Clivevan

Have been without signal and now without battery - Kruger Park.
email me if you need assistence. 

Tx all for all the advice.

Apologies for the belated appreciation - tx a million Scorp007

this is a good question - again I only speak from limited (but somewhat bitter) experience - As for deciding between quality and small; or cheap and large; I would think the charger is most important. It is the first in line. Its performance will likely influence the battery life, the battery performance, whether you get to charge your battery before the next load shed etc.  NOTE your needs here - it is NOT to save money on electricity bills. It is to live life normally despite load-shedding. So the charger must be able to charge the battery in good time before the next load shed. But here in Jhb VERY frequently now I have a no-show at the end of load shedding as the City is not capable of restoring my power immediately.  So I guess the charging period should not exceed the load-shed period of say 4 hours. The charger should be Lifepo compatible etc.
To be fair, the Axpert units will do this - once you have sorted out the Rabbit Hole.  
As for battery quality - the lifepo batteries seem all good. My understanding is that the basic cells they are made off all come from similar production lines.  Pylontec is just WAY more sophisticated as was pointed out. And has a 10 year guarantee. And probably (certainly) much better quality control off production line etc
Then again the inverter is the heart of the whole system. 
So in short, I dont really know - maybe technical minded people here can assist?
What I DO know is that you dont need a solar regulator or more than 1.5KVA. So with a 3KVA Axpert you are throwing money at the equivalent of a large bells and whistles cheaply built item.
So if you want to get an Axpert, get a 1.5KVA so as to at least save on that side of the coin.
 
 

just to chip in - I run a large household with 6 adults and sometimes stayover partners.  During a loadshed we average 400kw consumption. Never more than 2000kw in total during a loadshed.  Peak usage is different. Almost always a few minutes where we peak at about 1250 or so.
Usually a small kettle (750watts) or a piece of equipment or some such.
But in truth, once you have an auto switchover and about 2000Whrs in the batteries and an inverter that can give you about 1200Watts, you go through loadshedding without being aware of it - Wifi, PC, DSTV, lights, security lights, the whole bang shoot run as if unimpeded.
So a 3Kw Axpert is overkill. 
AND AND AND it will probably break before next year this time - I had three of them and ended up using one as a charger only, gave one away on this site and gave the last one to my enemy.
So spend the same on quality - MUCH better a small system that WORKS seamlessly year in and year out than an unnecessary larger system that breaks your heart.
 
Victron 12/1600/70 multiplus  (Inverter and charger in one)   R  14,455.44
A 12volt 200Ahr Lifepo battery - 2nd life or cheapy - I have one that has now lasted almost 4 years uninterrupted - R 12,995.00
 
Total R28k and you have the highest quality long life trouble free equipment.
 
The Victron gives you continuous power of 1300watts (PROMISE YOU you never need more) and surge power of 2800 watts (for the fridge etc that has a start-up surge). It charges at 70amps ie almost 800 watts per hour. It has low cut-out protection that actually works (I fried a set of batteries with my aforesaid Axperts which for some reason did not cut out); it has auto switchover. It was designed to survive the toughest of conditions. It charges Lifepo without a glitch.
The whole system is modular. Later you can add another battery and double the Victron. (or give the old one to me and upgrade to a larger Multipluss if should ever want to do such a thing 😄)
 
 

All I can say is that the Pylontec is regarded as a premium product. Don't know why it seems to be a better buy than the Hubble - GC Solar is reputable as far as I know. So a very good deal.
BUT NOTE It is a 24v battery. So you need to adapt your inverter/charger accordingly. Since many types of equipment work straight of 12v and since I am an idiot and only understand the ins and outs vaguely, personally I prefer to stick to a 12v small system which most people at least have an idea about.
Apropos my earlier post - on 2nd thoughts an even smaller Victron will probably suffice. And as for the Pylontec - if you are budget squeezed than put that on the back burner and get the cheapy battery. BUT BUT you MUST get a LifePo  and if it is that Pylontec it will truly run for 10 to 15 years if charged and discharged through a Victron. 
 
FINALLY BUYER BEWARE - I am NOT an expert nor technically qualified so the members must please correct me and you must please ask a 2nd opinion.

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!!

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

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??
 
 

Have been without signal and now without battery - Kruger Park.
email me if you need assistence. 

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.

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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

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

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!!

I am a lawyer. Not sure it helps though. And this is not professional advice - just my impressions - 😉 on the face of it.
 
