Mark

Is a the battery bank enough for this inverter? I don't have a manual but 100ah 48V sounds like very little...

viper-za - Surely you can be as creative as this...

I like the team on these forums... Question, discussion and TESTING!!!

I wonder if you set the (smaller) MPPT to just float the bank... and the main controller does both. That way they won't "argue" past the float stage.

Thanks TTT... good enough reason for me... although there are many instances where there are banks with multiple MPPT controllers. ie An Infini and an Axpert both with their own PV strings...

I agree with jdp! I have installed the HO02 balancer (discussed here) and have found they have made a huge difference. I have 2 banks of 4x 100ah (Excis sealed, maintenance free el cheapo's ;)) - SO (ready for some discussion) I have also linked the batteries ACROSS the banks. They are linked anyway (at the middle of each bank) because I measure the midpoint voltage variation (using the BMV702). My suggestion: 1. Mix the new and old batteries placing the new batteries across the strings (and not all the same new string). 2. Install a battery balancer (eg HA02) or multiple HA01's (like Chris has done). 3. Periodically (every 6 months) rearrange the batteries in each string (as per TTT or Plonksters suggestion - can't remember) so that batteries get an equal chance to the in positions 1, 2, 3, 4 (4x Xah, banks) Thoughts anyone... PS: Here is a question for debate (given the balancer above)... Can you add a 24V MPPT charge controller to the center of the 48V bank to top up the bank (low amp 5-8A) in the late afternoon (another small PV String facing the setting sun)? AND let the balancer do its stuff... batteries 2,3 will then get some extra charge.

Hi I have fixed panels and used http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/solar-radiation-on-tilted-surface to calculate my angle and biased it to a winter focus which has less hours than summer. They are fixed and would rather add more panels for west and east bias than a tracker... wind worries me with a tracker... Regards Mark

You connect the batteries first and then commission the inverter. Works great.

Run two MPPT's and Have a EAST String and a WEST String. Good way to benefits from morning and afternoon sun. AND both at Midday

Coffee Bay is boring I see I think the Infini is the way to go for Grid Tie type environments. Rack the Axperts for Off-grid. Teflon underwear ON!

Hi Mike Any news and updates... ?

Thanks for the update Mike. Great to get this sort of feedback from an installer who has first hand experience with many different products.

Haven't thought a lot about it but a thick run in the ceiling (12V conduit) and the thinner cable for the shorter runs... Otherwise just a bigger inverter and stay with 230V... its going to be free anyway. Must say - OFF GRID is the way to go... spend the money now and don't bother with municipal connection!!

TTT - exactly... I would even maybe consider 12V lighting as an option as well as USB sockets (12V source) for each room for car chargers, etc (instead of cell charges with little transformers inside... The joys of a new build. Double gazed windows maybe... etc etc etc

You could buy a cheap solar charge controller and wire the panels through this instead of the Axpert as a fall back. As long as the controller can handle the panels. You then just use the Axperts Inverter Charger functionality. eg: http://www.mantech.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?Item=372M0901

If the supplier is adamant that the system is fine and you are overloading then ask them to agree to a second opinion. Get some else to check the install with the supplier present and then see what happens... Your Vmp is 30.38 and so you may even get more then 30V on a good day. The inverter spec says Overcharge Protection = 15.5 VDC so I guess the panels are being blocked as soon as the voltage gets above a certain voltage. The installer should know (have known this). Therefore only charging during low voltage periods. Good luck!

Agree with the above and suggest some of the following: 1. Is it 12V or 24V? 2. Can you measure the panel voltage (with a multimeter after unplugging the panels from the Axpert)... be careful doing this. Just need a bit of sun to have a look if they are not fried for example? 3. The panels may have there polarity reversed? 4. The Axpert needs to be set up in SBL or SOL mode? What is it now?

Great end to a stressful week. Thanks for the update Andries!

Or miss when you think you are spending good money and then find you are few "expensive" blue bits missing... Sorry couldn't resist. 1x Axpert and a few batteries and panels... your off... (ne Chris)

I thought the White boxes to the left were SCC's but obviously wrong... Darn...