Question about inverter usage
Hi guys,
Hoping that somebody can assist in clarifying some questions that my installer just can’t seem to explain properly. Either that, or I’m not understanding.
We have recently installed an 8kW SunSynk inverter, with a 5kW battery (to be upgraded soon), and 12 x 545W PV panels.
We have the whole house on backup (i.e. essential loads, routed through the Inverter) and we have the geyser (4kW), stove (max 3kW), and swimming pool (1kW) on as non-essential loads (which turn off during load-shedding).
Our installer has explained that if there is sufficient PV generation during the day, the inverter will power these non-essential items so we can save money on electricity.
As far as I can tell, they are “half” running through the inverter.
My first question
Assuming that there is no load-shedding, must we limit our total electricity usage to 8kW per hour? Or, can our usage go over that figure?
The reason I’m asking is that we had professional carpet cleaners in the other day, and they brought 2 huge cleaners, and our total usage was around 11kW for nearly an hour and we didn’t have any tripping issues.
My second question
The installer said that non-essential loads can’t trip out the inverter.
My concern is that if our house averages about 1.5kW per hour usage in the evenings, and then the stove is on (say, 2kW), and then my wife gets the hairdryer out (say, 1.8kW) and then somebody baths and the geyser turns on in all it’s glory eating 4kW, our usage is then 9.3kW.
Should we be worried and immediately run around turning stuff off to get below 8kW?
Or do we ignore the non-essential load geyser in our calculation so that our ‘adjusted’ usage is only 5.3kW?
This part is really confusing for me.
My third question
The installer kind of suggests that there is no load-shedding, “we can go mad” and use whatever we want, “just like before”.
So I’m thinking: normal house usage (1kW), irrigation (1kW), borehole pump (1kW), stove (3kW), geyser (4kw), dishwasher, clothes washer, and tumble dryer (say 3kW combined), gives me 13kW in total usage – assuming we are having a really busy day!
The installer says that this is fine.
He does say that if load-shedding starts, then we must run around decreasing our usage to get under the 8kW mark.
Is that right? Or is this NOT how we should be running the system?
Any help would be lovely.
Hi Andy your inverter should work as follows. Your inverter can supply 8kw of power it’s will allow more load to pass through to the essential loads but you run the risk of damaging the inverter
With regard to your essential and none essential loads the inverter will always give priority to your essential loads so when your house is in peak demand your geyser will be feed from the grid ( if this has been connected this way, you should have your consumer unit wired for grid and essential loads). If you constantly draw more power than your inverter you can add another 8kw in parallel which will give you 16kw total. Please note that when you are running of battery your 5kw battery’s will only discharge at a maximum of 2.5kw per hour so as your system in now in the evening you will pull 2.5kw from the battery and the rest will come from the grid. Hopefully you will get other comments
Regards Steve