Axpert vs Sunsynk

[Isetech]

The reason we fit a changeover switch(its actually a bypass switch) , to isolate the inverter if something goes wrong. An example, the batteries went poof, so we switch to mains and work on the inverter.

I understand anti Islanding when the power goes off.

I am trying to wrap my head around the hybrid, bidirectional power when the power is "on". The way I understand it, the CT is used to control exporting power either back to the grid or back into the non essential, depending on the inverter settings.

[Dylboy]

Ya you have it with the CT its exactly what it does.

But when the grid is off then there is no bidirectional and it enters islanding.

With the CT and the backfeed, its often good to have the sunsynk draw like 20watts so that it can not backfeed even a little bit because if they have a smart main meter the moment any current comes back it shuts down.

But if they have the olf mechanical then the few seconds of reverse feed is OK and then the 20watt draw can be removed


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[Isetech]

Let the challenge begin, trying to find a 5 KVA Sunsynk inverter

I found a company which has way better service than Ellies (very disappointed in Ellies customer service and they dont have stock), and they have 290, 5 KVA Sunsynk inverters in stock, the best part the price is the same.

What a pleasure dealing with Herholdts, Ellies should send their sales team to this company for training on how to deal with customers. I got through to the wrong department, the person who answered the phone, said he would get the right person to return my call, 5 minutes later the phone rang, email details provided, 5 minutes later the email with the COD application form was delivered to my inbox. 15 emails later and we still battling to squeeze info out of Ellies . The sad part is Sunsynk have Ellies as the first distributor. A quick way to kick your product image in the nuts.

https://herholdts.co.za/

[Isetech]

Boy has it been an interesting journey, since this thread started.

Have I learnt anything since this thread started, a bit.

Lets start with the remote viewing, thanks to lads at solar assistant, it has been a good experince using the product. I havent logged in for a few months so there were a few upgrades, which are done and everything seems to still be working ok.the Pi with solar asssistant was installed in june 2021 operating. Remote viewing is a must, it certainly made it a lot easier for me to check the plants and tweeak them.

Anyone who still uses flooded lead acid batteries will know, this is critical if you wan the batteries to last longer than 3 years (3 years and 5 months is about the limit). I doubt we will be replacing the system with lead acid again, we have learnt enough to know it is a waste of money if you looking long term.

I can't compalin about the axpert untis we using in the factories, they switch over fast enough to keep the IT stuff, network, alarms and CCTV working.

Considering we paid R10k for the 5 kw inverter and R16k for the batteries (R26k total), lost the first set pretty quick because we hadnt learnt about the cutoff voltage, so now are on our 3rd set.

I need to decide what is going to be the best lithium solution to operate with the old axpert and solar assistant. We would get away with a 100amp/hr setup, so the replace cost will be around R25k for a decent lithium battery, which should outlast the inverter.

The big question is what am I going to replace the axpert inverter with, would I use a Sunsynk, problably not, as I mentioned the delay time during the switching is pretty evident.

[Isetech]

Ellies customer service hasn’t improved at all.

Herholdts on the other hand has been a pretty good experience, I moved from the PE branch where I was dealing with Mike (he was on the ball) to a store closer to home (now dealing with Selvyn) also on the ball , the phone has just pinged to notify me that the invoice is done and the panels are ready for collection, its Saturday and he doesn’t work on Saturday, but the payment must have reflected today and the invoice is done.

One thing I must give Herholdt’s credit, if you have the right sales person, the service is top class. Even after my bad experience with the first inverter I purchased, that issue was delt with within 2 hours, at a time when there was a stock shortage and there was no inverter available to purchase.

[Isetech]

I have now officially installed a lot more Sunsynk inverters than Axpert inverters.

The Sunsynk units had their challenges, mainly to do with settings, which were due to lack of installer knowledge, however consdering I had already done a lot of research, watched all the training videos and duew to the lack of easy accress to support, there were many frustrating hours spent scratching my head. I would say I am on top of my game with regards to settings, even system mode is no longer a challenge.

We can even set the batteries to charge as and when we need them to and limit grid charging to an absolute minumum, using the solar to charge them 99 %, at the same time saving money by cycling them through the night.

We have properties were people go to work all day, but thanks to a bit of smart tech, they still run the dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier, pool and charge the batteires.