Voltage Optimisation - again

[Energetic]

I think a some of you were trialing VO at some stage, is that right?

I've always been dubious of its benefits for domestic but I've just been sent a Project Solar quote showing over £7k in savings from VO over the Fit lifetime.

Lots of other things in the quote that i know are exaggerated so fully expecting that this is just wondering if anyone had actual data?

Also any thoughts on their Evolution modules?

cheers, e

 

[whinmoor]

Amongst the various gadgets*, I've had a V-phase VX1 in my house for a couple of years. I picked it up for £50 from eBay+ so it didn't have to do much to pay for itself. It took about an hour to install and I now have 220v at all my sockets. I haven't experienced any negative side-effects. Perhaps the kettle takes a few extra seconds to boil and the lights are tad dimmer but it's not noticeable. I've never sold a VO unit to a customer.

Bill savings are difficult to quantify so I wouldn't try. I may have already recovered my £50 investment, I'm not sure. I can't believe the savings run into hundreds, let alone thousands. One claim is that the lower voltage means that appliances might last longer. Again, not easy to prove.

* I also have: 2 x 2kWp PV systems, iBoost, Growatt SP2000 battery, Rolec EV charger (for Mrs Whinmoor's Nissan Leaf).

+ There are a couple of vPhase units on eBay now for £75. The manufacturer has gone bust so you're taking a risk if you take the plunge:

VPhase VX1 VX1-2 Voltage Optimiser Power Saving Voltage Optimisation | eBay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VPhase-VX1-VX1-2-Voltage-Optimiser-Power-Saving-Voltage-Optimisation-/172583196106?hash=item282ec295ca:g:sgIAAOSwB-1Yta8G

 

[Energetic]

Thanks Whinmoor, interesting...

on another note how are you finding the iBoost with the battery? Do they work ok together?

e

 

[whinmoor]

on another note how are you finding the iBoost with the battery? Do they work ok together?e

The SP2000 is compatible with single string systems which is exactly what I have. (It also works with dual strings if they are identical - i.e. one mppt). The SP3000 has recently been released for other arrangements (i.e. twin trackers).

There's no conflict in my setup as the battery sits between one set of panels and inverter and fills up when there's excess. The other system generates normally and powers the house and excess from that goes to the iBoost.

The battery fills to 100% on reasonable days - it's managed it 8 times during March. On 5 days it's hardly stored anything.

The house battery always gets emptied during darkness as the Leaf battery easily swallows whatever it contains.

Do the battery finances add up? If I managed to average 3 kWh per day in the battery over the year and I'm avoiding paying 15p per kWh, then I guess I'm saving around 50p a day which is around £180 a year.

Considering the hardware costs over £2k at Segen, it's a tough sale !