We built an off grid farmhouse in South Africa 3 years ago, and after a lot of research and advice went with the same combination. Victron is very robust kit, modular, so it's more expensive but extremely reliable. The pylontech 3.5kw batteries, seem to be very reliable so far, and very flexible because you can expand capacity so easily. I'm running with 2 at the moment, which works well, runs all my appliances and tools, but three would probably ideal to give a bit of extra capacity for cloudy days and match the full supply capacity of the Multiplus 2 to the continuous supply capacity of the battery bank. You need to ensure that you have enough panels to charge them though. The Australian Renewable Energy agency has been running comparative battery tests in a long term study and found them to be one of the most reliable batteries tested, also maintaining an impressive charge capacity over the lifetime. Very happy camper so far. 👍

Great video. Thanks for going through all that - that's quite a lot to take in, but definitely all worthwhile. I'm starting to look into these as they were also recommended by someone I know (who's also looking to get a whole solar+battery system) and those batteries always worried me because they were so cheap. After your video, I feel a bit better about them and are on my contender's list.

I am on the brink of deciding next steps for a 20kWh battery and your videos help a lot, thank you

Thanks for the video as always. Raised a whole suite of issues I’ve never considered before. Will follow the commissioning with interest and hope you’ll be jumping for joy when it’s all up and running…

Finally had two PylonTech 3000s installed last week. Loving the significant reduction in grid usage - now need a couple more. Keep up the good work.

@BiohaZd5

2 жыл бұрын

How long do they take to charge off mains electricity?

Super detailed update from a cold garage at 07:30am! Thanks for the mention too. Great to hear and understand your decision process and I liked the wants and needs portion. Seems the solution you have chosen ticks all your requirements. Will be great to see how you get on with it.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Still not up and running all because of a grid meter! When it's working it should be good. We KZreadrs have to stick together so of course I'll give you and your excellent channel a mention or 3👍

Good update, be interesting to know how it all works out in practice versus the research. Completely agree that understanding how you use energy is vital to specifying the correct system, both in total available storage size and peak discharge. Ideally I'd like to see local control be an option going forward both for data storage and system access.

Looks like such a great setup, well researched and explained! Sounds like you have a great installer, so far the installers I’ve seen will only do the one brand of system that they prefer.

@marknorman3582

2 жыл бұрын

Try keeping up with all batteries out there. I have done 4 makes It's a nightmare. The market is mad enough. Keep life simple has gone, it's not solar anymore, it's batteries, ev cars, energy bills, solar, inverter and G99 on every job. Each job we install we have to register with 6 bodies. Red tape is killing the industry. Then all the design work and multiple quotations for every customer . Prices are going up because of all the above. Try keep it simple guys, do your homework and tell your installer what you want. One more comment, are there any women on here? It seems like a man's world, why?

very informative - we are installing 7kw solar panel system in Sydney- it will be installed on 14tth march- and we are now investigating whether we incorporate a battery system- thanks for this video

That’s deffo the right way to go making your storage batteries upgradable but also if one module has a problem if can be unplugged till someone can look at it and leave the rest still running. I didn’t realise you could now get a inverters that has a blackout mode a lot has certainly changed since 2014 when I had my solar installed. Can’t wait to move back into the house so i can upgrade it and add more.

Very informative, thank you for making this video. It has given me a lot to think about when deciding on the best system to install at my house

An excellent choice of components. Pylontech battery system is easily expandable, I have done it. I was really sold on the fact that they are rack mountable. Not as nice looking as the force series, but I am not installing them in my living room. For clarification, the 50A passthrough is from the network through the MultiPlus including energy from the battery. In a network blackout you will not get 50A because the inverter is 5kVA and can only output ~20A when inverting from battery.

Really interesting video Nigel. You have really done your homework. Definitely got me thinking about a battery system for my new property.

Thanks for your advice on this - really helpful and good to know ahead of going to the Fully Charged Show in April. I'm trying to size up a solar+battery configuration and then next year HT ASHP with Sunamp heat battery! So much to consider and like you say, so important to work out in detail what you need ahead of making decisions - good luck with it!

@denisemyddleton-jones5808

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, would be interested to know what panel/inverter/battery system you have chosen (or not yet decided) following your visit to Fully Charged show, I couldn’t attend as was at a race event at Brands Hatch, thanks

A really informative video! I'm also really impressed with your ability to just naturally talk about it unedited, having to contend with constant video edits, is something that I struggle with sometimes!

@EVPuzzle

Жыл бұрын

That's the aim but there's always a few bits to cut as I get carried away sometimes. I hate the idea of scripts and it should just flow but it's not easy to get it in one take

Probably the most useful, information-packed KZread advice video on designing your own system, period

@bengrillet

2 жыл бұрын

...especially when you add all the interesting and informative comments

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

You're very kind sir, thank you

I have had these batteries for 6 years, they have saved me £1000s over that time. Flexible, upgradable and versatile system. They also contribute to the central heating system as I use heat batteries for the central heating. Using a My Energi Eddie to supply surplus to the heat batteries and a second solar array specifically for just that. In the winter months I would top up with overnight grid electricity at 5p per kWh (soon to be 7.5p). Like you I spent many weeks working out what I really wanted and also what my future needs would be. So I’m glad to see you took the same route as I did some years back. The batteries look better in a dedicated cabinet I have to say, and now I have that they do look more professional, but in the end it’s what they do that gives you pride in bucking the trend of white boxes of dumb non expandable or flexible energy. The future of export of excess electricity , this is really exciting I feel. The grid are playing with timed and on demand balancing from everyday people who can sell their energy for a very healthy KWh price. In time we could in theory make more than we consume, and with the original FIT that I have I already do. Btw I’m no tech chap, I really had to work it all out as no one at the time understood what I was really trying to achieve. Even now companies really don’t understand this very much at all, they only see white boxes and not the larger picture. Keep up the good work.

