On-grid domestic battery storage

EVandPV

Thanks again. Sorry for all the questions but this is about the only place I've found much info on this.
Can't remember where I found it but I came across a slightly newer Sofar manual for firmware 1.7. I've uploaded it to my dropbox but I can't post links here yet.

One last thing, how easy was it to add more batteries ?

1961Nick

joefizz wrote: »

OK, gotcha...
I installed the latest firmware version last week but dont have any documentation on it so cant give a real answer...
...there are two more operating modes though (passive and peak shaving) but only one extra in the latest documentation (passive, contact sofar to find out).



No 2 way communication option unfortunately. I cant even see a way to rig something else up to it to trigger/override it.



Nick, might be worth emailing them to see if its something they could possibly do in the future, probably not, but worth an email.

It's amazing how quickly we've become accustomed to everything being 'smart' The Sofar feels quite stoneage whenever I have to go in to the garage & get the step-stool out to change the settings on it! I suppose this is one of the reasons to pay a premium for a powerwall.

I was hoping there'd be some inexpensive software out by now for the pylontechs. Sadly it's still very costly & mainly marketed in South Africa.

EVandPV

1961Nick wrote: »

It's amazing how quickly we've become accustomed to everything being 'smart' The Sofar feels quite stoneage whenever I have to go in to the garage & get the step-stool out to change the settings on it! I suppose this is one of the reasons to pay a premium for a powerwall.

I was hoping there'd be some inexpensive software out by now for the pylontechs. Sadly it's still very costly & mainly marketed in South Africa.

I could live with the Sofar if it means a decent ROI period. At the end of the day, there's no point if it won't pay for itself within it's lifetime. Just don't see it with the powerwall at £8k.

There's a guy on youtube who built a wifi interface for the Pylon.
Again, I can't post links yet but search for "pylontech battery monitoring via wifi".

1961Nick

EVandPV wrote: »

Thanks again. Sorry for all the questions but this is about the only place I've found much info on this.
Can't remember where I found it but I came across a slightly newer Sofar manual for firmware 1.7. I've uploaded it to my dropbox but I can't post links here yet.

One last thing, how easy was it to add more batteries ?

Adding a battery literally takes 5 minutes - move inverter cable to the new battery, fit link cable, fit communication cable & patch lead - that's it! The BMS sorts out the balancing & within an hour it's in harmony with the rest of the stack.

3 Batteries (7.2 kWh) gets you the full 3.0kWh charge/discharge. With the latest US3000 batteries you'd probably only need 2 (7.0kWh)

EVandPV

1961Nick wrote: »

Adding a battery literally takes 5 minutes - move inverter cable to the new battery, fit link cable, fit communication cable & patch lead - that's it! The BMS sorts out the balancing & within an hour it's in harmony with the rest of the stack.

3 Batteries (7.2 kWh) gets you the full 3.0kWh charge/discharge. With the latest US3000 batteries you'd probably only need 2 (7.0kWh)

I take it you have to power off the inverter and batts first ?
Did think about the us3000's but I think 4.8kwh would do for us.

1961Nick

EVandPV wrote: »

I could live with the Sofar if it means a decent ROI period. At the end of the day, there's no point if it won't pay for itself within it's lifetime. Just don't see it with the powerwall at £8k.

There's a guy on youtube who built a wifi interface for the Pylon.
Again, I can't post links yet but search for "pylontech battery monitoring via wifi".

Something like this is what I was hoping for...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9PLPzRQjdo

1961Nick

EVandPV wrote: »

I take it you have to power off the inverter and batts first ?
Did think about the us3000's but I think 4.8kwh would do for us.

Yes ... Batteries need to be off as well as ac to the inverter.

The US3000 is quite heavy @ 70lbs ... which is ok if they live close to the ground but quite a lift when the top one is over 2m up.

I've got 5 x 2.4 (12kWh) which works nicely with the 4 hours of 5p/kWh Octopus Go charging @ 3kWh (12kWh).

EVandPV

1961Nick wrote: »

Something like this is what I was hoping for...

Woh, very cool !

1961Nick

There are a few pictures of my installation in post 935.

EVandPV

1961Nick wrote: »

There are a few pictures of my installation in post 935.

Really nice tidy setup there. 👍