Prince3121 Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Good Day all So after 6 months of waiting for my installer, on the 25 July the install actually happened. This is a modest setup to start my journey to solar generation, but enough to cover my home. The equipment installed was as follows: Axpert MKS II 5kW 48V Inverter Axpert WiFi Module SHOTO 5.12kWh Lithium Battery 160A 2 Pole Multiblock NH00 Fuse Holder 100A 500V NH Fuse Link x2 PermoPower 35mm Black Cable PermoPower 35mm Red Cable 35mm Heavy Duty Crimping Lugs Their was quite a bit of extras, as the 2 x DB, 20m of cable, extra breakers, pilot lights, as I had to install the inverter and battery in another room. The system had its official first load shedding test this afternoon and coped very well. Its pleasing to have such a seamless change over. I have configured a pizero w with POE/USB HAT, running Solar Assistant to do my monitoring and integrated it into Home Assistant. The RS485 cable will arrive soon in order to monitor the Shoto Battery more closely. I went with Solar Assistant, as a platform, as I already had most of the hardware required. I'm very happy with the install so far and will be looking into what panels to install for the solar phase of this project. One mistake I made here was purchasing the Wifi module. It works to an extent, via the Watchpower app, but does not give enough granular settings to monitor the inverter and battery pack. The module is slow and was cumbersome to get registered and working. TimCam, mzezman, Jacques Ester and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimCam Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Welcome to the world of power backup, and soon to solar (when the panels arrive). The independence is great, and continuing through load-shedding with your daily living is strange at first, but you will get used to it. Welcome to the forum too. Prince3121 and BryanOC6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince3121 Posted August 5, 2022 Author Share Posted August 5, 2022 Thanx, yes we shedding again right now and its odd, not to have any interruptions. Energy-Jason, Clint and WannabeSolarSparky 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Energy-Jason Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Awesome Prince3121 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanOC6 Posted August 11, 2022 Share Posted August 11, 2022 Leke Prince3121 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince3121 Posted August 12, 2022 Author Share Posted August 12, 2022 (edited) Good Day all I have completed my monitoring setup as well. I decided to go with the Solar Assistant solution, as I wanted to utilise my existing Pizero W. The challenge I had was power to the Pizero W, as I did not have power close by in the room where the Inverter and Battery was installed. I could tap power off the battery, but that would mean finding a step-down power supply. I wanted a completely self contained solution, because I already had a POE switch in another room, which could power the Pizero W. Extras: Wave Pi Zero Case - PoE and USB Ready Shoto/Rentech RS485 -(optional) Cat 5e Ethernet cable and connectors Trunking Some sweat for pulling the Cat 5e cable in the roof! The setup is quite easy as per documentation on the Solar Assistant website: https://solar-assistant.io/help/getting-started/prepare-device https://solar-assistant.io/help/voltronic/configuration https://solar-assistant.io/help/home-assistant/broker-setup -There was a slight difference with the integration into Home Assistant doing the MQTT broker part, which I have informed Solar Assistant about. Home Assistant's UI has changed a lot, but after doing some searching solved the integration part. I know just enough linux to get by. -Another challenge was getting the POE Hat setup and getting the Inverter's USB port to recognise the Inverter in Solar Assistant via the Pizero's USB port. Once figured out the setup was plain sailing. I had the Inverter in Emulated BMS mode till my RS485 to USB cable arrived. The RS485 cable was connected to the battery and Pizero USB ports and connected immediately, no issues, as below: Yes, trunking not done yet, but I will get there. All working perfectly, with integration into Home Assistant as well. Very straight forward install for a semi-technical person. Thanx to Solar Assistant for programming this solution. Easy Peasy! Edited August 12, 2022 by Prince3121 Jacques Ester and Jaxone 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince3121 Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 (edited) Good day all I have to commend Solar Solved Africa for their great service turnaround time. My Shoto 5.12kW battery BMS failed last week Friday morning, at a very inopportune time. I booked the battery in on Friday midday and was called on Monday morning to collect the battery. Repair done at no charge, as it was still under warranty. I wish all companies in South Africa, had this level of service. This makes me want to order future equipment from them again. Much appreciated guys! Edited December 9, 2022 by Prince3121 Scorp007 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince3121 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share Posted March 6, 2023 (edited) Good Day all Phase 2: Solar Panel install -this phase is now complete, after going with an Installer recommended by Solar Solved Africa. The company is called UltraEdge Plumbing and Solar Specialists. -nothing but professional service and reasonable pricing. As there was a shortage of panels, I had to go with 8 x 540W Half-cut Mono PERC Gamko panels. Solar Assistant still doing duty and very easy to manage the programs for the panels and battery. A few pics after install: I'm extremely happy with this install and the way UltraEdge handled this install. The contact person is Wisbaar at the number above. I don't want to advertise here, so if the Admins feel its against the rules please remove. If there are any questions, drop me a PM. Edited March 6, 2023 by Prince3121 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobster. Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 On 2022/08/05 at 6:13 AM, Prince3121 said: Thanx, yes we shedding again right now and its odd, not to have any interruptions. Don't worry. You will get used to it very quickly. Prince3121 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javadog Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 Hi Prince Just a question, are you able to manage the battery via SOC or is it still via voltage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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