@kevincarty9483

2 жыл бұрын

this sounds like a good system - did you install or could you recommend an installer

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Solar energy storage limited is worth a try

Love this vid, this is your best one yet purely because I’m looking at these options to so this has come up before I’ve took the plunge, great job 👏🏾

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Darren it's been a long time coming , I've had to have patience getting the right system for me. Sometimes these videos just work, I adlib them in a few takes so it's rewarding to hear when theyre liked Really looking forward to showing the systems performance and data.

Good points in your prez, that I hadn't thought about. Well done.

After watching your video which I found very informative, I did some pricing over here in Sweden on the Pylontech batteries with some shocking results. Buying from Austria and including shipping to me, these came out at a little over £1200 equivalent, while trying to source them here in Sweden came to £1900 equivalent + shipping. Neither as good as the circa £1000 pricing you mentioned in your video, even allowing for inflation over time since your video was posted, but Austria wasn't a terrible difference, unlike the Swedish company who I feel are price gouging. I found the information on Victron and Pylontech both to be extremely useful, thanks for this.

Fantastic video from an extremely intelligent and well researched gentleman. This has helped me a lot.

Great Nigel, another great very in-depth review, keep them coming

Thanks for this video this is exactly what I want. Modular and expandable

Great long form video - thanks for the detailed walkthrough!

Wow, excellent video, very informative, have to admit the 19" rack mount batteries have caught my attention because of the flexibility they confer provided, as you have, the inverter side is compatible. I was worried I would have to question some of your ideas early on where you were talking of a small battery option. Then you developed with the inverter solution and as I agree supporting the grid is going to be gaining ground over the older issues of battery longevity. The future is looking, sustainable, green and economically viable. Go Nigel!

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks mate, it is looking good... If only I could get this blooming grid meter working

Thanks for this info. I was looking at Victron a while ago. Interesting to see you could put 3 Victron's together and have a 3 phase set up

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Perfect on the farm etc

For once I agree with all your ‘wants’ namely modularity, interchangeablity, ability to control and configure and able to get data out of it.

I got solar panels in January now I want more batterys and an electric car love these videos have done one on my choice

I love that 3 years before this you were debating the pros of getting a 6kwh battery, now here you are with a 17.5kwh system! Will check back in 6 months for the 50kwh system review! :-)

@EVPuzzle

Жыл бұрын

Lol I know, 6kwh was a sensible size but hey why be sensible. Glad I went all In now.

Excellent video Nigel. Many thanks. I would have loved to be able to the sort of custom setup you have worked on and the Raspberry Pi monitoring and programmability sounds really fun. Perhaps, in 10 or so years, when we need to look at the next stage, I will be able to spend the time and “play” in this manner. For now we have our off-the-shelf GivEnergy system that I am more than happy with for our immediate needs. Next will come the Eddi then the EV + Zappi and I will be happy that we are doing the best we can for now. Oh… perhaps a SE Solar PV array to go with the SW facing array we have now. Pick up those morning rays (hooray for an L shaped house).

Absolutely fantastic setup. Exactly what I've been looking at doing but I've been struggling to find a decent reasonably priced AC coupled inverter to pair with at least 25kwh of Pylontech batteries but can charge them up during the 4 hour off peak Go period. The Victron kit looks good albeit the 8000VA model is a lot more expensive but we would need to be able to charge/discharge at 5kw+ but good to know they can be connected in parallel. Been looking at Luxpower inverters too that can also do the same basic functions bit struggling to find a supplier for those though. And you are totally right about always wanting more. 12 months ago we installed 6.2kw of solar. At the time that was fine for us but now I'm wanting to add a 2md array and a huge bank of batteries! 🤦🏻‍♂️

@greggrimshaw982

Жыл бұрын

What did you go for in the end? I need 40 kwh of batteries and 8kw + inverter

Just about to get my first PV and battery system installed. With the Pylontech US2000 batteries I’m getting I couldn’t find a huge amount online about them. Thanks for the reassurance that they’re not cheap tat! Good to know I can always scale them up too for a reasonable price. Excited to get up and running and start saving (and making on Agile Outgoing) some cash!

@ryanmason491

2 жыл бұрын

Bit confused as to why everyone is saying they are 'so cheap?' They seem to be about 950 online with the Givenergy ones about £1200? Am I missing something?

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Price per kwh is pretty good and considering you can mix and match the smaller ones at around £650 each they do appear cheap

Interesting that you have come up with the same mix of battery tech and inverter / control as I have. Ie Pylontech and Victron for many of the reasons you state. My choice of Victron was driven by my installing a solar / victron based system on a boat recently. Victron ticks my boxes

@ShakamotoMD

Жыл бұрын

Was just about to make the same comment, I spent nearly a year researching all the options and came up with the same answers and have just taken the plunge. Just seen this video and your comment has taken away the last niggling doubt I'd made a very expensive mistake! 👍

@nigelwilliams8792

Жыл бұрын

My installation went live at the the end of August '22. 4* US2000c giving 10KWh, Victron Multiplus II 5kWh and SolarEdge Invertor, 16 * PV's. Going into the first winter solar energy is dropping as expected. The Victron ESS has been set up to charge the batteries on a low tariff rate. This works well as it has reduced my day time grid use to zero. I am assessing adding more batteries to increase to 15KWh to more. 10KWh can be used up by early evening if the solar yield is low. (only 3-4KWh per day in November!) and we could do with running more electric heaters in the evening. Myenergi Eddi works really well, hot water always on hand. Couldn't get a Eddi relay card to monitor HW temp, used a RUUVI Bluetooth temp monitor and set up Centro GX to display and track HW temp via the Victron VRM.

