Hi guys, I am installing a Battery backup solution in my house. 

I want to be able to expand into solar in the near future ( When I get the money to do it) 

I have an installer who wants to supply me with a 5Kva InfiniSolar Inverter.

 

I have done some research and have found a lot of people raving about the Victron Multiplus II inverter.

 

 

I just want to ask if anyone has had experience with the Infinisolar Inverter and how it matches up to the Multiplus II.

 

First Post BTW I'm thrilled to be a part of this forum.

Welcome Basil.

Here are some post on it, search for more: 

https://powerforum.co.za/topic/3549-confused-by-voltronic-snmp-web-pro-stats/?tab=comments#comment-53239

https://powerforum.co.za/topic/3553-solar-panel-output/?tab=comments#comment-53284

Edit: Note: I have no idea how the Infini's work, just what some have said over the years here on the forum.

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by Guest

Hi @Basil Katakuzinos

I'm using InfiniSolars 5K in my system ( https://powerforum.co.za/topic/2322-youdas-off-grid-lab/ )

InfiniSolar 5K Plus
+ Electrically it's great and I can push it to full throttle for hours.
+ It's cheap.
+ Has a lot of features and can work in grid-tie and in off-grid modes too.
+ It's all-in-one, thus simple operation and install.
- It's all-in-one, thus complicated inside.
- SNMP card is crap.
- InfiniSolar has a quite high self-consumption, aprox 125W.
- Technical support is poor and the manufacturer does not care about your problems.
- Some people experienced repetitive failures with all kinds of InfiniSolar inverters.

Victron Multiplus (II)
- Is just Inverter/Charger. Therefore, you will need to add a couple of MPPT controllers to it, typically Victron BlueSolar.
- Also, you will need to add a "control center". Like Victron CCGX or Victron Venus.
- A bit more expensive.
+ The build is simple and robust.
+ There's a very few reported failures of Multiplus when compared to the other inverter brands.
+ Self-consumption is very low.
+ The support is good and there's even a possibility to get in touch with the manufacturer (Victron Energy Netherlands), if necessary.

 

If you have the budget, Victron is a better choice. Especially in long-term, as it does not waste too much energy and has a decent support. On the other hand, overall Victron solution is a bit more expensive and there's more boxes and cables to be mounted on your wall. Also, you need to check whether your installer has an experience with the Victron equipment.

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by Youda

4 hours ago, Basil Katakuzinos said:

I just want to ask if anyone has had experience with the Infinisolar Inverter

My super 4K blew up within the first hour.

But repairs was great (replaced three boards in a morning) and has been running since for more than a year with no problems. I don’t believe in fiddling with tech when it works.

I use mine as a backup with 4 x 2.4kw pylontech batteries. Which has also worked without any problems. But only using it for non-essential items only I.e. lights, tv, computers, security. These batteries with their bms manages itself. 

As the infinisolar is a hybrid we don’t even realize when the power goes off. And everything you need to go on stream is inside the single box. No mixing and matching and choices.

Someone must still convince me not to buy a hybrid. If Eskom goes down for a week I’ll still not know it.

Google the aus solar for what their fav inverter brands are. Much like our taste in rugby.

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by Johandup

7 hours ago, Johandup said:

My super 4K blew up within the first hour.

But repairs was great (replaced three boards in a morning and no questions asked) and has been running since for more than a year with no problems. I don’t believe in fiddling with tech when it works.

I use mine as a backup with 4 x 2.4kw pylontech batteries. Which has also worked without any problems. And has been successful for a year not to trip my prepaid meter with back feeding. But only using it for non-essential items only I.e. lights, tv, computers, security. These batteries with their bms manages itself. Oh, and the infinisolar can put out a charge to 80a at 53v. Quite important when you have pylontech lithium batteries which can take a max charge of 25a per battery. Mine charges at 49a and fills up the batteries very quickly. This is also just within the capabilities of a 6kW gennie for recharging purposes.