The number one question is not related to NERSA. It relates to your rights as a tenant flowing from the rental agreement and/or any other terms you signed on to.  If you have the roof above your own shop the question then is whether you may install on it.  That question is answered with reference (first) to the written and tacit terms of the lease agreement and any other applicable sign-on terms. If the agreement is silent on the issue then the common law may apply.
The way of approaching the problem runs a bit like in what follows:
Do you hire the roof above your head? If so, is there any prohibition on a tenant appending fixtures and fittings to the roof? 
Take a non-contentious issue - are you permitted to install an aerial? An owl box? An extraction fan? A weather vane? A pigeon deterrent device?
Note some of these items are moveables eg the aerial and owl box. Arguably they are similar to panels.
Some are more permanent eg the extractor fan may require a hole in the roof.
Are you permitted to connect an electricity supply point that intercepts the main supply to your business? No use you have a panel but your lease says you may not interfere with the electrics.
Etc etc  - you get the drift.
Now, from identifying the terms of the lease as the starting point, you are ready to find the relevant terms.
So go and find the relevant small print in your lease (dealing with fixtures, fittings, appendages, your right to make alterations etc etc) and check it and then you try and apply the thinking/scenarios I set out above and assess your panel problem in light of that.
BUT BEWARE- the lease may incorporate certain standard rules applicable to the Business Park. You need to check them as well.
If you conclude that panels are not contractually permitted, end of story. If they are, likewise end of story.
If by this time you are not sure, well then in all probability a lawyer will not be sure either. Your lease is ambiguous. No doubt you have money to burn so then you go see a lawyer, pay him a fortune, piss of your landlord, end up in court and possibly get evicted.
An observation: Is it really worth your while to have panels?  A few batteries as a UPS is perhaps sufficient?
 
 
 
 

thank you - at least it has been done then.  I had the ellies as a loadshed emergency but since then have installed axpert and now need a solution out on a plot. Seemed silly to not use the ellies.

. I am prohibited from using my own alternative energy source while somewhere NERSA allegedly states that everyone should have fair access to it? ...too bad, you should have checked before you signed?
No. Assuming that the NERSA provision grants you a right that stems from legislation (in this case the Electricity Regulation Act), then that right takes precedence over the agreement. Unless legislation specifically permits it, parties are not at liberty to contract out of legislative rights. Eg you cannot agree with your employee that he will not go to the CCMA when you dismiss him unfairly.
if the landlord cannot supply the power required and my business is affected negatively. The landlord is not in a position to expand solar (budget constraints) but I can afford to install my own solar - yet the landlord refuses me permission and points to the clause that says I am not allowed to make a hole in the roof
If the landlord was contractually obliged to supply he will be in breach. You then place him on terms and failing his compliance you may cancel the agreement or (usually) reduce the rental and (always) sue for your damages (to find alternative accommodation and maybe having to pay a higher rental etc). Typically you just stop paying the rental and set it off with a counterclaim should he sue you for it.
But, say you do not want to cancel. You want to stay and put up panels to cure the landlord's default.  But this is in conflict with the lease that prohibits it. Then what?
Well I do not know!  I suspect you cannot break the lease simply because the landlord is doing so. Your remedies are to cancel and/or sue for damages and/or reduce rental. Not to unilaterally afford yourself rights you do not have.
You getting this advice for free and usually one gets exactly what you pay for, so beware 😄

I am a lawyer. Not sure it helps though. And this is not professional advice - just my impressions - 😉 on the face of it.
 
The number one question is not related to NERSA. It relates to your rights as a tenant flowing from the rental agreement and/or any other terms you signed on to.  If you have the roof above your own shop the question then is whether you may install on it.  That question is answered with reference (first) to the written and tacit terms of the lease agreement and any other applicable sign-on terms. If the agreement is silent on the issue then the common law may apply.
The way of approaching the problem runs a bit like in what follows:
Do you hire the roof above your head? If so, is there any prohibition on a tenant appending fixtures and fittings to the roof? 
Take a non-contentious issue - are you permitted to install an aerial? An owl box? An extraction fan? A weather vane? A pigeon deterrent device?
Note some of these items are moveables eg the aerial and owl box. Arguably they are similar to panels.
Some are more permanent eg the extractor fan may require a hole in the roof.
Are you permitted to connect an electricity supply point that intercepts the main supply to your business? No use you have a panel but your lease says you may not interfere with the electrics.
Etc etc  - you get the drift.
Now, from identifying the terms of the lease as the starting point, you are ready to find the relevant terms.
So go and find the relevant small print in your lease (dealing with fixtures, fittings, appendages, your right to make alterations etc etc) and check it and then you try and apply the thinking/scenarios I set out above and assess your panel problem in light of that.
BUT BEWARE- the lease may incorporate certain standard rules applicable to the Business Park. You need to check them as well.
If you conclude that panels are not contractually permitted, end of story. If they are, likewise end of story.
If by this time you are not sure, well then in all probability a lawyer will not be sure either. Your lease is ambiguous. No doubt you have money to burn so then you go see a lawyer, pay him a fortune, piss of your landlord, end up in court and possibly get evicted.
An observation: Is it really worth your while to have panels?  A few batteries as a UPS is perhaps sufficient?
 