Great info as always. Have 4 x Pylontech batteries in village hall and looks very tidy in data cabinet with glass door, never had problem since installed 3 years ago and so upgradable.

Thanks for the analysis. Would love to see a video on your complete home energy setup at present.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Won't be long

had an installer call today to discuss batteries and they mentioned Givernergy and pylontech. I’d never heard of the latter until this video so that’s given me confidence to hear more about them.

@joshgreen8405

2 жыл бұрын

Outdated technology and half the warranties of the giv equipment. We stopped selling pylon tech about 4 years ago. Modern batteries much safer to have in the home too. This video is honestly nonsense, nothing he has mentioned the pylon tech doing, other battery systems can't

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Installer no doubt who likes to install Givenergy ?

@joshgreen8405

2 жыл бұрын

Amongst others. We're here to give people the best possible solution for their homes. I'm not sure what your argument is for outdated tech, that is less safe and poor warranties?

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Your opinion. Was going to reply in depth but just not worth it youre entitled to your opinion but there's no need to dis another system unless you've got facts. Safety. Love to hear the facts on why Pylontech lifepo4 is unsafe and Givenergy is safe

@joshgreen8405

2 жыл бұрын

It isn't an opinion, it is fact. You've only to compare the systems via technical sheets at a base level to see it. Factually it is less safe, it also doesn't have the life span either. Pylon tech was great as the initial gateway to domestic battery storage, things have moved on now.

Absolutely fantastic Video, thanks for the info.

I already have a 3kw installation on a solis 2.5k in inverter. I ordered another 3kws and x3 3.5 pylon batteries, a few weeks ago. pylon does look like a nice solution.

Been running lux with pylontech for 2 years now. Lux side is ok but the pylontech batteries seem to be rock solid and no fuss. Looks like a good setup. In some respects I should have done more research and gone victron but only considered them for off grid.

Hi Pal ... Great Vid .... I got so much from this and THANK YOU

@EVPuzzle

Жыл бұрын

Welcome 👍

A Eureka video for me. Wandering around this type type of generic video on google and KZread without a clue Nigel has given me the laser focus on what I actually need. I immediately reached out to Nigel’s installer who are local to me but Power Different in Norfolk only do commercial installations. They suggested some reliable companies who do domestic. Installs so will be contacting them. Cannot thank Nigel enough for this video which held me spellbound for the entire 44 minutes. A great delivery from a highly trusted source.

@EVPuzzle

Жыл бұрын

You're too kind I or, thank you

I’ve carefully watched a ton of online videos and decided I’m going down the Victron Pylontec route. I have found a company that can design and specify a system and visit site to commission with my installer who has never worked with or been trained on Victron 😎 Thank you for the videos!

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Make them out the grid monitor in the right place , unlike mine that's taken far to long to get right

@rymoe6299

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle I’ve contacted Howetec for the design. Is this the same company you used

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

No, not heard of them. I'd say one of my installers mistakes is not drawing up the design and discussing how that design would work, they were more the install immediately then document afterwards

Great list of wants, interested in future videos. I do hope you get what you want.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

It's looking good so far, ticking many boxes, keep following for updates when I get chance

Hello Nigel, thank you for taking the time to go through your system in such detail. I am getting ready to install a very similar set-up - 5 Pylontech 3000's paired with 3 Victron MP II 5000's and your video has confirmed that this is a set-up for me. For me, it is also critical to have an instant response time as many of the home monitoring systems rely on uninterrupted power supply to function correctly. Paired with my 10 kWp solar system this will be an awesome duo allowing me and my home to function during a blackout. Thanks again!

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome, I'm really pleased to see others discovering this is the right system for them too. Has its draw backs and complexities and hopefully it'll be satisfying

Fantastic video. Really keys into important points when spending your hard earned. Alot of batteries are just relabeled Chinese generics with poor support. The importers know nothing about programming embedded microcontrollers for firmware updates, but rely on Chinese factory support which may no longer exist.

We've got 3x3.5kWh pylontechs with a victron easy solar gx II. Been rock solid in the over 2 years we've had it. Acts as a UPS too for us. It's a great choice.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Just need to get our grid meter working correctly so it drops out of passthru mode then it should be live

@mondotv4216

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle I’m still trying to understand the problem. By passthrough mode on the grid inverter that is? The grid inverter just inverts your solar right? So it’s either charging the batteries or supplying the load or sending energy back to the grid. As the battery charger just appears as another load to the grid, I’m trying to work out what your issue is? Passthrough mode is usually only on hybrid inverters like the Victron.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not inverting anything, I'm just on grid power and AC connected solar

Thanks for the video. I’m going through the same process of figuring out everything I need. I like the Victron inverters too and the server rack batteries. Out in the Midwestern United States we use 240v (split phase) well pumps and I also want to be able to use the 240v on demand water heater at the same time. I’ll either go for 2 5kva inverters or possibly 2 10kva Victron inverters to install in a lakefront property to either sell or use as a weekend rental. That’s the plan anyway.

