Hi all, just a question regarding the above:

So my basic understanding is that if you have, for example, a 5kW inverter then that value represents the maximum output it can sustain when inverting. Does that output value also apply when the mains is restored?

So in the scenario where you're in a 2 hour loadshedding stint your inverter can only power devices totalling 5kW consumption. Then loadshedding is suspended and the inverter falls back onto mains. Does this mean that despite you being on mains supply you'll still be governed by the inverter's max output? Or does the mains supply then just "pass-through" the inverter?

Hope that makes sense.

21 minutes ago, BamBam said:

Hi all, just a question regarding the above:

So my basic understanding is that if you have, for example, a 5kW inverter then that value represents the maximum output it can sustain when inverting. Does that output value also apply when the mains is restored?

So in the scenario where you're in a 2 hour loadshedding stint your inverter can only power devices totalling 5kW consumption. Then loadshedding is suspended and the inverter falls back onto mains. Does this mean that despite you being on mains supply you'll still be governed by the inverter's max output? Or does the mains supply then just "pass-through" the inverter?

Hope that makes sense.

It depends on the inverter. Offgrid inverters the 5kw is total of all sources which is why they are usually cheaper.

True hybrid inverters can pass through more than the 5kw rating but you have to check the actual amount for the specific inverter. 

4 hours ago, BamBam said:

Does this mean that despite you being on mains supply you'll still be governed by the inverter's max output? Or does the mains supply then just "pass-through" the inverter?

It depends on the inverter design.

I only know the Axperts, though I think I read that better quality inverters like the Victrons allow for more power when bypassing.

Axperts seem to limit the output regardless of whether the utility is supplying the load, either entirely or partially. I suspect that the reason for this is that the utility current passes through Printed Circuit Board tracks to get to the relays, and the PCB tracks can't handle more than rated power continuously. I haven't experimented, but it seems that if  you exceed rated power for more than about 10 seconds, the inverter will stop with an overload fault code, and you'll lose all output. It may or may not restart automatically after a delay, usually that's a setting you can turn on or off.

Edited December 7, 20232 yr by Coulomb

8 hours ago, BamBam said:

Hi all, just a question regarding the above:

So my basic understanding is that if you have, for example, a 5kW inverter then that value represents the maximum output it can sustain when inverting. Does that output value also apply when the mains is restored?

So in the scenario where you're in a 2 hour loadshedding stint your inverter can only power devices totalling 5kW consumption. Then loadshedding is suspended and the inverter falls back onto mains. Does this mean that despite you being on mains supply you'll still be governed by the inverter's max output? Or does the mains supply then just "pass-through" the inverter?

Hope that makes sense.

As indicated already it is inverter specific. We know the Deye/Sunsynk /Victron can pass through a higher watt value than during grid loss. 

Also a 3kW Phocos can pass through 6.9kW. Their 8kW model can do 13kW. In this case they have a set current and Watts would be affected by the grid voltage. 

Thanks all - below is the setup I'm interested in. Will have to try and figure out what the inverter can pass through. Our day-to-day consumption is minimal, so this is adequate but if for some reason I'm using, say, an angle grinder while the oven and washing machine are running then I don't want that pass-through value to be a bottleneck. Highly unlikely scenario, but still.

https://www.utilitypal.co.za/product-page/volta-luxpower-lithium-battery-5-12kw-inverter-5kw-installation

13 minutes ago, BamBam said:

Thanks all - below is the setup I'm interested in. Will have to try and figure out what the inverter can pass through. Our day-to-day consumption is minimal, so this is adequate but if for some reason I'm using, say, an angle grinder while the oven and washing machine are running then I don't want that pass-through value to be a bottleneck. Highly unlikely scenario, but still.

https://www.utilitypal.co.za/product-page/volta-luxpower-lithium-battery-5-12kw-inverter-5kw-installation

you would ideally run your oven and maybe even the grinder from your non-essentials side.

@BamBam running an oven from the inverter would maximize savings if you had solar panels but with the sna5000 inveter you linked to, it would be too ambitious and would likely overload.

Airfryers use less electricity and I use one myself with my 2 sna5000 in parralel. 

Do you know what the rating is for your oven elements? Most ovens have 2 one on top and one on the bottom. With that information you will be better equipped to decide what can be on the inverter. My guess is with both oven elements on you would be over 4kw.

Edited December 7, 20232 yr by Buyeye

13 minutes ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

you would ideally run your oven and maybe even the grinder from your non-essentials side.

so does that mean that your mains would be diverted after the prepaid meter but before the inverter, with one line going into the inverter and into specific breakers in the DB, and the other line going straight into the oven and geyser's dedicated breakers right?

