Hi ALl

 

Anybody try the new Kodak hybrid 4.6kw inverter?

Spec looks like the Goodwee and pricing pretty much the same.

 

These look suspiciously like the Solis:

https://thepowerstore.co.za/collections/inverters/kodak?page=1

https://thepowerstore.co.za/collections/inverters/solis?page=1

If they are the same, it would be better to go with the Solis as the Kodak is not on the NRS list:

http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms, notices, tariffs and lists/Approved Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter List.pdf

apparently it is as per supplier database but seems they using the Solis NRS information.

1 hour ago, IdlePhaedrus said:

These look suspiciously like the Solis:

Oh dear, some of those look like Voltronics too. So either its a major rebadger... or a cloner.

I'm just wondering about the Kodak name. Kodak went into chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2012, but they technically emerged from it (still struggling), so the brand is still around. They are now merely a shell who licenses their brand to partners. For example, they had a bitcoin miner at CES in 2018, which was apparently considered a scam of some sort. Then there is Kodak Power Distribution who supposedly makes these things, but their http site has a stock shopify page on it, and the https one has an expired certificate.

Basically... I suspect these things are made by someone in China and being dumped here... but I may be wrong if someone can find more info of course.

26 minutes ago, plonkster said:

Oh dear, some of those look like Voltronics too. So either its a major rebadger... or a cloner.

Yes, looks a bit suspicious.  My advice would be to stick with what is on the approved list as far as possible...

I believe Kodak is a Segensolar own brand made by Voltronic with some tweaks.

Looks like kodak is on the nrs list now?

I have a Koday 3kW hybrid. Its on the Cape Town approved list.  It takes a bit of getting used to - partly because the english in the manual is often unintelligible!!  Really bad!  It amazes me that companies will put efforts into developing and manufacturing expensive and complex products , and not get someone who understands english to translate the manual.  Anyway, I haven't gotten it to work properly during loadshedding yet - it has some 'Device Status' code that I don't understand and isn't in the manual. So my batteries are useless for loadshedding, no matter what inverter/storage mode I select.  Also, the monitoring app worked for about 2 days then stopped, and now I cant get it to work at all. No matter what I do - reinstall etc etc.  So I have no online monitoring!  Also really bad.  The mobile monitoring app had lots of bad reviews (including mine!).  The English in the app is also quite amazing, and often leaves me wondering what they are talking about.  I'm hoping I can sort all of these things out with the installer, who otherwise had done a good job. If the inverter works as it should, it'll be a great system!

16 hours ago, MarkB said:

I have a Koda[k] 3kW hybrid.

Kodak brand a lot of different inverters, and the word "hybrid" is often misused. Could you give the full Kodak model number, please?

16 hours ago, MarkB said:

some 'Device Status' code

Please give us the code.

On 2020/08/16 at 7:23 PM, MarkB said:

I have a Koday 3kW hybrid. Its on the Cape Town approved list.  It takes a bit of getting used to - partly because the english in the manual is often unintelligible!!  Really bad!  It amazes me that companies will put efforts into developing and manufacturing expensive and complex products , and not get someone who understands english to translate the manual.  Anyway, I haven't gotten it to work properly during loadshedding yet - it has some 'Device Status' code that I don't understand and isn't in the manual. So my batteries are useless for loadshedding, no matter what inverter/storage mode I select.  Also, the monitoring app worked for about 2 days then stopped, and now I cant get it to work at all. No matter what I do - reinstall etc etc.  So I have no online monitoring!  Also really bad.  The mobile monitoring app had lots of bad reviews (including mine!).  The English in the app is also quite amazing, and often leaves me wondering what they are talking about.  I'm hoping I can sort all of these things out with the installer, who otherwise had done a good job. If the inverter works as it should, it'll be a great system!

Which monitoring app are you using?

 

Hi all, I am installing backup power at home and have 2 quotes. Battery same Pylontech 3.5. 

Inverters differ. One is cheaper Kodak 5kW 48V and the other Multiplus 48/5000/70-100 230V VE Bus.

Would really appreciate guidance from the forum ito which way to go. Logic says Multiplus is R18,000 more expensive but seems the better product. Any views please? 

Regards

Darryl

Hi Darryl,

One thing to add to 87's excellent reply:

The Kodak includes an 80A MPPT (useful if you ever want to add a few PV panels), the Multiplus does not.  However, whilst some Voltronics inverters claim Pylon BMS integration, it is in practice more "marketingware" than software. - you need some external system (eg ICC) to properly manage it.

If you like things to "just work" (and are prepared to pay the premium) Victron seems a good choice - if you like getting your hands dirty go for Voltronics.

Edited May 1, 20215 yr by Calvin

the 5 Kodak inverters i tried all blew up , its a super bad unit. stay away.

my MPP inverter works flowless for over 2 years now

The OG Kodaks (OG, OG+ and OGX) are rebranded Axperts that are made in the same factory as the MPPSolar models. There may well be other inverters that are branded Kodaks.

Quick question, don't know if this is an underlying issue on the Inverter or the Batteries, or if this normal:

Inverter: KODAK VMIII (OG5.48)

 

Batteries: 2x pylontech us3000c.

Panels: 8x CANADIAN SOLAR 435W SOLAR PANEL (CS-435W)

Scenario: System runs on SBU(Solar->Batteries->Utility), but when I anticipate bad solar incidence or if I suspect Load-Shedding is a risk I change to UTILITY ONLY during the night. I would expect the batteries to hold their charge as my load is then directly linked to the GRID.

However, the batteries seem to drain at a noticeable rate through the night. See picture below.

Question:

-What is causing this drain on the batteries?

