I agree with TTT, separate is easier. If lightning pops your MPPT  for example (which has happened to me), you can at least run from generator and batteries and your inverter, while it is repaired.

BTW,  I didn't see a generator on your shopping list, that is essential for off grid.

Edited March 14, 20197 yr by DeepBass9

I've seen deals where the combined package essentially gives you the CCGX (which is built into the 5KVA) for free, so to speak. With such a deal, you'd be mad not to take it.  Otherwise, given insignificant price differences, I agree with TTT and DB: Make it separate.

1 hour ago, DeepBass9 said:

Where in NW? I presume that is what the title means.

North West - Near Vryburg

 

BTW: we stayed at Dream Lodge some time ago (in Gecko) and had a tour of your system - long before we thought of going solar!

Edited March 14, 20197 yr by Vosser
Dreamlodge

31 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said:

I agree with TTT, separate is easier. If lightning pops your MPPT  for example (which has happened to me), you can at least run from generator and batteries and your inverter, while it is repaired.

BTW,  I didn't see a generator on your shopping list, that is essential for off grid.

DeepBass9, will a cheapy diesel gen suffice to top-up the batteries monthly?

If I understand correctly you mean a proper generator to power the house if the solar system breaks or the batteries ran flat?

14 minutes ago, plonkster said:

I've seen deals where the combined package essentially gives you the CCGX (which is built into the 5KVA) for free, so to speak. With such a deal, you'd be mad not to take it.  Otherwise, given insignificant price differences, I agree with TTT and DB: Make it separate.

Thanks, will do a price comparison between the package and separate items.

It is not uncommon to have 3 days or a week of cloudy weather in which case if you are running only off solar you will run the batteries down, and then you have to load shed yourself. Given the price of batteries, it is more cost effective to have about 2 days of battery storage and a generator, rather than trying to have enough batteries to keep you going for 3+ days of cloudy weather. So R50k of batteries + R10k of generator + a bit of diesel from time to time is a lot cheaper than R100K of batteries. 

If you want to use power tools or weld and the weather is a bit cloudy, just start up the genny and you don't have to worry about killing your batteries.

Are you going to stay full time on the farm? 

 

Edited March 14, 20197 yr by DeepBass9

1 minute ago, DeepBass9 said:

It is not uncommon to have 3 days or a week of cloudy weather in which case if you are running only off solar you will run the batteries down, and then you have to load shed yourself. Given the price of batteries, it is more cost effective to have about 2 days of battery storage and a generator, rather than trying to have enough batteries to keep you going for 3+ days of cloudy weather. So R50k of batteries + R10k of generator + a bit of diesel from time to time is a lot cheaper than 100K of batteries. 

Are you going to stay full time on the farm? 

Yes, full time.

What do I have look out for when choosing a generator?

I'm no expert on generators. I bought an old Lister clone and refurbished it. Definitely diesel though as it is safer to store. 

Just check the inverter you are getting can take the generator input.  There have been reports of inverters struggling to sync with cheap generators, but those are mainly the petrol ones I think.

Edited March 14, 20197 yr by DeepBass9

Here's an excellent reason to get a generator. When you arrive on the farm with a pile of solar panels and mounting brackets and wiring to be installed, how are you going to drill a hole in anything? 

4 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said:

Here's an excellent reason to get a generator. When you arrive on the farm with a pile of solar panels and mounting brackets and wiring to be installed, how are you going to drill a hole in anything? 

You are a good salesman!

I mounted 72 panels just using 2x Cordless Drill and 6 battery packs. True is, that I have 230V outlet in my car, so the occasional charging is not a problem for me...

 

36 minutes ago, Youda said:

Cordless Drill

Yup, the last frame I put up I pretty much did using only a drill and some hand tools. Of course my cordless unit has long since grown a bad battery and as a result I used the 15-year old green Bosch drill (aka the DIY one... not the nice blue professional one). But at least in theory I COULD have done the whole thing using only a cordless drill.

You could also just hire a cheap petrol generator for the duration of the install... if you really wanted to be all nit-picky and prove that it can be done. But the general point has been made: You're going to need one at some point.

In my experience Diesel generators tend to be better. Well, my experience is limited. On the farm it was always Diesel. There was never even a question. In town, whenever you needed backup, it was always some dinky petrol generator. Diesels are usually more expensive and therefore caters to a different customer straight off the bat.

They are usually larger than 5KVA (whereas petrol units are usually smaller), and they start around 15k in price tag. This is what I've found through normal window shopping over the years.

They make cleaner power usually, as they are often lower-RPM engines with larger flywheels and therefore more holds a bit more inertia. The better units will have a 4-pole alternator and the engine will run at 1500rpm, whereas cheaper units will run at 3000rpm (Petrol generators pretty much always run at 3000rpm, that's where the power is).

But the nice low-RPM generators also cost more.

Finally, Diesel generators generally cost less to run in fuel costs.

This is what you need, portable! https://www.junkmail.co.za/farming/generator/mpumalanga/delmas/lister-kragopwekker/83269ba6ac2249b882ee26f2b95e09f8

 

On 2019/03/13 at 8:02 AM, Vosser said:

1. Does your wife use a hair drier?

she manages with the lowest heat setting and leaves the final touch to the wind outside, i have suggested 'cold' blowing but that seems a bit chilly on the rest of exposed skin so i shrink away from an argument on this one... the alternative for minimal time is to market the short-hair-is-beautiful one, you taking the lead  

58 minutes ago, Gabriël said:

she manages with the lowest heat setting and leaves the final touch to the wind outside, i have suggested 'cold' blowing but that seems a bit chilly on the rest of exposed skin so i shrink away from an argument on this one... the alternative for minimal time is to market the short-hair-is-beautiful one, you taking the lead  

Re. the two "longhair house animals" (langhaarhuisdiere)  in our household, nothing I tried, hinted on, suggested, propose, threatened made a difference.

It is long hair and baste everything else, or else ... !

So I crept back into my cave and sulked there. 

16 minutes ago, The Terrible Triplett said:

back into my cave and sulked

At least we have our caves 😎

6 hours ago, Gabriël said:

At least we have our caves 😎

We do, but it is tough being hungry and cold in that cave seeing as they (langhaarhuisdiere) are in charge of the food supply, not worthwhile to feed the cave dweller apparently, and the blankets, they keep the thick ones.

You can only braai so many months in a row before it gets to you. Dr's fees get very expensive very fast sleeping on a couch. 🙂

OR one has to relent, give in, be the giver, be the gracious oak, be magnanimous for to be let back into the fold, fed and warm bed, allow that darn hair-blerrie-dryer thingy majiek to operate at any and all times and not saying one word, not raise an eyebrow, not move the forehead to show any emotion - poker face next level I'm talking about.

Don't even LOOK at them!
Don't even SMILE!!!

They smell your thoughts BEFORE you have had the inkling to form an idea to think about having a thought about having a thought.

Sug / Sigh.

1 hour ago, The Terrible Triplett said:

allow that darn hair-blerrie-dryer thingy majiek to operate at any and all times and not saying one word

hehehe, my hearing is slightly shot [from shooting?] and we have a ibr roof; so sometimes when it is overcast i jump up for excitement about the rain - just to be 'demolished' realizing it is the hair-dryer - i think that thing can cause an existential crisis ... 🤨