Hello from Africa

[Legit]

The energy budget you posted is about 2,700Wh per day, I believe, but only listed lights, computer equipment and audio. What is your total daily use? I haven't seen where you got over 10,000Wh, let alone 19,000.

I'm confused. The systems you had quoted are a small fraction of the capacity of what it now sounds you need.

Edit Looking back over your posts, there is a divergence of the goals of being grid independent and having a small system to make due during outages. It looks like you have discovered that off-grid with your amount of usage is not viable - so the question is would you proceed with a small system to get through shorter outages. Perhaps that is what the budget above represents. It sounds like you don't want to go that route either, and the exercise may have come to an end. That's the importance of doing a budget and looking at if you can reduce demand.

Thanks LL, will give a bit more info - we currently use 2,100kwh p/m,or +/- 70,000wh p/day, our present home is oversized, with the kids out the house we will be building a much smaller new home, so would like to ease into this solar stuff.
The estimated 10,000wh included a fridge,24/7 @250w, this would have been near 10,000wh - removed the fridge as was not a standby necessity, so the 2,700wh is actual off-grid for a small portion of what I have estimated we would use to run a home off-grid - if we cut our present 70,000wh by half we would still be way over the 19,000.

The 2,700 set up cost would act as a indication of future upgrades to the system - the Victron salesman also advised to to go off the grid(above 19,000wh) due to costs, this was by chance as the salesman probably had a big order on his desk at the time of me asking him all sorts of questions.

Correct, after a little research, have found that without lifestyle changes,it's not viable to go off-grid - the above equipment list was more of an indication of what that small section would cost off-grid - yes, will definately be sizing up a system to handle the 2,700wh as a standby for outages - our outages are usually 3-4hrs at a time.

What I have at present which could assist the outages is one of these what you guys refer to as a RV, our versions are off-road trailers or caravans - this unit has the following solar equipment :
1x130w monocrystaline solar panel
1xVictron 600s BMW Battery monitor
2x105ah deep cycle batteries
1x180w solar charge controller
1xMean Well TS1000 True sine wave Inverter
1x2,200w silent generator.

Also have a small smart automatic 12v battery charger,for 12v 6cell lead acid batteries only - minimum capacity 7ah, rated output current 3,2A dc, they claim it will never overcharge the batteries, plug in and forget about it.

Thinking was to use the Off-road caravan on say the TV and its bits and pieces only and then purchasing a solar system to handle 2,000wh(2700wh less 650wh = 2,000wh)

If these sums are correct,then would welcome advice on equipment need for the 2,000wh solar set up - 4-5hrs back-up power and not off the grid, as can use power grid to recharge batteries.

[Legit]

Hi Legit and everyone else.

While you're poring hopefully over future technology upgrades to batteries, I'm down in Durban riding waves (just kidding, I'm too sissy to surf night-time hours!)

I've been reading this thread with avid interest.

I am a trade-tested electrician and focus my efforts domestically as well as industrially. I have only just begun to immerse myself into the solar power avenue that we so abundantly have here on Earth, particularly blessed with Sun (relatively high if you discard living in the desert as comfortable for us city boys) in our parts of the beautiful world.

Just recently I have had a British citizen living nearby that WANTS to go off grid. Where to start...where to start? I know the basics of any solar panel setup:

Solar panels. Charge Controller. Batteries. Inverter.

This forum is where I complete the loose ends Thanks guys, and Legit for asking question. I'm very enthusiastic about the technology and the promise it holds for the "have-nots".

Cheers to beautiful sunny South Africa!

Howzit Bru, good to hear from you - not sure how good the off-grid future is in SA, but you know the buzz, Eskom(the grid supplier) have a few challanges ahead.
Enjoy the surfing and sun.