HiTech Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Been a long time coming with numerous different designs and options having been investigated and finally had enough of load shedding and ‘tripping’ power stations (not to mention the loss to fires). First things first, thanks to this forum and those behind the scenes for some extraordinary information, guidance and confirmation on many unknown aspects, following which I thought it only fit to share the outcome on the showcase. Planned to accommodate a 3-Phase environment, with average daily use of up to 55.67kWh, with numerous obstacles, such as 3DB’s in the house, the main enclosure located in the scullery and wanting/having to install the solar solution in the garage (based on size). This required some planning on getting the Grid to the garage and the Load to the scullery. 3 Geysers in the house, already managed by Geyserwise Max units, thus could add their own solar plants, however opted to just use the timers and temp control for now and try and centralise everything to one generation source and avoid having to manage multiple plants. DIY install, thus will progress as time permits and as the accessories are gathered, down to the ferrules. Solution: 1 x 12kW SunSynk, 4 x Hubble AM2, Hubble Cloudlink, 18 x JA460 PV – 3 strings(6), 3-string DC Combiner, JM Keto-1 240A isolator. Jacques Ester, mzezman, werner.potgieter and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimCam Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Looking good so far. I know you will enjoy this setup once the finishing touches are done, and you flip those isolators on. In the meantime enjoy the satisfaction of the install, and keep the pictures coming. HiTech 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McAllstar Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Do you know what that conduit is called and where i can get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 8 hours ago, McAllstar said: Do you know what that conduit is called and where i can get it? Hi, Known as OBO and available from O-Line in either single (100x53) or double runs (165*53). Multiple accessories, including internal divider to separate cabling. Has a little price tag, but looking at the quality and ease of installation, worth every penny. I ordered online and they delivered the next morning. Products - Building installations - Device Installation Ducts and Trunking https://www.o-line.co.za/products/building-installations/device-installation-ducts-and-trunking/ Select product and then scroll down for associated accesories. iiznh and McAllstar 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted June 3, 2022 Author Share Posted June 3, 2022 Entered Commissioning and Testing Phase - #Respect for those who work with 16mm cable on a daily basis. Jacques Ester, HyperCut, Yellow Measure and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HyperCut Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Very neat install, Yup 16mm2 are a challenge but somebody has to do it ☝ HiTech 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted June 26, 2022 Author Share Posted June 26, 2022 (edited) Final install complete and was just in time for the latest bout of load-shedding. With this implementation, almost impossible to identify whether load-shedding's active. Minor adjustments in play as one finds the sweat spots, based on PV performance and ensuring optimal PV utilisation. Seen a number of posts which also agree to prioritise load and let battery charge over the day, thus ensures optimal usage of PV and not letting generation power go to waste. Obviously those with smaller battery stores will need to alter this during load shedding, but this lot only trickles down about 6-8% during a 2hr load-shedding period. Still having some minor issues with regards to ATS activation (posted question in this regard), otherwise this combination of equipment definitely seems to be an optimal matchup and definitely capable of delivering the anticipated load. Will also be working on some solutions to control geysers further during repetitive load-shedding (stage 4+). PS. Some chainsaw action still required on the western trees. Edited June 26, 2022 by AC-DC Jacques Ester, Derek Ramos, TimCam and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimCam Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 Looking very neat and tidy, with the big boy SunSynk in the middle, and the line of capable AM-2's below. Lovely finish. Now just those trees to be dealt with. Will you be doing the job, or getting someone in? I have just finished cutting down a number of huge trees the whole of last week, as during winter the one string was shaded until 10H30. My goodness it's dangerous and nerve wreaking work. Had to get two vehicles involved to make sure some branches and trees fall where you want them too. Now you have your system up and working you find yourself daring Eskom to have load-shedding. Enjoy your system and the power freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 Thanks @TimCam, left enough space for the parallel unit, however so far looking as if the single unit is handling the house. Load shedding has been a breeze, incl. the latest Stage6. Geysers (and trees) are the biggest pain and struggling with those geysers (already on Geyserwise) feeding off the second DB board upstairs, as currently still unable to provide a second three phase feed to that DB and hence cannot split essential / non-essential on that board. (3xDB boards in house). Main board has split, where other geyser, stove and oven are left as non essential. Currently building solution (Sonoff) to switch off geysers upstairs during both power failure/load shedding, which will be triggered using relay on the ATS output. My relay has two N/O connections, use one for PE/N bond and other as trigger for Geyser shutdown. Originally was looking at some threads which used Eskom' input to control geysers and other during load