Hi everyone,

Got a new setup and am looking to find a smart changeover switch, not one of those automatic ones that changeover during loadshedding etc but rather one I can control remotely via app and even better if it can integrate with google home/solarassistant/IFTTT etc.). I currently have everything running through an 8kW Deye inverter with manual changeover switches for the stove and geyser but I'd like to be able to control these, so for example if the inverter load is high then switch these to run off grid, and if inverter load is low then switch to run from battery or solar. Can't seem to find anything like this, only the automatic type or smart switches (on/off) but not changeover switches. I'm a noob at this though so not sure if there is something (i.e. some sonoff smart switch) that can do this but I didn't know it could.

 

I don't have SolarAssistant yet but ideally I could have this all integrated through automation and it switches from grid to battery/solar when relevant and also depending on battery charge etc. The geyser is on a sonoff geyser timer.

Edited September 6, 20232 yr by Carnajo

14 minutes ago, Carnajo said:

Hi everyone,

Got a new setup and am looking to find a smart changeover switch, not one of those automatic ones that changeover during loadshedding etc but rather one I can control remotely via app and even better if it can integrate with google home/solarassistant/IFTTT etc.). I currently have everything running through an 8kW Deye inverter with manual changeover switches for the stove and geyser but I'd like to be able to control these, so for example if the inverter load is high then switch these to run off grid, and if inverter load is low then switch to run from battery or solar. Can't seem to find anything like this, only the automatic type or smart switches (on/off) but not changeover switches. I'm a noob at this though so not sure if there is something (i.e. some sonoff smart switch) that can do this but I didn't know it could.

 

I don't have SolarAssistant yet but ideally I could have this all integrated through automation and it switches from grid to battery/solar when relevant and also depending on battery charge etc. The geyser is on a sonoff geyser timer.

I cannot provide a link but you do get a smart change over that works via an APP. 

3 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

I cannot provide a link but you do get a smart change over that works via an APP. 

 

Don't suppose you know the make or who supplies it?

8 hours ago, Carnajo said:

 

Don't suppose you know the make or who supplies it?

It was listed on Amazon but I found the link but it is no longer valid. 

Hi Carnajo, these kind of ATS switches have a separate control input (AC) that you can connect to a sonoff device. This makes the ATS "smart".

 

2 hours ago, Scorp007 said:

It was listed on Amazon but I found the link but it is no longer valid. 

 

Ah okay, thanks.

 

1 hour ago, clu said:

Hi Carnajo, these kind of ATS switches have a separate control input (AC) that you can connect to a sonoff device. This makes the ATS "smart".

 

 

Ah good to know, and I suspect that you then put it manual mode to disable the "auto changeover" function and have it fully controlled via app/homeassist etc?

 

11 hours ago, Carnajo said:

Hi everyone,

Got a new setup and am looking to find a smart changeover switch, not one of those automatic ones that changeover during loadshedding etc but rather one I can control remotely via app and even better if it can integrate with google home/solarassistant/IFTTT etc.). I currently have everything running through an 8kW Deye inverter with manual changeover switches for the stove and geyser but I'd like to be able to control these, so for example if the inverter load is high then switch these to run off grid, and if inverter load is low then switch to run from battery or solar. Can't seem to find anything like this, only the automatic type or smart switches (on/off) but not changeover switches. I'm a noob at this though so not sure if there is something (i.e. some sonoff smart switch) that can do this but I didn't know it could.

 

I don't have SolarAssistant yet but ideally I could have this all integrated through automation and it switches from grid to battery/solar when relevant and also depending on battery charge etc. The geyser is on a sonoff geyser timer.

You could do this with an ATS like above + a Smart Breaker to cut power from the inverter output to your non-essential loads' "Inverter" input at the ATS,that would force it to revert to Eskom

2 hours ago, clu said:

Hi Carnajo, these kind of ATS switches have a separate control input (AC) that you can connect to a sonoff device. This makes the ATS "smart".

 

You cannot control those ATS switches by applying power on the input in your picture. That input only supplies power for the NO/NC/COM relay but cannot control the switch itself. It's only for communication purposes.

27 minutes ago, PsyWulf said:

You could do this with an ATS like above + a Smart Breaker to cut power from the inverter output to your non-essential loads' "Inverter" input at the ATS,that would force it to revert to Eskom

Ah I see, makes sense. Will chat to electrician about doing something like this.

1 hour ago, Carnajo said:

Ah I see, makes sense. Will chat to electrician about doing something like this.

likely your easiest option here, as what @PsyWulf said. control the supply from the inverter instead of controlling the Eskom. 

take note, that the amp rating on the smart switch will have to be substantial, as you are trying to run geyser and oven on the same switch. 

 

my personal opinion, leave the oven on the grid. as these are normally used at night when there is no Solar anyway, and using battery for this purpose is is not smart. rather use a smaller air fryer or even a convectional oven that uses similar power, but for a much shorted duration.  (is the lamb chop worth a battery)

the geyser i would agree, put it on solar during daytime to get most out of you installation. and switch to grid in the evening, also incorporate a smart controller for the geyser, to control temps for when not needed. 

14 minutes ago, Flouw said:

likely your easiest option here, as what @PsyWulf said. control the supply from the inverter instead of controlling the Eskom. 

take note, that the amp rating on the smart switch will have to be substantial, as you are trying to run geyser and oven on the same switch. 

 

my personal opinion, leave the oven on the grid. as these are normally used at night when there is no Solar anyway, and using battery for this purpose is is not smart. rather use a smaller air fryer or even a convectional oven that uses similar power, but for a much shorted duration.  (is the lamb chop worth a battery)

the geyser i would agree, put it on solar during daytime to get most out of you installation. and switch to grid in the evening, also incorporate a smart controller for the geyser, to control temps for when not needed. 

 

Thanks, yeah makes sense, trying to be a bit smart/automated with this. Geyser has a sonoff geyser timer/switch on it but I've just discovered it isn't great for temperature monitoring, so might consider a geyserwise or something that can do the temp monitoring but will run as is for now, maybe not worth it in the long run.

The oven/stove would be on a separate changeover than the geyser and it's already on a manual changeover switch (and manual is fine because I'll be there to control it when I cook etc.). It's an induction stove so I leave use it through the inverter if I'm just making a 10 minute pasta or soup or something, but then put it on grid if I'll be using the oven etc. Don't have a convection oven (maybe will look into those, any recommendations?) but I do use instant pot a lot and that's pretty decent. Air fryer is on my "to buy" list, I believe it's a bit of a cult... 🤣

Geyser is a bit different would be nice to control remotely (have hot water when I get home from work etc. is there a low draw, switch it on and let solar PV top it up, is there a high draw (ironing, kettles, etc.) then turn it off temporarily so as not to overload inverter etc. so the idea would be to (eventually) have things running smartly on solar-assist.

 

For the most part I'm pretty much off-grid at the moment (8kW Deye, 2x5.1kW batteries and 12x550W solar panels) but do need to manage what's on at the same time (so don't have geyser, aircons and then switch on a kettle...) but hopefully the smart/auto solution can manage that for me, so if I turn on a kettle and inverter hits 8kW it will switch geyser off, and then turn it back on 15 mins later, things like that.

If it weren't for the large upfront cost I'd just get a heat-pump for the geyser but I don't think it is worth the outlay if I use intelligent time of use behavior and automation.