19 minutes ago, frivan said:

On three phase systems one can use 6 diodes to create a DC bus. I am not sure about single phase systems.

You’ll get a DC voltage approximately equal to:Vdc ~1.35 × Vrms_line-to-line.The output needs: Filtering(capacitors/inductors) to reduce ripple for sensitive electronics. No voltage regulation it follows the AC input voltage.Works only for uncontrolled rectification (i.e., no active switching like in inverters).

I think this is a bit off topic @frivan we can initiate a new topic on this subject.

On 2025/04/28 at 10:43 AM, Bl4d3 said:

To pull things back on topic.

Inverters:

• Sunsynk and Deye are pretty much the same, however local support for Deye is horrible should anything go wrong.
  These inverters do offer some extra features that you may like.
  However they are relatively expensive with 5kw versions starting at R16000
  A 12kw Deye will set you back about R35000 with a 12kw Sunsynk at R43000

• Luxpower has entered the space to offer better features and better reliability than the Axpert type inverters, while conforming to NRS standards
  They have managed to do this while maintaining a low price point.
  There is a local Luxpower agent however support it best through the store you buy it from, best look into who offers the best support.
  Pricing starts at R8500 for a 5.5kw however there is the more recently released SNA12000 12kw for R20000. This SNA12000 has not yet made it on approved inverter lists but likely will.

• Growatt, Axpert, Mecers TheSunPays, I recommend avoiding these as they are relatively basic, don't conform to standards, and have a high failure rate, mainly with the MOSFETs failing.

Inverters can normally be paralleled together to increase capacity.

Batteries:

Steer clear of new / unknown brands and stick with known brands that are supported locally.
Brands to consider are Dyness, Deye, Sunsynk, Freedom Won, Cyclone, Hubble. Some important factors when looking at batteries:

• Output rating - You will want at least a 1C rated battery when looking at 5kw units. This ensures you will be able to output at least 5kw. Some larger 10kw batteries might be rated to 0.75C, allowing you to output 7.5kw.

• Warranty - Some brands only offer 5 years, most 10 years, some only 2 years. You'll want to see who offers the longest warranty, but also more importantly, will that support still be there in 10 years. This is why its critical to go with one of the main brands who have a strong following, to ensure you will have support down the line.

• Price - Price is coming down rapidly. You can now pickup a 5kw battery for R13000, compared to R26000 a year or 2 ago.

Solar Panels:

Only buy from reputable sellers. There are lots of fly-by-night sellers advertising 600w panels, only to deliver 300w units which have been relabeled as 600w.
Well known and good brands are Canadian Solar and JA Solar.
Both offer similar pricing, similar warranty, and similar guarantees, and both brands have a very good following in South Africa.

Nowadays, you can pickup a 600w panel for R1500 new. Insanely cheaper than a couple years ago.

Personally, what I would do is the following:

3 x Luxpower SNA5000's - R25500

3 x Cyclone F5 5kw batteries - R42000

18 x JA Solar 600w - R27000

This would give you considerable room for expansion while giving you some extra storage.

Deye repair times are better than Sunsynk in my experience. They fixed an inverter within a week.

On 2025/04/29 at 3:40 PM, Justin91 said:

My latest thoughts after having read through the above:

• Deye / Sunsynk - These are the two brands I recognise. Solis and Luxpower I have heard of, but I have never seen them in action. What struck me though, is the Deye support in SA really not that great? Are Solis and Luxpower really worth it? I would like to get a lot of it automated at some stage.

• 8KW vs 12 KW inverter - We are a household of 4 plus the domestic worker there during the day only. 2 small kids and 2 adults. I would like to get the geyser onto the essential side of things, even if it means putting in a 2000W element. If I do that, surely 8KW would be fine? I do have a 0.75KW pool pump which runs for 4 hours a day. My stove is gas. I am also looking to put in 3 aircons, but they will be inverter type R32 energy efficient ones (likely 2x 9000 BTU and 1x 12,000 BTU). I technically have two geysers plumed in series, but generally I only run one. However, what I could do I suppose is run one after the other during the day in order to ensure that there is enough hot water for everyone, but I am never pulling more than 2000W. Washing machine, dishwasher, kettle, iron would be the other usual high-power suspects. Would 8KW manage?

• Panels - I will stick to the trusted brands, N-Type. Likely 12-16 panels.

• Batteries - Hubble and Dyness are again the two I recognise. Cyclone definitely seems cheaper, but not common. Any other thoughts or suggestions? Due to cost I might start with 1x 5KW to get through the night, and another 1-2 at a later stage.

• Assuming I purchase the inverter, panels and batteries - how much (ballpark) can I budget on for other materials and installation. I have a standard pitched roof.

Deye support and repair times are fine. I would suggest you call the power forum store (speak to Steve) and discuss your queries with them, ask them for an their recommended installers, and get their recommended installer to do the install. You won't go wrong, and won't have the hassles associated with finding your own guy. You'll have their backup support and them to put pressure on the installer if service levels aren't as expected. This is the hassle free route.

Edited May 1, 20251 yr by abd7

On 2025/04/29 at 3:40 PM, Justin91 said:

My latest thoughts after having read through the above:

• Deye / Sunsynk - These are the two brands I recognise. Solis and Luxpower I have heard of, but I have never seen them in action. What struck me though, is the Deye support in SA really not that great? Are Solis and Luxpower really worth it? I would like to get a lot of it automated at some stage.

• 8KW vs 12 KW inverter - We are a household of 4 plus the domestic worker there during the day only. 2 small kids and 2 adults. I would like to get the geyser onto the essential side of things, even if it means putting in a 2000W element. If I do that, surely 8KW would be fine? I do have a 0.75KW pool pump which runs for 4 hours a day. My stove is gas. I am also looking to put in 3 aircons, but they will be inverter type R32 energy efficient ones (likely 2x 9000 BTU and 1x 12,000 BTU). I technically have two geysers plumed in series, but generally I only run one. However, what I could do I suppose is run one after the other during the day in order to ensure that there is enough hot water for everyone, but I am never pulling more than 2000W. Washing machine, dishwasher, kettle, iron would be the other usual high-power suspects. Would 8KW manage?

• Panels - I will stick to the trusted brands, N-Type. Likely 12-16 panels.

• Batteries - Hubble and Dyness are again the two I recognise. Cyclone definitely seems cheaper, but not common. Any other thoughts or suggestions? Due to cost I might start with 1x 5KW to get through the night, and another 1-2 at a later stage.

• Assuming I purchase the inverter, panels and batteries - how much (ballpark) can I budget on for other materials and installation. I have a standard pitched roof.

For mountin rails, clamps, solar cable, mc4 around R5K to R8K, more if you do not have the tools (mc4 crimper is rather important)

For the combiner box, probably around another 3-5K

Battery cabling 50mm2 around R1500, R100-200 for lugs, and more if you do not have a nice crimper (hydraulic 10ton works nicely)

Just a ballpark, I DIYd my system, and went overkill with most stuff. Solar inverter warehouse is a nice place to order the panel mounting goodies, livestainably for real copper cable, not the copper cladded stuff on takealot.

For inverter, I can highly recommend Solis, their email support is phenomenal.

Edited May 1, 20251 yr by Pho3niX90