Catch Power Full Review
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- Mark reviews the Catch Power product line-up with Scott Young and explores the benefits of using a solar PV diverter to heat your water instead of using a hot water timer. If you're looking for a reliable, affordable and accurate solution for your hot water needs, we'll run through each product and how they work and the benefits of having an energy meter, solar monitoring and instant remote load control.
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0:52 A simpler way to heat your water with solar PV
1:39 The problem that led to Catch Power's solution
3:12 The dumb solution for solar hot water
4:30 How Green Catch works better
6:15 Mark has a crack at the Green Catch - is it really reliable, affordable and accurate?
11:00 Affordability of the Green Catch
13:22 The Catch Solar Relay - an even better solution
16:34 The Monocle - live monitoring with a difference
20:11 Comparing Green Catch with Catch Solar Relay
21:40 How Catch Power helped diagnose a hot water system problem
22:56 Remote access improves customers' settings
24:18 No hot water? No problem.
Featuring Mark Cavanagh and Scott Young 
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Another great video from MC Electrical! Thanks for making the complicated simple! Love the Catch Power solutions.
Just got a catch power relay installed, thanks to this video. Happy so far.
Looks like a very cool device. The way I understand it though, the only difference I can see between this device and the Fronius Load Management, is that with this device you can actually program when the device switches on. ie If there's cloud all day, you can program it to use the grid when the rates are cheaper, as different from the Fronius where it will just switch on to fit in with the minimum run time and end time. Or have I missed something?
That's one of many features. The Catch Control has levelled up recently to cover a few new use cases, more on it here: www.catchpower.com.au/catchcontrol
How about controlling multiple loads, in stages eg: hest the electric hot water, then run the pool pump, then the spa heater. Is there technology in the pipeline to do this? Or is the app able to turn on a wireless PowerPoint adapter?
This would take multiple Catchpower relays. Not a bad idea!
Solahart home energy management can do this to a degree. Heating, cooling batteries, hot water, etc.
Installed a Catch Power about a month ago and it seems to work. However, I have noticed that it throttles back very quickly and typically will not deliver more than an average of about 2kw of solar to the HWS due to the throttling. Running the unit on solar only mode does not heat all of the HWS. I think the unit needs some sort of cooling for it to be really useful.
One other thing is that I tried to contact the manufacturer by phone and by email 4 weeks ago and still no response. Customer service is therefor non existing.
That’s interesting. I hadn’t heard of that. I’m assuming you are using the catch blue or green. I wasn’t a fan of them and we mainly started installing when the more simple catch relay came along. I know Catch Power is flat out at the moment (met with them this week). Manufacturers normally rely on the installer to be the first point of tech support. Have you checked with the installer? They are also liable for the warranty. I’ll send your comment on to catch because I’m interested if this is an issue too.
thanks for the review Mark. I got my green catch power installed today at 10AM. It's now 10:30PM and I noticed power is being diverted (full load) to the HWS suddenly. It was cloudy today and I don't think the HWS actually got up to temp so perhaps green cp is in override mode already? I understand it comes in after a couple of days of insufficient sun but being brand new today perhaps it just needs to get this override session out the way and should be normal from tomorrow? Nothing in the users manual has any detail on this. I would actually prefer if the logic used was documented, better for peace of mind and working out whether any manual override is necessary.
Hi Glen. That doesn’t sound right. Is it working now?
@@mcelectrical Yes, it is working perfectly now, just that first night diverted to HWS at full load (2.4kW) until thermostat cut-off.
@@mcelectrical I finally worked out what has been going on! I had not read the part of the manual that distinguished between steady LED and flashing LED for controls "Solar Only" and "Heat Now". For how I use the system, I need to have "Solar Only" LED flashing, meaning that even if water is cold HWS will not power on until daylight next day. Missing this tripled my electricity cost yesterday, lesson learned! In hindsight I wish that info like this was included on the Catch Power marketing webpage as it all helps to understand what you are getting before comitting to purchase. Info is there, but not prominent enough IMO.
Hi Mark, where I live we only get the Grid for 2 hours during the 24h day and randomly. So my system is 90% of the time off-grid. Can I install this device? will it be able to detect the solar excess power on its own?
Hi Jadsakr. Yes, i can’t see why not. For those 2 hours it will divert excess solar to your hot water.
What about 3 phase support ? maybe talk 2 will cover it please great discussion thanks
3-phase Catch Controls are now available via Catch Power's website: www.catchpower.com.au/product-page/6-channel-catch-control
@@mcelectrical thanks just a year to late for us unfortunately but glad they have this now 🙌👌
Hi Mark, I have just had 10.7kW of panels installed with a Fronius Primo 8.2kW inverter. The system included a Fronius Smart meter. I am now looking at ditching my gas HWS and replacing with an electric storage HWS. Going by your video I don't need the smart meter if I install a Catch solar relay?
Is there an alternative if I keep the smart meter?
