Storm

Hi all! Hope the people in the know can help me out here... Sorry about the long post, but it is a lot of money and I don't want to have regrets. TL:DR - reliability, running cost and cost of long term ownership (won't be moving homes in 10+++ years). What would you choose between IHP Geyser and a new Electric Geyser with vacuum tube convert? I have been really convinced for a while I want a IHP Geyser, mostly my wife is allergic to anything on the house roof. She has now in the last week before I pulled the trigger changed her mind and approved the vacuum tubes (but not a full geyser on the roof). My VERY old 150l geyser finally burst (taking some belonings with it) - replacing this alone without anything else would have been an advantage already. I'm taking the time to move it outside. I was about to pay for a 200l IHP, but now had to research how the vacuum tubes stack up. Due to having to replace the geyser, etc... The total cost of both systems are basically the same. We are currently a family of 4, with the in-laws visiting 3 days a week. Shower/bath schedule is basically: 4 showers at night, 2 baths for the kids 2 showers in the mornings (shower temperature less important — just shouldn’t be ice cold). My goals are basically: Lower electricity costs Smart app/wifi control for if I want to boost/switch on/monitor if needed Lower in general running costs Even though I have the lump sum now, I want to save as much money going forward as possible Wear and tear and parts failure should be avoided. Longer life span is preferred I want to eventually do a solar carport or so - but that is possibly a 3 - 5 year + plan My current thinking and research of the alternative: Electric geyser with vacuum tube convert: New 200l electric geyser mounted outside 20 vacuum tubes convert Any recommendations for high quality companies to do both the electric geyser install and convert in Pretoria? Full solar geyser on the roof isn't an option Solar seems to have lower running cost long term Would plan on upgrading the GeyserWise Max to the wifi add on for smart app etc Fewer moving parts Flat roof so orientation isn't a problem No sun = no heating Extended power failures still mean hot water Not sure how much heat the tubes actually generate in the winter IHP geyser Installed in the courtyard on a slab Not dependent on sun availability. Always heats when needed, not only during daylight. Efficient daytime heating using excess solar for when I finally go solar (solar carport to avoid the "nothing on roof" limitation from the wife). Annual maintenance is an extra running cost Wifi/app No power = no hot water Now to my question: Any great providers you know of in Pretoria area for the electric geyser work and convert? Anybody that either went IHP or vacuum tubes and have regrets? What would end up actually costing less to own in Pretoria? (hot summers, no freezing risk, etc) Long term reliability of the systems? Unexpected maintenance I need to account for? Real world performance of these systems in the winter? Thanks

Hi @Kalahari Meerkat, Thank you for your reply and the valuable insights! You've helped us make a decision, we'll likely go with the Hydroboil solution. Much appreciated!

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some input from the community on a decision I’m trying to make regarding instant water boilers. My previous home had a Hydroboil, and I was extremely happy with its performance. However, the price of Hydroboil units has increased significantly, and I’m considering more affordable options, including the BIBO Express 2.0. We’re a household of heavy coffee drinkers, so having hot water on hand is essential, and we also use it frequently for cooking purposes. The BIBO Express 2.0 seems like a decent alternative at a cheaper price point. Since the BIBO boils water on demand rather than storing it like the Hydroboil, I assume it may have a lower flow rate or might not keep up as well during periods of heavy use. That said, the energy savings from boiling as needed would definitely be appreciated. During my interactions with store sales reps, they were heavily promoting the Hydroboil (understandable since they likely earn commission on sales), but they also mentioned having stocked BIBO products in the past and seeing a high number of returns. I’d like to know: Has anyone here used the BIBO Express 2.0, and if so, what was your experience? How does it compare to a Hydroboil in terms of reliability, performance, and long-term satisfaction for high-use households? Is it worth saving the extra money, or should I stick to the tried-and-tested Hydroboil despite the higher cost? Any insights, experiences, or even alternative suggestions are highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Thanks @hoohloc, that looks good! I like the idea of an added solar panel or 2, mostly for long outages. In the end of the day, this will be a temporally solution till I get solar on the roof with a decently sized inverter.

Hi all, So I was very close to pulling the trigger to install solar on my roof, but very recently came to question if I want to live in my current house for any longer than the next 3 years. That said, the solar is on the backburner until I decided that. My requirements for getting through loadshedding comfortably didn't change. I'm for all intents and purposes, I'm full time WFH now, which won't be changing soon. I have been looking at these inverter trollies: https://www.ellies.co.za/product-category/renewable-energy/inverters/inverter-trolley/ Or something like this: https://sinetechstore.co.za/?s=powerhex&product_cat=0&post_type=product They both seem to meet what I have in mind (powering laptop, screen, internet, my storage devices, and maybe TV when loadshedding hits at nights). I basically want to continue on as normal mostly if loadsheding hits or if our substation has tripped again (which happens a lot in my area). As from what I understand, the ellies trolley's batteries don't have a very long life expectancy (versus lithium-ion) and I would assume powerhex would be the same. The Powerhex seem to be done very nicely, with smaller battery capacity (also not seeing the difference between Powerhex and Powerhex+). So, all in all, the reason for this post is to bounce my idea off the forum members, and if I'm missing any other obvious solution that doesn't mean me making changes to the house (that I'm not able to take with when I move). What would your recommendation be between my options available? Budget is around R11 000 - R13 000, so the fancy Victron solution I have seen some forum members build is a little out of that price range. This isn't my field of expertise, so hoping for some pointers and advice here to maybe guide my decision.

Doubt I will ever plug anything into the USB. Saw that one as well. Not ordered yet. This one does look like the one to go (watts wise). Saw a specifications sheet saying the 430P will handle 30W for 2 hours and 20W for 3 hours. The 860P will do 20W, 10 hours and 40W, 5 hours. All in all, will go for either 430P or bigger. Will probably buy end of the month. Looks like a neat piece of equipment, thanks for the help.

Short and sweet, amazing. Will have a look, thanks

Hi all! I’m new the whole “off the grid” or “hybrid” world of electricity (and this forum) and would like to start slowly. I’m really going to make use of the “there is no such thing as a silly question” policy. Though my goal eventually would be a solar solution (financial research still outstanding to motivate that with the Minister of Finance – my wife), I just want to get through basic load shedding for now. As most South Africans, I have invested in battery banks, rechargeable lights, etc and have access to a gas braai. I’m mostly, for now, sorted in general when load shedding hits. Only problem I currently have, is when the lights go out, I don’t have internet (running a fibre Openserve solution at home). I would like to look at a cheap, reliable solution with decent cycles that will get me through loadshedding with internet and wifi. I remember my younger years that UPS was something that existed (and probably still do) that allowed you to run a computer for a few minutes. These back then was expensive and only lasted a year or 2 before it was unusable. I’m aware that you get what you pay for, so want to consider all the options out there before making a choice (even if it is, do nothing or just save up and start the solar project). I plan on running 2 devices on the backup power: TP-Link Archer C20, 12V – 1A Huawei EchoLife HG8240H GPON Terminal, 12V – 1A Want it to survive a loadshedding event and it is fine if it recharges through municipal power when the power is back up This will hopefully give me sweet fibre internet in loadshedding 😀 Lastly, I hope all this works and the actual internet infrastructure in the area will still operate when we have loadshedding. The cellphone towers for sure don't work, so currently we can't even call, never mind do anything else, when loadshedding hits. Thanks for the help everyone! Storm