Friday

I aplogise for my absence fro this thread - a rather nasty fire went through the Knysna Plett area last week and my focus was elsewhere. We are just thankful to still have our home and farm untouched when there is such devastation around us. The decision was made to have two separate systems. so all the hardware I have is now sorted into these two systems. I can't change the batteries as they are already purchased. I now have a different problem. Is there anyone here that has already installed their system themselves, or knows how to wire the system properly, someone who is in the Knysna Plett area who could kindly either come and give advice onsite or that can talk to us real time on the phone. I know what needs to be done, but my husband needs to hear the technical stuff from someone else. Please. If anyone can help me with regards to switches and fuses. Please.

errr... that went so far over my head I didn't even see the contrail....

I think I am making some headway with the two system set-up.....

Yes, that was their only response to me - I could not afford to be without power for 3 months (their stated time it would take to repair). SO a woman with a screwdriver is a dangerous thing, eh.... I just took the covers off, oh the blasphemy!! I started at the first thing I could think of and replaced the inverter fan, which luckily sorted the problem LOL. then the same with the controller - process of elilmination starting with the simplest first and I replaced an isolator switch and there you go, it worked. So instead of talking to me they wanted me without power for 3 months and pay courier fees... go figure.

Its an upgrade for us - the Microcare is only 1 Kw and the Axpert is 5Kw and within our dwindling budget. Also Microcare can fly a kite as far as after sales service goes - I have had a problem on both the controller and the inverter in the 18 months we have used them and I got sweet fanny adams from Microcare when I approached them for help - they refused to even talk to me as I wasn't an "approved intaller or distributer of their products". I had to sort out the issues myself, which I did manage to do. They will not see a cent of my money again and if anything goes seriously wrong, the stuff will become expensive sinkers for fishing.

I thought to use the existing system as is for a separate circuit for fridges and freezers. Then use the new lot for the rest? According to Trojan the batteries should have a life span of 14 to 17 years at 80% DoD if looked after properly. This is why I ask if the 18 month difference in age is enough to be a problem.

TTT - I want to do that yes, but Hubby is refusing to have two systems and says he is furious we might have 35k worth of useless batteries (the existing system)...

Plonkster and TTT you just blew up my monday morning brain - I am going to try drawing out how I think you mean the wiring must be and post it later and you can tell me how wrong I am lol. Thank you so much for the help so far!! You guys are stars

I understand the way the built in controller works in the axpert, but I dont know how to wire in an extra controller? there is my problem - how do I put in the extra controller?

OK concept is there, but wiring wise, how would I do this - do you have a picture of how this would work - I'm seeing the words, but not "seeing" it in my head...

Errrrr I just tried this and got a look and hissing sound that hinted at atomic mushrooms floating around my head.... thanks!

I have no clue how to include a battery monitor thing into the system - Victron or otherwise - I did warn you this is all way above my understanding OK, thanks I get the "shallow" discharge now. Just clarifying that we were on the same definition

Do you mean shallow as in using a lot or shallow as in using a little - I've seen both versions of interpreting DoD - When I say 80% DoD I mean only using 20% of capacity, but I've seen others mean 80% is using 80% of capacity??? Thanks Friday

Hi Plonkster Thank you for the info - it is going to take me a while to go through that paper and absorb the info. It's my hubby that says "I don't want two systems"... It's himm I have to convince not to mix the batteries. How do I set up the microcare controller into the system? The axpert has one inbuilt and I don't know how to include the extra controller? I will check the panels today and see how they are made up and take pics of the info on them. Thanks Friday