Roarty

I have to buy 6mm² so I will put it use there as well, no problem. There is going to be more than enough It is part off the kit that I've ordered. Don't want to waste it. "7" Items was supposed to be delivered today but I only received the BYD BOX Cabinet. I want to use the batteries at night only if possible, obvious, and the solar array in the day. Would it still work with no need of Eskom? I am away from home most of the time and can't do it if I like or have to.

Here is the "pre-final" of my layout. Final will come after you guy's remarks and suggestions. Please excuse the schematic symbols if they incorrect, semi or fully, I searched my a@# off for the correct symbols but don't know if I got the correct ones. @Fuenkli, this is nearly 100% to your design but with a few extras and tweaks for my situation. I would like to change the manual changeover switch later with an automatic transfer switch later. The wife might forget to changeover; anything is possible. @The Terrible Triplett, I like your PV combiner box's layout but your total setup is different than mine but I would appreciate any suggestions please. HOUSE ROARTY SOLAR POWER GENERARION LAYOUT REV01.pdf

“Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt

Thanks @Fuenkli, yes you've understand it 100%. I might be asking you a lot more questions in the coming weeks for I would like to do proper install. Even if you don't mind, "stealing" your setup, if you like to share. From breakers to last bit of wire.

I already have a CBI QAT-TRDM timer switch in the DB that works fine. I am thinking of getting a GPS timer at http://www.gpslightlock.com/Store.htm I meant when the batteries near depletion I would like to go over to the grid if needed at 80%. I now the BYD 2.5 batteries can go 100%, so they claim, but don't like that. Still remember how many UPS batteries I had to replace when going far below 50%. Will it be bad for the BYD 2.5 batteries to go the full 100%? I just thinking in the long run and the damn stuff is a lot to replace. Ok, I am fine not using any type of transfer switch or changeover switches but is there any other way of having a switch to disconnect from the grid if need be. I am lots of times away from home, so is the rest of my family. The cleaning lady and "garden engineer" needs electricity but solar and not Eskom's. Pump's and all must go on as normal. Furthermore, thank you for all the info @Coulomb, I appreciate it. At least know I know how it works. Nobody is too old to learn.

My idea of power usage is as follows; DAY-TIME (Sun Hours) When the sun is at a sufficient level in the morning; · Get power from the solar panels feed only’ · Charge batteries, · Push power to the geyser at -2/+2 hours on solar noon NIGHT TIME When the sun is going down and there is inadequate sun to produce electricity, the transfer switch priority line, on-grid line, open and the backup line closes · Get power from the batteries only · No geyser will be running When batteries get to 80% depletion, · Batteries stop supplying power’ · Eskom line supply power for the rest of the time · Batteries can be charged or · Batteries can stay at 80% till there is enough power from the sun to charge I only know the old inverters on car batteries! Hence the STUPID question that I am about to ask…. What prevents the power to keep coming from Eskom when I am producing electricity from the solar panels and do not want to export to the grid. Does the CT and EzMeter prevents that the path of least resistance will prevent it or not? Please, some of you might think it is a stupid question but I must make sure. If I do not ask I will not know!!!!!

I just want to make sure from you guys if you all know if this configuration modes are correct or not? What would you do if it was your system...please, I want to finalize the layout. It's giving me sleepless nights. GOODWE MODES.pdf

Currently got a timer on from 12:30 to 15:30...reducing it now to 14:00 to 15:30. Too much heating up again with geyser blanket and insulation on the pipes. My geyser takes 40 min to heat up to full and a further 20 min to get up to 100% after the kids has showered. The wife takes a bath at night and then again a shower in the morning, still with water hot enough. All that in max 90 minutes. That I can do as well. My usage spike at max 4.8kW when geyser is running and when ironing is been done. I have ordered another string set of 10 x 330W panels which will make it total 6600W witch will produce 4976W at hot temp in perfect conditions. Here I am in the dark. I looked at contractors and their interlocks with auxiliary contacts for indication of power as well as a controller to manage it. I would prefer something like that to control the demand. It is mainly for creating an ATS but I will use it as well for load demand. It is difficult to find proper info on how to create and wire such a device. The less I use Eskom, the better. I like the contactor and controller idea see that I am away from home most off the time. My wife is not up-to-date enough to handle the system and the 3 boys of 7 & 9.

@Fuenkli I saw that some of the guys has mentioned putting fuses in front off the SPD's so that the fuses can go and not the rest, cheaper like that... What do you think?

