Clivevan

this is extraordianry. Thank you. I am going to do the first bit and then later do the laptop Will send a picture of my set up which I will run in Jhb to iron out glitches.

You must decide what the target is: ONLY a load shed convenience? or an electricity investment? If only load shed issue then you need not bother with more than a few electronics and lights. 400 watt max draw (TV, x2 PC's, few LED lights, maybe your garage door pushes it up a bit ) But you do NOT bother about a system that can pump out 3000 watts and will sit idle through every single load shed. I have been through this journey. As I sit here typing my entire house is drawing 435 watts and I have three fridges, two computers lights wifi tv and dstv electric fence desk lamp etc etc all running right now. If there is a load shed at this instant I will not notice. I can remove the fridges from the circuit and will still not notice - a fridge lasts 2 hours without power. IOW - the convenience factor is FULLY repeat FULLY met with 400 watts and a battery that provides maybe 800 Wh useable energy. HOWEVER, if you want to add hairdryers and kettles and heaters, then 5000 watt is NOT ENOUGH. So you catapult from a simple relatively cheap system that does everything you ordinarily need into the stratosphere - ie into the INVESTMENT scenario. The investment decision. This is a VERY viable option. BUT BUT BUT!!! you need quality equipment and your house needs to be wired so that every photon is used all the time. IE Victron or comparable; Canadian Solar panels or comparable, LIfePo4 Blue Nova (at least) preferably Pylontech. I know all this. Personally. Very well. The wrong decision. That was me. I fell in between the two options. That resulted in a system that provides 3000 watts but because it was not set up properly it NEVER worked to capacity. Not nearly. Exactly because I had the load shed problem in the back of my mind (cheap) but the investment decision in front of me (tempting me to go cheap) I did not budget for quality and ended up with a system that looks on paper like a 3000 watt system but in fact was fake. First the batteries required to be balanced and that excercise cost so much I could have rather purchased a LifePo to begin with. Then next , the Axpert (within 18 months) lost its solar charging function. So it was now only an expensive load shed solution with well balanced batteries mind you. But the Axpert had more in store for me - some or other setting problem and I burnt out FOUR 180 amp LEAD ACID Omni's. At that point I had neither an investment nor a load shed solution. It was a total and completely irrecoverable loss. Whatever ROI I will harvest from the sun in future can never undo the loss. In fact I nearly had a divorce. Quality LiFePo's CANNOT destroy themselves. They balance themselves. They last 10 years plus. Victron and proper wiring allocate your usage between the load shed solution and the investment solution and WILL NOT burn out and uses every photon. You can start small and EXPAND. You can connect a further Victron or add panels later. You can fully solve the load shed problem at the same time and over 10 years you have a return on investment. You see the installer at installation and never again. You will NEVER divorce. Or just do the load shed solution - but AGAIN - use quality equipment. These trolleys with batteries sell with low quality batteries, often no more than 18 months use, are so heavy that you need a front ranker to move them, make an incredible noise, are not pure sine wave, tempt you with a 1000 or even 2000 watt rating (a completely unnecessary expense - see above) and are thus overpriced. I know this. I have TWO. (the interim and yet further loss making solution after the Axpert but before the Victron) Maybe someone can work out a QUALITY load shed solution that provides 500 watts draw, has a LifePo that provides 800Wh, is silent and long lasting. Anyone??

Thank you so much. This is EXACTLY the kind of thing I need to know.

Yes you are first if you can collect from 30 Dundalk Parkview? send me a private mail for email and tel number.

