Sethm

Just what i was trying to google.

Anyone have any info on these? http://www.gwstore.co.za/product/supercapacitor-battery-sirius-storage-system/ 500 000 to 1 Million Cycles 1Kwh to 50Mwh R10 000 per Kwh

MPPT does not have anything to do with Eskom charging. The Axpert has an MPPT solar charger and an AC charger which allows you to charge your batteries from either solar or Eskom. The eskom input port can also act as a bypass should your batteries reach a certain voltage specified to you (Eg 24/48V), and then switch back to grid power in order to protect your batteries from excessive discharge.

I was also thinking about something like this type of connector to make sure if there was a bad lightning storm, i could completely isolate the panels from the rest of the system. Anywhere around Jhb have them?

So would you suggest just using fuses between batteries and inverter? And if i need to shut down, just turn off inverter and then remove fuse. No switches? Are there any fuses on a site like ACDC that are DC rated for 100 Amps? Can you send a code or site that has these?

So i have found fuses from ACDC that are big enough to install for batteries and panels. But i would also like a cut off switch as dont like the idea of pulling out the fuse alone. This seems to be a problem that i cannot find any help with. I found a 100 Amp Isolator that is reasonably priced, but unsure if it will work correctly with DC current. What do people use? in all the pics ive seen between batteries and inverter there is a switch which i assume is an isolator? Please help?

Could be an option as seems to have a high cycle life. Has anyone been using Lead Crystal that has an opinion on them? Or anything else that they have experience with?

Hey guys So I was at an electrical company yesterday trying to work out what parts i need to protect my system. Can anyone let me know what they use on theirs? Fuses (From where and expected prices) Isolators or DC Breakers (They said normal DC breakers wont be able to hold the spark away so suggested i use an isolator) So what should i get and expected prices? Mainly looking for what I need to do between batteries and Inverter and Panel and Inverter. Thanks

Hi Guys So i currently have 4 Energiser EC18 102Ah batteries which i think are high and not deep cycle batteries. My setup is quite simple and does not require a large battery reserve. Based on my findings, i am only able to get 25-30 Amps at 24V before the batteries reach the 24V level (50%), this seems to be extremely low from the 100AH i was expecting. The batteries cost R1 350 when i bough them 3 months ago. Does any one have any advise on a better battery that still maintains a low cost? Or i was thinking of spending a bit and getting lead crystal batteries as the increased cost equals a much greater life expectancy. Does anyone have any experience with their own lead crystal bank? How is it lasting and all other relevant information? Looking at a total of maybe R15 000 or less for 200AH at 24V. Tubular plate cells? Calcium Alloy? Valve regulated? Thanks Seth

That is correct. Going to have an electrician come in this week to install fuses and breakers. A bit above my grade for installing and finishing it off well. So will get it done properly.

Well, got everything up and running yesterday Took a few hours to do. Getting an electrician to assist with adding DC fuses and circuit breakers to the system this week, but for now, it all works

Another quick question: How noisy is the inverter? Would it be noticeable if its in the next room in the middle of the night?

Its a 3Kva using 4X102Ah batteries in 24V configuration. I will also look at ACDC on Sundaty morning to see if they have any that i could install when doing everything on Sunday, otherwise it will have to wait until the electrician comes during the week. My current off grid setup has no breakers at all, but want to do this as correctly as possible.

So i got my Inverter today This is my plan for wiring it up. AC Input to come from nearby plug point. DC Input to come from Solar panels - DC Circuit breaker (25A) to be installed during the week. AC Output to run to Multiplug and then to required locations. Batteries in to Inverter with DC Circuit breaker (66A) to be installed during the weak. Does everything seem okay?

Thanks Then the normal 3kva should be sufficient for my needs and not the Plus model.

So even if I had 10 panels (80 Amps theoretically) on a 25 Amp controller in parallel, this would not be an issue. Only if in series of which the voltage exceeds the controller voltage?

But wouldnt you exceed the max amps of the inverter which may cause an error? My max power usage on my existing inverter is about 300 Watts with Fridge running, 2 laptops and TV. My average electricity bill over 3 years is R320 per month (I dont use alot of power). I am able to bring in a total of 52 amps per the one panel, which would increase once i switch to MPPT which can run the fridge and a laptop during the day while i am away which fully charges the batteries as well, so just not sure if i would need more panels for where i am now.

I just installed a second 300 Watt Amerisolar panel. The existing one managed to pull 7.9 Amps at peak power, so assuming i should now get about 16 (Will check next weekend) Using a PWM controller but want to upgrade to the Axpert MKS 3K model. I think that 900 Watts of panles will be sufficient for my needs as an end goal, but not sure if worth then going for the plus model or just sticking with the normal model and maybe being able to add a smaller panel of same voltage in parallel to ensure i dont exceed max amps. Maybe even putting a breaker between it and the parallel circuit for those cloudier rainier days?

Sounds good. WIll the inverter be able to limit the current to 25 Amps should it exceed 25 without any damage?

The panels will be in parallel as they are already at the required voltage for the system. As the maximum solar current is 25Amps, and I have read that you should have a small margin between panels and controller in case their is a spike in current, would i be able to attach a 200 Watt panel in parallel with the 2 300 Watt panels, to give me a theoretical maximum Amps input of 20 in order to protect the controller? Would this act like a 800 Watt st=ystem or would puting a smaller panel limit anything on the other panels? Axpert 3k 24V has 30-66 Vdc MPPT Pv Array Range and a Max PV Array Open Circuit voltage of 75Vdc Max. I dont think it is worth getting the plus model as my power requirements are quite low and i dont plan on using any really large appliances on it. (Maybe washing machine during the day when excess power is available and batteries are fully charged) It will not be wired into the DB board currently, and if i do, it will probably be for downstairs light circuit only as i plan on running extension cables to reach the TV, fridge etc... My battery bank will probably reach a max of 400 Ah @ 24V as this will give me enough power at night for most of what i need to do. Any other suggestions for what i plan on doing?

Thanks guys Another question, will 2 X 300Watt 24V panels really give me the 25Amps from solar? (Living in JHB). I plan of getting proabably a total of 900 Watts of panels to also assist on cloudier days. Will this have any issues with the inverter?

Hi Guys This looks like a great forum I currently have a 300Watt 24V Amerisolar panel, running to a 50Amp PWM Controller, a 2 000 Watt 24V Pure Sine Wave Inverter and 4 (2 X 2) Energiser 102Ah 12V batteries. Currently powering all my upstairs lights (12V new light put in), the fridge, laptops and TV. Current problem is the cold effects the batteries, so I can get about 30Amps before they go below 24V (14 Degrees) so the fridge cant run the whole night. The Axpert seems to be the solution Here are some questions: I can currently pull a max of 51Amps (Yesterday) by ensuring the solar is fully utilised during the day. 1) Does anyone know how much more i should get when switching to the MPPT module of the Axpert for 1 300 Watt Monocrystal Amerisolar panel? 2) If i have set the axpert to only charge batteries from solar, and told the system to switch to grid at 24V (Setting 12) and back to batteries at 26V (Setting 13). What would happen if in the morning while the batteries are at 25.5V (So still running power off grid), the power goes out. Will the unit switch back to battery power until the LVD? Thanks very much Seth