Super useful. Thank you 👍

Brilliant choices Nigel, the Victron stuff is world class and user programmable unlike the powerwall. The Pylon tech batteries are more reliable and also have better round trip efficiency when compared to the powerwall (Less conversion stages). 100% agree with your choices here well done.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Phew I'm not mad after all, glad for the thumbs up. My installer is swearing though, it's their first Victron 🤭🤣 but they should offer it as a premium solution imo

@nickieredshaw7835

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle sounds like good job by power different wish had gone with them if I had know how good they are and would love a system like yours with all the geeky stuff but I got mostly the system I asked for and was ordered about 18 months ago . The hardware is great it’s just the software 🤨😡 that’s crap . I agree with you the diy look of this type of battery if I had know the look of them I would have asked them to put in a rack

Thank you so much for sharing these experiences.

*Absolutely perfect for what we use . **Generater.Systems** for Our 500wt power station! Love it!!!!*

Good to hear from someone who understands the importance of being in control of your own data and equipment. The words you didn't use were 'open protocol' and 'free software/open source' (oh, no you did eventually, 34mins in :-). These are the things that guarantee that control. If we have the details of how to talk to a device then we can write our own software and not be dependent on what manufacturers choose to provide. And it doesn't matter if they go bust and fall off the net one day. Far too many providers only give you their proprietary app or 'platform' so stuff becomes useless if they go bust, and you have no control, and their kit only works with other components from the same manufacturer. I too have concluded that the pylontech kit is flexible, compatible, has an open protocol and free software available to do monitoring. I've always had Victron down as 'top quality, but unnecessarily expensive' kit. Sounds like I should take a more serious look at what they provide as we are clearly coming from a very similar point of view. Thanks for the details. Which disconnector/transfer switch did you pick?

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Inbuilt in the Victron

I've been using Victron kit on my boat for years and the battery sensor is a very useful bit of kit. It overcomes the voltage drop between the controller and the batteries p,us any temperature differences. They are very good on warranties and have replaced stuff for me after the warranty had run out.

I'm having 4 kw panels installed on a south west facing roof. I also am having the i-boost water heater installed. I don't have an EV at present and have gas heating. I will collect a year's data before deciding what to do next. I'd love to go to electric for heat (potentially expensive but gas servicing and standing charge would be dropped). In order to do this I may need more panels and definitely a battery with decent storage. Your videos are very useful for information - thanks.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Robert yes to more panels and a battery to keep electric heating costs minimal . It's not hard to test like I did using cheap heaters. Even if you switch gas off for some of the rooms and lower the temp at the boiler you should see good savings using solar energy.

Thanks for the video Nigel. DC to DC batteries and power modules are much, much more efficient than DC to AC batteries as it is much easier to drop/ increase the voltage using a DC/DC inverter, especially on the charge cycle where the inverter converts the PV output to AC and then the AC battery converts that AC power back to DC, so you’re double a double conversion which looses so much power especially on days where it’s sunny then cloudy and back again, your charging/ discharging the AC battery maybe fifty times a day wasting a lot of energy doing the converting. That’s why hybrid inverters with matched batteries are superior. Your old Huawei system had firmware updates approximately every two months, and they will continue to update the Luna battery and power module for the the foreseeable future. I’m delighted you’re experimenting and having fun doing so. I have done all this myself and had the AC coupled batteries too, but I’m now very happy with my 6kW Huawei hybrid inverter, 10kWh Luna batteries and the backup box. The last two firmware updates have given some extra improvements in performance, especially in low light conditions. I understand that you’re a spreadsheet junkie and need your daily fix of statistics, but I prefer to concentrate on just generating more power and am happy with the reporting from the Huawei and MyEnergi apps. And yes, I know that it’s difficult to see all the power the PVs are generating when a large chunk of that power can hide in the batteries, but all is revealed when the batteries are discharged, the app knows what proportion of the charge was generated using the panels and what percentage came from charging at night, I think that’s pretty smart. I’m looking forward to your next update, can up the fantastic analyses.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Appreciate the update on huawei. I could only go with ehT I saw which was very poor generation compared to other systems and a rather poor software interface for charging. Non existenct really. I'm really pleased to hear its improving as it has the makings of an excellent system

@sandyfordd1843

2 жыл бұрын

Good look with the new car too, it looks gorgeous and you were 100% right to treat yourself to the full options pack. Gadget men need all the gadgets we can get.

Really appreciate your videos like this, you've clearly put a ton of time and thought into it - and then made (even more) time to share it with us. Just great. I'm at the "just beginning to even think about this stuff" stage - we don't have solar pv, heatpump or home battery, but we do have an EV. I found it hard to understand why an inverter would need you to spec more batteries than you needed, how 48V batteries would have adequate voltage to take over from the grid in a power outage. And so the comments about Low Voltage vs High Voltage sort of went over my head. Will go off now to try and learn though!

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

A rare comment, very much appreciated, recognising the effort to share let alone to think all this stuff through. Some great questions too. I read that high voltage was better in theory to inverter from solar directly ie.. As a DC coupled battery as the voltages were more closely aligned which explains why solaredge batteries are DC coupled and typically high voltage. In practise having used both 48v and 400v high voltage, you don't notice a difference. Volts x amps = W. Lower voltage wins for me as its more common place and hence likely to be more affordable. Which is best seems irrelevant if I can't tell the difference. More batteries for the bigger inverter is to achieve its spec of charging rates and discharge rates. Something to do with C rates? The smaller the battery capacity the lower the charge and discharge rates without damaging the battery

@will_doherty

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle The logic behind the SolarEdge high voltage battery system is that since the string voltage is held at close to 415V dc, with the battery at 400V or thereabouts there is no need to convert the dc from the string to 230V ac in the inverter, then convert the ac back to dc in the charger to charge the battery. This saves the energy wasted by conversion to heat during both processes. Can't remember what the figure they quote, but I think I read that it is around 5% or so, which over time amounts to a reasonable number of kWh...