security cameras, TV, decoder, modem and one light. This cannot be 300W. Let alone 500Watt as suggested. I run an extensive set of CCTV cameras; a large business wifi router and accessaries, a DSTV, a TV, lights where necessary, an alarm, an electric fence, and some sleeping PC's - all combined NEVER exceed 300Watt. Just add it up: Wifi is 20 watt; DSTV 50; TV 70; modem 10? security cameras? How many? 10 watts each? eg 60 watt combined? total is: approx 200 watt hours so 400 watt hours at a push. So if you can reduce this - pre-charge a lamp; ONLY run the TV/DSTV while you are watching, and use the modem sparingly. You never exceed 200 draw and in total 400 watt hours during a load shed. (This you could very well draw from an old fashioned torch). So battery amp x 12 is Watts. Small battery (75 amp x 12) = 900 watts. At least 400 usable. So you need perhaps 350 watts and you have 400. The main problem is the wiring - can the TV, DSTV, security cameras, decoder and modem all plug into the same point? If so, you plug an adaptor with them all into a small trolley system - but do it yourself (one 75 amp deep cycle SLA battery with crocodile clips into an inverter ) = 900 watts = 800 after losses = 400 available if you stick to only half discharge and you need only 350. This requirement is met eg here: https://www.geewiz.co.za/batteries/5319-royal-delkor-ns70-65ah-battery-12-volt.html?sfdr_ptcid=2961_617_13175801&sfdr_hash=7ce6660f31b0478872dc2bc0fdeea1e9&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAn-rGyzWOKvhAy9ALk_Rl38uLBTIhcza599UqrIU_qr-Qf9ao0QITkaAlgREALw_wcB 65Ah at R 1 685.00 5 Years Design Life 200 cycles at 50% discharge in cycle service. So OK you get 200 cycles but that is almost 4 years if we have one load shed a week - and we have had less. OK some weeks we have 6 but most often we have none. BUT TRY THIS ONE: Gel Battery GE100-12 100AH 12V R2,346.00 Continue reading at https://www.puritech.co.za/product/gel-battery-ge100-12-100ah-12v/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAlIuMCIRy7I86ep9aoyaWt6DpeZNn9Hw-JmQSZyK1BCq9nkD3VBa2MaAlgHEALw_wcB | Puritech Gel Battery GE100-12 100AH 12V Gel Battery R2,346.00 GEL battery is manufactured with special separators and silica gel immobilizing the electrolyte inside the battery. 100Ah 12V GEL Deep-cycle battery Designed for use with solar power systems 1500+ Cycles @ 30% Depth of Discharge 10-Year Design Life etc The connect an old fashioned inverter that makes some noise, is a bit hot, is not very energy effective but works - you only need it a few hours per week. eg here Ellies Pure Sinewave Inverter - 300W, 12V DC To 230V AC, 50Hz Be the first to review this product R1,159.00 so shop around a bit and that will work for you - note it is NOT a very long term investment. Too cheap. Too Chinesey. But hey, it gets you in the game for now.

I have an Axpert Mk _ 5000 inverter. Used it for a year. Then the solar function gave in. For some reason the batteries fried. BUT it was working perfectly fine as long as you disconnect the panels. So, it still functioned perfectly as an inverter-charger as long as you don't worship the sun. Free to a good home. I also had x 3 Victron battery balancers (which worked perfectly before the Axpert fried the Omni battery bank) - also to a good home. whoever is first to respond gets it. But take it all. I cannot sukkel with item by item. My nerves are shot anyway. The Axpert is perfect as a charger/ load-shed backup. Just don't attach panels. I upgraded to Victron with great regret at my rash decision to connect panels to the Axpert. Now you can have it for free - which does not reflect on you at all as the load shedding function is still perfect!!

It is outside Inhambane - punishing hot weather and no amenities. The difference between NO ELECTRICITY (not even pre-charged items - complete darkness and silence) and light with music and internet is ENORMOUS. But the system cannot be short-term - the usual lucky-packet item wont do. Hence we make do with what we can - 12 V DC and USB.

The idea here is to assist 2 of my employees in Mozambique to at least have a sniff at electricity. It is not a matter of merely opting for off-grid. There is NO GRID. These people have nothing so a bit of electricity can go a long way. BUT - the skills or resources to tinker with glitches and set-backs do not exist and the employer is not even in the country and is an idiot. SO, once they have a bit of electricity it must be LONG LASTING, bullet proof, super reliable. Ideally they can save for later additions or improvements. I costed the system with what is currently a good deal out here. So if anybody can please advise what is outstanding and/or questionable - ignorance is a curable disease and I am a willing patient. Please see underlined for issues/questions. Bare Bones system: (12v and USB only; no inverter as yet; low cost PWM charge controller BUT mostly quality components) Solar Panel Enersol 150W R 886.50 PSS Charge Controller – PWM 20A 12/24VDC R 319.00 (is this good enough?) Blue Nova 13V Battery 8Ah = 104Wh Lithium Iron Phosphate R 785.00 (later this can be doubled in parallel?) 4 port USB 12V Multifunctional Car Charger R 337.77 Power Socket 12v with Alligator Clips R 120.00 Cabling etc (what do I need?) ?? Total R 2 447.00 Hopefully this will give meaningful access to a smart phone (currently they cannot even charge a phone) and an increasing host of USB driven applications. Any other useful USB apps I have not mentioned below? Imagine you live in the dark and the kids cannot study at night. And no comms and no music . . . EG OF LIFE TRANSFORMING EQUIPMENT USAGE IN ONE EVENING (all USB or 12v) 1x10w led light 3 hrs (30wh) 1x5w led light 1 hrs (5wh) Reading lamp LED (5w) for 3 hrs (15wh) Use and charge x2 smart phones (x 5w each) 2 hrs (20wh) Play small speaker AUX from phone audio; USB for power 5watts 2hrs (10wh) Small desk fan (2.5w) 4hrs (10wh) Total watthours (90wh) NOTES (are these correct?): Battery and Panel – battery capacity is only 25% of available panel energy. So even on rainy days there will be enough charge.? LiFePo charges almost to the full in 1 ½ hours if suffix charge current. Battery in our eg is rated as charging at 7.2A and Panel can produce 8A. 14v x 7A =98 watt hour?? Later on a cheap laptop or tablet etc could be charged of 12 volt by means of What? can it be done? If you can assist??

