What is a reasonable budget for a home solar panel system - any reccomendations for installers.

[Muhendis]

1 hour ago, Sophon said:

I think he meant that his batteries run out at 3 a.m.

Aha.

Yes. I see now.

I'm generally fast asleep at that time so I wouldn't notice 'till a few hours later.

It is therefor true to say he is not going to get a long life from his batteries if that happens often.

[KhunLA]

21 minutes ago, TimeMachine said:

I guess,  feeding back in a non smart meter means you get 1 for 1.

Yes. Great advantage. 

If you want to take it a step further,  placing a large magnet in front of spinning disc will make it stop.  Oops. Sorry i dont know how that got there. 

Free large magnets are available in that hard drive that no longer works, and will do the trick nicely.  Or so I read somewhere ... probably ... maybe ... or not.

[BritManToo]

18 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

Aha.

Yes. I see now.

I'm generally fast asleep at that time so I wouldn't notice 'till a few hours later.

It is therefor true to say he is not going to get a long life from his batteries if that happens often.

Some of us use more advanced systems than lead acid batteries.

My BMS chooses when my battery stops discharging.

That's if my inverter doesn't switch to grid first.

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Some of us use more advanced systems than lead acid batteries.

My BMS chooses when my battery stops discharging.

That's if my inverter doesn't switch to grid first.

Yes, when just having the 1 ESS (10kWh) had it set to 35%, and don't think we ever went down that far.   Now with 2 ESSs, never go below 60%, so longevity shouldn't be a problem, for a decade or 2.  LFP chemistry being a plus also.

[Muhendis]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Some of us use more advanced systems than lead acid batteries.

My BMS chooses when my battery stops discharging.

That's if my inverter doesn't switch to grid first.

That's absolutely how it should be too.

Likewise my trusty lead carbon batteries, in common with all other lead acid chemistries, gets disconnected by the inverter if the terminal voltage drops below a set point and, if that happens grid power is connected 'till the batteries are recharged.

Lead acid and LiFePO4's are very similar in that respect.

BMS is needed for LiFePO4 cells to stop them overheating and combusting. BMS not needed for lead acid.

Lead carbon is a whole load less costly than LiFePO4 but requires the likes of Dwayn Johnson to maneuver them into position. Mine are 77kg each and there's 12 of them.

This is all very much off topic but might be useful info.