New to Solar - 5KwH system planning

[Masvingo]

Hey guys, found this site whilst looking for solar systems to use in Zim. Been lurking and learning over the last few months, excellent content and community. 

Anyway we're looking to purchase a 5 KwH system to use as the primary energy source for the following items: 10 energy saver lights, 32 inch TV, Submersible well pump (assumed 1Hp pump needs to run 3 hours a day), DSTV, Wifi, Fridge and Freezer (not sure on specs yet, but both are 5-10 years old). Generally we're under 18 hour power cuts but in the event of a fault in your area or transformer theft you could go for a week or more without power easy. 

The equipment we're looking at is listed below, wanted to get your thoughts and input on adequacy and compatibility. 

- Leoch LPGS12-100 12V 100Ah x 4 OR Pylontech US2000B 2.4kWh 48V x1 

- Axpert MKS 5kVA 5000W 48V

- JA Solar 315W Mono Percium Solar Panel x6

Also, is anyone aware of stores at which we can buy online for pick up or delivery to Joburg?  I'm about ready to buy however transaction has to be completed by credit card. For reference i've checked out Art solar (Website has issue with completing purchase online submitted a ticket last week), Sustainable coza, Inverter Warehouse (no card swiping facility at all). Anywhere else i can try? 

[Fazil]

KEEP AWAY FROM LEOCH!!!! 

 

 

[___]

2 hours ago, Fazil said:

KEEP AWAY FROM LEOCH!!!! 

 

 

He's from Zim. Maybe they have a legit importer of Leoch?

Fazil makes a good point though. The bulk of Leoch batteries (at least in South Africa) are telecoms batteries and if you are offered one for sale there's about a 90%+ chance that it was stolen from a cell phone tower.

[Gerlach]

8 hours ago, Masvingo said:

Leoch LPGS12-100 12V 100Ah x 4

@Fazil and @plonkster i think you guys missed this part "LPGS12-100 12V 100Ah " It's normal Gel  battery   not lithium  hehehehheheh 

[Gerlach]

https://www.sustainable.co.za/leoch-lpgs12-100-12v-100ah-hybrid-gel-battery.html?utm_source=Click&utm_medium=Channel&utm_campaign=PriceCheck_ZA&SFDRREF=SFDR_560446597&ptcid=29518_1_511419959

[___]

1 hour ago, Gerlach said:

think you guys missed this part

Hah! Indeed, thanks for pointing it out

Also, we didn't exactly answer the question of where he can buy, but since I'm down here in the Republic of Cape Town I will leave it to the guys up there to answer that.

[Masvingo]

Thanks guys, @Gerlach is right i found the batteries on sustainable.coza so we’s be buying brand new. Really hoping to not get trapped into the used battery market (knowingly or otherwise).

Pricing in zim can be wild so not bothering with finding a local distributor. 
 

anyone know where i can buy online? 

[ElectoElf]

Not sure about online but you can try One Stop Solar in Harare - +263 8677 300400 - local to ZA maybe ThePowerStore.co.za

[Lazarus]

Hi All

Very new to solar. I will give you details or what I have and where I got them from. please can someone also comment on my choice of batteries.

2 X 325W Poly solar panels from Vital Sat solar Klopperpark Barbara road Isando. 063 133 4022 (R1800 each)

4 x Enertec 105AH 12 volts deep cycle batteries from a guy called Barry 083 267 4585 (R1850 each) Battery world  in Wynberg just outside Alexandra.

1 x 5kva inverter and charge controller from a friend.

Can someone else advise on the choice of batteries that I have. a friend has been using these for some time now and is happy so far. Can you recommend anything else?

I want to add 2 more panels and 2 batteries. any advice will be appreciated.

[Coulomb]

Your battery is only 5 kWh nominal, about 1 kWh usable. That's very little.

Also, you should limit your power draw to about 1 kW, for decent life. That's one smallish load for one hour. You could stretch that to say 2 kW (small jug, microwave, induction cooker, etc) occasionally, but no other loads and one at a time.

