Some of you may have noticed that I was not very active on this channel over the past months.
The reason is simple.
I have been extremely busy working on several projects that took almost all of my time.
During this time I wrote a book about hybrid photovoltaic systems, developed my AC Energy Systems concept and spent countless hours researching how artificial intelligence can be used not only to control photovoltaic systems, but also entire households and energy systems.
I also created my own AI assistant "Conny" and started experimenting with completely new ways of presenting technical content.
At the same time I continued working on real projects and gained even more experience with hybrid inverters, battery storage systems, Home Assistant, energy automation, dynamic electricity pricing, microgrids, backup power systems and many other advanced topics.
Now I would like to bring all of this knowledge back to this English channel.
My plan is to start again from the beginning and explain everything step by step following the structure of my book. From the fundamentals of photovoltaic and hybrid systems all the way to advanced settings, Home Assistant integration, intelligent energy management, microgrids and special applications.
Before I start, I would like to ask for your opinion.
Which format would you prefer?
🔘 Option 1: Alex presents the videos personally in English.
You will hear my real voice, my personal explanations and my English, which is hopefully improving with every video.
🔘 Option 2: Conny presents the videos, just like in the AI videos on my German channel (see link below).
Part 1/15 – RCD protection in off grid operation 👇👇👇
Many systems appear to work completely normally in off grid mode. Voltage is present, the loads keep running, and to the operator everything seems fine. But this is exactly the situation where I repeatedly see systems in which the protective functions are not actually effective.
⚠️ In most cases, the problem is not the hardware itself. The real issue is that in off grid operation there is no properly defined reference to earth.
When the system is operating in parallel with the public grid, this usually goes unnoticed because the reference point is provided by the utility grid. At the utility transformer, neutral and earth are bonded, which creates a return path for fault current. As a result, residual current devices can still work even if the system itself is not designed correctly.
As soon as the grid goes down, the situation changes completely. The inverter becomes the only source, and all current must return to that source. Current no longer flows to the grid. It circulates only within your own system.
If there is no defined bond between neutral and earth in this condition, no closed fault current loop can be established. Fault current cannot flow properly, and the RCD will not detect a sufficient imbalance. In a real fault situation, it may not trip at all.
⚠️ This is exactly where many systems are implemented incorrectly.
What matters is not only that the inverter is grounded. What matters is that in off grid mode there is a clearly defined bond between neutral and earth, with no unintended parallel paths. Only then is there a clear return path, and only then can the protection system work reliably.
✅ The grounding connection of the EPS output is connected to the main earthing bar, ensuring the required connection to the earthing system.
If this definition is missing, there is no effective return path for fault current in off grid mode. In that case, the protective devices in the building lose their function even though voltage is still present. That is the key difference between a system that can deliver power and a system that can actually protect people and equipment in the event of a fault.
👉 To verify this condition properly, the public grid must be completely disconnected. And in this context, completely disconnected does not mean simply making the inverter grid input voltage free. It means physically isolating the public grid so that no current path toward the inverter or the transfer equipment remains.
✖️ If such a disconnection option does not exist, that already indicates a fundamental installation fault. In that case, not only is the test unreliable, but the entire safety concept in off grid mode must be questioned.
It is not enough to de energize the inverter grid input if there is still a connection up to the transfer point. In that case, a fault current path may still exist through the public grid, and the entire test becomes meaningless.
The public grid should therefore be disconnected immediately after the meter, ideally by means of a dedicated main switch that fully isolates both the inverter and the entire building from the grid. Only under these conditions can you be sure that in off grid mode no return path through the grid still exists.
After this disconnection, off grid mode can be activated.
☝️ If you notice that voltage is present at both inputs of the transfer switch, where such a switch exists, this indicates a serious installation fault.
The next step is to measure the voltage between line and protective earth at a socket outlet. If you measure around 230 volts, this shows that an earth reference is generally present. But that value alone does not prove that the fault current path is actually working correctly.
The decisive test must be performed under load. A small load, such as a simple incandescent lamp or a suitable test lamp, can be connected between line and protective earth.
👉 In that moment, the RCD must trip.
If it does not trip, you should assume that there is no functioning fault current path in off grid mode. In that case, the system should not continue to operate until grounding, neutral earth bonding, and current return paths have been checked properly by a qualified professional.
Voltage in off grid mode is not proof of safety. The only thing that matters is whether a defined return path exists and whether the protective devices operate reliably under those conditions.
⚠️ This is one of the most common and at the same time one of the most critical mistakes seen in real world installations.
