Hey guys. 

Just starting out but been doing loads of research into fitting a solar system into my house. 

A lot of that research has been through spying from the shadows on this forum. And I must say thank you to all the detailed and very helpful advise I have found so far. 

So if I may get some opinions.

 

I draw roughly 25kwh a day. 20-25% of that is at night. I have opted for a grid tie option for now and a modular setup so as to be able to go off grid as proof of concept shows it’s ugly head in the details. 

Final goal is as follows. 

6x Pylontech US3000b 3.5kwh batteries 

2x Victron multiplus inverters 48v 5000va 4000w

30x 325w solar panels. (Not too fussed on brand)

 

thats all well and good but I want to do it in phases. 

First phase is less impressive. 

 

1x pylontech us3000b

1x Victron multi

10x 325w panels 

 

 

Welcome Dragon!

3 hours ago, Dragon said:

1x pylontech us3000b
1x Victron multi
10x 325w panels 

Sounds like a sound plan. A bit more definite ito parts to start with:
Victron MultiPlus II Inverter 48/3000/35-32 with MK3-USB to upgrade inverters firmware
VE.Direct to USB cable for MPPT (1.8m) 
VenusGX
Carlo Gavazzi with a RS485 to USB (5m)
+ MPPT you want
+ Pylontech
Few other odds and ends like cabling, fuses etc

And you are sorted. 

You MAY find that one inverter is ample, once it has run for a while. Do be in a rush. Winter vs summer makes a huge difference on solar system production.

 

 

Thank you. 

Was looking at the Victron multiplus II

48v/5000va 70-100/4000w 

i like it as it has th option of tuning several together if needed  also rather too big than under strain. Also the price difference is worth the extra I think. 

I like the Venus as well but wanted advice on the MPPT charger as I believe the Victron has one built in? Is it perhaps not sufficient? 

My biggest issue is finding a supplier or installer that is reputable and not one of these fly by nights. 

I found “inverter warehouse to have the best prices. but heard nothing of them but negative comments... 

any suggestions? 

 

1 minute ago, Dragon said:

I like the Venus as well but wanted advice on the MPPT charger as I believe the Victron has one built in? Is it perhaps not sufficient? 

The EasySolar models have an MPPT built in. The one you are looking at doesn't. It is called an inverter/charger because it can also charge from the grid, in contrast to a plain inverter than cannot charge and only makes AC from DC.

2 minutes ago, Dragon said:

My biggest issue is finding a supplier or installer that is reputable and not one of these fly by nights. 

https://www.victronenergy.co.za/where-to-buy/trusted-installers

3 minutes ago, Dragon said:

I found “inverter warehouse to have the best prices. but heard nothing of them but negative comments... 

Oh, I've seen some of the comments but to me it looks like someone who is just very overloaded and can't always answer everyone in a timeous manner. I think the negativity is a tiny bit overblown... but of course I have no direct experience.

I believe some stock is inbound either this week or next week... order before it is all sold out 🙂

47 minutes ago, plonkster said:

The EasySolar models have an MPPT built in. The one you are looking at doesn't. It is called an inverter/charger because it can also charge from the grid, in contrast to a plain inverter than cannot charge and only makes AC from DC

That makes a lot more sense. And I think I prefer it like that. 

49 minutes ago, plonkster said:

 

Oh, I've seen some of the comments but to me it looks like someone who is just very overloaded and can't always answer everyone in a timeous manner. I think the negativity is a tiny bit overblown... but of course I have no direct experience.

I believe some stock is inbound either this week or next week... order before it is all sold out 🙂

I think this is a fair assessment. 

I am hesitant to order the components I want, and then not be able to find an installer willing to fit “supplies part” and not get a coc. 

Im not an electrician (mechanical engineer) so need it I staled by professionals. 

Anyone on the forum in the honeydew area worth contacting? 

16 minutes ago, Dragon said:

I am hesitant to order the components I want, and then not be able to find an installer willing to fit “supplies part” and not get a coc. 

We all got parts from all over and then got a suitably qualified sparkie to give a CoC, a sparkie that is qualified for AC and DC, to install. Some of us did that, like me.

It is all pretty straight forward for a good sparkie, with loads of help from us here.

So get the best prices you can get from multiple suppliers if need be, to bring the costs down.

Edited April 11, 20197 yr by Guest

I like the idea. Costs saved equals beers earned!! 

Dont tell the misses but I might start ordering parts. 

 

8 minutes ago, Dragon said:

Dont tell the misses but I might start ordering parts. 

Don't you worry, she will get involved, and it ain't pretty.

It happens the moment that hairdryer, or whatever 220v AC electrical device she uses in the home regularly, does not work after the install. 

We've  all been there, got various scars and multiple T-shirts to prove it. 😉

13 hours ago, Dragon said:

48v/5000va 70-100/4000w 

I maybe wrong, or it maybe in the pipeline, but I think only the 3kVA model is on the approved list at this time.

This might save you a future headache.

15 minutes ago, phil.g00 said:

I maybe wrong, or it maybe in the pipeline, but I think only the 3kVA model is on the approved list at this time.

This might save you a future headache.

Approved list? 

Approved by what? 

7 minutes ago, Dragon said:

Approved list? 

Approved by what?

The holy list attached.

Approved Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter List.pdf

49 minutes ago, phil.g00 said:

maybe in the pipeline

It's in the pipeline. But new regulations in Europe means all the inverter makers are recertifying everything, so this is likely going to take a few months.

7 minutes ago, plonkster said:

It's in the pipeline

I thought that the 3kVA had a double-break contact on it's input, that the other models didn't.

And that this "double-break" was an NRS/list requirement.

Yes, I realize this could be added externally, but the bureaucrats have shown they can't deal with that level of complication.

Meaning that other models won't make the list without redesigning them internally.

3 hours ago, phil.g00 said:

I thought that the 3kVA had a double-break contact on it's input, that the other models didn't.

The Multiplus-II has two relays in series as required by NRS. At the moment there are only two models of the MP-II on the market, a 3KVA and a 5KVA 48V model (more will follow). Of those two, only the 3KVA has been officially tested (by Primara) and has NRS097-2-1 compliance. The 5KVA, though similar (and very likely already compliant), needs to be tested separately, but presently the entire Europe is recertifying everything for their own new regulations, so the testing houses are very busy... so it's not going to be soon.