Solax AC coupled 5.0 6KW Discharge + HV Battery

abeezar

Hi
In the phase of installing a Solar PV. I have shortlisted LUX Parallel AC Inverter x2  with Pylontech batteries.
However, just further exploring I see there Solax AC Inverter 5.0 which allows 6KW discharge.
https://www.itstechnologies.shop/collections/solax-ac-triple-power-battery-storage-kits/products/solax-ac-coupled-5-0kw-3-x-5-8kwh-battery-complete-kit
I like the HV battery from Solax at it is wall-mounted when compared to Pylontech. Max I can expand is 3 x 5.8Kwh. It's enough for me.
I wanted to know peoples' opinion on Solax brand / their customer service / overall how Solax product fair when it terms of performance when compared to other Chinese Brands.

Thanks and Regards
AB

Solarchaser

I dont have any experience with solax, but I know one of the regulars does have a solax system and speaks highly of it.

I should point out though, it says normal discharge is 2.9kw, and a max discharge of 4kw.
It also says it can charge at 6kw, and I've never seen a system that charges at a significantly different rate as discharge, but thats what the link says. 🤷‍♂️

abeezar

Solarchaser said:

I dont have any experience with solax, but I know one of the regulars does have a solax system and speaks highly of it.

I should point out though, it says normal discharge is 2.9kw, and a max discharge of 4kw.
It also says it can charge at 6kw, and I've never seen a system that charges at a significantly different rate as discharge, but thats what the link says. 🤷‍♂️

I think most batteries are 0.5C so for battery size of 5.8kwh- 2.9Kwh discharge, with a peak discharge of 4KW ( usually for few secs).
I will have 3 batteries so I should be able to get the inverter and BMS discharge at 6KW ( 2KW each assuming they are all balanced).  Because of HV, each battery can charge at 230Vx25A= 5750KWh.  I think the battery can be charged in 3 hours. (15.6). 

Solarchaser

I'm just going by this, at the bottom of the page in your link

Solarchaser

Sorry, this was bugging me, I knew I'd seen it somewhere other than the bottom of the page, if you click on the 3rd image it gives tech specs about charge and discharge, its here it says about 2.9kw constant but 4kw max.
I'd have to assume that is inverters rather ran battery, but agree it could be interpreted either way.

abeezar

Hi 
Yes, battery discharge max 4KW.
If just reading the inverter specs viz  : https://www.segen.co.uk/product/solax-x1-retrofit-ac-coupled-battery-inverter-hv-5-0kw/
it shows inverter can discharge upto 6KW.

Update :
I checked with the installer. I will be able to get discharge upto 6KW from 3 banks.

So I will be making a call end of today Lux or Solax.

Solarchaser

abeezar said:

Hi 
Yes, battery discharge max 4KW.
If just reading the inverter specs viz  : https://www.segen.co.uk/product/solax-x1-retrofit-ac-coupled-battery-inverter-hv-5-0kw/
it shows inverter can discharge upto 6KW.

Update :
I checked with the installer. I will be able to get discharge upto 6KW from 3 banks.

So I will be making a call end of today Lux or Solax.

Excellent,  that makes it a far better proposal then 👍

Exiled_Tyke

I can't answer the specific question but I'm very happy indeed with my Solax battery and inverter. Clearly I can't compare to Lux as I've no experience but I like the portal and functionality.  When I move to Octopus Go, it will be  dead easy to change the settings to charge at night. I've also restricted discharge to hopefully protect the battery which is easy to do too.  Monitoring is good on either the app or webpage. The inverter occasionally does strange things, I suspect to protect the battery such as avoiding too many massive and repeated swings between charging and discharge (e.g. when using an electric iron which keeps clicking on and off).   I was very happy with the price I got too.  Personally I'd recommend it. 

abeezar

Finally, I made my decision to go with Solax. Lux is a good system too which offers high discharge rates.

I was informed that Solax 5.8kwh are LFP (newer batteries) compared to 4.8/6.5 Solax being HV batteries can charge and discharge at higher rates and quicker too. Space-wise I liked Solax as the batteries are wall-mounted. I am limited to 15.66 usable (90%)(17.4). I have gone with 3 x 5.8 which is the max for a single phase. I think that's enough for me. Later If I wish to upgrade / prices going down in the future  - I can add a Parallel Bank either Solax HV with an Isolator ( Manual ). Unless there is a DC relay that can be controlled for auto switch.... ( need not worry at this stage) 

Another reason for Solax :  ( Below is my understanding only.)
I don't have an EV yet, eventually will have 1 and then may be 2. Likely to have an EV tariff.

For single Phase 100 A supply : 2 Zappi (present day) charger 7KW => Each will demand 32A .  Solax 6KW  charge /discharge- 26A.  Hence total : 2 x 32 + 26 < 100A. (still 10A margin for feeding house demand whilst charging at night)

Lux Parallel Inverter with LV battery:  Each Lux Parallel Inverter can charge at 70A. 
So without EV :  2 x 50A charge rate. But 10A reserved for feeding house demand, thus  2 x 45 x  x 51V ~ 5KWh( 3. hours for 14 KW batteries)

With 1 EV: 32A for 7KW Zappi, 32A, 10A reserved for feeding house demand,  2x 24 A. 48 x51 V ~ 2.5 KWh ( 5.6 hours for 14 KW batteries)
WIth 2 EV/ 2 Zappi: 64A for Zappi, 10A reserved for feeding house demand , 26x51V ~ 1.3KWh ( ~ 10.55hours for 14 KW batteries). 

Note: Above calculation/assumption could be incorrect too.  

Solarchaser

Good luck to you on your journey nate, solax looks like a decent system.

With regards to charge and discharge,  lux is programmable to do whatever you want , for instance I charge mine both at 60% from grid which us about 5kw.

I think you are getting a little confused between kw and amps and ac and dc. 

So the lux can charge and discharge at 70a you are correct, but thats 70a DC at 50v so 3.6kw, however that is 3600w (3.6kw)/240v ac so only 15a of current through your home supply.

So if you were to run both at full charge it would be a total of 30a ac.
Of course if you charge at say 90% that would be 27a etc etc.

So both systems would stay under your 90a soft limit if you wish them to be.

Perhaps it might be easier to understand if you think of your home trip as a 25kw trip, rather than 100a.

But anyway the solax looks a decent system and as you said before, you like the battery system.
I hope it works well for you 👍

abeezar

Thanks, Solarchaser for correcting ... I get the calculation now ...confused between AC /DC conversions.
I am already getting bias on Solax ( yet to be installed) .  LUX/PL is an equally good system, no dispute on that.