Crossy

Box "2 of 2" has arrived, seems it got "forgotten" at one of the transfers.

I'm long past justifying the cost, I'm an engineer doing what engineers do 🙂

This is the inside of the patio roof using our thermal-imager. Bonus points if you can tell where the solar panels end 🙂

Just added another 2.7kWp onto the patio roof, bringing us to 18kWp installed. We are actually now limited by the capabilities of our older Sofar inverter only being able to do 3kW PV => batteries. Note how the battery power is pretty constant, whist PV1 mirrors PV2, I feel another Deye inverter coming on. I thought we had filled every available flat roof with panels. But I just noticed that the chook house gets full sun from about 10AM, and there's room for at least 9 panels!! EDIT The chook house in question (it's actually now garden storage, the chooks have moved into much more salubrious accommodation), that mango tree would only shade the panels in the morning when the house would also be in the way.

Yeah, it was a single item that came as two packages. One 2m long package of aluminium extrusions (which arrived) and the other just a box with all the accessories. Packages were marked as "1 of 2" and "2 of 2", package "2 of 2" has gone walkabout.

Because they say so! Like immigration!

What were the failures?? If within 12 months they would be under warranty.

We are all Hitachi now. Our original Samsung gave out after 9 years with a failed radiator (aluminium). Its replacement Sharp was just junk, never got anywhere near the advertised cooling capacity.

Get chickens! Even the big ones don't last long with a determined chook on each end!

Whilst generally reliable, multi-part shipments do seem to cause them issues 😞 For the second time this year Kerry managed to deliver package "1 of 2". Driver of course denies that there are two packages! Lazada seller is being very helpful (I've dealt with them many times) and talking to Kerry. "2 of 2" will be languishing in a van somewhere of course. Luckily, this time, package 2 is not an issue if it arrives "soon".

This actually bodes well for my communications with BKK Bank. I'll go on Monday, promise 🙂

I'm going through the same process right now. Visited the local (Pathum Thani) SSO with my "assistant" (she's actually the lady from my former office), SSO staff were most helpful. I already have Yellow Book and Pink ID. BUT of course, my ID number didn't match my SSO number (which was issued 20 odd years ago). Staff had discussions and have adjusted the system so my ID number and SSO number are now the same (as they would be for a Thai). I opted for the refund of contributions as staff informed me that if I took the pension, I wouldn't be able to continue the health cover (which is really what I want). Asked if I wanted to pay direct from the bank. Yes please (handing over my SCB stuff). Ah, we can't do SCB, do you have BKK Bank. As it happens, I do, so they took that and processed my refund to it. Then the googly (cricket term for what would be a curve-ball in baseball). My BKK Bank account was started in 1,000,000 BCE using a long extinct passport. You need to open a new account using your yellow book and pink ID. This is going to be fun indeed. At this moment I've not attempted that task! The BKK Bank website no longer has details of what's required for a foreigner to open an account. Now just "refer to any BKK Bank branch" Wish me luck (I will report).

So, here we are after a week running off-grid (apart from the water heaters). The bad production days were offset by the good days being really good, over the week we produced 337.9kWh we used 314.7kWh. The difference being explained by system inefficiencies and the batteries actually being about 7% (about 5kWh) higher state of charge at the end relative to the start. Over the same period the water heaters used 8.5kWh from PEA, I'll probably leave it connected this way to keep the meter moving. The lowest we got the batteries to was 55% on the morning of the 30th with the 29th having been cloudy. We really made little attempt to economise on consumption, Madam still watering her plants, leaving lights on etc. I'm a happy bear 🙂 What next? Well, I still have to finish tidying the wiring and sorting out the new ATS. Also, there's a stack of panels in the car-port looking forlorn. Having discussed with Madam they are going on the patio roof. There's room for 8 maybe 9 up there, it's not ideal as it gets shaded later in the day but it slopes east so should catch some early morning rays. All the bits are in-stock so it's not like it's going to cost $$$ other than time.

The architecture is just totally different. Try a Google for something like "string inverters compared to micro-inverters" Micros use AC 220V to interconnect to each other. Going hybrid, whilst possible by using a storage-inverter or powerwall type device, doesn't seem to have caught on here, possibly due to cost and lack of available kit. String-inverters interlink the panels at DC then convert that (high-voltage) DC to AC in a single box. If you want to go hybrid, just replace that box and add batteries.

Nah, that's just a blanket image, you can choose US plug/outlet or EU (Shuko) plug/outlet. Evidently the same unit is available with Aussie and UK plugs too, just not from that seller.

It's a bit more complex as you have to get at the wiring, but one of these would do the trick, get the one with the split CT for ease of use. https://www.lazada.co.th/products/kws-ac300-digital-6-in-1-color-screen-power-meter-home-power-meter-ac-220v-i4513109664-s18310047779.html

There are loads of plug-in energy meters on Lazada, plug into the wall, plug your computer into it, read power. Many also will measure kWh over time, so just run it overnight. Once you have the energy usage multiply by the average price per kWh (calculate it from your last bill) and you will know the answer. One of many on Lazada: - https://www.lazada.co.th/products/lcd-wattmeter-220v-110v-ac-power-meter-us-eu-plug-power-i5166193555-s21876177224.html

For those who are confused go to kickers.proud.seasons and zoom out 🙂