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.

Hi, I have the same unit and I've tried all three modes, (Under option 1) none have been ideal thus far. I have discovered my batteries (calcium lead acid) were undercharging, and reverting to Grid priority for a few days sorted this out. I still seem to be losing (leaking) a lot of power overnight when there is no, or very little load (in the dead of night). According to Efergy I'm losing about 400w but this when compared with the pre pay meter log it looks more like 250w I believe Power Factor can make the Efergy inaccurate at low loads. Still very high. I also wonder is this inveerter actually feeds back to the grid inadvertently. I believe some pre pay meters (W Cape) can actually measure backwards (but not as a credit). Does anyone have any info on this ?

HI If your dad is a Plumber you can construct your own solar water heater easily, (modify the pipe work on yr existing geaser) and it you can raise your geaser make it a simple Therom Syphon system (no valves or things to go wrong). If you are in a frost zone you need to take this into account. This will reduce your main load a lot, and maybe give you a realistic pay back on a smaller system that overcomes load shedding irritation. A

Hi Everyone One thing to be aware of is, any uninsulated battery terminals, especially when they are close together, become instant welding machines if you happen to 'drop a spanner in the works'! A bit of shrink sleeving over those Bus Bars could save you some heartache and avoid a fireworks display. Don't be fooled by low voltage there is still massive current. A

Sorry the PDF images done want to paste into this page?

Hi, sorry for the delay (Super DIY), I have included the Specs from the battery manufacturer, a lot of data is given per cell (so I guess it's a case of cell x battery x series). In addition to Float and bulk values does anyone know how this inverter determines when to carry our an equalization phase and where to set these values? Excuse the scrappy paste. Solar Batter Specs AF

Hi I'm looking for optimal settings for Flood & Bulk Charge on a Mecer 5KvA (Expert MKS 5KVA) I'm using 8 x 102Ah 48v config Lead Acid 2Kw (8) Panels. Volt at each battery = 13.90v My battery electrolyte level indicator is always LOW. I also get high current drain (500w) overnight with minimal load (40w) throughout the night. I'm loosing all the gains from the day overnight. HELP! PS I really enjoy the Multi Inverter. Alan .. Bergvliet CPT.. more install background at https://youtu.be/EkMk151EfMY