How Easy is it to DIY add/Install Batteries to Home Solar Systems ?

[EuroTrotters]

As you may know, I have done plenty of off Grid motorhome installs. But I have never carried out any Domestic Installs.

Just wondering if its quite easy to carry out, as I am still trying to decide what to do here

Should I Opt for High or Low Voltage Batteries? (Home Solar)

Following on from my post at the foot of this thread, I have to decide what to do? The Installers fitted the Wrong Specification of Inverter, they fitted a Goodwe High Voltage version. I was intending to buy the Fogstar 15kw Low Voltage Battery and bring it to Spain. But the logistics of...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[dunnah01]

I've done a twin 2kW domestic DIY install but unfortunately not with battery storage.
Quite easy with the kit I have to restore the house, so a cherry picker to install the panels on an outbuilding made that bit a cinch. The earthing was a bit odd as I had to have a separate TT system and keep it isolated from the main house system. The inverters were easy enough but needed a phase signal from the grid so had to be tied. My cousin could OK that side of things but that limited the install to 4kW max. This also meant the inverters had to have the anti-islanding feature (most do).
I also installed surge protectors on the DC side just to protect from lightning as we are quite isolated. You need lockable isolators at the main supply and also AC and DC isolators at the solar install end.
I used all second hand stuff so spent about £1500 in total with all wiring, switches cabling etc.. so that have paid for themselves already.

 

[MisterB]

Very Easy ...... its only wires, the inverter does all the work! for my install it was an single AC L/E/N into the inverter and a DC L/N from the inverter to the battery ....

of course there are isolators, circuit breakers etc

 

[EuroTrotters]

Twusch

Only supplied in the UK Via Amazon and works out €235

You can get them here in Spain for €130 or less

 

[EuroTrotters]

Twusch

Only supplied in the UK Via Amazon and works out €235

You can get them here in Spain for €130 or less

Sorry wrong thread.

I will take a look at batteries again

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[oldiesontour]

Take a look at ITS Technologies for ideas

 

[Lenny HB]

Twusch

Only supplied in the UK Via Amazon and works out €235

You can get them here in Spain for €130 or less

You just couldn't resist turning it into a toilet thread.

 

[EuroTrotters]

You just couldn't resist turning it into a toilet thread.

Well I have people out of the shit !, you can get a Twusch for less than half UK price here...... €116 rather than UK €235

For those of you that have the Twusch (Ceramic liner) in your Thetford Loo...

I was sceptical about this frankly when I first saw a thread here last year, didn't see the point to be honest but looking through the forum a lot seem to extol their virtues. One thing that does make me a bit tempted (only a bit) is that I say somewhere that it claims to use less water? This of...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Lenny HB]

Well I have people out of the shit !, you can get a Twusch for less than half UK price here...... €116 rather than UK €235

For those of you that have the Twusch (Ceramic liner) in your Thetford Loo...

I was sceptical about this frankly when I first saw a thread here last year, didn't see the point to be honest but looking through the forum a lot seem to extol their virtues. One thing that does make me a bit tempted (only a bit) is that I say somewhere that it claims to use less water? This of...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Twusch sell on eBay for £114 + £15 delivery to UK, a bit dearer but not too bad.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Twusch sell on eBay for £114 + £15 delivery to UK, a bit dearer but not too bad.

didn't know that !

Thanks Lenny

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[EuroTrotters]

Take a look at ITS Technologies for ideas

Thanks, I may call them as I purchased my Motorhome Solar Panel from them.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yippee it's now a toilet thread, more posts about toilets than electrics.

 

[white elephant]

Having installed a 130watt panel Via Victron controller to my van I now find we are fully charged early morning, the rest of the days rays are wasted. i have a 115ahour AMG battery, now wandering just how large or small an inverted I can instal to get a useable ammount of energy without killing the battery, AND then how long to get pay-back of kit cost?
All ideas welcome. I know domestic power, but struggle to unwind the different language of Battery Power.

 

[ChrisL]

As you may know, I have done plenty of off Grid motorhome installs. But I have never carried out any Domestic Installs.

Just wondering if its quite easy to carry out, as I am still trying to decide what to do here

Should I Opt for High or Low Voltage Batteries? (Home Solar)

Following on from my post at the foot of this thread, I have to decide what to do? The Installers fitted the Wrong Specification of Inverter, they fitted a Goodwe High Voltage version. I was intending to buy the Fogstar 15kw Low Voltage Battery and bring it to Spain. But the logistics of...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I would have thought Raul would be the man to ask, i'm under the impression that's what he does for a living?

 

[Raul]

As you may know, I have done plenty of off Grid motorhome installs. But I have never carried out any Domestic Installs.

Just wondering if its quite easy to carry out, as I am still trying to decide what to do here

Should I Opt for High or Low Voltage Batteries? (Home Solar)

Following on from my post at the foot of this thread, I have to decide what to do? The Installers fitted the Wrong Specification of Inverter, they fitted a Goodwe High Voltage version. I was intending to buy the Fogstar 15kw Low Voltage Battery and bring it to Spain. But the logistics of...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

That is a system up and running , right?
If so add a 5kva mutiplus now £800-900, install ess, you are allowed to export excess, and a fogs tar battery. Forget about warranty. You will very likely not need it, just get them in UK, hook up the battery to the inverter, set it up, and test it. Then take a overnight train to Calais, and get it to Spain in you van; done it many times. Even two batteries at ones.
When you get to Spain, you will need a single circuit 16A breaker out of your consumer unit, hooked up at AC in to the multiplus. The ESS will provide power from battery, and will charge it when you have excess solar feom existing inverter. For that you will need a energy meter on AC side of existing inverter or on mains before to consumer unit. Victron does a nice meter now.

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[oldiesontour]

Having installed a 130watt panel Via Victron controller to my van I now find we are fully charged early morning, the rest of the days rays are wasted. i have a 115ahour AMG battery, now wandering just how large or small an inverted I can instal to get a useable ammount of energy without killing the battery, AND then how long to get pay-back of kit cost?
All ideas welcome. I know domestic power, but struggle to unwind the different language of Battery Power.

With your small amount of solar and battery the use of an inverter is very limited ,maybe laptop or ebike charging,not really kettles or hair dryer or any heating appliances (including 3 way fridge) max circa 2 amp @ 240v (500w) battery will be flat in little over an hour

 

[Raul]

Having installed a 130watt panel Via Victron controller to my van I now find we are fully charged early morning, the rest of the days rays are wasted. i have a 115ahour AMG battery, now wandering just how large or small an inverted I can instal to get a useable ammount of energy without killing the battery, AND then how long to get pay-back of kit cost?
All ideas welcome. I know domestic power, but struggle to unwind the different language of Battery Power.

You may think you have excess solar now, but give it 2-3 months and you will run in deficit. Way to small to invest in any meaningful equipment, and expect any sort of ROI. You will be at a loss.

 

[EuroTrotters]

That is a system up and running , right?
If so add a 5kva mutiplus now £800-900, install ess, you are allowed to export excess, and a fogs tar battery. Forget about warranty. You will very likely not need it, just get them in UK, hook up the battery to the inverter, set it up, and test it. Then take a overnight train to Calais, and get it to Spain in you van; done it many times. Even two batteries at ones.
When you get to Spain, you will need a single circuit 16A breaker out of your consumer unit, hooked up at AC in to the multiplus. The ESS will provide power from battery, and will charge it when you have excess solar feom existing inverter. For that you will need an energy meter on AC side of existing inverter or on mains before to consumer unit. Victron does a nice meter now.

Yes it is.

I will try and digest what you are saying here.

Thanks for the input