Axpert vs Sunsynk

[Isetech]

I have some experience installing Axpert inverters, but only seen a Sunsynk inverter.

A few things that come to mind when deciding which one to offer a customer:

1/ Do you require a backup system? Axpert switching time is very fast, Sunsynk not so fast.

2/ Axpert cannot feed back into the grind (I do believe the newer version are hybrid), Sunsynk can.

3/ The cost of an Axpert is a lot cheaper compared to the Sunsynk.

4/ Remote viewing, both units can link remote viewing. I have installed solar assistant on all the Axpert inverters I manage, Sunsynk can also work with Solar assistant, but now has a data logger and remote viewing. It is a no brainer using remote viewing.

I will update this thread as I become more familiar with the Sunsynk unit.

[Isetech]

Keith made an interesting comment in one of his training videos about " changeover switch" requirements, you dont need it for a Sunsynk because it is bi directional and doesnt switch like an Axpert unit.

Do you have to install a changeover switch when installing Sunsynk inverters, will we see an amendment to this rule in future regs ?

[Isetech]

Bidirectional inverter - like installing a suicide cord for a generator? How do the protective devices work if the flow in in reverse?

[Isetech]

Let the challenge begin, trying to find a 5 KVA Sunsynk inverter

[Justloadit]

Let the challenge begin, trying to find a 5 KVA Sunsynk inverter

See www.enway.co.za, he is based in Durban, he has 5.5Kw Deye's in stock.
Give Devon a call, he is extremely knowledgeable and will guide you.

[Justloadit]

1/ Do you require a backup system? Axpert switching time is very fast, Sunsynk not so fast.

There is no switching over time, it is permanently connected to the grid.
You do not even notice when the supply drops.
There is a beep to let you know, and you can program a beep during the power failure if you like.

[Justloadit]

Keith made an interesting comment in one of his training videos about " changeover switch" requirements, you dont need it for a Sunsynk because it is bi directional and doesnt switch like an Axpert unit.

Do you have to install a changeover switch when installing Sunsynk inverters, will we see an amendment to this rule in future regs ?

No change over switch required, the inverter does all that for you.
I would suggest having a double pole circuit breaker/disconnect, in the case you wish to do a service to the unit.
I would suggest a double pole breaker/disconnect on the load side of the inverter, again for servicing.
I would also recommend a change over switch on the load which can switch between the inverter and the mains supply, in the event of servicing.
Use an ELU after the inverter to your loads

[Justloadit]

Bidirectional inverter - like installing a suicide cord for a generator? How do the protective devices work if the flow in in reverse?

You are misunderstanding the statement. Bidirectional can only operate, if an external CT is used on the DB supplying the inverter, and the loads have been separated as essential, and non essential, and you have PV panels connected.. The essential loads are supplied through the inverter.
If you are using PV panels, and there is more energy available than your essential loads are using, and the battery is fully charged, the inverter measures the total current that the DB is supplying, it then subtracts the current that the non essential loads are drawing, then if there ia balance left over, the inverter then supplies back to the mains the same amount of left over current which the non essential loads are pulling.
If there is too much PV energy, the inverter pulls back so that the current drawn from the supply is zero Amps.
If there is insufficient PV power to supply all the non essentials are using, then the inverter will supply what it can to your non essential loads, and the balance will be from the mains.

All in all your are still saving on this extra energy which other inverters can not do.

[skatingsparks]

Bidirectional inverter - like installing a suicide cord for a generator? How do the protective devices work if the flow in in reverse?

Triple fail safe on on any inverter that back feeds - They will have 'Anti Islanding' - google it.

[Justloadit]

Triple fail safe on on any inverter that back feeds - They will have 'Anti Islanding' - google it.

Correct, I never mentioned the anti-islanding. If there is no mains, then there will be no bidirectional facility.
Not only that, if there is a power failure, all the loads that are currently connected to the mains connection, all the way up to the transformer would be 'huge', which would trip any small system attempting to back feed to the mains.
Irrespective, all these inverters have circuitry to detect when there is a mains failure and will disconnect the inverter via a DPDT internal relay.

[Isetech]

The reason we fit a changeover switch(its actually a bypass switch) , to isolate the inverter if something goes wrong. An example, the batteries went poof, so we switch to mains and work on the inverter.

I understand anti Islanding when the power goes off.

I am trying to wrap my head around the hybrid, bidirectional power when the power is "on". The way I understand it, the CT is used to control exporting power either back to the grid or back into the non essential, depending on the inverter settings.

[Dylboy]

Ya you have it with the CT its exactly what it does.

But when the grid is off then there is no bidirectional and it enters islanding.

With the CT and the backfeed, its often good to have the sunsynk draw like 20watts so that it can not backfeed even a little bit because if they have a smart main meter the moment any current comes back it shuts down.

But if they have the olf mechanical then the few seconds of reverse feed is OK and then the 20watt draw can be removed


Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Isetech]

Let the challenge begin, trying to find a 5 KVA Sunsynk inverter

I found a company which has way better service than Ellies (very disappointed in Ellies customer service and they dont have stock), and they have 290, 5 KVA Sunsynk inverters in stock, the best part the price is the same.

What a pleasure dealing with Herholdts, Ellies should send their sales team to this company for training on how to deal with customers. I got through to the wrong department, the person who answered the phone, said he would get the right person to return my call, 5 minutes later the phone rang, email details provided, 5 minutes later the email with the COD application form was delivered to my inbox. 15 emails later and we still battling to squeeze info out of Ellies . The sad part is Sunsynk have Ellies as the first distributor. A quick way to kick your product image in the nuts.

https://herholdts.co.za/

[Isetech]

Boy has it been an interesting journey, since this thread started.

Have I learnt anything since this thread started, a bit.

Lets start with the remote viewing, thanks to lads at solar assistant, it has been a good experince using the product. I havent logged in for a few months so there were a few upgrades, which are done and everything seems to still be working ok.the Pi with solar asssistant was installed in june 2021 operating. Remote viewing is a must, it certainly made it a lot easier for me to check the plants and tweeak them.

Anyone who still uses flooded lead acid batteries will know, this is critical if you wan the batteries to last longer than 3 years (3 years and 5 months is about the limit). I doubt we will be replacing the system with lead acid again, we have learnt enough to know it is a waste of money if you looking long term.

I can't compalin about the axpert untis we using in the factories, they switch over fast enough to keep the IT stuff, network, alarms and CCTV working.

Considering we paid R10k for the 5 kw inverter and R16k for the batteries (R26k total), lost the first set pretty quick because we hadnt learnt about the cutoff voltage, so now are on our 3rd set.

I need to decide what is going to be the best lithium solution to operate with the old axpert and solar assistant. We would get away with a 100amp/hr setup, so the replace cost will be around R25k for a decent lithium battery, which should outlast the inverter.

The big question is what am I going to replace the axpert inverter with, would I use a Sunsynk, problably not, as I mentioned the delay time during the switching is pretty evident.

[Isetech]

Ellies customer service hasn’t improved at all.

Herholdts on the other hand has been a pretty good experience, I moved from the PE branch where I was dealing with Mike (he was on the ball) to a store closer to home (now dealing with Selvyn) also on the ball , the phone has just pinged to notify me that the invoice is done and the panels are ready for collection, its Saturday and he doesn’t work on Saturday, but the payment must have reflected today and the invoice is done.

One thing I must give Herholdt’s credit, if you have the right sales person, the service is top class. Even after my bad experience with the first inverter I purchased, that issue was delt with within 2 hours, at a time when there was a stock shortage and there was no inverter available to purchase.