@Fuenkli is there no other way that I ... Don't wanna use Eskom and don't wanna waste the excess power...

No problem in just adding them? The 2 x K&N is already in the kit and do not know where else to use them. Wont hurt for extra protection, wont it? Yes and thank you. I forgot to add them because I want to see everything that is powered and/or not! My wife must manage the system some times for me being out off the country most of the time. The PV Master app will help her in a way for women know there apps...lol. I want my sons too, to see what is the do's & dont's.

@Coulomb sorry, typing mistake...copy/pasting...should have checked... Supposed to be 1 x K&N Dual String DC Switch Disconnector 25A 220V

Awaiting your judgement...lol... HOUSE ROARTY PV LAYOUT - GARAGE SECTION.pdf

What do you guys think of this device for a geyser...for all the excess power. https://re-volt.co.za/Store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=636 https://www.earthwiseproducts.co.uk/solic-200/ http://solic200.com.au/#

Hi @SilverNodashi. Yes & thank you. My brother told me that I can do that, he is a heavy current electrical engineer. Anyhow, I can't bring the inverter & batteries any closer. The main DB is in the scullery which have no space to turn. I might be able to install the inverter there but then what do I do with the batteries. I cant put it outside the house nor keep it in the garage that is 25m away. That is why I am designing a new house for us that has it's own "Electrical Room" which will be directly underneath the solar cables entry point. I am nearly finished with my "detailed" layout of my whole system. I mean detailed cause I am an Structural Design engineer and Architect that doesn't practice architecture anymore. So, the MCB and all will be in detail. LOL I will hopefully post a section today or tomorrow, the roof and garage part. I am still battling with the Mains Circuit Board and dividing it into Grid only / Grid Solar / Solar Backup sections with it's changeover switch(s). I would like the forum's opinion and please be direct as can be. I want to do it right the first time. Especially from the big guys like @The Terrible Triplett @plonkster etc... I want everything as perfect as can be and to NRS & SANS, even to CoCT rules & regulations, although I live 450 km away to the east. I am currently in Zambia on a project but will be back in SA in 8 weeks. Enough time to do the design properly and order the extra equipment, I hope. Then I want to install my own system to the point where the electrician can do the tie-in. Thank you all so far for all the help.

Hi @plonkster & @Chris Hobson I came across this posting and would like to ask you guys a few things, it might sound stupid! I have a Goodwe 5048 ES with 2 x 3.3kW solar arrays and 2 x BYD 2.56kWh batteries, not installed yet, with a back-up output as well with the grid tie output. I know the back-up is for essentials, but do I need it if my power consumption reach just over 15kWh/day and that is only when the cleaning lady is working as well as the geyser running from grid for 3 hours so that everybody can shower and heated up again for the wife the next morning. My geyser is going on it's own system anyway with a controller to use the excess power from the 6.6kW solar panels. My dilemma is that if I do use the back-up load I will need a 3-way ATS if I want to stay in line. Correct me please if I am wrong.

@Elbow Thank you for the response

Thank you @Rautenk, I'll check it out.

@Elbow Just a quick question. I am using your layout as a reference for my layout. What does the numbers represent as highlighted in yellow in the attached snip from your layout. Like I said, I am a newbie and would like to learn more.

What do you guys think? Connecting the 10 x 330W panels in serie for; W 3300 VOC 464 VMPP 376.5 IMPP 8.77 Or 2 sets of 5 in serie and the 2 sets in parallel for; W 3300 VOC 232 VMPP 188.25 IMPP 17.54 Is my calcs correct? That's the first thing I should ask as newbie!

I am currently in the planning phase of our new home. It is going to consume more and my sons are not staying pre-teens forever. I am currently working outside SA and is planning to be back permanently from, hopefully, the end of next year...if God permits. Then I will continue my work and hobbies at home....which will require more power...and then the prices for everything will be higher most probably...as it goes in Africa.

RRR...PLEASE...nobody here in Mossel Bay and George replies to any queries...It'a a tourism area and it looks like everyone is permanently on holiday...

My current usage and earlier this evening with the kids on their televisions watching Netflix streamed through their PlayStations. With some "network down" spot...crappy internet

The DB is situated in the scullery and there is a lot of base cabinets...the inverter will fit but not the BYD battery box.

I work in Zambia but my family lives in Kleinbrak River, Mosselbay. We bought a nice stand in Grootbrak Hoogte for a future build and total 100%+ off-the-grid system.