I learnt through bitter experience that anything low cost is high risk. I am by-and-large an electronics ignoramus so maybe my lesson was not learnt properly yet - please help! So I have in mind a simple system that can run x2 PC's a few led's maybe a few other electronics. Max approx 175 watt draw. Must survive a load shed ie x 2 hours. I have in mind the following: 1. Blue Nova Energy - Lithium Iron Phosphate 13V - 44Ah -570Wh Battery 2 VICTRON PHOENIX INVERTER 12/375-230V VE. DIRECT SCHUKO 3. VICTRON BLUE SMART IP22 CHARGER 12/15 Will this fulfil my requirements? What else do I need? What is a Schuko? If anybody can help - please!

Sorry I have been on the road and could not answer. You need to contact Wolfandy on this forum. I changed to Victron after my batteries fried - I could never quite understand the Axpert settings or instructions. Somewhere along the first year all 4 my 180 amp batteries fried. The Inverter then stopped working properly re the solar charging. It could operate as a mains charger but did not work off the panels. So I had violated one of my own iron rules of life and paid for it - Goedkoop koop is duurkoop.

No this is merely the site of the ICC software producer - it may or may not be "Manie". It is the very site that now wants me to pay a second time/pay monthly. I emailed them as follows: I purchased the ICC software about 18 months ago. On Powerforum the members assure me I do not have to pay AGAIN or pay a subscription fee. Is this correct? Originally purchased through Centurion Solar and they now simply say they do not support any more. How can I end up having to pay TWICE? The answer came promptly: Hi You can purchase the upgrade https://iccsoftware.co.za/product/icc-pi-v4-upgrade-only-old-versions-below-v4-key-valid-till-year-2063/ Regards ICC The site informs: Please not this is only for old versions, and versions not purchased directly from ICC. Please add your old machine ID to the order description. The good news!!! It is only R250.00 so I will try it. Now to find out what my "machine ID" is. . . .

I do not think this will work for me. from the site: How can I get the information being displayed wirelessly? A: I think that the nature of the radio link is being misunderstood. Judging by the NRF24 chip on the picture from the display rear I believe that the radio link is NOT so that the information can be displayed on a smart device etc. via bluetooth or wifi. The radio link allows the supplied display to link to the sensors wireless. To achieve this the display would need to be powered locally, probably through the USB port. I hope that this helps

looking at this again - yes that is me I suppose. So no more support from Centurion and the supplier insists I buy new?

No. I have to MIGRATE from the previous inverter to a different one. Phoned to get the registration moved to a new inverter and expressly told I have to buy the "upgrade" and pay a monthly of R83.00. Was a bit miffed because I only recently (a year and a half) spent much on a rasberry pi etc

I had a home Axpert and monitored it with a Rasberry Pi running ICC. It gave beautiful remote access and I enjoyed the view. But changed system to Victron (upgraded) and now I want to migrate my ICC to an adjacent cottage where I have a smaller Axpert running. I am told ICC no longer supports my system and I have to upgrade to a new monthly package. I cannot afford that just for the cottage - hardly occupied. Are there alternative ways to have remote access to esp SOC and incoming and outgoing current? It is a 12v 1000w Axpert with a 12v 200A Mecer lithium ion (a cheapie but I only use the system for load shedding and do not use the panels.) How do I know the SOC without having to attend next doors at the cottage?

Still available? If so what price?

OK well Andy phoned me and we sorted out the settings but I think the Axpert is on the blink. It has now tripped with Fault 3 - "battery overcharge". I think I need Jaco back to have a look.

Now ICC has failed - no access to my data: "VNC Server is not currently listening for Cloud connections." What does this mean??

here is the other

Thanks again for all your help. Did not want to bother you again. 1. Yes I got the ICC cable. I think it is set up correctly. Jaco installed but he is on the road and cannot help right now. He also needs access to ICC and I had no response yet from the on how to grant him access. 2. I understand that sometimes the battery helps out if the solar is insufficient but mine is tripping one way then the other as if bezerk. 3. I attach further screenshots. The battery is now as it was - I reset it somewhat to test but it had no influence. I notice that the solar has now started again. 4. I made the changes to float and bulk. only 1 screenshot permitted

You will also notice that the system no longer runs off solar - now it is discharging the battery until who knows when and in between the sun is happily wasting its rays away.

Now suddenly uploads?!

sorry this one is better - still cannot upload the settings

sorry the other screenshot is too large - how do I attach??

Hi All Recently installed 2xPylontech batteries (2.4 plus 2.4) - previous lead acids were fried. All works perfectly but once batteries read 100% the system seems to rapidly alternate between drawing off the battery and then REcharging to 100%. This is no good for the system or battery. (Or me - frying lead acids left their mark) I attach screenshots of the symptoms and my current settings. It is a setting problem. Somehow it does not float once charged.