So really you need twice or better yet four times that capacity to get full use from a 5 kVA inverter, and to be able to live comfortably during load shedding.

650 W of panels is also extremely light. You can't expect much more than 500 W under ideal conditions. 

If you only have very modest power and energy needs, then consider a smaller inverter. A 5 kVA unit will have considerable idle power draw (circa 50 watts, depending on the model), and will waste a chunk of your very limited panel power.

Edited December 12, 2019 by Coulomb

[randomwalsh]

On 2019/12/12 at 4:14 PM, Coulomb said:

Your battery is only 5 kWh nominal, about 1 kWh usable. That's very little.

Also, you should limit your power draw to about 1 kW, for decent life. That's one smallish load for one hour. You could stretch that to say 2 kW (small jug, microwave, induction cooker, etc) occasionally, but no other loads and one at a time.

So really you need twice or better yet four times that capacity to get full use from a 5 kVA inverter, and to be able to live comfortably during load shedding.

650 W of panels is also extremely light. You can't expect much more than 500 W under ideal conditions. 

If you only have very modest power and energy needs, then consider a smaller inverter. A 5 kVA unit will have considerable idle power draw (circa 50 watts, depending on the model), and will waste a chunk of your very limited panel power.

What would you put for the low battery cut off , bulk charge and float voltage for this system?

[Coulomb]

3 hours ago, randomwalsh said:

What would you put for the low battery cut off , bulk charge and float voltage for this system?

I'd use 11.5 V, 14.4 V, and 13.5 V per 12 V module respectively. So 46 V cutoff, 57.6 V bulk/absorb, and 54.0 V float for a 48 V system.

Assuming the  Enertec "105Ah" 12 volts deep cycle batteries. As stated above, I'd limit the loads to about 2 kW as much as possible, 1 kW or less most of the time, assuming one string of four "105" Ah modules.

[Masvingo]

On 2019/12/12 at 5:17 AM, Lazarus said:

Hi All

Very new to solar. I will give you details or what I have and where I got them from. please can someone also comment on my choice of batteries.

2 X 325W Poly solar panels from Vital Sat solar Klopperpark Barbara road Isando. 063 133 4022 (R1800 each)

4 x Enertec 105AH 12 volts deep cycle batteries from a guy called Barry 083 267 4585 (R1850 each) Battery world  in Wynberg just outside Alexandra.

1 x 5kva inverter and charge controller from a friend.

Can someone else advise on the choice of batteries that I have. a friend has been using these for some time now and is happy so far. Can you recommend anything else?

I want to add 2 more panels and 2 batteries. any advice will be appreciated.

Thank you @Lazarus, these prices are very competitive. @Coulomb your answers are always very detailed, thanks so much. 

[Lazarus]

Hi All

some changes to the setup.  I have added another 2 panels. I have found out that the batteries are not deep cycle but high cycle. I want to add another two but sceptical now. Also taking into consideration that a friend has the same batteries without any issues.

4 X 325W Poly solar panels from Vital Sat solar Klopperpark Barbara road Isando. 063 133 4022 (R1800 each)

4 x Enertec 105AH 12 volts high cycle batteries from a guy called Barry 083 267 4585 (R1850 each) Battery world  in Wynberg just outside Alexandra.

1 x 5kva inverter and charge controller from a friend.

 

. any advice will be appreciated.

[Masvingo]

@Lazarus art solar has panels cheaper per rand than that i think. in addition if you're taking to zim then you should consider getting a tax invoice to get vat refund at the border. I've decided on the art solar 310 watt mono solar panel for 1,605 rands (incl VAT), they have a collection point in Joburg.  Am also getting MPP Solar PIP 5048 GK inverter which is basically an Axpert VMIII. Lastly am still working on batteries, at this point it's going to be 4 x 100ah batteries for affordability. 

[Gerrie]

56 minutes ago, Masvingo said:

 art solar has panels cheaper

Is art solar a company with a good reputation, anybody with a happy experience?

[Masvingo]

@Gerrie i haven't bought yet but having searched this forum really good it appears the seasoned members are installing their panels with good things to say.