V Phase units

[SolarCity]

Has anyone had any experience of installing these? They look like a good option for jobs where the CU is being replaced and thought we'd offer it as an optional extra. The 10% leccy saving claim is an interesting one - Does anyone have any idea how long they take to install?

 

[dansk]

Im not convinced by these units, was reading a thread on another forum about this device and it got a right slating, the theory was any saving made by running at 220v was cancelled out by the fact the electrical device had to work harder/for longer due to the lower voltage - do think this is correct?

 

[SRE]

Is anyone trying these? Where are they being sourced? Any good?

 

[telectrix]

lots of older threads on these. consider crap vs sliced bread. it's 45 - 1 in favour of crap.

 

[Big n Daft]

Smoke and morrors. Black electrical magic that defies tha laws of physics as we know it. Do the maths, if you had. you wouldnt have posted.

 

[SRE]

:smartass2: Are you always this patronising? I asked for some feedback, I offer plenty of help and support to other members and usually get excellent, helpful advice in return.

 

[BruceB]

Not installed any.
I think in a big enough house they might be worth it.
- All the lighting could be put on it and perhaps low loading rings. Lamps will last significantly longer.
- But anything like kettles or washer with a heater element in will not benefit at all from being on a vphase circuit - they will just draw the current at lower voltage for longer to get the same energy out. And the cable losses will be higher.

Regards
Bruce

 

[SRE]

Not installed any.
I think in a big enough house they might be worth it.
- All the lighting could be put on it and perhaps low loading rings. Lamps will last significantly longer.
- But anything like kettles or washer with a heater element in will not benefit at all from being on a vphase circuit - they will just draw the current at lower voltage for longer to get the same energy out. And the cable losses will be higher.

Regards
Bruce

Thanks for that - we've got a very heavy user 11,000kwh a year for domestic use. We're working with them to get the useage down but I thought this might have been another opportunity.

 

[JulianC]

V-phase seems to be a pain in the 'arris to fit and doesn't it drop into bypass above 20A? I am currently trialling a Marshall Tufflex Voltis Home which can handle up to 60A before going into bypass, and is a doddle to fit. Initial (and not terribly accurate) indications are that our consumption has dropped between 5% and 10%. Considering we use bugger all electricity anyway, I was pleasantly surprised. I was sceptical but, as with most things, didn't want to dismiss it before trying it. Our mains generally sits at between 240v and 251v. The Voltis Home knocks it down to 220v but only comes in once demand exceeds 0.8A for 15mins.

As above, waste of time for resistive heating loads working on a thermostat - just takes a while longer to make your cuppa. Probably work well on electric showers without a 'stat. No discernible dimming of lights, which is nice.

 

[Princesolar]

Hi

We have fitted 38 of these's as part of a rewire project, they take about 30 mins to fit.

 

[Marvo]

V-phase seems to be a pain in the 'arris to fit and doesn't it drop into bypass above 20A? I am currently trialling a Marshall Tufflex Voltis Home which can handle up to 60A before going into bypass, and is a doddle to fit. Initial (and not terribly accurate) indications are that our consumption has dropped between 5% and 10%. Considering we use bugger all electricity anyway, I was pleasantly surprised. I was sceptical but, as with most things, didn't want to dismiss it before trying it. Our mains generally sits at between 240v and 251v. The Voltis Home knocks it down to 220v but only comes in once demand exceeds 0.8A for 15mins.

As above, waste of time for resistive heating loads working on a thermostat - just takes a while longer to make your cuppa. Probably work well on electric showers without a 'stat. No discernible dimming of lights, which is nice.

I f this unit handles 60A before it has to bypass it sounds like a much better option. I assume you would supply the whole CU via the unit.

Would it be rude to ask what you pay for them?

They claim to save 100-150 UKPounds per year which sounds fairly realistic to me, just wondered about approx payback time.

 

[JulianC]

Yup, meter tails into an isolator, into the Voltis Home then off to the CU. Don't want to publish trade prices on an open forum but payback will be around 2-5 years I suppose, depending on elec usage.

 

[Big n Daft]

:smartass2: Are you always this patronising? I asked for some feedback, I offer plenty of help and support to other members and usually get excellent, helpful advice in return.

We all do things without thinking. My post was perhaps one of them, but it wasnt meant to be that way. Sit down, do the maths and prove it to yourself rather than taking others advice who may not be as switched on.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

This is a subject discussed on the forum many times, rather than re-iterate previous debates, check out the links below:

V-phase
vphase unit
Vphase units
Advice on V Phase Voltage Optimisation Units

 

[malcolmsanford]

Thanks for that - we've got a very heavy user 11,000kwh a year for domestic use. We're working with them to get the useage down but I thought this might have been another opportunity.

Not sure SRE what kind of client you have, but it does seem commercial/ industrial with that loading. So have you looked at power factor correction units?

What is Power factor correction, power factor capacitors and correction units, harmonic filters and distortion?


May not be of use in your installation, but at least it maybe something to consider in the future. Oh and these do work