Alex ___________________
..... if you want to dive deeper into all of these topics, feel free to subscribe to my German channel as well. I cover a wide range of photovoltaic topics there, along with my own system standard, AC Energy Systems.
Understanding Hybrid Photovoltaics – soon available in English 👇👇👇
Dear international community 🌍,
I have just approved the final version of my book for printing and binding. The German edition is now complete and already available in my online shop and on Amazon.
This book explains hybrid photovoltaics from the ground up 🔍. Not only the system logic, but also every operating mode and all relevant settings in detail. Many real-world problems are not caused by incorrect values, but by a lack of understanding of how a hybrid system internally measures, controls, and makes decisions.
That is exactly why this book connects two essential layers: the technical logic of a hybrid inverter and the practical implementation through operating modes and settings ⚙️. Using the SolaX X3 as an example, grid interaction, smart meters, CT clamps, battery logic, charging and discharging behavior, EPS operation, and all operating modes are explained step by step and placed into a clear technical context 🔋🔌.
Many readers choose this book specifically because it does not only show where to change a setting, but explains why that setting exists and how it affects the system as a whole.
My next project has already begun 🚀: a full English translation for my international community. Technically identical to the German edition, precisely translated, and aligned with the official English menu terminology.
The English edition is expected to be released in the third week of January 📅. It will be available in my online shop and on Amazon, as usual.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in this project 🙏
New must-have Home Assistant automation for your SolaX system – now available for you!
Dear community,
I keep receiving the same winter problems over and over again:
📉 battery capacity drops as soon as temperatures fall 🔋 battery suddenly empty without warning ❄️ cell temperature too low 🔥 inverter running too hot ⚡ breaker trips because boiler, buffer tank, sauna or wallbox run at the same time
👉 And most people only notice it when it’s already too late.
What many don’t know: these situations announce themselves long before they happen – you just normally don’t see it.
That ends now.
I’m providing you with a complete Home Assistant automation that solves exactly these issues:
👉 you get early notifications on everything important related to your PV system, directly on your smartphone 👉 your battery is maintained regularly so it doesn’t lose capacity 👉 the system runs more stable and reliable 👉 the automation is easy to adapt to your own entities and thresholds 👉 installation is extremely simple thanks to my clear documentation
No technical knowledge needed. Import, select entities, save – done.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I can only offer this automation in the Community tab for channel members on my German YouTube channel. The reason is simple: on this English channel, I sadly get too little support in terms of views and subscriptions, so I cannot enable channel memberships here yet.
Every year before winter, many people from the community reach out to me because their storage capacity seems to decrease, charge curves suddenly look non-linear, and the battery behaves very differently compared to summer.
This is understandable – but that’s exactly why a clear strategy is needed.
For that reason, I developed a coordinated balancing routine that runs in Home Assistant and activates automatically whenever there are too few natural charge cycles during the winter months.
It keeps the cells properly balanced, stabilizes the available capacity, and ensures that the battery stays healthy in the long run without requiring any manual intervention.
more and more of my customers are now using Home Assistant – many of them running on the mini PC I supply.
But let’s be honest:
only very few want to sit in front of a computer for hours like I do, dealing with YAML… and that’s why it’s difficult for many to build truly meaningful automations for surplus control, load management, priorities, storage logic and so on.
From now on, I’ll take care of this for you – but not in the way you might think 😉
I won’t log into your systems and build everything individually. Instead, I provide you with professional and dynamic templates:
the so-called Blueprints.
These are stored on my server, you can easily import them into Home Assistant, and you can get them in my online shop as a digital product.
After that, you only need to define a few things:
• the thresholds you want (on/off, minimum SOC, etc.) • which entity should be switched • conditions for switching on and off • optional logic such as “only when the sun is shining” or whatever else you need...
I’m still fine-tuning and thinking about what you truly need, but I think my concept is almost ready.
To put it simply:
you fill out a form – and Home Assistant carries out exactly what you want in your household.
no technical knowledge no YAML programming no frustration
I’ll start with the most important and at the same time the simplest:
three independent surplus consumers, switched in a cascade
based on battery level, available surplus, priorities, and thresholds
including minimum-SOC handling
and a feature SolaX does not offer out of the box: automatically stopping the SolaX EV-charger as soon as the battery reaches your defined minimum level
What do you think?
I run countless such automations assisted by AI, and I can create them practically in my sleep.
But building these templates in a clean, flexible, and universal way is a huge challenge, because they do not consist of a single automation. They are tied to tons of helpers and external parameters that I can’t know from your setups.