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I'm aware of what solaredge claim but their other deficiencies make it a non starter for me.

I did exactly the same, only with a lux hybrid inverter, and in April 21. I have had no problems with Pylontech batteries. You should get the bat-view system that shows cell voltages and general battery health.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I'll. Look up the batview thing, thanks

@Swwils

2 жыл бұрын

Can you link or name the view system?

The answer to everything as you present it , has been my dilemma... My solution was to cut my system in blocks that each are not enough to run the whole show, but a % of the show. I estimated what the best of one ultimate system would give me all that I could ever want, then I divided that into 4 systems that total the ultimate system. Then I set up 2 of the systems(50% of my ultimate setup)... so, I could feel how that serviced me, then I installed the 3rd one and saw that I may never install the 4th one. That gives me contingency power... if one system blows up, I am not down. All I do is swap a few plugs and keep going. If I need to add later, and technology has improved drastically, I can add the 4th system at that level. Compatibility is not necessary and actually no very possible, unless one buys backwards... not a good idea!

Thank you Nigel.

Nice, I am really interested in this. I was going to go down the route your going, but I’ll see how the Tesla powerwall goes when I get it.

Great and very helpful video Thanks

Paralell - yes but you can also seriese them.... Unsupported config but not outside Victron spec... I have and it works great whilst maintaining redundency!

I’m so jealous 😆 I have a pokey 6.5kw growatt battery with 19 380w panels and two growatt inverters (5kw+2kw)

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I was right , everyone wants more power

Hey Nigel, Shouldn't be a need to perform the automation outside of Victron. If you flash VenusOS Large onto your CerboGX it will come with NodeRed.

Find a decent installer... yeah thats the tricky bit 🙂 Hope the new system works as you hope, it looks like it should!

Nice setup thanks for another great update video can’t wait to see info when up and running this summer

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Me too Nickie, catch you in Lincolnshire soon. I feel a road trip coming on

@nickieredshaw7835

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle hopefully Norwich gridseve chargers opening soon . Let us know when you free will meet up somewhere now it’s getting warmer

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Will do, I'm itching for a good drive or 3

@nickieredshaw7835

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle lol get your solar sorted so it chargers your car you will be out every day lol been out last 4 days just on solar energy . Done 1230 miles so far this month alone mostly from solar ! Solar for the win !

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, three days in a row we've popped out for 20 ish miles and every day we've refilled back to 100% on solar comfortably. All for free

Thanks Nigel, loads of really useful information in here that I keep coming back to! I have a Victron, Home assistant and LiFePo4 off grid system which has worked brilliantly in a off grid capacity since install. I would like to couple it to the house and am wondering how you have configured your setup with change overs and disconnects to be able to continue to run the house if you had to take the Victron out of service? Thanks! Brilliant stuff.

Very informative video thank you

Been looking at a system with a couple of the Pylontech Us3000C batteries. watching diligently 🙂

@wonkychris5473

2 жыл бұрын

Ive got a Multiplus in my van already so comfortable with their gear.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Installer here is having more issues with the grid sensors for the critical and non critical loads

@wonkychris5473

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle has 'the installer' got a little shed on site that he lives in? Might be an idea if he hasn't done it yet ;-)

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I keep him in coffee and cake and bacon butties, he's keen to stay 🤣

Loved It! You are now the ...What I want Man...Quote of the day , I could get another Victron and another Stack or have a Wind Turbine, If you do manage to sell back to the Gird what price do you Charge can I Sign up now on a fixed deal😀,Keep up the good work.

Yes ,, sizing is a tricky one, I need a year of data to see if another battery is right! Alpha 3with 8.7 kw, and 5.2 pv , thinking March to October will be fine but will there be enough sun to charge more battery’s for the 4 bad months … Interesting video thanks

I was seriously considering the Pylontech Force H2 battery with a Solax inverter. However I went with the SolarEdge Energy Bank. My biggest reason for doing so was simply to avoid the headache of seeking out G99 DNO connection approvals all over again. I was hesitant with the fact that the energybank is NMC rather than LFP battery chemistry, but it is offered with a 10 year warranty without limitations to number of charge cycles or depth of discharge, and that was enough for me to make a leap of faith into their technology. Delivery is due in 'April'. So I'll be looking forward to reviewing its performance.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Reassuringly the tesja powewall is NMC too I believe , their car batteries

@faraway5828

2 жыл бұрын

Similar - 10kWp of solar, feeding a 6kW Solaredge, Powerbank expected soon (It's already overdue), with a Multiplus II 5000 being fed by a 2.8kW turbine, and server rack batteries (almost certainly Pylontech as the EG4/Jakipers aren't available here). And yes, I've been running Home Assistant for ages too (but they dont yet have a specific turbine integration)

@arthurised

2 жыл бұрын

My Solar panels have been installed since mid-April 22 and working just fine - SEW facing but getting almost the maxoim of 9 x 410W. However, my SolarEdge Energy Bank - ordered early January 22 - are still awaited. Original date missed, end May 22 date most likely to be missed, and a new delkivery date of 'sometine in June 22. I'm not holding my breath that this will be the winner! The current downside is that I'm giving away 70% energy to the grid for free. Good luck with your solar / battery system Anthony.

I would love wiring schematic of how you have wired your system. I'm about to start this journey and have same system planned

It's been a month since I 1st watched this and watching again makes even more sense. Thank you for taking the time to go through all this in so much detail!

