GivEnergy equipment and experiences?

Moxi
Posts: 2293
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2021 3:46 pm

Re: GivEnergy equipment and experiences?

#31

Post by Moxi »

to the grid i suspect, wont you be better of with a 20W tube heater nestled next to the batteries to keep them above 2 degrees, uses power but not as dramatic as charging and discharge at high power to "warm" the battery - that sounds like a work around by the manufacturer with the customer picking up the bill to cover an oversight in the manufacturers system,

Moxi
AE-NMidlands
Posts: 2062
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:10 pm

Re: GivEnergy equipment and experiences?

#32

Post by AE-NMidlands »

Those were my thoughts too, but I think I will enable it and see how it goes. Recently the batt has only been as low as 7 degrees at midnight, hung around that until it started charging at 2 am when it goes up by about 6 degrees. I look at the account meter data every few days anyway (and the inverter's current "report" of the meter data sometimes) so I have a way of seeing what is happening before too much damage is done.

I have got a pair of "black" heater bars somewhere, I think. I might even have a thermostat somewhere too, but might have to buy one. The only trouble is that there is no obvious mains socket anywhere near it!
2.0 kW/4.62 MWh pa in Ripples, 4.5 kWp W-facing pv, 9.5 kWh batt
30 solar thermal tubes, 2MWh pa in Stockport, plus Congleton and Kinlochbervie Hydros,
Most travel by bike, walking or bus/train. Veg, fruit - and Bees!
Moxi
Posts: 2293
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2021 3:46 pm

Re: GivEnergy equipment and experiences?

#33

Post by Moxi »

Doesnt the inverter have an auxiliary power socket ? or are the batteries remote to the inverter? My batteries sit in a plastic shed outside, its been minus two to three for a few nights but because the battery is discharging up till the overnight charge point and then charging hard its generally been ok for temperature, it still has the 20 watt tube heater on too but it doesnt seem to reach the thermostatic switch point very much. I do have two layers of insulation in the shed, one lot around the battery enclosure and one around the shed walls and thats a massive help in summer and winter alike.

Moxi
AE-NMidlands
Posts: 2062
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:10 pm

Re: GivEnergy equipment and experiences?

#34

Post by AE-NMidlands »

Moxi wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 3:20 pm Doesnt the inverter have an auxiliary power socket ? or are the batteries remote to the inverter? My batteries sit in a plastic shed outside, its been minus two to three for a few nights but because the battery is discharging up till the overnight charge point and then charging hard its generally been ok for temperature, it still has the 20 watt tube heater on too but it doesnt seem to reach the thermostatic switch point very much. I do have two layers of insulation in the shed, one lot around the battery enclosure and one around the shed walls and thats a massive help in summer and winter alike.

Moxi
The inverter is right over the battery and does have UPS output terminals, I guess I could DIY hard-wire a socket/thermostat and heater into them. I'll mull that over - and start looking for those heaters!
2.0 kW/4.62 MWh pa in Ripples, 4.5 kWp W-facing pv, 9.5 kWh batt
30 solar thermal tubes, 2MWh pa in Stockport, plus Congleton and Kinlochbervie Hydros,
Most travel by bike, walking or bus/train. Veg, fruit - and Bees!
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