Hi Mega, yes, there are contacts you can use in the inverter, but they are not as versatile with settings and can’t easily be altered by the end user. I’d recommend upgrading to the catch.
Would it be wise for a solar heart hot water system ? In the winter it doesn’t work so well , or would it destroy the element ?
Yes you could use it for a solar hot water booster element - no problem.
I have a GoodWe 6kw Hybrid inverter GW6000-ES-20 and 10kWh of Lipo4 battery storage, I have a standard hotwater system with no timer at all and runs whenever it needs. How would this be best incorporated?
It can work with Goodwe as a consumption monitor, but I’m assuming you already have one. It can just be installer as a hot water diverter, either before or after the battery.
@@mcelectrical Cheers :)
On days when the sun level is poor, let's say not enough sun for a week to generate enough excess power to heat hot water. Will something kick in automatically to keep appropriate temp in tank to ward of legioairres disease? Or would this rely on a manual overide?
Yes it has minimum run time and boost functions. This fail safe setup is what I really like about it. (Fewer phone calls from customers saying their water is cold :)
Can this control the load of 2 hot water systems ?
No discussion about 3Phase? How does Greencatch work with in terms of seeing 3 Phase production, and tapering up/down on the phase the hot water system is on?
Hi Emmet, in Australia we’re metered on the sum of the import and export. So if you are using 3.6kW on hot water on A phase and export 3.6kW on b+c phase, then you are not charged for consumption or paid for export. A 3 phase Green catch works this out and heats water appropriately. However the catch relay 3 phase solution wont be available for a few months- around June 2023.
Would this work with heat pump hot water systems as well?
No, I don’t usually recommend heat pumps because of reliability and increased upfront cost. Heat pumps don’t like being switched on and off regularly. A standard hot water tank and a catch relay is an efficient affordable and reliable alternative to a heat pump.
Mark, in the monitoring side, is there a option to see the maximum 30 minutes consumption for the month, so you can monitor demand tariff charges?
Hi Hamish. No I don’t think there is. That would be a good feature. I might raise it with them.
@mcelectrical Thanks Mark
Interesting product. Can this device operate AND be controlled over a local network without internet access?
While it's got a cloud and all, my life is littered with companies that abandoned their connected products - either unintentionally (bankruptcy) or intentionally ("too old buy the new one").
Local control is important to me - why I'm buying a Fronius inverter in the first place.
I just had one installed and I can't seem to interact with it locally, only using the cloud app, so I'm thinking I will return it
Great question and a good point. Yes, it can be controlled locally via Bluetooth without internet access.
What a great video.
In thinking about switching from gas to electric hot water. The CATCH Power Green Gen2 is something to consider now instead of a normal timer switch. Does this device work with SolarEdge inverters?
From what I understand, solaredge are one of the few companies that won’t let catch relay communicate with their inverter (and work as a replacement to the solaredge consumption meter.) But, if you are are just looking for hot water hearing, the catch green or the catch relay will work with any inverter.
If you are running Solar Edge look into the Solahart powerstore hot water heater. It's a much smarter option. Not only does it look at the weather forcast, it learns your hot water usage patterns and enables you to enter parameters for peak and off peak rates. It also heats water in the tank to 75° increasing it's energy storage capabilities.
@@justin9509was quoted 5k installed for the power store, could get a good heat pump for that money or a electric hws with a catch relay or diverter formquite a fair bit cheaper
@@justin9509
"It is a much smarter option" (Solarhart).
I don't follow.
The hot water storage is legally required to heat to 60 - to avoid Legionnaire - but is also legally required to control the delivery at tap temp to 50 to avoid scalding (children and old people the main concern).
Heating way over to 75 degrees seems very wasteful -especially given the ever increasing price structure.
The majority - by far - install the electric hot water outside. Even considering good pipe lagging insulation the winter Brisbane outside temp is in single figures for large number of days in that period . There is a huge temperature load from single figure temp to 60 degrees - which by law must be maintained in the tank.
Adding another 15 degrees to that - WHY?
btw...I just installed a new 250 L Rheem Hot Water and have regularly tested the delivery temperature since with a high grade instrument - it is spot on. I had never done this in previous years. I was surprised 50 degrees delivers a really hot shower IMHO - I never run the shower without mixing cold water.
So 60 degrees would definitely be too hot and 75 degrees by extension would be ridiculous.
Water temperature up - beer money down.
does the Catch Power relay work with Aust. enphase systems?
It doesn’t work for the e phase monitoring platform, but yes it can control a hot water load, and provide an independent monitoring platform.
So installed I’d be looking at around $850 ($750 + $100 install) for a Catch setup, instead of $250 ($150 + $100) for a normal timer switch with manual override and just put the hot water on a timer. I’m not sure I’d ever make the $600 back at it would only be days (hours) I’m not producing.
