. BYD_Datasheet_of_512_200Ah.pdf

I have a small offgrid setup that's been working diligently for a few years now unmaintained. I recently came back for a month visit after 2 years absence, and I need new batteries. My 24v ( 2 x 12v 200A) overnight batteries are pretty vrot after 6 years, and get down to 18v at about 5am with the houses minor basic load (mostly security camera's and a router). Yes, I know I should set cutout higher ie. 25v, but at this point, I'd rather get some more out of them for a couple of weeks before I recycle them. Both batteries are low, its not a case of unbalanced batteries, they're close to each other charge wise (from a cursory check with a multimeter) at various points in the day. I'm running 24v, but have splurged on a 48v Victron 3000va so I can upgrade, I have the money for the 55k BYD from Herolds. Current setup is Victron 24v/3000va Multibleh as a dumb inverter. Just upgraded it to the v4 firmware, although it pained me to have to go and buy a usb mk3, as my usb mk2 is now obsolete grr. I did setup a PI though plugged into my router for some nice stats finally so there is that! MPPT is a FM80 with 6 x 300W panels @ 24v. Set to 27.6v float. / 2 batteries in series., inverter set to cut off at 18.6v, previously 25v (so I can eke out a tiny more amount before I lose power before they go to the battery heaven in the sky). Load is pretty minimal - <100W / hr overnight. Was thinking of getting the BYD 10KW pack and replacing the existing vrot batteries, and setting system to 48v. I'd add a few more UBNT camera's and a UBNT 60w POE switch, overnight would be in the 150W range / hr. Assuming 17hrs in winter will bring me at most 2.5KW overnight usage. I should be fine for recharging. I can add more panels, if necessary, I have 16 sitting around on a roof elsewhere not connected up. Anyone have any comments? Discharge won't be more than say 2.5KW overnight max. Currently I'm charged and in float by 9am latest (summer) with the dead acid. 10KW is overkill, but at the 55k price with vat, I'm keen. Lastly, I no haz Eskom. Plot never had electricity, and I went offgrid from the start, so no pesky daily fee's or other BS, although CoCT will want me to register for offgrid. Not so concerned about that for the moment, what are they going to do, cut off my electricity, fine me 6k, peanuts..? Looking into that, but I doubt will be able to arrange before I leave end of the month. Comments please!

Not sure why you guys argue so much regarding the Axpert's If someone wants to pay for the testing for the inverter, it will get a cert (assuming its in compliance with the NRS certification requirements). Last I looked, it was 20k USD for NRS 097-2-1 certification, so either one of the importers will pony up, or it will stay illegal. It will also need to be tested outside of SA, as they don't have support for testing here. Personally, I'm annoyed that I now have to prove that I have a fully off-grid system in writing, which will cost me unnecessary money. I literally do not have CoCT incoming power service or power lines to my plot, so how am I supposed to feed back to the grid? Even so, I still need to provide proof in writing. Apparently "I don't have a grid connection" is not sufficient.

100% offgrid. I don't even have an incoming Eskom / CoCT line.

At the time I checked, they hadn't approved any home 3 phase system, only business. As it seemed onerous, pointless and more importantly financially stupid, I didn't bother. Offgrid ftw

I should add a proper answer for Big Foot though. In order to legally feedback, you will need to register for SSEG with Cape Town. I also have a 3 phase system solar, although mine doesn't feedback to grid. Last I checked, 3 phase is limited to a 3kw system for SSEG - may have changed since I last looked in 2013 though, so ask. You will need an engineer signoff for your system (min 20k or so), plus do the paperwork. Your inverter will also need to be listed in their approved inverter list - if it has NRS certification (NRS 097-2-1) , it will typically be listed. I have an example of that paperwork on goingsolar.co.za, newer lists of approved hardware should be findable on the much improved CoCT website. If not, suggest email Ryno or Brian @ CoCT and ask for the list they can be contacted on - Ryno.vanderRiet at capetown.gov.za Brian.Jones at capetown.gov.za Ryno is generally helpful. An overview of stuff here - http://goingsolar.co.za/solar-grid-tie-legalities-in-cape-town-south-africa/ Feel free to ask me more questions, I have looked at the process, although decided against it, as it wasn't economical for me. I basically said nah, and went offgrid.

They're trying to do that in Observatory, Cape Town also, I've told them to go jump currently; Well, actually, I generally ignore them, and don't let a meter reader onto the property at the best of times. All readings go via photo / email, or at least did, I haven't been there in > year due to health reasons. Note to self, don't break your hip skateboarding

FYI - you don't *have* to change to a pre-paid unit, you can keep your current meter. They try to make it difficult not to, but it is doable.

We're talking about the v2, not the v1

Tesla is local now, or at least their rep's have local numbers now.

Even making the LG Resu off-grid is a pain in the ass for inverters like Victron. Need the CCGX, and need to set the Can-bus bits for it to work. Hopefully the Powerwall 2 is easier to integrate.

Powerwall 2 can be used off-grid (according to the announcement speech made by Musk). Was only announced yesterday, so details are a little vague still. More here - https://electrek.co/2016/10/28/tesla-powerwall-2-game-changer-in-home-energy-storage-14-kwh-inverter-5500/

Powerwall 2 has been announced @ $5500 for 14KWhr of daily usage, and 10 year lifetime guarantee at 100% cycling. 14KWhr x 365 x 10 = 51,100KW lifetime. 51,100 / 5500$ = $0.10c / KWhr or R1.4 at current $ / R rates. Guess a lot more people will be going offgrid... (given grid tie is unfeasible here in Cape Town due to the daily fee's) www.tesla.com/powerwall

I thought due to MyBB actually

Why? Insulation will work fine for evenings or overnight. Heres an example of an AC done that way using ICE for storage of that free excess daytime power - https://www.ice-energy.com

@Ian - where are you in Noordhoek out of interest?, I'm also this side in De Oude Weg PS, I'm the goingsolar.co.za guy.

How about making ice? Or providing deep freeze facilities. I've toyed with making ice with my excess solar..

I'm bringing in some LFP batteries. Anyone interested? More details on the group buy page on mybroadband here - Lithium Batteries [ Group Buy ]

An update with whats been generated to date

You can legally connect to one phase only in Cape Town (provided you do all the SSEG paperwork). CaTcH21 - 3 Phase usually has one meter, not 3. The meter measures the balance of power from all phases. I'm not sure what will happen with an analogue meter, but for 3 phase metering you need a 4 quadrant meter so it can accurately measure input/outputs on all phases. If your DB is something like mine, you'll have different phases for different things - eg plugs, lights, geyser, 3 phase loads etc Connect up the Quattro inbetween the phase you want to have power. You'll need something to prevent feeding back to the grid though, you can buy powered relays that go off when the grid goes off to prevent feedback on a single phase, when the Grid side is off. The Quattro can be programmed to not feed back in also, but better to have hardware than rely on software.. -- I have a 3 phase setup, with 3 Multiplus inverters + GTI..