shedding, however one also runs the risk of normal grid failure and would have to cater for those instances too. TimCam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzezman Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 I monitor the grid frequency - so if this goes below a certain number then i switch off certain non-essentials. I am doing this in Home Assistant though HiTech 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Ramos Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 @AC-DCyour installation is great! This install with the use of your trunking and layout is what inspired my install Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 8 hours ago, Derek Ramos said: @AC-DCyour installation is great! This install with the use of your trunking and layout is what inspired my install Thanks Great to hear of the inspiration Derek, looking really good so far. Mine was also mainly solo and thus takes time, but the detail and staged approach, pays off in the end. Enjoy! Derek Ramos 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince MacMahon Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Extremely neat! Impressive diy install. like those trunking wish I saw this before my diy stint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milan188 Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 Have you had any issues drawing more than 6kw on one phase? I am looking at a similar setup and unbalanced loads are my only worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weimaraner Posted May 4, 2023 Share Posted May 4, 2023 On 2022/07/04 at 10:07 PM, HiTech said: Great to hear of the inspiration Derek, looking really good so far. Mine was also mainly solo and thus takes time, but the detail and staged approach, pays off in the end. Enjoy! Absolutely love the install and I have copied it! Thanks HiTech! I would like to know what Hager contactor you used (model no) and also where you found the grey conduit and fittings. Thanks! HiTech 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TestTube Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 On 2022/03/28 at 6:55 PM, HiTech said: Hi, Known as OBO and available from O-Line in either single (100x53) or double runs (165*53). Multiple accessories, including internal divider to separate cabling. Has a little price tag, but looking at the quality and ease of installation, worth every penny. I ordered online and they delivered the next morning. Products - Building installations - Device Installation Ducts and Trunking https://www.o-line.co.za/products/building-installations/device-installation-ducts-and-trunking/ Select product and then scroll down for associated accesories. Seems like they no longer sell this stuff - one gets redirected and finally end up looking at what is basically normal 40x40mm trunking you can get anywhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weimaraner Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 On 2023/05/05 at 6:15 PM, TestTube said: Seems like they no longer sell this stuff - one gets redirected and finally end up looking at what is basically normal 40x40mm trunking you can get anywhere... No, they do sell it, I recently ordered and they delivered the same day, mail this person Teffo, Peter <[email protected]> HiTech 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saliegh Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 Beautiful installation. I true pleasure to look at. If I may ask a question... Did you consider using a busbar for the installation? If you did, why did you decide against it? HiTech 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 On 2023/05/04 at 5:39 PM, Weimaraner said: Absolutely love the install and I have copied it! Thanks HiTech! I would like to know what Hager contactor you used (model no) and also where you found the grey conduit and fittings. Thanks! Searched all over for Grey Flex Conduit and especially the grey connectors. Eventually resorted to looking overseas. Once I had identified the options, I found RS Components could bring this in for me and ordered through them. As for the Contactor, Used the ESC240, however as mentioned this was not required on 3-phase and ultimately used this to control LED status lights and trigger Sonof MINI for load shedding controls - geysers, etc. (PS. Apologies on late response, was traveling abroad). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 On 2023/05/10 at 9:09 AM, Saliegh said: Beautiful installation. I true pleasure to look at. If I may ask a question... Did you consider using a busbar for the installation? If you did, why did you decide against it? Hi Saliegh, I did consider, however found I was going to have to cable the batteries in any case and this led to me looking for the ultimate layout to ensure cable lengths could be maintained. With this design, I have Positive running from Left (Batt 1) and Negative from Right (Batt 4) and found busbar would have just increased the install requirements with no benefit. I believe if you cannot maintain the cable lengths (evenly spaced equipment) or the 50mm cable is too costly, then busbar would make sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diabolix Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 @HiTech I see from their online portal one can only add to your whislist now? I emailed them to see how does one order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted November 18, 2023 Author Share Posted November 18, 2023 On 2023/11/13 at 10:25 AM, Diabolix said: @HiTech I see from their online portal one can only add to your whislist now? I emailed them to see how does one order. Hi, Yes you add to the wishlist and then send the wishlist through to the appropriate branch, they will send you the invoice and payment details. I've just completed another installation and they literally delivered the following day after ordering, once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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