As the infinisolar is a hybrid we don’t even realize when the power goes off. And everything you need to go on stream is inside the single box. No mixing and matching and choices (which are expensive - quite important when a solar setup is not financially justifiable, mine anyway). And just to shed some light on the topic, nobody had their expensive systems for a period of ten years. So lifetimes and warranties have not been proven yet with the technology still in heir baby shoes. Tesla was the first lot to put new inverters out. Oh, and they have already taken their first effort off the market. Fronius is the only lot giving a decent warranty. But I don’t know about the South African support behind it.

Someone must still convince me not to buy a hybrid. If Eskom goes down for a week I’ll still not know it.

And as for self-consumption, I still need to see an actual amp or watt measurement for it. Some people have measured what they call “vampire” loads and are trying to eliminate it. But then, who wants to go without chargers and security systems? 

Google the aus solar for what their fav inverter brands are. Much like our taste in rugby.

So this is what you want to make an expensive decision on. Rather like deciding on buying a proper 4x4 or a soft roader. 

My ideal setup, based on a lot of hindsight, will be a hybrid inverter (the only type that can let you run from Eskom when they’re down or when you need more kW in the background) of 10kW (without a battery charger) with a mppt 150a 100v charger (to make provision for the future). With a 10 year warranty (48 hours service) no questions asked off course. And I don’t need to see monitoring software. After all, my car runs with a few warning lights only.

 

Edited May 7, 20197 yr by Johandup

On 2019/05/06 at 8:01 PM, Youda said:

Hi @Basil Katakuzinos

I'm using InfiniSolars 5K in my system ( https://powerforum.co.za/topic/2322-youdas-off-grid-lab/ )

InfiniSolar 5K Plus
+ Electrically it's great and I can push it to full throttle for hours.
+ It's cheap.
+ Has a lot of features and can work in grid-tie and in off-grid modes too.
+ It's all-in-one, thus simple operation and install.
- It's all-in-one, thus complicated inside.
- SNMP card is crap.
- InfiniSolar has a quite high self-consumption, aprox 125W.
- Technical support is poor and the manufacturer does not care about your problems.
- Some people experienced repetitive failures with all kinds of InfiniSolar inverters.

Victron Multiplus (II)
- Is just Inverter/Charger. Therefore, you will need to add a couple of MPPT controllers to it, typically Victron BlueSolar.
- Also, you will need to add a "control center". Like Victron CCGX or Victron Venus.
- A bit more expensive.
+ The build is simple and robust.
+ There's a very few reported failures of Multiplus when compared to the other inverter brands.
+ Self-consumption is very low.
+ The support is good and there's even a possibility to get in touch with the manufacturer (Victron Energy Netherlands), if necessary.

 

If you have the budget, Victron is a better choice. Especially in long-term, as it does not waste too much energy and has a decent support. On the other hand, overall Victron solution is a bit more expensive and there's more boxes and cables to be mounted on your wall. Also, you need to check whether your installer has an experience with the Victron equipment.

This is a good comparison. 

 

I have to add though that Victron's are rock solid and have a good track record. Though I also know of some Infinisolar's which have been running for 3 years. 

46 minutes ago, SilverNodashi said:

Though I also know of some Infinisolar's which have been running for 3 years. 

First Victron I bought is going on 8 years now, still running 24/7/365 in a off-grid setup and it still looks brand spanking new.

Only when you see the stickers on the main board do you wonder: How old is this thing? 

The stickers / glue are starting to fall off ... mmm ... must tell Victron about that. They don't make stickers like they used to.

😀

@The Terrible Triplett

Hmm... if the box runs 24/7/365 for 8yrs, then why the hell are you opening the case to see the stickers on the mainboard? To sweep the spiders?

🤣

 

5 hours ago, Youda said:

@The Terrible Triplett

Hmm... if the box runs 24/7/365 for 8yrs, then why the hell are you opening the case to see the stickers on the mainboard? To sweep the spiders?

🤣

 

He probably has to jump start it on cold mornings. 

12 hours ago, Youda said:

Hmm... if the box runs 24/7/365 for 8yrs, then why the hell are you opening the case to see the stickers on the mainboard? To sweep the spiders?

O, for quite a simple reason.

See, the buyer of the unit wanted a picture of the inside, outside looked too good to be true, so I had to take the cover off and that is when I saw the sticker issue. Fortunately there where no spiders nor ants inside. 😜