On the photo it is 6mm cable. Since then I have upgraded to 16mm welding cable.

First had to make sure about lenght and amount needed before I placed the order for the cabling.

Ok, so took a quick pick of the solar panels on the roof...

 

Ok, so took a quick pick of the solar panels on the roof...

 

002.jpg

 

So which way is North?  Is the vacuum tube collector facing North?  Do you get any power from the panels on the right hand side in the picture?  How are the panels connected, one serial string on the left and another serial string on the right either connected to two separate string connections on the charge controller or the 2 strings connected in parallel or as one serial string?

Yes, Vacuum tubes is facing North.

There was not enough space on that part of the roof for all the solar panels, so had to install them as is.

Basically the top part of the roof face North-West.

This way I'm getting good sun in the morning and the afternoon. It's not ideal, but the best I could do without building majour strucktures on the roof.

 

Currently there is 18 x 235W panels. 9 panels either side ot the roof. Each side is 3 panels in series, thus 3 serie strings, giving 6 strings in total.

Both sides running off a single MPPT controller.

Ideal would be a single controller for each side of the roof, but money is a bit thight right now

Each side is 3 panels in series, thus 3 serie strings, giving 6 strings in total.

Both sides running off a single MPPT controller.

 

May I ask why you decided on 6 strings of 3 panels each instead of maybe 2 strings with 9 panels each?  Or can the charge controller not handle a higher PV input voltage?

My MPPT is limited to 150V max on the input side.

Then there is also the conversion factor that needs to be remembered.

Microcare reccomend 3:1, but not more than 4:1, meaning max input for a 48V system is 3x48=144V.

Currently my panels is rated 36V, so 3 x 36V=108V. 108V / 48V = 2.25

4 panels in series would be too close to 144V. Then I would also be limited to 8 panels on either side.

 

This was my starting point.

 

So now if I have to go Gridtied or Hybrid, I would connect all 9 in series, giving me 2 x strings of 324V DC.

My MPPT is limited to 150V max on the input side.

Then there is also the conversion factor that needs to be remembered.

Microcare reccomend 3:1, but not more than 4:1, meaning max input for a 48V system is 3x48=144V.

Currently my panels is rated 36V, so 3 x 36V=108V. 108V / 48V = 2.25

4 panels in series would be too close to 144V. Then I would also be limited to 8 panels on either side.

 

This was my starting point.

 

So now if I have to go Gridtied or Hybrid, I would connect all 9 in series, giving me 2 x strings of 324V DC.

 

OK, I thought the charge controller was the issue here...

Interesting Topic,

 

What Hybrid did you eventually go for?

 

Also, for the DC disconnect, did you only use fuses or do you actually have a DC isolator?

Hi Rautenk,

 

I am currently looking for the 3kw Infini Plus.

Would have loved a 5kw unit, but they not out yet.

Although there is much better units out there, like the Goodwe, I can not justify the price.

 

I do not have a DC isolator. The fuses is the blade type and easily removable from the holder.

Wetkit,

 

Have you looked at the Axpert MKS 5KVA (Bi-Directional)? I think it is slightly cheaper. The reason I recommend (apart from purchasing one recently) is that it is electronically incapable of exporting to the Grid...

 

At this stage Hybrids aren't recommended as none has been type tested to NRS097, which is/will be required to allow Eskom to accept your electricity. NERSA is finalising the Guidelines for LV connected EGs (Embedded Generators). So if you purchase the infiniti you will still have to disable the Export to Grid feature, thus you can just as well stick to the Bi-Directional Inline type. The Axpert comes with an integrated 60Amp MPPT, basically the same as the Infiniti, just no export facility...

 

Saying Axpert, my tests are showing some power discrepancies... I have a Efergy Engage V2 meter and it keeps on saying that I have a 500W draw from the Axpert! (This has been proven inaccurate and I am currently doing some further testing to confirm that the meter is crap and not the inverter...)

 

Further, there is a SANS10142-3 standard coming that will dictate the Wiring of the EGs in the future, but looking at the draft and timelines that is still very far away. From an AC side you will need between the Inverter and the Grid a Emergency Disconnect (firemans switch) an AC isolator (lockable and accessible to utility) and a CB as well! With that it is prudent to install an Isolator switch on the DC incomers (PV) as well and fuses on batteries (which you have done).

 

ps. You might want to add a note to those fuses (legal wise) : "DO NOT OPPERATE/REMOVE UNDER LOAD!", also to your DB you will need to add a note that "

ON-SITE EMBEDDED GENERATION (EG) CONNECTED."

 

Looking at your panel configuration and fact that they are not getting the same amount of sun... That definitely will cause some efficiency losses in regards to your MPPT, if those are on the same one! For the one side it would have a totally different Maximum Power Point than the other side. So much so that you might lose 5 to 10% in efficiency because of if... But if you do not have separate MPPTs, have you thought of looking at being creative with the roof mount there. Get all those panels facing north at the same angle!

My idea was to export power, many moons back, but now it is really not worthwhile.

 

The single biggest diffrence between Bi-directional and Hybrid is the use of battery power and capacity.

We can not all afford a huge battery bank, say 1000AH's. This is what is required by a 5kw bi-directional invertor to not cycle the battries 2 to 3 times a day.

With the Hybrid I can consume all the solar power I can generate and still keep my small battery bank fully charged for load shedding. For me that is a win - win.

That I definitely understand!

 

But then lets call the Axpert MKS a Bi-Directional with Hybrid tendencies

I have installed it at home, as a UPS only, and I will say it is performing admirably. And you can Add Solar too it.

