Batteries
Will my battery work with my inverter in South Africa?
Only if the battery and inverter are listed as compatible and set to talk to each other over their communication cable (usually CAN). Without that link the inverter guesses the charge level, which shortens battery life and can void the warranty. Check both manufacturers’ compatibility lists before you buy, and be careful when expanding later: not every “new version” fits an older stack.
Updated 26 October 2026 · Tariffs quoted are the 2026/27 municipal year (from 1 July 2026) unless stated.
Four checks before you buy
- Same voltage class. Most homes use 48 V low-voltage batteries; high-voltage stacks need a matching high-voltage inverter.
- On the inverter’s approved list. Sunsynk, Deye, Victron and others publish battery lists. If the model is not there, ask the installer to show written support.
- Communication set up. The installer should connect and test the BMS cable and show you the battery’s state of charge reading on the inverter.
- Expansion path. Ask: “If I add a module in three years, will it work with this one?”
How brands differ on expansion
| Brand | Adding capacity later |
|---|---|
| Solar MD | New low-voltage units use the same housing, cabling and racks as earlier generations and are stated to be backward compatible with previous Solar MD LV batteries. |
| BYD Battery-Box | LV Flex and LV Flex Lite are a separate family from the older LVS and LVL packs. The BMU is configured for one family, so do not plan on mixing old and new modules in one tower. |
| Freedom Won | eTower 2 is listed as backward compatible with the previous eTower. |
| Hubble | Retailers list the AM-5+ as compatible with the discontinued AM-5. |
| Sunsynk batteries | Designed around Sunsynk inverters; check warranty terms carefully if you pair them with anything else. |
Details from manufacturer datasheets and distributor pages listed below. Always confirm on the current list for your exact model and firmware.
Signs the link is not working
- The inverter shows battery voltage but no percentage from the battery itself.
- The battery charges to a different level every day.
- Error codes about BMS communication after a firmware update.
If you see these, ask your installer to fix the communication link before you rely on the system. Warranty claims often start by asking for BMS logs.
Quick questions
Can I mix two battery brands?
Not in one bank. Mixing brands or generations on the same bus usually means they cannot share a BMS, and most warranties exclude it.
Is a cheaper battery that is not on the inverter list a risk?
Yes. It may work, but you lose proper communication and possibly the warranty on both units.
Which battery is easiest to expand later?
Pick a brand that states backward compatibility in writing. Solar MD and Freedom Won both publish this for their current low-voltage ranges.
Sources
- Solar MD resources
- IBC Solar ZA: Solar MD new battery range presentation
- BYD Battery-Box downloads
- Freedom Won eTower 2
- PowerProvider: Hubble AM-5+ listing