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome , hoping to have an update soon but still waiting on a part . Crazy shortages

@jimbob3823

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle can't wait, it's all these shortages giving me time to reassess my options. Went from no idea, to then watching your video and believing Victron/Pylontech was the ultimate solution then a potential installer put me off and said Givenergy is the best and now... after watching your video again I am back to Victron/Pylontech as I want the same as you, I want control, modular and expandable systems which I guess comes with more hands on approach to get things working smoothly compared to a fully hands off system which would be awesome but I do like to be in control and maintain things, extending capability via Home Assistant. 🤘😎🤘

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you know what's right for you. I've been talking to a guy called Shane at Solar energy storage LTD. He seems to know Victron really well

Great post....you are as good as offgrid...v2l in your ev would give you some cover for winter.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

About that V2L...... More coming up soon

@ismscsim

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle I was hoping you would. Many thanks again. I am looking to go offgrid so the transfer switch and the Victron seems a good way to go. I was looking at EV6 for a 3kw/h back up input for winter. Those Pylontech batteries need the cabinet and buss bar linking....finding installers is an issue here in Scotland. They are selling stuff I don't want. Forward onward anyway...cheers.

Looks like an interesting system and I am pleased to see you are keeping a handle on how it works and is configured. Like you, I spent my career in IT but started as an electronics engineer so I get really frustrated when suppliers don't provide much technical information to consumers and you have to rely on their agents/distributors. I am very close to falling out with my installer due his inability to get my battery system working. In the meantime I am looking for alternatives in case I have to jump ship and buy something else. Pylontech looks a bit too Chinese for my liking though.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

It is Chinese of course but a damned good solution. It's the badged systems with cheap Chinese batteries inside and cheap BMS that I'm steering clear of

@chrischild3667

2 жыл бұрын

Mine are rock solid. I look at them very rarely, spend more time looking at my elegant Chinese made mobile phone! The inverter software is the portal to the battery (I've got Lux) which is clunky but OK. The batteries, though, just work. It'd be a shame to pass on them based on looks or a 'too Chinese perception'.

@grahamwoodier5066

2 жыл бұрын

@@chrischild3667 I am sure these battery systems are fine technically and represent good value. Whilst it is difficult to avoid being reliant on China for solar systems I am making an attempt - PV panels are from China, roof mounting hardware is from Germany, inverter is designed in the US but assembled in China and the EV charger comes from Grimsby. My (non-functioning) battery came from Korea. Where possible I prefer to buy locally produced items to support our economy and minimise the negative impact of long distance transport but I appreciate this is tricky with tech goods.

@chrischild3667

2 жыл бұрын

@@grahamwoodier5066 Yea great approach for sure.

@aldozilli1293

Жыл бұрын

@@grahamwoodier5066 Glad you are not just a closed minded anti China kinda guy Graham 😉, your comment got me worried.

For my solar coming in a few weeks, I was offered UHome/AOBOET batteries. Which seems like a lesser known equivalent to Pylon tech. I managed to squeeze up to 2x2.4kw batteries, which should cover my use and let me export. SimIlar to you, 1 of these can only sustain 1.5kw. So I needed two to fully cover e.g a kettle. But I will have see what my panels actually produce. I’m getting 16 JA Solar 405w panels (East-West) orientation with tall trees on the west side unfortunately and so optimisers on each panel. The inverter is a LuxPower Hybrid which seems to be compatible with and programmable for battery export to grid at optimal times with detailed monitoring. Fingers crossed that works! I had no choice on the components. Only a choice of the installer with their components!

@shaunhw

2 жыл бұрын

I've got this system too, also on East/West with three Aoboet batteries, and the Lux hybrid as well. We didn't need the optimisers though as there's no shading issues here. Today the house was still getting about 600 watts after 5.00 PM! It seems to work well, and you can monitor the system online, with lots of history, graphs, and histograms, or change your phone's SSID to the one created by the inverter to interact locally with the Lux app, without the internet, to get an absolutely real time view of what is going on, as the online version can be up to five minutes, (or 10 minutes at really busy times) behind real time, as the data is sampled that often. There are just the two of us here, and the batteries see us through to the next day now. This month there often has been as much as 65% left at end the end of a 24 hour cycle at 3.00 AM. Currently I've set the inverter to charge up to 80% at 3.00AM on a much cheaper rate, and the solar does the rest of the charging, and could do more, so I will reduce that soon. Yesterday was a miserable dark rainy day so I had set up 90% charge on Tuesday for the next day. The BBC local weather forecast is great for that! On the Lux, you can set up charge times, charge rates ( how much power to feed in, which affects the charge times) the charge levels etc etc, for AC and DC. By default the batteries always charge on DC before exporting though. I think weather forecasters should publish local data (perhaps for a small fee) similar to the way Octopus does and inverters should be able to download it, with users making decisions how the inverter should use it. That would be cool. Be sure they install the latest software on the batteries though before you get them, as I had some issues which have now been fixed.

Wow Nigel, missed you and just chanced upon this... I'll catch-up!

@EVPuzzle

Жыл бұрын

Hope so then ill remember who superdiagnostic is🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤣. Sounds like I'll be embarrassed

Another useful and insightful video, can you give a view of the 'other costs' as, whilst the batteries are £1k each and converter £2k, you haven't mentioned any of the installation or electrician costs. These costs seem to vary massively as I have had quotes to install just solar panels from £5k to £10k for the same house and panels...!