After sleepless nights, I finally found a way to share my entire logic with you, so you can benefit to the maximum – without effort, simply by defining your wishes in the form.
And now it’s your turn 👇
write in the comments which automations you want tell me what you want to happen in your household and when
I’ll build it dynamically, modularly, and scalable...
so that it doesn’t just work for one person but for all of you – in every home!
that’s how you use energy the right way – automated – complex for me, simple for you.
in which I go into detail about the purpose, the functions, and the possible use-cases of the alexBOX advanced.
I keep getting asked which components I personally use for this system.
✔️ That’s why you’ll find below an overview of the parts I selected for my prototype, including Amazon links so you can source them directly and at a good price.
When choosing the components, I placed great value on reliability, control logic, grid separation, convenience functions and a clean structure. Exactly this combination has proven to be reliable and practical in my setup.
For everyone who really wants to understand in detail how all components interact, I am currently preparing a document for my online shop.
In this document, I show how my alexBOX advanced is wired and structured internally, which signals go where, how specific functions are implemented, and what considerations lie behind protection, contactors, control paths, and sensors.
The document describes my personal setup and can serve as a technical reference if you want to understand how such a system can be structured and what relationships must be considered.
It will be written in a way that everyone can follow even with only minimal technical knowledge.
Until then, here is a complete list of all relevant components that have proven themselves for me:
---
Doktorvolt surface-mounted distribution box, metal enclosure, 72 modules, 4-row, IP30 IK07, white, for indoor installation [amzn.to/47lKyqT](amzn.to/47lKyqT)
---
Doktorvolt flush-mounted distribution box, metal enclosure, 90 modules, 5-row, IP30 IK07, white, for indoor installation [amzn.to/4qzjrQF](amzn.to/4qzjrQF)
VulTech UPS60PW-DC white mini-UPS 12000 mAh, 60W, for router, modem, access point, camera, smartphone – input 100–240 VAC, USB 5V DC / 12V [amzn.to/47UjcZ5](amzn.to/47UjcZ5)
DIN-rail mount kit compatible with Shelly relays (Mini Gen3, 1PM, 1PM Mini Gen3, 2PM, 2.5, RGBW2, PM, Plus i4 DC, Dimmer 2), set of 4 [amzn.to/3X97QdC](amzn.to/3X97QdC)
The prototype of the alexBOX advanced is ready! 👇👇👇
Since I’m currently being flooded with criticism, WhatsApp messages, and emails – mostly from people who look at pictures but can’t read texts – I’ll once again explain the purpose and structure of all components inside the alexBOX advanced.
---
1️⃣ Superior grid disconnection – AI-controlled
It all starts with a high-quality contactor that, under AI control and according to definable rules, intentionally disconnects only the three phases (not the neutral) from the public grid.
This contactor is powered via a 12 V UPS to ensure a fully uninterruptible supply at all times.
The switching command comes from Home Assistant, where alexGPT continuously polls countless parameters, sets entities, and triggers dynamic automations – for example during grid-operator interventions, thunderstorm alerts, or other user-defined rules.
👉 The neutral line remains permanently connected, because the actual standardized grid separation takes place within the hybrid system or inverter itself. Whether it happens before or after is irrelevant.
---
2️⃣ The two change-over switches – why they exist (and why many don’t get it 🍌🍌🍌)
Despite full automation, there are two manual 4-pole change-over switches:
• First switch: Used for connecting a backup generator in case of absolute emergency – it enables a seamless switch between EPS mode and generator backup.
• Second switch: Normally set to “EPS” to route grid power through the inverters in a parallel setup. This way, all power – whether from grid-parallel or off-grid operation – flows through the EPS position to the consumer side.
👉 If one inverter fails, the household can be switched directly to the grid via this switch. So it’s purely for maintenance and bypass purposes – not for normal operation.
---
3️⃣ Internal structure – engineered down to the last detail
The box is designed so that, via spacious labeled distribution terminals, up to 10 inverters can easily be combined into a parallel system – both on the grid and EPS sides.
This means the entire backup wiring is already pre-configured.
To connect a backup-capable hybrid system, you only need to wire:
• the public grid, • grid inputs of up to 10 inverters (for parallel operation), • EPS outputs of all inverters, • and the household loads.
👉 Everything else – including correct neutral-line routing and load disconnect switches – is already prepared.
---
4️⃣ Intelligent load control with AI support
On the consumer side, there are separate terminals for:
• general household loads, • and dynamically switched loads, controlled by AI-based logic or surplus energy.
