jasonvanwyk

thanks mmacleod - I was just wondering If I could make an estimate within a certain day temperature range. But You guys are right I think that there are so many other factors to consider as to the make the "estimate" unreliable" - still would be a good study/experiment.

thanks plonk - I'm intrigued, so I think this will be an interesting little experiment

I thought i was...now I know I was🤣

Hi Forum, I have an interesting question. We know that PV panels use light energy and vacuum tube solar geysers use solar heat energy. Both sources are from the sun. I presume that there will be different inefficiencies within the two models, but I was just wandering... We have had a lot of rain lately, so my PV panels as well as my vacuum tube geysers have not been able to harvest as much energy as they usually do (it's been cold and light is poor). I have a backup electrical geyser element (2kw) in my vacuum tube geyser for days like this, regulated with a thermostat (as many people do). I usually don't have to use it 90% of the time. I also have it connected to a timer which I can set in many different ways. so my question is, If my panels are producing 2500w on a overcast cloudy and reasonably cold/cool day (and the weather has been like this for a week, so my geysers are not getting as hot as they usually do), and my electrical Element is 2000w, could i make a reasonable assumption (all things being equal - ignoring the rest of the house's load for this example) that I would not have to put my element on at all since the power of the PV is roughly equivalent to the power that would be used by the element to heat the water to say 55-60 c? In other words 2500w of power is being output on the same geographical square area, whether I harvest is via solar or PV (I know PV is roughly only 15-20% efficient can capturing light energy from the sun p/sqm). I feel like I'm talking in circles to try and explain myself, but I'm going to try one more time... If I see that my pv power is 2500w can I assume that my water is also being heated by at least the same amount of energy, so I don't have to worry about putting my element on?

As does this!

I think this makes an excellent point!

wow - some serious transformers in that machine!

@Youda Wow! thank you! This is really great. So my next question, then, would be why do manufacturers continue making LF inverters? Is there still a place for them? What are there Pros or claim to fame? Many thanks

Hi Forum Could someone please point me to the right discussion on how to balance pylontech batteries. I did see a post here somewhere but I cant find it now. I have just commissioned my new system, with 4 x pylontech us3000, and I'm getting an over voltage alarm after bulk charging them 88%. they are currently on absorption mode now. I suspect its because the cells are not balanced? when I look at the actual physical batteries, I can see the lights on some have a higher SOC than others. Many thanks

Thanks again Plonk - this definitely helps me understand it a bit more.

Thanks plonkster! I’ve been challenged for installing an inverter with an “old technology” transformer, and since I’m not an electrical engineer, I was not quite sure how to answer. There must be some reason why this particular brand uses the transformer - I just don’t know why. I’m happy with my install and don’t plan on changing it. I did read somewhere in my electronic tinkering that a bench power supply that uses a transformer gives a much cleaner signal vs a switching one. Does that relate or is relevant to solar inverters too? Many thanks again

Hi Forum would someone be able to explain and or point me to some good literature about the difference between an inverter that works with a transformer vs a switching transformer. are there any pros and cons? I realise that this might be a slightly controversial topic, but in the interest of learning i would really appreciate some help. Many thanks in advance.

Hi Johan - I hope you've come right? Just a side note (most here probably know - perhaps you too) If you are using excel (other spreadsheets can do too) it would serve you well to learn how to filter and order data. This becomes really helpful in narrowing down pinpointing what you are looking for - not to mention saving you a time - good Luck!

We are also doing something similar in our store, but on a slightly bigger scale. Will revert back here with pictures and learnings once we have installed

Just want to second the motion that 80’s rocks!😄

Awesome!😁

Sorry - just saw my answer now😁

I had 2 x 5KVA Axpert inverters. I Don't know if they are transformerless or not.

Thanks to all you guys for a very interesting discussion. My electrician put a couple of more earths on the panels, and he told me that resolved the problem. I didn't get a chance to test it after that, because I pulled my system apart for an upgrade. But as soon as my upgraded system is up and running again, I'll revert back here with my findings. All the best J

🤣🤣 - I kinda like the idea of physics and biology together, like soler complementing aquaponics😁

My whole system has been pulled apart, (for an upgrade), so I cant check anymore

aluminium ladder, bare feet, normal plastic/pvc/rubber hose pipe

🤣🤣🤣 - This is so funny, because that is exactly what I said to my wife - until I got shocked🤣

Baptism by fire!🤣 Thanks to @plonkster and @Carl for really good explanations!

Hi All The other day I put a ladder up onto my roof to climb up and wash my PV panels with a hose pipe. I have a zinc corrugated roof. As I touched the ladder, I got an electrical shock. The shock was quite substantial and was not my imagination (I touched the ladder a few times to test this). Is this normal? This doesn't seem right to me. I'm sure the panels are sealed at manufacturing, so surely the panels can't be "leaking" current? My only other thought is that one of the strings must be earthing to the roof? Any insight or comment on this would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance.