Solar Immersion - my experience ! | Page 5 | on ElectriciansForums

Discuss Solar Immersion - my experience ! in the Solar PV Forum | Solar Panels Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Also funny enough - my PVo accounts states for July;

Total Generated:- 434.790kwh

Total Consumption:- 698.865kwh

Total Exported:- 76.082kwh

Total imported:- 340.300kwh

(*Charged by Utility co for July's reading:- 284kwh)

Export % :- 17.50

Import % :- 48.69

So as I thought, my Envir monitoring isnt correct, which is no surprise, but good enough and I am definitely exporting closer to ZERO as I first thought ( well to be exact'ish.... ~20 kwh which is 4% ) !!!!

:hurray:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
698.865 - 439.790 = 259.075

259.075 + 76.082 = 335.157kWh

so the calculated figure for import requirements would be 335.157kWh, which is within a pretty good tolerance of the actual measured figure of 340.3kWh

depending which model you have you can improve the accuracy by adjusting the voltage setting (if you're using clamps), though it will never be 100% accurate as the voltage will vary and it can't monitor the voltage in the same way an immersion can because it operates through a transformer at something like 17V, so can't actually see the grid voltage.
 
698.865 - 439.790 = 259.075

259.075 + 76.082 = 335.157kWh

so the calculated figure for import requirements would be 335.157kWh, which is within a pretty good tolerance of the actual measured figure of 340.3kWh

depending which model you have you can improve the accuracy by adjusting the voltage setting (if you're using clamps), though it will never be 100% accurate as the voltage will vary and it can't monitor the voltage in the same way an immersion can because it operates through a transformer at something like 17V, so can't actually see the grid voltage.


Well Yes and NO - as per previous post I was charged for 31days electric import - 284kwh so the Envir device is over measuring but I knew that was happening due to the "anomaly" with the two clamps i'm using around the Henley block to get the true total useage around generation time.
 
Well Yes and NO - as per previous post I was charged for 31days electric import - 284kwh so the Envir device is over measuring but I knew that was happening due to the "anomaly" with the two clamps i'm using around the Henley block to get the true total useage around generation time.
was the reading on your actual import meter 284kWh, or 340kWh?
 
284 is the DNO meter reading for the whole mth

340 is what PVo states which is the calculation of the Envir metering system

I don't understand how you're trying to get the ENVIR to measure import and export as it has no function to know which direction the electricity is flowing.

What I suspect you've actually got is the combined reading of import + export = 340kWh.

If you then take the actual suppliers meter reading for imports away from that total it will leave you with the calculated level of exports.

ie 340kWh - 284kWh = 56kWh exports.

Unless you actually have an export meter fitted as well?
 
I don't understand how you're trying to get the ENVIR to measure import and export as it has no function to know which direction the electricity is flowing.

Technically it doesnt need to as its measuring the consumption after the Henley Block, but before the CU so only one direction in use !?


What I suspect you've actually got is the combined reading of import + export = 340kWh.

If you then take the actual suppliers meter reading for imports away from that total it will leave you with the calculated level of exports.

ie 340kWh - 284kWh = 56kWh exports.

Unless you actually have an export meter fitted as well?

The Envir monitor is ONLY there every 5mins to measure true and overall useage within the premises and also takes a reading of generation from the SMA Inverter via Bluetooth - PVo does the rest ?

The figures are out due I've been told to how some immersion proportional devices work ie. wave forms effecting primitive CT clamps - I'm currently awaiting a quick fix for this ATM
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi, I'm not an electrician, but have been following this thread after searching for problems with Solarimmersion. Original problems with delivery, i.e. told it had been delivered, but 2 weeks later had not received it. Paid with MasterCard, so after initial delivery problems, used this to try to get money back. Unit arrived just before MasterCard contacted Solarimmersion, so proceeded with installation. Installed by electrician who recommended it, and had installed in his own home. Worked for 2 days, then stopped diverting to immersion heater, so obviously no hot water. Also, all the buttons would not work, so could not do factory reset, use override, or use any of the functions except set time. Contacted Solarimmersion and asked to return the unit. That was almost 3 weeks ago, and have tried to find out what is happening to it. Customer services are appalling, passed from one person to another, and never receive call-back if no one available. Still have option to get money back via MasterCard. Cost of installation was ÂŁ80. Cost to uninstall it was ÂŁ50. Cost of p&p was ÂŁ20. Cost to reinstall it will be ÂŁ50-ÂŁ80, which will eat into payback time. So in light of those on here who have problems with the supplier, and of those who have got one installed and it is working well, is it worth continuing, or should I cut my losses and get unit costs back via MasterCard? Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
I for one will never use them again. I ordered one for installation only to be told 3 days later they had none in stock, by that time I had already paid for it by card and was needed for a pv install which in the end cost more money as the electrician had to go back to install it. Non existant customer service and no one ever answers the phone. Plus I emailed them to say we moved offices so could they change the details on the website and still no one has so in my opinion absolute shoddy company and will never deal with them again.
 
Hi, I'm not an electrician, but have been following this thread after searching for problems with Solarimmersion. Original problems with delivery, i.e. told it had been delivered, but 2 weeks later had not received it. Paid with MasterCard, so after initial delivery problems, used this to try to get money back. Unit arrived just before MasterCard contacted Solarimmersion, so proceeded with installation. Installed by electrician who recommended it, and had installed in his own home. Worked for 2 days, then stopped diverting to immersion heater, so obviously no hot water. Also, all the buttons would not work, so could not do factory reset, use override, or use any of the functions except set time. Contacted Solarimmersion and asked to return the unit. That was almost 3 weeks ago, and have tried to find out what is happening to it. Customer services are appalling, passed from one person to another, and never receive call-back if no one available. Still have option to get money back via MasterCard. Cost of installation was ÂŁ80. Cost to uninstall it was ÂŁ50. Cost of p&p was ÂŁ20. Cost to reinstall it will be ÂŁ50-ÂŁ80, which will eat into payback time. So in light of those on here who have problems with the supplier, and of those who have got one installed and it is working well, is it worth continuing, or should I cut my losses and get unit costs back via MasterCard? Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

I suppose this is the disadvantage of not been an electrician yourself or have friend who is and would install it for you, as using an installer or electrician who is responsible for the while solution - this would become their problem and not yours!

Hope you get sorted as ive never had an issue getting hold of them although they are not always online

All i can say its does the job and i havent had any issues whatsover and so glad I purchased one as it saving us a small fortune !!

Perhaps you need to use the chargeback facility or consider the long distance regulations - should you still get no where with redress ??
 
Update on SolarImmersion energy manager. It is now 2 months since I ordered this device, and it has only worked for 2 days. After numerous phone calls and emails, most of which were ignored, they finally sent back the unit. No word of what was wrong with it, wither this is a new replacement, or a repair job. Just about to call the electrician to have it re-installed, when I thought I would open it up and have a look inside. Originally the CT clip was packed inside the unit, and when I sent it back, I placed it, with some trouble, inside also. Unbelievably, they returned it to me without the CT clip. To say I was fuming would be a gross understatement. Called them, and they claimed I did not sent it back to them, which is wrong. Eventually, after further phone calls, they have agreed to send one to me. I cannot believe how awful this company is, and would never recommend anyone ever buying from them.
 
Over the last couple of months especially I've noticed a large increase in popularity of immersion controllers. Web traffic seems to have experienced a strong increase from home owners looking to install.
It's a shame there's been problems, especially considering there is a strong consumer demand.
 
I recently had two SolarImmersion units installed, one in my own house and one in my son’s. Both houses have 3.7kWp PV systems and I have two 3kW immersions while my son has one.


We are very happy with the performance of the SolarImmersions. Even on a relatively dull day, when total PV generation struggles to break 6kWh they divert enough surplus to the immersion heaters to give us an ample supply of hot water. So, it appears, they are doing exactly what it says on the tin.


One thing puzzles me. When the hot water cylinder is up to the immersion limit and the stat has turned it off, the neon indicator on its switch remains lit even when the PV is off, either at night or because it’s been switched off manually. As soon as some hot water is run off and the immersion starts demanding again the neon goes out and doesn’t come back on until the SolarImmersion starts diverting PV power again.
It appears there is some residual current in the system which keeps the neon lit until the immersion switches on again. Could there be some capacitance in the SolarImmersion? As far as I can tell it’s not coming from the mains, although I will admit this hasn’t been proven.


I have run this question past the manufacturer using their ticket system but reply there is none. As others have noted, customer relations and technical support are not their strong point. But hey, the units do work, so we’re happy.


But I would like to know why these neons are lit, Any theories?
 
I recently had two SolarImmersion units installed, one in my own house and one in my son’s. Both houses have 3.7kWp PV systems and I have two 3kW immersions while my son has one.


We are very happy with the performance of the SolarImmersions. Even on a relatively dull day, when total PV generation struggles to break 6kWh they divert enough surplus to the immersion heaters to give us an ample supply of hot water. So, it appears, they are doing exactly what it says on the tin.


One thing puzzles me. When the hot water cylinder is up to the immersion limit and the stat has turned it off, the neon indicator on its switch remains lit even when the PV is off, either at night or because it’s been switched off manually. As soon as some hot water is run off and the immersion starts demanding again the neon goes out and doesn’t come back on until the SolarImmersion starts diverting PV power again.
It appears there is some residual current in the system which keeps the neon lit until the immersion switches on again. Could there be some capacitance in the SolarImmersion? As far as I can tell it’s not coming from the mains, although I will admit this hasn’t been proven.


I have run this question past the manufacturer using their ticket system but reply there is none. As others have noted, customer relations and technical support are not their strong point. But hey, the units do work, so we’re happy.


But I would like to know why these neons are lit, Any theories?


Have you wired in at the CU or local to the immersion heater using the existing spur in your airing cupboard ??
 
I'm not the sparky, but everything is wired at the CU, not from the spur(s). I take it your system doesn't light the neons as both of ours do?
As a further aside, last night I had the woodburner on, it's tied into my central heating via a neutraliser, so the hot water was hot, hot, hot, well beyond the immersion limit. And the neon came on, so it doesn't just happen when the water is heated by the PV surplus. Curious!
 

Reply to Solar Immersion - my experience ! in the Solar PV Forum | Solar Panels Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

News and Offers from Sponsors

  • Article
Join us at electronica 2024 in Munich! Since 1964, electronica has been the premier event for technology enthusiasts and industry professionals...
    • Like
Replies
0
Views
340
  • Sticky
  • Article
Good to know thanks, one can never have enough places to source parts from!
Replies
4
Views
877
  • Article
OFFICIAL SPONSORS These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then...
Replies
0
Views
1K

Similar threads

Thanks all for your comments, advice and suggestions. The following is probably pretty boring for most, and is simply a summary of how the job...
Replies
8
Views
867

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top