Solar Diverting switch

sargan

comparison.
Now you can get dual output, WiFi sender, phone apps, logging, colour LCD readouts … all nice but all really just fluffy stuff.
What I wanted was to divert as much surplus power as possible to my standard HW system .. no need to change immersion or thermostats.
Every £1 you spend on this switch will directly affect how long it takes to repay the investment … after looking at the various models out there, I went for Solic 200
Bought, it arrived next day (Sat morning) it was simple to install ... I extended existing T&E cable to immersion with one of these:
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ803.html
made the job safe & easy to achieve.
Once wiring complete, Powered system on ... automated setup took less than 2 mins ... and now all working fine.
Can recommend the Solic 200 .... the only manufacturer I found that is prepared to put a 10 yr warranty on the product - speaks volumes to me.

ASavvyBuyer

The diverter switch we got from REUK only cost £30 and works well enough for us. From March till September we get all the hot water we need. It was very easy to fit into the existing immersion heater circuit; plus we have it connected via a powerful dimmer (£5 - £10 on ebay), so that the amount of power being diverted can be adjusted for poorer days of generation.

sargan

I did look at similar option.
I liked the zero power switching on Solic ...will divert any amount from 0 to 3000W and it checks and automatically adjusts 50 times a second.
Some units require low power Immersion (or like you have done use a dimmer), some will only work above a threshold (200W for example)


I wanted something fully automatic, but without the displays & expensive addons on some system.

I was pretty surprised on poor reliability of some makes, and awful after sales support.

Rheumatoid

I think I'm stuck with an iBoost if I go down this route as the misses is already fed up with the number of extra boxes in the cloakroom!

sargan

Just be aware that a wireless current sensor needs to have battery changed ... don't forget about them.

I looked at iBoost but went for the Solic 200 at £185..... so cheaper and as I did not want WifI sensor, and no need of the add-ons, it suits my needs though - appreciate yours may be different.

Not sure how iBoost will make any difference to box count, whether you go iBoost or Solic (or any other) still adds a box.

Rheumatoid

sargan wrote: »

Not sure how iBoost will make any difference to box count, whether you go iBoost or Solic (or any other) still adds a box.

iboost box is in airing cupboard with sensor in outdoor meter cupboard.

pinnks

I am more than happy with my immerSUN...

sargan

I'm sure I would have been as well.
But at more than £160 extra ...(this is money saving forum after all) that would add another few yeas to payback.
Appreciate some people want the extra features.
I just wanted a plug & play unit ... which just works, no menus no configuration, and gives maximum use of excess generation.

zeupater

sargan wrote: »

I did look at similar option.
I liked the zero power switching on Solic ...will divert any amount from 0 to 3000W and it checks and automatically adjusts 59 times a second ...

Hi

59 Time a second ?? ... is that really necessary considering that the grid & inverter only cycle at 50Hz ?? ...

I suppose that big numbers are supposed to impress, but really don't understand the relevance this of one ... maybe someone who designs such circuits could comment (?DaveF?)

HTH
Z

sargan

50 times a second (it was just a typo on my phone) ... 50 presumably to match the 50Hz.

It probably only needs to check less than that ... but what I like is that if there is any unused it immediately send it to store ... whereas some system build in a 200W or more threshold

pinnks

The reason they build in the threshold is to ensure you never import and the physical switching still takes time. The immerSUN defaults to 50W but is customisable.