39 minutes ago, Bobster. said:

It's a problem. One solution is a generator, but you need a decent one, you have to have it serviced, diesel isn't getting any cheaper.

This is entirely true, thoughts about fuel barrels filling my garage was a big NO... cost for the whole system also affects the choice and circumstances are dictating, what we needs to be done.. I keep my wallet very tight I haven't bought a backup for the router or ONT as i dont see value for money but like I was saying circumstance are tough with Eskom they are making it unbearable, the gardener cannot even cut grass. in the long term Solar is the best option by far considering the state of our SOE and these sporadic breakdowns which results in the changes of stages, at any given time....

15 minutes ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

That is pretty close to my base load profile.
Managed correctly you would get away with 10kW battery bank quite comfortably.
You can start with 1 battery and as budget allows add more.

There are many good off-grid inverters, but again, aim for something decent more in the line of hybrid like the sunsynk paired with some good solar panels.
I speak from 2+ years real world experience, the sunsynk is an awesome bit of kit and will pay for itself over and over for sure.

what's the amp rating/limti for AC Output for the 5KW Sunsynk???

I am learning slowly but surely!!! 

2 minutes ago, SunDayFunDay said:

what's the amp rating/limti for AC Output for the 5KW Sunsynk???

5kw / 230V
About 20 amps

1 minute ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

5kw / 230V
About 20 amps

Ah... I see the math is pretty simple I thought it was complicated LOL....  is the Sunsynk 5kw dual output AC or is that the entire AC OUTPUT RATING, You have any idea about the passthrough current if needs to pull from the grid on the cloudy days?

6 minutes ago, SunDayFunDay said:

Ah... I see the math is pretty simple I thought it was complicated LOL....  is the Sunsynk 5kw dual output AC or is that the entire AC OUTPUT RATING, You have any idea about the passthrough current if needs to pull from the grid on the cloudy days?

I run 99.999% of the time off-grid, so never really measured that.
It should show in the spec sheets:
https://www.diygeek.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Sunsynk-Data-Sheet-3.6kW-5kW.pdf

Utility-Interactive
AC Output Voltage L/N/PE 220/230Va.c
AC Output Frequency 50/60Hz
AC Output Rated Current 22.7Aa.c
Max. AC Output Current 25Aa.c (max.)
Max. AC Output Power 5500W
AC Output Rated Power 5500VA
AC Output Power Factor 0.95 leading to 0.95 lagging
Max. AC Isc 75Aa.c
Battery Discharge Voltage 40Vd.c ~ 60Vd.c
Battery Discharge Current 120Ad.c (max.)
Battery Discharge Power 5000W
Stand Alone
AC Output Voltage L/N/PE 220/230Va.c
AC Output Frequency 50/60Hz
AC Output Rated Current 22.7Aa.c
AC Output Rated Power 5500W
Max. Continuous AC Passthrough
Current 35Aa.c
Peak Output Power 10000W (10 seconds)
Battery Discharge Voltage 40Vd.c ~ 60Vd.c
Max. Discharge Current 120A (max.)
Compliance VDE-AR-N 4105:1028-11; DINVDE V 0124-100:2020-06; IEC/
EN62109-1/2:2010; IEC/EN62109-1/2:2011

If you are really worried about a total grid collapse, you should buy a system from the start that allows for that. To get a small system and hope to grow it the day after a grid collapse is likely to be impossible. Just my 2 cents 🙂

2 hours ago, SunDayFunDay said:

those inverter are just a eye sore for me, knowing their capabilities and being a bit tech savvy buying those gives me the butterflies, especially considering the fact that everybody is selling them, I am not even enthused by the price point and even more so by their features, running a kettle would be justified if it gets damaged its cheap to replace but monitors, routers tv sets and fridges is not worth the risk. 

I won't disagree with you. My point is that that's what some folks can afford, and it's better than sitting in the dark. The sort of system I have turns out to be unaffordable or, for renting tenants, uninstallable for many folks. So people do what they can. And even then, just having a trolley inverter and some of those emergency LED lights is more than a lot of folks can hope for.

2 hours ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

I run 99.999% of the time off-grid, so never really measured that.

thank you @WannabeSolarSparky will have to research a bit more but from what I see Sunsynk is what most people are buying...😁

May as well go all out and prep for it like it's doomsday. Nobody will be safe on his powered-up island as civil society around you collapses with the grid. If the KZN riots are anything to go by, there will be chaos and shortages, and the spirit of goodwill will be in the shortest supply.

2 hours ago, Thunderdolt said:

If you are really worried about a total grid collapse, you should buy a system from the start that allows for that. To get a small system and hope to grow it the day after a grid collapse is likely to be impossible. Just my 2 cents 🙂

Best not to be penny wise pound foolish, its one of those situations, i'll gladly take your 2c 🤣 for now I am bind with 2 options a inverter with panels and add a battery later or go the Genny route until the day comes.

3 minutes ago, GreenFields said:

May as well go all out and prep for it like it's doomsday. Nobody will be safe on his powered-up island as civil society around you collapses with the grid. If the KZN riots are anything to go by, there will be chaos and shortages, and the spirit of goodwill will be in the shortest supply.

Currently stockpiling long life milk.. just buy a extra few while at the shops... Trust that it will get bad very soon. 

Choice and decisions @Bobster.💀

a humble Axpert mks4 will do the job easily

Mornings Techies, I have a question here about my generator I recently purchased, Brand New Ryobi 6900k out the box, any assistance regarding connecting this to a manual changeover switch  to power a few circuits and maybe splitting the db between essentials and non - essentials as to not constantly flip breakers.. I will either DIY if easy or get a electrician if necessary... thanks in advance! responses will really be appreciated👍