Albo

Hi, I have a similar system, 8x280w PV 8x102AH 5Kva Mecer/expert inverter. My question is simple, but requires some custom fiddling, how do you find an optimal setup that allows the grid to 'Bypass" for high load with weak sun but not fully charge the batteries from the grid overnight. IE I want the sun to charge my batteries in the morning and not pay Eskom to charge overnight, but I don't want to Hammer my batteries either (I want to use about 15% of their capacity before the 'Grid' clicks in. I'm not trying to go totally off the grid, as I don't want to scale my system to this extent (it doesn't make economic sense). I would like to hear your views on the best setup for this type of system using the Aepert 5Kva inverter. A

Hi, sorry some of you are experiencing problems with the link, it also returned an error on my first try, then worked every time after. Try this jdp I haven't come across this type of valve before, it took a long time to find locally, I have seen similar in Shower mixing taps but this Apex was ideal for my application.

Hi, I've just finished my Thermo Valve project. The objective was to convert a Bosch washing machine & Dishwasher to a solar hot water feed to save my batteries & PV load. The YouTube link below has all the details, but in essence. If you want to reduce electrical load form heating water, and you have excess solar hot water, this makes a MASSIVE difference to reducing electrical consumption. FYI, it's not possible to select a totally cold wash on most modern washing machines. If you disconnect the element on these appliances you tend to fool the microcontroller (waits to get up to temperature forever) it took 6 hours to complete a 15min wash. Dishwasher need around a min of 45Deg to wash & dry plates. Hope you find this Video informative Total outlay was about R650 for the TP Valve, R 250 copper fittings. Lots of time in the attic, chooses a cold day, or a good way to loose a Kg. A

HI I've bought 8 panels, batteries & 5Kva Inverter from Set Solar, from a young and very efficient lady, Tessa. Tessa assisted me with upgrades and exchanged some batteries (that I later discoverd I was under charging). They have a new branch in Brakenfell I believe Tessa is their branch manager. Hope this helps ... A

Chris my overnight load is almost exactly the same as yours, ( BTW I'm testing an Auto Switch to move the fridge back to Grid after 11pm until sunup ensuring I stay below 75W all night). I hope this will allow the inverter to go into its low power state (economy mode). Now this is where I need some help chaps ! How the hell do you put the inverter (Axpert) into this Power Save mode. I see the option in the manual, but I can select it from the panel.? (Disabled) I saw this option once in the Watch Power, utility, but then this entire menu disappeared. ? I think the "Power save mode" is only available when the inverter is in a specific mode of operation ? Has anyone been able to use the 'Power Saving' or 'Economy' or "Sleep' mode successfully ?

Just to clarify the 3Kw/h is 400w per hr over 8 hers (3.2kw) this is my total night load, including a AA fridge, alarm, e fence and a few LED security lights. I've measured this with an Efegy and the Prepay & Fluke meter (drain ave over 8hrs) I guess I'll put the fridge back on the grid at night and shut the inverter down when igoto sleep ? Any other suggestions ?

. OK 2 kW is doable, I think my oven is 3Kw and with the Grill 4Kw yeah, it's all about being creative and using every bit of spare energy and storing as much as possible. I've built a Storage heater for the winter, works fairly well in sunny winter days. I have another challenge, I want to build a Sunshine detector or a Cloud Detector, I don't want my pool pump coming on when its cloudy. Basically, it wastes my batteries and the pool doesn

Are you really running your oven off the inverter, maybe more than the smell of bread cooking ?

My guess is some false positives, I drive my unit really hard and have Zeo complaints other than a high overnight current drain under low loads, (some of this is Paowerfactor). I still wish I could get it to go into standby at around 50W or below. Otherwise, it's a very cost effective, versatile unit, just take some getting use-to. Also, we tend to watch everything like a hawk when it's brand new, now it sits in the corner and as long as my beers are cold I'm happy

Hi has anyone had any luck in getting these inverters to run in 'Economy' mode at night, seem this feature is disabled in some modes. I would love to see a very low drain in the dead of night I've even moved most of my small loads to Eskom. I'm experimenting using a 25A contractor (Relay) to switch my AAA fridge over to Eskom at night so I can get below 50w on the inverter to go into economy mode. It breaks my heart to see all my daytime savings trickle away from my batteries overnight (like 3Kw/h in total).

Hi, I got this info from Mustek FYI. The Axpert inverter has a power saving function. The inverter will be off when output less than 50W in battery mode, if you enable the power saving mode. It will auto output power when your load grew up over 100W. The detail message as below table. Menu option 4 Enable Enter Saving Mode level <20W (KS/MKS-1KVA) <40W (KS/MKS-2KVA) <50W (KS/MKS-3KVA/4KVA/5KVA Leave Saving Mode level >40W (KS/MKS-1KVA) >80W (KS/MKS-2KVA) >100W (KS/MKS-3KVA/4KVA/5KVA)

Hi has anyone worked out how to put the inverter in standby (economy) mode at night to reduce power over night drain. Although this option wasn't available on the LCD panel I was able to set it on the WatchPower utility ? Does the power drain have to (and battery charge status) be below a certain threshold to go into standby mode

I've been running for about three months only one overload alarm to date

Thanks everyone, it's a big learning curve going solar, but fun and I've learnt a lot. I would love to hear how others have fine tuned the expert inverter settings, to work & fit their lifestyles (and wallet) .

Thanks SuperDIY Any ideas on how to reduce overnight drain. I only have a few LED security lights and a AAA fridge, I estimate no more than 100 -150w I seem to be loosing about 40% of my battery charge over night (800Ah). I basically lose all the gain I get during the day. Maybe someone has come up with the 'ideal' settings for this inverter in SA.