No, I think you are comparing the catch hot water diverter with a timer. The catch relay shouldn’t be so expensive, unless it is retrofitted
@@mcelectrical good pickup. That said even the relay is $450 so assume ~$550 installed which is ~$300 difference to a timer and I’m assuming the same install cost for both which may not be correct. I’m on the Sunshine Coast in QLD where it’s sunny most days and even on days when it’s overcast my 13KW of panels is still producing at the times I would set a timer. Even with out of control electricity prices I just can’t see how the unit would pay that off in 3-5 years (5 is its warranty). I say 3-5 because obviously you’d want to pay it off in 3-4 years so you make a profit from going to the effort of installing it.
If you already have a smart meter for your inverter, It’s about $150 more than a good quality timer fully installed. But if is a new solar install, it will replace your inverter’s smart meter, then cost about the same as a timer. The catch relay also has an app for simple clear monitoring, you can manually switch on or off water with your app, and your installer can use it for remote diagnosis. Catch also has dynamic export limitation capability, and EV charger control (coming soon). It’s so much better than a timer!
Can this be still be utilized to work if I have controlled load?
In qld no, but I’m NSW you can switch between controlled load and general light and power (t11).
@@mcelectrical thanks guys. Love the channel. Ultimately I just went with an istore heat pump system (thanks for the most part. to the debate video with you and Karl) and got them to switch the usage from controlled load to the regular/continuous supply, then have the istore activate between 9am - 3pm (which it’s only been taking 1 - 2 hours per day to heat up anyway, so essentially running 9am - 10:30/11am, all of which is using solar excess (or shoulder rates on the rainy days). Really happy with the path we opted for.
Thanks again for the great/informative videos.
Nice. I’d be keen to hear feedback good or bad. I’m now considering installing heat pumps as part of the business. Trying to do it eyes wide open.
@@mcelectrical absolutely love it. Combined with solar it almost makes it free water heating. Wish I had done it a long time ago. Obviously the longevity I can’t speak to, but if what Karl says is anywhere close to being right with the 15,000 hours, it will have paid itself off several times over and I would have no hesitation in replacing it with another straight off the bat when it dies.
Can this be used on a heat pump water heater?
No, heat pumps shouldn’t be cycled on and off regularly. However heat pumps use much less power, (less than 1000w) so they will probably sit underneath your solar production if your system was big enough.
Cool product if you have still have a kettle hot water
heat pumps are king and still best on a timer with override way and better solution imo
In most cases, yes probably. ruclips.net/video/Mz2QaWodrzw/видео.htmlsi=q0YZq_2jWXLbBrS3
Does the app have API access and can it be hooked up to Home Assistant?
Hi Mega, not as far as I am aware
Great product.
We think so too.
This is the best investment
MC electrical installed one at my house in December. Amazing piece of kit. That said, for 3.6kW heating element you need a decent solar system. I have10.5kW of panels and 8.2 kW inverter.
Glad it’s working for you Pabich!
Changing to a 2.4kw element will make a huge difference on dull days .
@@bertr5650 do you know how expensive such a change is?
The element for HW should be
Note a smaller element means slightly longer 'on' duration to heat but hardly noticeable unless you suddenly use all of the HW and need more hot water asap. @@pabichpawel
Given up trying to buy one of these. filled all the info on their website twice, no response
Interesting. I’ll pass that on. Normally you would go straight to an electrician to get one installed.
@@mcelectrical thank you. its appreciated
Hi Mark. I have 10.4kW of panels and a Sungrow SGR10 Inverter. I am about to purchase my first EV (Tesla) and I am wondering if it would make sense to use CATCH to feed the charging point? That way ALL the current Feed In would be utilised to charge the car, virtually none to the grid. The car becomes my virtual Home Battery although I don't think EV - Home (backfeed) is available as yet. I am retired and only use the car to go shopping or local errands, the rest of the day it sits in the garage.
Q2 - do operate in the Gold Coast area?
Hi Stan, all you need is Charge HQ! Check out the app, and it will connect you your inverter and Tesla and charge the correct amount. Otherwise, just get a Zappy charger or something similar.
@@mcelectrical Thanks Mark, I shall look into both your suggestions.
@@stanmoderate4460
Just get the Tesla Gen 3 wall charger & Charge HQ.
Realistically though if you don't travel far, just charge when it's sunny & esp between about 9 & 3
We only charge once/week & travel around 350 ks/week.
Model Y.
G'day Mark
Thanks for another great video review❣
Can you advise if the Catch Relay can be used fully on large in-slab heating please (i.e., is the relay limited by a maximum load)? Also, is it permissible to use the relay to divert solar onto a control load circuit please?
Cheers
Peter
@ ACT
Hey Pete, yes you could control slab heating but you need a contacter to connect any load. In QLD you can’t switch between tariffs because - we have common sense. In NSW you can switch between tariffs because - …… .- in ACT I’m unsure …. but I thought you mob were pretty clever.
@@mcelectrical Thanks for the reply Mark! So could you elaborate as to whether that "cleverness" would be one of a technical or economic nature please mate?