@AdrianMcDaid

2 жыл бұрын

Shop round. The best thing can say. I had some one quote 50% more for exact system Know how much the materials will cost. Then you know if the quote is fair or not.

If you wanted the zappi on the ups side of the inverter you could set the zappi to reduce charging at a specific maximum system current if you put a ct clamp on the output of the inverter

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly both Eddi and zappi could sense for 50amp limit. I often charge at 3.85kw anyway. Rarely need full power . Installer was unsure of me putting everything else on so more to appease them. Might be a later change 😜

Great video as always, and completely mirrors my own research on getting a better battery system. Have to say I guessed what you'd gone for as soon as we could see a blue box on the wall behind you! I've concluded Victron as being the best all-round choice, for all the same reasons as you have - flexibility, community, performance & monitoring. I've got 6 x 2.4 Pylons running on a Sofar hybrid currently, but poor response times/shortfalls from it frustrate me! Considering just keeping it to provide solar, and moving pylons to a Victron running ESS. The only thing that has prevented me is the cost... Whichever way I try and justify another piece of equipment, adding up the shortfalls with my hybrid system (which is pretty difficult to put numbers on) doesn't come close to paying off the cost of a new Victron in less than a decade 😞. Wallet is saying live with what I have, but the heart is saying get the Victron because it is better! Interested why you didn't go for the 48/5000 with GX built-in instead of the separate boxes? Also, how have you wired your solar grid-tied inverters into this system - on the UPS/AC out of the Victron? Diagrams and more videos needed please! 🙂

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Can you believe it worked out cheaper plus additional ve bus connections on the cerbo. Better future proofing than built in

Great video, its interesting to see why you chose the products in your installation. Its all great stuff. I've gone for a Powerwall and have chosen to go on the Tesla virtual powerplant tariff with Octopus energy. Its £0.11 per Kwh in and out so in the summer when I have excess solar I can gain a credit to buy back the electric (at the same price) in the winter months. This saves me having to have a larger battery, I also don't need to worry about time of use tariffs.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I think the Powerwall is a great system.. I'm not hearing many people have problems once they're installed

Mate... I think I've pulled a muscle punching the air so often watching this vid! I'd stumbled upon the Victron ESS solution a few weeks ago and the more I read the more it seemed to be the best setup BY FAR. I KNEW (hoped) you we talking about Victron from early on. My only issue is finding an experienced installer who'll cover Northampton - I've already sent a begging email to Power Different - you never know...

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Lol, like that punching the air 😉😂 My installer might bit be a fab as the hours to get this going aren't good for profit but it is one if their first with this setup. There are some complexities to the meter sensors . Experienced Victron installers are probably down the boat yards 🙄

@eliotmansfield

2 жыл бұрын

yeh I’m in MK and would be interested in who you find

@barrydonaldson

2 жыл бұрын

@@eliotmansfield I'll keep you posted!

@Englishneo2k

2 жыл бұрын

I'm also in MK so would like to here of any good installers feedback. Anyone used First4Solar (have panels, just need battery)

@davidpattinson5091

2 жыл бұрын

Any update on finding anyone?

The force L2 is in stock at ITS for next day delivery 5k for 15kw. L1 is wider and lower while L2 is Narrower and taller. To fit all spaces. Modular upto 25kw i believe and then stackable.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Typical 🤦‍♂️

@BlRaidX

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle We have all ordered something out of stock Then it comes in stock moment the alternative arrives. In Fairness i don't think the L2 can interchange between versions. Whereas the US3000c's can Like the US5000 are out already and work with the 3000s. So your alternative buy was the better one i personally think.

Great 👍 info on video,thanks

Great video - love all the exact informations needed by many however can you let me know what is the use of Solis in your setup when you have new more advanced inverter ?

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

FIT tariff on my 3.9kw array so that Solis will stay. It works a treat too and does the job better in low light conditions

I've got the Multiplus-II 5000, no regrets at all, it's an excellent piece of kit.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Does yours hum too? Having to mount on rubber mounts to avoid the harmonics being heard. Great kit though 👍

@nicdensley4104

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle Yep, the humming is normal.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Normal for Victron . Hoping the rubber mounts improve it

@nicdensley4104

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle mine came with rubber mounts. The fan is annoying, its very loud compared to what normal 12v PSU fans are. I did some research into it and found they are all quite noisy but if you take the fan out, then on it's own its very quiet, must be just down to the way it channels the air flow. Its under a spare room in our house, if we have guests then I limit the overnight charging to about 800W then it doesn't need to come on.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Curious ours didn't come with rubber mounts

Thanks for a thorough but very down to earth journey/review. Your approach/setup is pretty much exactly what I need...charging at cheap rates, allowing for 90% DoD a 17.5Kwh storage system would cover the vast majority of my total daily requirements (15 Kwh and around 2.5Kw peak), and I like your choice of charger/inverter and communications module. Other reviewers have used additional Victron units including shunts, multifunctional display, etc, and they seemed to be overly complex (to me at least). One question/comment - you mentioned at great length the need for granular and customisable data (I'd be the same - I'd want to really understand how the system is performing) but did not go into the same level of detail in terms of what the Victron comms module can/can't provide. Has it met your requirements ?

