Ok, so  I have no knowledge of home automation whatsoever but read a post somewhere that suggested the above mentioned kit to switch off specific plugs in your home during loadshedding.

 

The requirement is as follows:

• When loadshedding kicks in, this device is triggered when the Eskom Grid falls away.
•  It then controls a “scene” that you have set up that tells the WIFI switched you have connected, to turn off.
• When the Eskom grid returns, its switches them on again.

 

I think this is something I would like to try and connect to my washing machine plug. So that the plug is switched off during loadshedding and can’t be used while the inverter is on and drain my battery

 

So was wondering if anyone has used this kind of a kit and if they work (Reliably)?

Works well, just expect a few seconds delay, so don't exceed your inverter limits then hope this device will solve the problem. 

In your case it should work just fine . 

 

Geewiz sells the same kit just cheaper 

Thanks for the feedback abd7. Yes, I was thinking of the Geewiz one.

 

Think I will get the kit and a switch or 2 and test it out. We give feedback on how it goes...👍

Ok, so got the Sonoff Loadshedder Kit from Geewiz and have installed it. I'm very happy with the set up so far and works exactly as I want it too.

Thanks to @abd7 for the undated wiring diagram, much appreciated. 👍

For my scenario, I use it to switch off my washing machine and 2 x oil heaters in the house, when the grid falls away. All the WIFI switches are connected to extension cords, so that I can use them for other appliance in the future (After winter). When the grid come back , it switches the washing machine back on (not the heaters). I can switch the heaters on, as required again.

Notes:

1. The Sonoff BasicR2 switches only have a live and neutral and I wanted to keep the earth wire on all my extensions/plugs. So I found a casing on Thingiverse that accommodated the earth wire running underneath, and printed them. It makes the switch a bit bulker but they are a bit more robust now.

See pics below:

1. The kit came with a Sonoff Mini Extreme, so make sure that you wire the "Line In" on the switch in the correct slot, as it is not located in the same spot as the older Sonoff R2 switches, as depicted in the wiring diagrams (They actually swapped around). So make sure you connect them correctly.
2. The 3D printed DIN rail that you can buy is also for the older R2 switch and will not fit the Mini Extreme, as it is much smaller. So something to consider if you buy this with your kit. (But you can also just stick it inside with double sided tape). Will see if the original designer will share the files and modify it to fit the mini, when I have some time.  

So far, all good and will see how the system holds up over the next few months.

   

 

How's the delay? 

The delay/response is quick, it takes 2 seconds, at most, to switch the plugs off. So I'm more than happy with the response time and even with the 2 heaters and washing machine on at the same time (Which isn't often), I'm not close to overloading the inverters capacity (5Kw SunSynk).

So all good so far. 👍

The only problem now, is I've peering into the black hole that is home automation and have already ordered more switches to convert all my lights and plugs...and and.....😆

@SRY @abd7 Mind sharing the wiring diagram here. It seems that the kit is exactly what I am looking for. Should've probably read up a bit more before starting a new thread

Hi

Does the system forward notifications to your mobile everytime the grid status change?