Hi, I'm looking at expanding my current set up and essentially going off grid. My current set up is a 2.4kw Axpert inverter with 3x 200w solar panels and 2 x s120 Hubble batteries connected in series for the 24v set up. I built the system is 2014 with AGM batteries. The drop in Hubbles were a nice addition in 2022. So now I've been looking at what's changed and what's available and I'm busy calculating my solar needs. My daily usage is between 10-12kwh (including what I draw from my current solar set up). I'm thinking of 12 x 550w solar panels, 3 - 4 5kw batteries and possibly 2 x 5kw inverters (I'm undecided on that because it's very rare my draw exceeds 4kw, but may just do it to be safe). I'd like to do this myself because aside from saving on the installation cost, this is the type of project I love and would enjoy. My problem is that pretty much all the inverters I've seen have a warranty stipulation that it must be installed by a registered installer or electrician and must have a CoC. The CoC bit isn't an issue, I can hire an electrician to check that but I'm concerned that if it's not installed by an acceptable installer that they'll nullify my warranty. How likely is that? I'm specifically looking at Luxpower and Deye inverters so anyone who has warranty claim experience with them please let me know what they're like

 

You will have to get a proper qualified and registered guy to sign off. You don't want to belief they will never ask for the proof. 

Sellers actually want those document when you register the equipment. If not on record at the time of installation you might have no warranty due to the T&Cs. 

It seems you adding that number of panels to be save being off grid. During inclement weather even the 12 might not be enough. For this reason having a generator for these few days is a must if off grid. 

If you rarely exceed 4kW then 5kW x 1 could be OK or better the Solis S6 6kW unit. It just needs a bit of lifestyle changes to reduce the peaks. 

Just my 2c. 

yeah, that's what I thought. It's fair though I guess. I'm mainly concerned about a DOA issue. I had that with one of my Hubbles, they were very accommodating though.

I haven't heard much about Solis, I'll research that a bit more. Thanks

 

2 hours ago, craig777 said:

yeah, that's what I thought. It's fair though I guess. I'm mainly concerned about a DOA issue. I had that with one of my Hubbles, they were very accommodating though.

I haven't heard much about Solis, I'll research that a bit more. Thanks

 

Looks at this link. 

Also under brands or just search on this forum. 

My own 2c. I'm on my third ride on the solar merry go round. For the first two iterations, I sourced all the kit online myslef, from the cheapst online supplier. Got my local "traditional" sparky to split the DB and do the cable work. I did the rest myself. This left me with all the management and responsibility of keeping this thing going, working with an original online supplier when there was a problem, shipping boxes back to Jhb, couriers etc. (I'm in Durban).

 

On my third iteration I took a different approach. Instead of researching vendors, brands and products, I reached installers. I found the best rated, most experienced installer possible in my area. Our initial meeting we didn't discuss any products. I gave him a list of my wants, desires and expected outcomes. I left him as the expert to recommend options to me that he guaranteed would meet my goals. 

 

Basically after lock down and a big shift to work from home, reliability and uptime was now key, (we had gone beyond a few lights, internet and the TV) post implementation single point of contact support, ease of end to end management / set it and forget. I was tired of becoming the whipping boy for the family everytime the power went off for whatever reason.

 

Long story short, this was the best thing I ever did. Funny enough his actual labour cost was the cheapest part of the solution and really reasonable. Professional install, great personal support response afterwards. He also fixed so many unknown(to me) F@ckups from the previous tradional sparky. His initial product quotes for the inverter and battery were a bit high. I pointed out some of the cheaper quotes online. He negotiated with his supplier and got the costs inline.

 

I would go this route again and again. Cut costs somewhere else but have a professional take you through the design and install. I am a techie at heart and my guy was great, let me sit in on the whole install. Oranised me an installer account for my system so I could still do some of my own advanced configuration etc.

Good installers aren't just good with the electrical side of things. They build relationships with the companies whose gear they install. This is worth something when you have some puzzle you can't solve.

Somewhere on this forum there's a thread about how my inverter started behaving oddly (and undesirably) during high stages of load shedding. In short, when there was no grid and the sun was shining, it would draw just enough from the panels to service the load, but the battery wouldn't charge.

The inverter is a Goodwe. There is plenty of moaning (not just in SA) about Goodwe support. But I called my installer about this, and they very quickly got through to Goodwe and the firmware on my inverter was updated (over the internet, no need for a physical visit). Problem solved.

So a good installer who has built relationships and provides decent support (this was 4.5 years down the line, so I was impressed) does add value.

59 minutes ago, Bobster. said:

Good installers aren't just good with the electrical side of things. They build relationships with the companies whose gear they install.

Yeah, I think that's my issue, I haven't had a good experience with any of the sub contractors I've worked with. I'm partially to blame too, I ask a lot of questions and want things done in a certain way (translation: I have control issues). Another thing, my neighbours boyfriend owns a solar install company that does a lot of work around where I live. To put it politely, he only has 2 brain cells and they're busy fighting over third place. That doesn't really instill confidence in the local guys. 

I did speak to a supplier who said the installer doesn't matter for the warranty as long as I get a CoC. I also found a thread on here where a guy did his own install and detailed everything he needed for the CoC. Very nice set up from what I saw. Pretty much exactly what I'm wanting too.

 

@craig777do you perhaps have a link to thread you mentioned above of the guy installed for the Coc? 

Edited May 2, 20242 yr by sunset1
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