-Is there a setting that can be changed to prevent the batteries from running down through the night? 

@Vetplant very nice detailed post. Easy to read and hopefully find answers.

so 10% of 7kw is about 700watts over 9-10 hours 21h00 till 06h00. 700/9 =77 watts which I'm guessing is how much power the inverter uses to power itself from the batteries. 

I have seen @Coulomb explain how axperts power themselves from the battery.

1 minute ago, Buyeye said:

@Vetplant very nice detailed post. Easy to read and hopefully find answers.

so 10% of 7kw is about 700watts over 9-10 hours 21h00 till 06h00. 700/9 =77 watts which I'm guessing is how much power the inverter uses to power itself from the batteries. 

I have seen @Coulomb explain how axperts power themselves from the battery.

Thanks, I suspected something like that.

But there must be a setting where it switches over to power itself from the Grid, because the inverter still works when the batteries reach 15% and it stops dropping in voltage at that point. I'd like to keep my Battery charge at the same point when I switch over to UTILITY.

Hoping @Coulombhas some advice on how to achieve this.

16 hours ago, Buyeye said:

so 10% of 7kw is about 700watts over 9-10 hours 21h00 till 06h00. 700/9 =77 watts which I'm guessing is how much power the inverter uses to power itself from the batteries. 

10% of 7 kWh is 700 Wh (watt·hours), over 10 hours (~2100 to 0700) is an average of 70 watts. Self consumption is generally around 50 W for a 5 kVA model, so yes that's roughly right.

I don't know the VM III well, but it can operate in a batteryless configuration, so that implies that it can power itself from other sources, either AC-in or PV. I would imagine both, although if you are running batteryless, there isn't much you can do at night, other than operate in bypass mode. But to hold the necessary relays in, you need power, so there must be a power supply that can run off AC-in. So it's surprising to see them self-consume from the battery when running in bypass mode.

As for how to counter the self consumption, setting 02 (maximum utility charging current) can be set to 2 A. This is about 100 W, which should counter the self consumption without wasting too much utility power. I suspect that this is what that low setting is all about. Of course, you need to enable utility charging.

Edited October 1, 20214 yr by Coulomb

5 hours ago, Coulomb said:

10% of 7 kWh is 700 Wh (watt·hours), over 10 hours (~2100 to 0700) is an average of 70 watts. Self consumption is generally around 50 W for a 5 kVA model, so yes that's roughly right.

I don't know the VM III well, but it can operate in a batteryless configuration, so that implies that it can power itself from other sources, either AC-in or PV. I would imagine both, although if you are running batteryless, there isn't much you can do at night, other than operate in bypass mode. But to hold the necessary relays in, you need power, so there must be a power supply that can run off AC-in. So it's surprising to see them self-consume from the battery when running in bypass mode.

As for how to counter the self consumption, setting 02 (maximum utility charging current) can be set to 2 A. This is about 100 W, which should counter the self consumption without wasting too much utility power. I suspect that this is what that low setting is all about. Of course, you need to enable utility charging.

Thanks, that sounds like a good work-around. I'll try it and report back.

On 2021/09/30 at 10:33 AM, Vetplant said:

Quick question, don't know if this is an underlying issue on the Inverter or the Batteries, or if this normal:

Inverter: KODAK VMIII (OG5.48)

 

Batteries: 2x pylontech us3000c.

Panels: 8x CANADIAN SOLAR 435W SOLAR PANEL (CS-435W)

Scenario: System runs on SBU(Solar->Batteries->Utility), but when I anticipate bad solar incidence or if I suspect Load-Shedding is a risk I change to UTILITY ONLY during the night. I would expect the batteries to hold their charge as my load is then directly linked to the GRID.

However, the batteries seem to drain at a noticeable rate through the night. See picture below.

Question:

-What is causing this drain on the batteries?

-Is there a setting that can be changed to prevent the batteries from running down through the night? 

Watse SW gebruik jy hier?

Just bought a Kodak 10 OG 10kw, cannot get WatchPower to pick up PN code.it sees SN number but doesn’t  identify itself . Can’t get info as my unit won’t go further on WatchPower? Any ideas to help?  It is only Wifi abs sees Wifi just won’t let me read it?

On 2021/09/30 at 10:33 AM, Vetplant said:

Quick question, don't know if this is an underlying issue on the Inverter or the Batteries, or if this normal:

Inverter: KODAK VMIII (OG5.48)

 

Batteries: 2x pylontech us3000c.

Panels: 8x CANADIAN SOLAR 435W SOLAR PANEL (CS-435W)

Scenario: System runs on SBU(Solar->Batteries->Utility), but when I anticipate bad solar incidence or if I suspect Load-Shedding is a risk I change to UTILITY ONLY during the night. I would expect the batteries to hold their charge as my load is then directly linked to the GRID.

However, the batteries seem to drain at a noticeable rate through the night. See picture below.

Question:

-What is causing this drain on the batteries?

-Is there a setting that can be changed to prevent the batteries from running down through the night? 

 

@Vetplant @Vetplant2 could you please tell me which app you are using here? The app that the book tells you to use is not great at all and after 1 day only I can't connect to it.

On 2022/01/16 at 11:12 PM, Spidershark said:

Just bought a Kodak 10 OG 10kw, cannot get WatchPower to pick up PN code.it sees SN number but doesn’t  identify itself . Can’t get info as my unit won’t go further on WatchPower? Any ideas to help?  It is only Wifi abs sees Wifi just won’t let me read it?

Did you ever manage to get a good app that actually works? I got the OGS5.6 and having endless issues with the app as well.

Just buy Solar Assistant. It works great Great