Unnecessary grid use

[stevejashby@gmail.com]

Even though my batteries are at 65%, when I just boiled a kettle the app showed the power coming from the grid. At other times, boiling the kettle doesn't seem to be reflected on the usage graph in the app. Have others noticed either situation and is it normal?

[calum]

Your inverter can only provide a certain amount of AC power, if you have too much load for it to be able to provide power to it all, it will import power from the grid (this is true regardless of how much battery or solar you have available...)

A high power kettle can be 3kW, the lowest rated H1 is only 3.7kW....easy for that other 700W to get used by something else.

[stevejashby@gmail.com]

Thanks, I am still struggling to understand the technology , it would be useful to have an idiot's guide to how it works, the manual was aimed at the installers.

[calum]

Can you post what kit you've got, I'll try my best to clarify.

[stevejashby@gmail.com]

We have an H 1-3.7-E inverter and two batteries. 8 panels totalling pv size of 2.96.

[Ched]

Be aware that the FoxCloud app is only updated every 5 minutes. So if it updates while you are boiling the kettle it will show a high load for about 5 mins.
The app is just a single set of readings taken as a snapshot.
Also the inverter doesn't respond in a split second so sometimes it 'leaks' electricity to the grid for a second or 2 when a high load stops.

I'm not saying this is what you are seeing but it could be.