4 minutes ago, Buyeye said:

@BamBam running an oven from the inverter would maximize savings if you had solar panels but with the sna5000 inveter you linked to, it would be too ambitious and would likely overload.

Airfryers use less electricity and I use one myself with my 2 sna5000 in parralel. 

Do you know what the rating is for your oven elements? Most ovens have 2 one on top and one on the bottom. With that information you will be better equipped to decide what can be on the inverter. My guess is with both oven elements on you would be over 4kw.

Unsure of the oven's rating but it's a double oven, each with 2 elements so if they're both on at the same time I guess they'd consume over the 4kw as you mentioned!

3 minutes ago, BamBam said:

so does that mean that your mains would be diverted after the prepaid meter but before the inverter, with one line going into the inverter and into specific breakers in the DB, and the other line going straight into the oven and geyser's dedicated breakers right?

simplistically that would be the general idea.

41 minutes ago, BamBam said:

Unsure of the oven's rating but it's a double oven, each with 2 elements so if they're both on at the same time I guess they'd consume over the 4kw as you mentioned!

IIRC when working on stoves many many moons ago the highest current I saw on a full hob and oven was 43A.

6 hours ago, BamBam said:

so does that mean that your mains would be diverted after the prepaid meter but before the inverter, with one line going into the inverter and into specific breakers in the DB, and the other line going straight into the oven and geyser's dedicated breakers right?

Yes as @WannabeSolarSparkymentioned. But this would not apply to a Luxpower SNA but to inverters with a essential and a non essential output like the Deye/Sunsynk. 

10 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

Yes as @WannabeSolarSparkymentioned. But this would not apply to a Luxpower SNA but to inverters with a essential and a non essential output like the Deye/Sunsynk. 

Ah ok. Had no idea that the essential/non essential loads were something designated on the inverter. If that is the case then that Luxpower may not suit my needs. This is quite a rabbit hole.

17 minutes ago, BamBam said:

Ah ok. Had no idea that the essential/non essential loads were something designated on the inverter. If that is the case then that Luxpower may not suit my needs. This is quite a rabbit hole.

You can still split essential/non-essential with just about any/all inverters in the market, your non-essentials will just not get any inverter power if the inverter is not able or designed to push power to the non-essential side.

With solar it is usually recommended to split your loads regardless of the type of inverter
Unless you have a beast of an inverter then you would simply run everything off the inverter.

Edited December 7, 20232 yr by WannabeSolarSparky

26 minutes ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

You can still split essential/non-essential with just about any/all inverters in the market, your non-essentials will just not get any inverter power if the inverter is not able or designed to push power to the non-essential side.

With solar it is usually recommended to split your loads regardless of the type of inverter
Unless you have a beast of an inverter then you would simply run everything off the inverter.

Spot on. I do think the idea to be able to use PV to the non essential to provide better gains is a game changer. 

The easy way to spot it is when you look at the inverter AC outputs is when there are 2 outputs. This need not be the case on all inverters as some can use the AC input as a bi-directional port to provide power to the non essential side. 

33 minutes ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

You can still split essential/non-essential with just about any/all inverters in the market, your non-essentials will just not get any inverter power if the inverter is not able or designed to push power to the non-essential side.

With solar it is usually recommended to split your loads regardless of the type of inverter
Unless you have a beast of an inverter then you would simply run everything off the inverter.

Or 2 or more cheaper inverters in parralel. The issue there is batteries are not cheap but there are many ways to skin a cat.

57 minutes ago, BamBam said:

Ah ok. Had no idea that the essential/non essential loads were something designated on the inverter. If that is the case then that Luxpower may not suit my needs. This is quite a rabbit hole.

The Luxpower LXP at double the price of the SNA would be what suits you. 

13 minutes ago, Buyeye said:

Or 2 or more cheaper inverters in parallel. The issue there is batteries are not cheap but there are many ways to skin a cat.

Best value/reliability for money would be Deye/sunsynk 5k + 5kWh battery or Solis 6k + 5kWh battery
Most households suit the 5k systems with a bit of lifestyle adjustments and provided the system is installed/configured correctly.

Else if cash is not too much of an issue then Deye/Sunsynk/Solis 8k + 10kWh would go a long way

On the budget side luxpower are very good systems as well as the growatt spf5000 and some axpert inverters not too bad either.

If good local SA support is needed/requirement then solis and luxpower standout.

For most other inverters this forum will be a good support starting point with many knowledgeable members

Edited December 7, 20232 yr by WannabeSolarSparky

Many thanks guys, lots to think about!