 
 
 

I am a lawyer. Not sure it helps though. And this is not professional advice - just my impressions - 😉 on the face of it.
 
The number one question is not related to NERSA. It relates to your rights as a tenant flowing from the rental agreement and/or any other terms you signed on to.  If you have the roof above your own shop the question then is whether you may install on it.  That question is answered with reference (first) to the written and tacit terms of the lease agreement and any other applicable sign-on terms. If the agreement is silent on the issue then the common law may apply.
The way of approaching the problem runs a bit like in what follows:
Do you hire the roof above your head? If so, is there any prohibition on a tenant appending fixtures and fittings to the roof? 
Take a non-contentious issue - are you permitted to install an aerial? An owl box? An extraction fan? A weather vane? A pigeon deterrent device?
Note some of these items are moveables eg the aerial and owl box. Arguably they are similar to panels.
Some are more permanent eg the extractor fan may require a hole in the roof.
Are you permitted to connect an electricity supply point that intercepts the main supply to your business? No use you have a panel but your lease says you may not interfere with the electrics.
Etc etc  - you get the drift.
Now, from identifying the terms of the lease as the starting point, you are ready to find the relevant terms.
So go and find the relevant small print in your lease (dealing with fixtures, fittings, appendages, your right to make alterations etc etc) and check it and then you try and apply the thinking/scenarios I set out above and assess your panel problem in light of that.
BUT BEWARE- the lease may incorporate certain standard rules applicable to the Business Park. You need to check them as well.
If you conclude that panels are not contractually permitted, end of story. If they are, likewise end of story.
If by this time you are not sure, well then in all probability a lawyer will not be sure either. Your lease is ambiguous. No doubt you have money to burn so then you go see a lawyer, pay him a fortune, piss of your landlord, end up in court and possibly get evicted.
An observation: Is it really worth your while to have panels?  A few batteries as a UPS is perhaps sufficient?
 
 
 
 

I am a lawyer. Not sure it helps though. And this is not professional advice - just my impressions - 😉 on the face of it.
 
The number one question is not related to NERSA. It relates to your rights as a tenant flowing from the rental agreement and/or any other terms you signed on to.  If you have the roof above your own shop the question then is whether you may install on it.  That question is answered with reference (first) to the written and tacit terms of the lease agreement and any other applicable sign-on terms. If the agreement is silent on the issue then the common law may apply.
The way of approaching the problem runs a bit like in what follows:
Do you hire the roof above your head? If so, is there any prohibition on a tenant appending fixtures and fittings to the roof? 
Take a non-contentious issue - are you permitted to install an aerial? An owl box? An extraction fan? A weather vane? A pigeon deterrent device?
Note some of these items are moveables eg the aerial and owl box. Arguably they are similar to panels.
Some are more permanent eg the extractor fan may require a hole in the roof.
Are you permitted to connect an electricity supply point that intercepts the main supply to your business? No use you have a panel but your lease says you may not interfere with the electrics.
Etc etc  - you get the drift.
Now, from identifying the terms of the lease as the starting point, you are ready to find the relevant terms.
So go and find the relevant small print in your lease (dealing with fixtures, fittings, appendages, your right to make alterations etc etc) and check it and then you try and apply the thinking/scenarios I set out above and assess your panel problem in light of that.
BUT BEWARE- the lease may incorporate certain standard rules applicable to the Business Park. You need to check them as well.
If you conclude that panels are not contractually permitted, end of story. If they are, likewise end of story.
If by this time you are not sure, well then in all probability a lawyer will not be sure either. Your lease is ambiguous. No doubt you have money to burn so then you go see a lawyer, pay him a fortune, piss of your landlord, end up in court and possibly get evicted.
An observation: Is it really worth your while to have panels?  A few batteries as a UPS is perhaps sufficient?