 

You can set it to Solar,Utility,Battery preference. Which means it does not use the batteries unless the other 2 sources are not available.

 

Check out the Axpert (same manufacturers as the infiniti) and let me know what you think. I am actually just looking for a second opinion before I start punting this unit for my friends and family! And at a cost of less than R10k for a 5kVA unit (with 60A MPPT), it is really an answer to most peoples requirements.

R39429,00 excl for the Goodwe 5kw hybrid plus courier costs. Its not that bad for a 5kw hybrid. My onl concern with it is that it had a fair bit of teething problems re software in Australia and most of the chaps complain or poor after sales service. It also has EZ monitor with it - Wifi and android / Mac software. I am thinking of getting one for testing....As i have just started changing my pv's. going to have approx 20 on the roof shortly

Mike,

 

GoodWe has been tested as quite a good unit, the efficiency is amazing compared to most other brands. Didn't know about the software glitches. And yes, aftersales comes from China.

 

Note that GoodWe can Export, which Eskom currently does not allow and it is not Type Tested to NRS097 standard in South Africa, which means that the Munics will not be allowing it any time soon. Just note that. [but it seems Swartland is more with it, in Cape Town no NRS097, no connection!]

 

I just read through your other post and that is quite interesting, seems we all need to move to Swartland...

Ok, so I installed my 3kw Infini Plus late Monday afternoon.

Had to reconfigure the solar panels at night, as I was not looking for a 300V DC shock!

 

So on Tuesday around 11:00 all hell breaks loose at my house. It is disco lights all the way

 

Right, so I go throug all the connections and settings just to double check, but find no faults there.

So now I sit down to watch what happens very carefully....

Invertor comes on from mains. 30 Seconds later my mains drop out at the pre-paid meter!!!

Now solar takes over, but there is not enough for all the loads, so the inv go into O/L and trips.

60 Seconds later mains power is back on again from the pre-paid meter and so the cycle continue.

 

I eventually got it running on OFF-GRID (III) mode with back-up.

This configuration works the same as my old bi-directional invertor, but at least it is working.

According to this configuration the invertor is not connected to the mains power.

I now suspect that something in my Conlog pre-paid meter is the issue, I think.

 

This Conolg meter is fairly new, so not sure what the hell is going on

Anybody knows of similar issues or probelms?

 

 

Finally !!!

 

So I set the invertor settings back to factory defaults this week-end and managed to get it running correctly without any issues or tripping of my pre-paid meter, yay !!!

 

This is what it looked like on Saturday.

 

Ok, so some time back I was planning to upgrade my existing solar system.

The units Mike is selling do look great, but there was no news on the 5kva unit, so a 2nd hand MicroCare Bi-Directional invertor jumped at me.

I got a great price on a nearly new unit, so I will be going that way.

At least now I can remove my contactors and the installation will be looking way more profesional than what it currently does.

 

I am still looking to get a qualified electrical guy to move all the required circuits from my main DB inside the house, to the garage, where I will be installing a new DB.

For now I will be looking at dividing up my house circuits up into 4 parts:

1. Eskom powerd directly, no backup - Ovens and Air-conditioners.

2. UPS Powerd - This is directly from the Bi-Directional invertor. This will be for lights and my TV+computer stuff.

3. Bi-Directional Powerd but disconnected when Eskom fails - Geyser backup element, normal house plugs.

4. Bi-Directional Powerd but disconnected when Eskom fails + Solar power is low - Kitchen, Pool and Irrigation systems.

 

hi Wetkit, 

 

I just want to make sure I am following everything (sortof): The above (4 circuits) are based on the the 2 Microcare inverters, right?  So you have circuit 1 that is only connected to Eskom, and circuit 2 that is used as a UPS (to one of the Microcare inverters)

 

How did you wire/control circuits 3 & 4?

 

Naturally following this thread I realize you have now switched to the Infini 3kW unit, but I was still wondering how you controlled those circuits 3 & 4...

 

best

Stephan

So, for number 3, I used the eksdom AC to power a contactor directly. If AC fails, contactor will drop out and disconnect the load.

For number 4, I used a seperate voltage monitor to monitor the voltage on my battries.

Invertor will drop out at 46V, so voltage monitor is set to switch off at 47V.

 

Yes, everything still works as is right now, even with the Infinity invertor.

Hi Wetkit,

I am new here and been doing quite a bit of reading here on the forum to gain some knowledge as I am also looking to get my own setup going in the not too distant future.

Your thread is very informative!

Has there been any updates on your system? Are you still using and happy with the Infinity inverter?

Regards,

Francois

Wetkit hasn't been around in a long long time, but @tinkerboy (why won't that auto-complete, did he leave too?) is the new resident Infini advocate :-)

6 minutes ago, plonkster said:

 @tinkerboy (why won't that auto-complete, did he leave too?) 

He is gone and so are all his AICC sections and posts.

4 minutes ago, superdiy said:

He is gone and so are all his AICC sections and posts.

Second time. Something happened to upset him again? I obviously missed it.

Sorry, just been busy at work...

Been stuck in Nigeria now for 2 months getting a generator going

Anyway, still very happy with my Infini unit. For the price, there is nothing that comes close to it.

If I had unlimited funds, I would still like to try the GoodWe hybrid unit.

To date I have made some adjustments to the system. At this current moment I am running 2 sets of T105 batteries.

So at this moment my power usage is just about ZERO during daylight hours. Battery power is only used if the PV sees power, so during the night I run from mains. This keeps the battery bank from working too hard.

1 hour ago, plonkster said:

Second time. Something happened to upset him again? I obviously missed it.

@Energy??