Non-AIO EPS Changeover Box

15 comments started 2025-04-11 last 2025-04-20
GivEnergy ProductsAC CoupledHybridBattery
#1 hoggy

I know nothing about this other than it popped up in a post on facebook. Never seen one nor do I know where you get them from but it appears to offer a nice middle ground option for those that don't have the AIO & Gateway combo (provided you stick within the EPS terminal limits)
https://givenergy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Datasheet-Backup-Box.pdf

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#2 CW

hoggy Very nice - I have an AIO, but reading the description of this, it seems to provide a similar backup experience - automatic detection and cut-over to the EPS. The automatic bit is very neat, plus it looks like it must island the property as it will allow solar to continue?

#3 hoggy

CW that's how it reads yes. I'm really unsure as to why it's not a known or marketed item? The date on the datasheet would suggest it's been a thing for a while but never seen anyone mention it . Maybe temper expectations of being able to get hold of one based on that alone.
Perhaps the worry is it would cannibalise AIO sales?

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#4 Weasel

hoggy Methinks you have found the nail-head interface.

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#5 SimonClarke

What’s the difference between this and the method 4 version of eps? I have the full house manual version which seems ok….

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#6 wrighar

An almost gateway for non AIO's?

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#7 CW

SimonClarke Not sure what the V4 one does, but from reading this, this cuts-over automatically within milliseconds so an almost seamless experience

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#8 CW

hoggy Perhaps the worry is it would cannibalise AIO sales?

Possibly - for me, the two reasons I went with the AIO was:

  1. Ability to run the house and solar when grid goes down and
  2. I wanted a large power output (6kW) to handle nearly everything in the house

It looks like my item (1) would be met with this, so that would then just leave the decision as to whether or not I needed the power output that the AIO supplies

#9 TheDragon (GivEnergy)

hoggy These are not marketed. But are available direct from sales by your installer if he wants one.
They are not for public installs, they are part of a larger project. Hence there is a datasheet for them

We have a couple in the lab on Polar kit

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#10 Smk82

[unknown] from reading the datasheet, I’m assuming this works for hybrid inverters only? So AC coupled are still shutdown (unlike the current AIO version where the gateway islands the solar inverter as well and it draws its power from the battery?)

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#11 Smk82

TheDragon (GivEnergy) from reading the datasheet, I’m assuming this works for hybrid inverters only? So AC coupled are still shutdown (unlike the current AIO version where the gateway islands the solar inverter as well and it draws its power from the battery?)

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#12 Pete UK

Hi @TheDragon (GivEnergy)

I’m reasonably interested in getting my installer to fit one of these.

Would this work with dual gen 3 hybrid 5.0 inverters ?

Would it effectively attach to just one inverter of a plant system or both? And if it attached to only one inverter, would you be able to utilise the battery power of the other batteries attached to the other inverter or just the two batteries I have attached to that one inverter?

Regards,

Pete

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#14 Pete UK

[unknown]

He says half a second in the video but it says milliseconds on the spec sheet.

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#15 geoffreycoan

wrighar EVM has done his man maths: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeJ5Xv157s0 and reviewd it.

I’d seen the video on my feed but hadn’t watched it up to now, but I have done, and am still unclear why EVM bought this (or had it free from GivEnergy) over using the EPS connections that are already on his GivEnergy inverter?
This is the same setup I have on my inverter.

The inverter does all the grid isolation stuff already and I can’t see how this box makes the switchover any faster, it still needs the inverter to recognise the house load, swap relays, etc and that takes a finite amount of time.

Seems that EVM hasn’t wanted/needed to split his consumer unit to only protect low power devices. Frankly amazed by his heat pump draw, mine can pull 4 or 5kW when heating the hot water or in the winter when it’s needing a higher flow temperature.

No further enlightened from the video ….