Clivevan

I have two setups - house and cottage - with Axperts and batteries. Want to add panels - respectively 6 and 2 panels. Urgently in need of a reputable installer to source what is necessary and install immediately. regards Parkview Johannesburg.

Brilliant answer and great news. Thank you. This means that I can run the entire cottage off the small inverter - any load in excess of 1.2 kw trips the inverter and protects the batteries against rapid discharge. So if someone accidentally activates a kettle or heater it trips. But it only requires awareness to switch off the offending appliance. An ignorant user will not accidentally destroy the batteries. The only issue is then to set the minimum SOC so that you don't accidently drain the batteries. Question - the inverter beeps furiously when the kettle is on (during ordinary mains supplied operations). How do I switch off this irritation?

I have now installed an Axpert 1.5Kva 12v; 2x180AGM's; UPS mode When it is in battery mode and the kettle is switched on the inverter (quite expectedly) trips. Switch the kettle off and normal operation is restored. So it works perfectly well. My question - when the Axpert is in in-line mode (ie normal mains supply) the kettle activates a code 7 error flashing "overload". But that is all. Nothing trips. The water boils and the kettle is switched off and everything carries on normally. (it is a 1400 watt kettle) What does this error mean? Can a 1200 watt inverter handle loads beyond that limit in in-line mode? If not - what will happen if it is forced to do so - ie if I run the kettle regardless the code 7 error? PS Thanks millions to Coulomb and all other helpfulls for previous patient explanations in another topic.

Ok - I follow. But if I should set it at 48 Volt that will equate to about 50% SOC? Surely that is OK? I noticed at the ICC page the following banner: Switch between grid and battery mode based on time setting or state of charge. My emphasis. I assume that means that ICC can assist? regards

OK now what? The programme only permits a Low DC cut-off range between 40 to 48 V (ie the custom setting for setting 29; the default is 42V!) How can the default be so low? Do batteries even go that low?? What to do if I want to select eg 49V as a low cut-off voltage? Or does it not matter much and 48V is OK? regards

thank you all so much - I will do as suggested. The BMV 702 and set at 49 volt. deeply appreciate the time and effort fellow humans devote to help fellow humans.

Finally after almost a year of struggles my Axpert 5Kw is installed with 4x180 Omni AGM batteries (48 volt). It is to operate as a UPS only. No panels. How do I set the Axpert to automatically cut out once the batteries have reached say 50% DOC? I tried to understand the manual but it is Greek. regards

Will do. Thanks so much. myself to blame - let it be a lesson - DON'T wait till u middle in the load shed and THEN try find assistance. The laws of supply and demand will catch you.

Sorry for doing this but previous post did not include my address. Parkview, Jhb Just need it connected and set. Wiring done.

Yes I suppose that may help Parkview Johannesburg

I urgently need an installer - previous installer ended up too busy to help. Partly because of delay when it was found that Axpert faulty out the box. Decided to buy a new unit and use the old elsewhere once repaired but it is no use if I buy a new unit only to have to wait into the new year to install. All wiring is done - just need someone to fit a new unit into place and set it. Any suggestions?

Thanks Coulomb. I think you hit it on the head. Brand new installation but the Axpert has been sitting in its box for about 5 months. I will return it. This means getting the guys out here to disconnect the entire thing and then shipping it off to Mustek. Thanks Flamegrilled - I am too scared to fiddle with the fans - I think I am still under warranty and thus the installation will have to be ondone and ship back to mustek. in any event it flashes error 2 from the word go - ie BEFORE there is even time to heat up. Regards to all

please help. After spending zillions on rewiring, batteries and Axpert 5kva 48v the thing is finally installed. And all seems OK except it flashes error code 2. This is given as "Over temperature" in the booklet. So, in short, it does not work. What to do??

Can someone refer me to a reputable Axpert installer? i need two seperate setups - house and cottage. I live in Parkview Johannesburg. regards

How do they know about your "illegal"connection? As long as you do not back feed, it has nothing to do with them? Me thinks it is a private matter between you, your panels and your axpert.

OK get it. (from JHB so general ignorance). So what is CoCT going to do about it?

So this customer is in for a nice surprise soon... What is wrong?

