Hi all
So my inverter mentioned above I brought down with me is not compatible with the city of Cape town. I am a follow the rules guy and there is a way to do it, but still cost 25000 odd.
So I am willing to sell it and put in the difference for a new inverter rather. Was sold to me at R44000. Will take R25000.
You can ask jaco if you need a reference, he did my install and supplied it originally.
Is it the EasySolar II?
Why is it not compliant? It is just a Multiplus with a MPPT and CCGX in the unit?
Certificate-ESS-NRS-097-2-1-All-EasySolar-II-3k-&-5k-MPPT-GX.pdf (391.6 KB)
The original easy solar not the easy solar II. Apparently needed this to make it city approved.
Ziehl-Voltage-&-Frequency-relay-UFR1001E.pdf (641.9 KB)
Join the club!
See this discussion if you haven’t already: Approved list of inverters
CoCT had to streamline their SSEG application procedure. They were getting 1000+ of these every month and weren’t processing nearly enough. They then made you apply online on their website which did speed things up. But they also made a rule that if any inverter wasn’t approved by NRS097-2017 then sorry for you. 
@sven few months ago 5kva’s where going for like R8500 brand new. Big specials that ran.
If it was me, would get a 2nd hand 5kva MPII.
And IF you are so inclined, the Easysolar, use the MPPT and CGX. Take them out.
Keep the inverter side as a backup, or drive selected circuits from it.
But only if you are so inclined, or it takes too long to sell.
@Paul did similar.
Sounds like a plan. Now to find them…FB marketplace it’s empty apparently in Cape town
Keep on looking …
ExSolar (in Somserset) were selling the 5kVA under 10k some weeks ago… worth giving them a call.
Hi all
So if I wanted to start going off-grid what inverter could I pair mine with to increase its capacity?
My first reaction, Off Grid, please share with us how you envisage to do that?
Inverter size is one small factor. You can control that.
Weather over days … now that is a total different animal, and costly too.
Unless you are single, can live with the minimal?
It’s more always build to the possibility of going that way over time. One day, if not already, it might become more economical to pay off a loan over years than pay Eskom.
My main query right now is what inverter pairs with mine, because I remember vaguely that this one can only work with more easy solar inverters, or am I mistaken?
Then next I add more batteries, more panels, maybe a generator, and one day I have enough equipment to go completely off grid.
If you do the long-term way, get what you have perfectly installed with future plans in hand.
Save the funds.
Look for bargains with the saved funds if and when needed.
Cause you may i.e. decide on a inverter, buy today, years later you want to expand and you cannot for whatever reason.
I don’t know, if it was me, I would build the system bit for bit with plug-and-play to remove/swap/alter parts quick and easy, as the core wiring is in place. Tick battery cables to handle like i.e. a 15kva for example. Do it once.
Eskom is here to stay, if it reverts, SA goes broke, so “everyone” is making sure we go forward, renewables coming online, battery banks all over SA etc.
And the shock they gave the country of 2025 increase, naaa, not gonna happen. “Everyone” is pushing back, the GNU has a job to do.
Methinks too, WHEN Eskom is split, then market will start dictating the rates.
At least, that is my current “feeling”.
My approach? Focusing on my 24/7/365 loads, not the peaks. And when loads creep up again, swat them down. Carefully considering expansion if I have to. We are 9 people on the property, running on a 5kva with some “attitude adjustment software” from time to time. 
My lawnmower on its own is enough to trip my inverter when it switches on. And petrol lawnmowers can actually cost a fair amount these days.
But we do manage as much as we can with attitude enhancements, but things happen. And the long term cost of working around the 5kw limit versus just get a little extra inverter power and then run everything off it, will have to do a cost analysis to determine which is best.
Get a manual one. Less that can break, and good exercise too.
https://www.takealot.com/bosch-hand-mower-ahm-38/PLID95565390
My current hernia operation is screaming in terror at the thought. Ask me in six weeks
That is why many of us are grid tied. When lawnmower starts, it is Eskom, not inverter taking up the peak current.
When there is LS, lawnmower is “not operational”.
Sorted.
So I have a left field solution to this, I sell my victron for a small portion, and then use my ebucks and discovery miles to get myself a luxpower 5kw inverter which is on the cities approved list, and then at least everything I have is working again and I at least have a system that works.
I would much rather buy a PV-inverter that is on the approved list (the city cares about the solar->grid interface… the inverter is considered a “UPS” in that setup) than switch to a LuxPower. A Solis of some sort. But I am biased of course.
Lux power is on the list of inverters.
Lux Power SNA5000 WPV is what I am considering but got a lead on a solis 1 p4k 4G for 3500 as well which will get me up and running while I save up.
Contacted ex solar they told me this:
Oh dear, I think someone may have misinformed you during your purchasing. The Pylontech 3.5kWh batteries cannot deliver the required current to power the 5kVA inverter at full power without the BMS limiting the current. We come across this sort of mistake very often where people have mis-matched kit that has been installed. Yes It will work, but there will be that one time when there is a brief heavy load and something will trip in the system (battery or inverter). If you had gone down the route of pairing a second inverter with the Easysolar, this would have made the situation even worse. Effectively the Pylontech batteries you have can really only efficiently power a 3kVA inverter.
I used the system for years without issue, what is he referring to?