Hi

 

I can get the Mecer inverters through my company at a good price. I am just not sure which one to get to get the correct setup. I want to slowly get the setup to do the below:

1) Start off with 4x 330w panels, and grow these over time as funds become available, aim is to get to about 12 330w panels.

2) Run my daytime loads off PV as much as possible and have the grid "top up" any shortfalls (I don't want it to switch to grid completely when not enough PV)

3) It must switch back to Grid at night (battery use will be for power failure)

4) Power failure, use battery and PV (if the sun is generating enough PV to charge the batteries, or if at night just use batteries until DOD is reached then it must shut off)

5) What is the minimum amount or number of batteries I could get away with to start this setup (not worried about running time at the moment)

Just so I understand correctly, I have read that only the "king" axperts can blend PV and grid power without switching the entire load, is this correct?

I currently use +- 20kwh to 22kwh per 24 hour period. Have seen spikes in usage up to 9.5kw for a few minutes. 

6 hours ago, Greglsh said:

Hi

 

I can get the Mecer inverters through my company at a good price. I am just not sure which one to get to get the correct setup. I want to slowly get the setup to do the below:

 

Hi Gregish,

I'm going to say, get the best inverter your budget will allow. I have been reading posts here for day, asking similar question, and have come to 2 conclusions so far?

1: The inverter will most likely be the weakest link in the system, and going cheaper or borderline capacity, will more than likely come back to bite you? I am op the opinion, that leaving a little breathing room for the inverter can only benifit the longevity? By this I mean, if you installed a 3kw inverter and ran it close to 3kw most of the time, it probably would negatively affect it life span. 

6 hours ago, Greglsh said:

 

Just so I understand correctly, I have read that only the "king" axperts can blend PV and grid power without switching the entire load, is this correct?

 

As far as I have been informed here, the KING is the only one in the AXPERT series that will do this? However many posts I read, I am however still not 100% convinced, and because of my doubts, I am looking at the INFINISOLAR series, also by MECER.

6 hours ago, Greglsh said:

I currently use +- 20kwh to 22kwh per 24 hour period. Have seen spikes in usage up to 9.5kw for a few minutes. 

Best advice here would be to split the load until you are able to accommodate the maximum kwh required? I imagine, the spike are from something like cooking or heating of some kind.

Splitting these to a NON-ESSENTIAL load supplied by the grid, will ease the burden on the initial budget.

2 minutes ago, Blinkwater9 said:

As far as I have been informed here, the KING is the only one in the AXPERT series that will do this? However many posts I read, I am however still not 100% convinced, and because of my doubts, I am looking at the INFINISOLAR series, also by MECER.

I also forgot to add, many of the AXPERTS, cannot be PARALLELED? If like me, you plan to add an additional inverter later to basically double you capacity, the inverters are easier to parallel if they are the same? Confirm this feature before you make your final choice?

6 hours ago, Greglsh said:

I currently use +- 20kwh to 22kwh per 24 hour period. Have seen spikes in usage up to 9.5kw for a few minutes. 

Best advice here would be to split the load until you are able to accommodate the maximum kwh required? I imagine, the spike are from something like cooking or heating of some kind.

Splitting these to a NON-ESSENTIAL load supplied by the grid, will ease the burden on the initial budget.

6 minutes ago, Blinkwater9 said:

As far as I have been informed here, the KING is the only one in the AXPERT series that will do this? However many posts I read, I am however still not 100% convinced, and because of my doubts, I am looking at the INFINISOLAR series, also by MECER.

I also forgot to add, many of the AXPERTS, cannot be PARALLELED? If like me, you plan to add an additional inverter later to basically double you capacity, the inverters are easier to parallel if they are the same? Confirm this feature before you make your final choice?

I am completely new to this minefield myself, and just wanted to add my thoughts.

 

What I need to find out and get someone who has one maybe to confirm is that these Axpert King or MKS II inverters can be operated without any batteries connected, plus do they supplement power when there is a shortfall of PV? I know some people say some of the Axperts switch the entire load to the grid when not enough PV. 

38 minutes ago, Greglsh said:

What I need to find out and get someone who has one maybe to confirm is that these Axpert King or MKS II inverters can be operated without any batteries connected, plus do they supplement power when there is a shortfall of PV? I know some people say some of the Axperts switch the entire load to the grid when not enough PV. 

I have a Axpert King 5Kw. and yes they do supplement from either battery or Utility pending on your settings. However the King does need to have batteries connected. Won't even turn on without one, they can also be paralleled.  

The Axpert VM III i believe doesn't need a battery but cannot be paralleled.   

 

Hi RichieRich

 

Thanks for the info, so what would the smallest battery setup be for the 5kw setup. Basically the smallest setup to start the inverter for now. Am I correct that you would need 4 12v batteries to get to the 48v requirments?

smallest battery set up recommended by the manufacturer is 200Ah. that was a nightmare for me. week after I added up another 48v 200Ah and week after that another 48v 200Ah set, where I stopped but still wasn't so happy with the capacity.