Thanks you also took all the trouble to answer on the other forum. I will take this advice. regards

thanks so much. This was exactly what I needed. I will go ahead in a week or two and will report the progress (or lack thereof) regards

OK maybe on this forum someone can help. i am installing an axpert 5kva and 4 x 180A AGM batteries. My concern is battery management. How do I ensure maximum life for the batteries? Elsewhere on the site I read from Pilotfish about an HA-02 battery balancer; ICC for Windows and a BMV-702 ?? What are all these? Do I need it? regards

I am an ignorant newby and I need installation advice. I acquired the following: an Axpert 5000 KVa and four 180 A Omni AGM batteries. It came with a small DB inclusive of fuses. Now installation time. I have three phase power. I require the system to power the essentials. Only for load shedding. A few panels can be added later. I intend making slight changes to my main DB wiring so that I have one dedicated circuit to power the Axpert. A plug point will be installed adjacent the Axpert to lead back to the DB. Another to lead to the roof above for future panels. A few more changes to the DB to power the essential items from a few dedicated circuits - TV, PC, electric fence, lights etc. ANY ADVICE on this part of the project? Will my regular electrician be up to it? No special precautions or fittings or whatnot? Then I gather it is very advisable to install a battery management system somewhere? Is this correct? Ie what further hardware do I need? ANY advice deeply appreciated. I tried to read up on this part of my project but to no avail. Regards

TX Coulomb and all - I am busy reading and learning. Stoic your questions are very pertinent - but I think I have passed that point (perhaps). See if you think I need to give more consideration to anything (often a newly qualified axpert expert has better insight into the mind of the newby): Your first question: Why do i want solar? . . . . Grid tied if you want to save money, Off-grid if you want to be self sustained Neither - I do not believe I can save much money grid tied. And off-grid is even worse money wise. So just load shedding. BUT it would be nice to be able to survive an extended load shed. Then I need panels. Enough to charge the batteries. And not to have them totally wasted (standing idle most of the time between extended loadsheds), it will be nice if I can switch them into my main DB for average days (average electricity days that is ie mains are working) So grid tied in this limited sense. But much more important for me to determine and cater for an "essential" load. How much power do i use? Gives you an indication of how many KwH you will need to accommodate Base load in my house is max 500 watts during the day. But much less if I only use the essential load. Some evenings essential load may reach 750 watts. During any load shed I cope easily with 750 watts (max and only if the load shed coincide with 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Otherwise my essential load is no more than 400 watts) I have town gas for home heaters, geysers and stove. So a 5kva axpert with 4 x180 amp omni batteries should be ample. Not sure what else I need - battery equaliser or some such item? separate small DB? switches and fuses? cabling? I also require a slight rewire from my DB but my electrician will do. Using the batteries basically ONLY during load shed and never drain below 60% (that is using 40% DOD thus 60%?) and even that DOD only VERY very rarely when load shed coincides with evening hours or someone makes a mistake or something. In this way I hope my batteries will last 5 years. rEalistic? But spikes are nevertheless enormous - every now and then may reach 15000 watts and during winter office hours are a constant 8000 watts (without counting spikes) Problem is an outside office where electricity is still used the old fashioned way. And an outside laundry. Before I even think of comprehensive grid tie I need to get rid of the electric heaters in the outside office area. And some. Will i do the install myself? Doing a self install will probably save you quite a bit, but the rabbit hole is quite deep, and just as much fun as Alice portrays My house I will leave to an expert. And watch closely and ask questions. I am also doing a small outside flat. Its base load mostly zero. Sometimes the essential load reaches 300 watts (1 PC and TV). Can survive load shed with 3 kva axpert and x2 180 amp batteries. Will see if between my electrician and I we can do the job once the house is done and with a bit of advice from the installer. What components are required Based on question one and two above you can start figuring out what equipment you need (base equipment, like inverters, chargers, pv modules, batteries etc.)  I tried to answer that above. But please PLEASE add whatever value you are willing to assist with!!

OK how do I know what axpert i bought? It is a SOL-I-AX-5p When I google I get this: Axpert HYBRID 5000VA / 5000W Inverter Charger 4000W MPPT 48v (SOL-I-AX-5P) Is that the one? I also got a much smaller unit for an outside cottage - 1.5kva/1200 watt. Can that one do it? How do I set it up to do what I want? I think it comes back to my main questions - the bothersome issue about ignorance

I got very good advice on the general forum but I am still somewhat uncertain as to what exactly the Axpert will do for me. As to whether it will provide PV power blended into the mains supply on the dedicated circuit on which it operates Coulomb says: . . . I would describe it as the Axpert using PV power first, battery power second. However, if the load on that circuit exceeds what the inverter can supply, then the entire load switches over to AC-in (if available), and PV power only charges the battery (unless full). Sorry my ignorance. Assuming a constant mains supply, does that mean the batteries start providing power when the sun sets? What I need is a system where the mains operate whenever there is a supply, the panels blend in and the batteries are left undisturbed (other than a slight top up from time to time). The batteries should only provide power if there is a mains failure. So after sunset the mains supply me. During the day also but if it is sunny I get some use out my panels. And if there is a mains failure the batteries start working. Is that possible? Coulomb: So really, the main place that the Axpert falls behind as far as usage of solar power is concerned is when it is in line mode. [emphasis provided] What does that mean? When and how does it get into that mode and what other mode is available? Perhaps someone can refer me to a source where I can read a bit about the axpert without troubling Coulomb et al?? regards