Hi all, new to the forum and very keen to pick some brains on my way to a proper solar solution eventually (finances permitting)!

Currently I have Mecer 1440w 24v desktop inverter with 4 100AH lead acids but would like to replace with something with more functionality and scalability - ultimate goal is to have solar generation to at least offset if not completely replace Eskom usage and everything plumbed into the DB but that's way down the road. The current setup is more than adequate as all it powers is 3 computers with peripherals, 1 TV and an LED floodlight at night.  It handles a 4 hour load shed with ease.

For now, the idea I have is to get an off-grid 24v or 48v setup with an appropriate LiFePo4 battery going into one of those Ready Boards (a small DB with integrated plug points as well as breakers and earth leakage, so it'll be an independent system. From the board we'll just run leads to the devices mentioned above, much like we are now (that Mecer has 3 plug points built in). One of those trolley AIO jobbies would probably be a decent upgrade but I'm really trying to think further down the road.

What sort of battery/inverter combo would you recommend? Any inverter over 5000w would be overkill for our needs though integrated BMS for the lithium batteries would be nice.

Any thoughts on this idea? Am I overlooking something crucial?

Thanks in advance.

43 minutes ago, BamBam said:

Hi all, new to the forum and very keen to pick some brains on my way to a proper solar solution eventually (finances permitting)!

Currently I have Mecer 1440w 24v desktop inverter with 4 100AH lead acids but would like to replace with something with more functionality and scalability - ultimate goal is to have solar generation to at least offset if not completely replace Eskom usage and everything plumbed into the DB but that's way down the road. The current setup is more than adequate as all it powers is 3 computers with peripherals, 1 TV and an LED floodlight at night.  It handles a 4 hour load shed with ease.

For now, the idea I have is to get an off-grid 24v or 48v setup with an appropriate LiFePo4 battery going into one of those Ready Boards (a small DB with integrated plug points as well as breakers and earth leakage, so it'll be an independent system. From the board we'll just run leads to the devices mentioned above, much like we are now (that Mecer has 3 plug points built in). One of those trolley AIO jobbies would probably be a decent upgrade but I'm really trying to think further down the road.

What sort of battery/inverter combo would you recommend? Any inverter over 5000w would be overkill for our needs though integrated BMS for the lithium batteries would be nice.

Any thoughts on this idea? Am I overlooking something crucial?

Thanks in advance.

The first question would be what is your budget what can you afford.

Suggestion would be the all in 1 solution Sunsynk Powerlynk X 3.6kw or the Sunsynk Loadshedder they are the same units.

 

https://www.sunsynkmobile.com/loadshedder

My 2c. Instead of spending R10K or more on a trolley solution, I'd go straight for a wall-mounted inverter wired into your DB, at least a 24V 3kVA on some plugs and lights, but better yet a 48V 5kVA. Use the existing batteries for now, and although one would have to limit the current draw, it's immediately making power available to for example all the home's LED lights and small appliances.

From there one would have flexibility to add panels and a lithium battery as the budget allows, and/or when the batteries finally fail.

4 hours ago, TaliaB said:

The first question would be what is your budget what can you afford.

Suggestion would be the all in 1 solution Sunsynk Powerlynk X 3.6kw or the Sunsynk Loadshedder they are the same units.

 

https://www.sunsynkmobile.com/loadshedder

Thanks - I had no idea Sunsynk had such a product. Will investigate further.

 

3 hours ago, GreenFields said:

My 2c. Instead of spending R10K or more on a trolley solution, I'd go straight for a wall-mounted inverter wired into your DB, at least a 24V 3kVA on some plugs and lights, but better yet a 48V 5kVA. Use the existing batteries for now, and although one would have to limit the current draw, it's immediately making power available to for example all the home's LED lights and small appliances.

From there one would have flexibility to add panels and a lithium battery as the budget allows, and/or when the batteries finally fail.

Thanks GreenFields. The plan is to go wall mounted, but as TaliaB mentioned I guess the first question is that of budget. Will have to do some sums and see what the result dictates.

I'd second the Sunsynk all-in-one Loadshedder/Powerlynk option. You get a fully fledged hybrid inverter with everything built in, a great monitoring app and excellent expansion flexibility. Cheaper inverters may be tempting but in my experience all have certain compromises or drawbacks. 

Just be aware the Powerlynks are not quiet - make sure it's installed in the garage or somewhere that is not noise sensitive.