@nigelwilliams8792

Жыл бұрын

I am more than happy with the Victron Multiplus II and Cerbo GX set up I have. The Victron VRM portal offers a good range of stats on all aspects of the ESS. Good luck with your installation

nigel a few people i know have had issues with these batteries, check with the company on where your buying them from on the warranty coverage as they can suddenly fail, others have said pylon require the product back to china to do repairs not replace in the event of a problem such as internal battery failure, further to this i have had experience with these packs in the past at work as a workstation ups for a critical local setup. there first gen 1.5kwh was ok but out of the 5 we had but we had 3 failures in a year. it took 6 weeks to get them back in the end the company swapped them for an RS unit. others have had trouble free use, its a real mixed bag. im convinced that it has to do with deep cycle discharge setups overheating the pack bms so I would recommend making sure you don't drop below 10% regularly

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks over working anything is likely to reduce the mtbf I guess. I'm hoping to keep well within 90% most of the time and look after temperatures so fingers crossed. In reality any battery system can fail so it's all about the warranty and your relationship with your installer who needs to take the unit back to the distributor bought from. I'm not expecting to deal with China directly

Interesting stuff. Quite jealous!

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

It's going to be a cracking system once compete

There is a lot of good advice in this vid, but. re trading power. In Australia where I live there is one electricity supplier. To buy a kWh from the grid costs 22c/kWh, if I export a kWh from my solar panels during the day I get 8c/kWh. About a ratio of 3:1. Until this is more equitable I will maximise the usage of power from my solar panels either by using it in the house or directing it into battery storage.

Will you do follow up content on set up and functionality of your new hybrid system? It will be very interesting to see how you operate and configure this equipment to maximise its utility.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I will yes

I have had no responses to my enquiries of UK companies when I wanted to ask about batteries. It seems that they are too busy to respond to requests. Curious to see videos like this, that stimulate an interest despite there being no way to enquire further!

Well simply well done and congratulations. Much much better than my system. Just as a note though, your installer is now so busy they can not take on anymore domestic installs until October 2022, I tried them for my next upgrade :-( Cant find an installer in the East who has any time available actually.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

I've referred quite a few people. Ooops. Think they'll be recruiting more people and taking bigger stocks to meet demand if it continues

@TrevorHa

2 жыл бұрын

@@EVPuzzle That is exactly what they said. Recruiting and training. Interesting your video came out the same day as givenergy release their 9.5kw battery. But I do agree with the "quality" of giv energy products and services, lots to complain about. But I am set on my path now so have to stick to it.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

You can only go with your gut feeling at the time

Thanks for cleaning up about mixing and matching the batteries . Have 3 X 2.5 kWh a fghr moemtn and was considering getting the newer 3.5kwh battery with lower depth . Do you links where you are getting these ?

A 1-phase grid connection greatly simplifies the setup of such a system. I actuall envy house owners that do not have to deal with the constraints of a 3-phase installation - at least when it comes to connecting PV and energy storage systems. However, I am not convinced that 48V battery systems for home installations will still be state of the art in 5 years time. When it comes to 3-phase HV battery systems, Victron unfortunately fails to deliver and it is not clear if they ever will catch up on this system architecture. And with the Pylontec Force H2 the same trusted manufacturer now can also provide modular HV battery systems. I fully agree to what you said about the superior software and off-grid/UPS backup capabilities provided by Victron, but in a 3-phase setup this needs a lot of money, installation space and copper wiring.

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

3 victron inverters needed I presume one each phase . Although am I imagining it or did I read it nearly all the first phase used so you can in fact just install on the first phase ? Might be sounding rather silly here

@edc1569

2 жыл бұрын

I did used to be jealous of my European 3-phase friends, but now after putting PV and battery energy storage in I am quite thankful for a simple 100A single phase service.

@martin.esslinger

2 жыл бұрын

You are right, it is possible to connect the Victron to just one phase. In this case only one phase would be covered by the battery backup during an outage. But the even bigger showstopper is that I must also use a 3 phase grid-connected solar inverter to feed power back to the grid. 3 phase grid providers will not allow you to connect a 5kW solar inverter to one phase to avoid unbalanced loads. So it is 3 times the cost and installation space.

I'm going through your whole back catalogue Nigel! I've done my research and I'll be getting a Multiplus II 48/5000 with 15kWh of storage, probably Seplos Mason.

@EVPuzzle

18 күн бұрын

Good decision...if mounted on a non adjoining internal wall . I'm really happy with ours , in fact I often think of doubling down with a 48/8000 or even 10000

@TomThomas-jj9tq

18 күн бұрын

@@EVPuzzle I'd certainly prefer the 8000. My caveat on the 5k is that it doesn't leave much scope for expansion above 15kWh and still being able to comfortably charge within a Go slot in the depths of winter. Our house is 200m2 and the elec demand is significant over Dec and Jan (ASHP is running at a SCOP of 4.6 I might add).

@EVPuzzle

18 күн бұрын

@@TomThomas-jj9tq from memory the 8000 isn't on the UK approved list for some odd reason

@TomThomas-jj9tq

17 күн бұрын

@@EVPuzzle I assume the comment about non-adjoining wall is due to fan noise?

Any chance you can share a wiring diagram how you’ve got your system connected up? Thanks.

The new US5000 Pylontech batteries are going for about £1100 now, available in the UK in a couple of weeks.

@malckyh8102

Жыл бұрын

Wow....just looking at the prices of these now, and they seem to be £1700 minimum.......BUT nowhere has any of these is stock.

Thankyou and enjoying your technical information and comparisons .You have change my mind 3 times already .Interesting the the solis inverter delivery is best in low light .I actually live in N.Ireland so plenty of grey days .If I went for the solis can you recommend a battery storage to go along with it .Thankyou

@EVPuzzle

2 жыл бұрын

Pylontech with Solis

@miked8623

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks appreciate your help.Im doing a givenergy course next tuesday but put off by they slow refresh rate on there enegy app ..One last question Im looking for Black panels can you recomend ..