Standard configuration includes:
✅ 4 cascaded 25 A circuits, AI-controlled via Home Assistant ✅ 1 additional 25 A circuit via inverter dry-contact – directly controllable in the SolaX app ✅ 4 temperature sensors providing data for intelligent boiler and buffer-tank control
Everything comes pre-wired and ready to use.
---
5️⃣ Communication & interfaces
• RJ45 Modbus (A/B) port for SolaX Wallbox, Adapter Box G2, or other RS485-capable devices • DRM functions: – Normal mode (DRM active) pre-configured – 6 additional terminal pairs for DRM 1–5 prepared • 4 × 12 V outputs powered via the mini-UPS, for supplying router, Home Assistant mini-PC, and other control electronics
---
6️⃣ Custom-built for every project
I build each box individually based on my customers’ requirements.
The prototype’s configuration (cable cross-sections, protection ratings, etc.) is tailored precisely to my own system – the production version will be customized and documented per installation.
---
🚀 Conclusion
The alexBOX advanced is not just a distribution cabinet – it’s an autonomous, AI-driven energy-management system that combines grid, backup, surplus, communication, and safety in one compact unit.
Everything works – seamlessly, logically, reliably, and intelligently.
Pricing on request!
And one more thing to all the 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌 out there:
Please spare me the pointless criticism if you don’t understand the technology behind it. Build your little “standard-compliant” box yourself – and enjoy the result! 😎
PR-Heiling - international
Hello everyone,
Some of you may have noticed that I was not very active on this channel over the past months.
The reason is simple.
I have been extremely busy working on several projects that took almost all of my time.
During this time I wrote a book about hybrid photovoltaic systems, developed my AC Energy Systems concept and spent countless hours researching how artificial intelligence can be used not only to control photovoltaic systems, but also entire households and energy systems.
I also created my own AI assistant "Conny" and started experimenting with completely new ways of presenting technical content.
At the same time I continued working on real projects and gained even more experience with hybrid inverters, battery storage systems, Home Assistant, energy automation, dynamic electricity pricing, microgrids, backup power systems and many other advanced topics.
Now I would like to bring all of this knowledge back to this English channel.
My plan is to start again from the beginning and explain everything step by step following the structure of my book. From the fundamentals of photovoltaic and hybrid systems all the way to advanced settings, Home Assistant integration, intelligent energy management, microgrids and special applications.
Before I start, I would like to ask for your opinion.
Which format would you prefer?
🔘 Option 1: Alex presents the videos personally in English.
You will hear my real voice, my personal explanations and my English, which is hopefully improving with every video.
🔘 Option 2: Conny presents the videos, just like in the AI videos on my German channel (see link below).
youtube.com/shorts/mfGdQI1YEN...
Conny is my AI assistant. The knowledge, experience and content still come from me, but the videos are presented using professional AI narration.
I am looking forward to your feedback.
No matter which option wins, one thing is certain:
Regular professional content is coming back to this channel very soon.
Alex
3 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
Part 1/15 – RCD protection in off grid operation 👇👇👇
Many systems appear to work completely normally in off grid mode. Voltage is present, the loads keep running, and to the operator everything seems fine. But this is exactly the situation where I repeatedly see systems in which the protective functions are not actually effective.
⚠️ In most cases, the problem is not the hardware itself. The real issue is that in off grid operation there is no properly defined reference to earth.
When the system is operating in parallel with the public grid, this usually goes unnoticed because the reference point is provided by the utility grid. At the utility transformer, neutral and earth are bonded, which creates a return path for fault current. As a result, residual current devices can still work even if the system itself is not designed correctly.
As soon as the grid goes down, the situation changes completely. The inverter becomes the only source, and all current must return to that source. Current no longer flows to the grid. It circulates only within your own system.
If there is no defined bond between neutral and earth in this condition, no closed fault current loop can be established. Fault current cannot flow properly, and the RCD will not detect a sufficient imbalance. In a real fault situation, it may not trip at all.
⚠️ This is exactly where many systems are implemented incorrectly.
What matters is not only that the inverter is grounded. What matters is that in off grid mode there is a clearly defined bond between neutral and earth, with no unintended parallel paths. Only then is there a clear return path, and only then can the protection system work reliably.
✅ The grounding connection of the EPS output is connected to the main earthing bar, ensuring the required connection to the earthing system.
If this definition is missing, there is no effective return path for fault current in off grid mode. In that case, the protective devices in the building lose their function even though voltage is still present. That is the key difference between a system that can deliver power and a system that can actually protect people and equipment in the event of a fault.
👉 To verify this condition properly, the public grid must be completely disconnected. And in this context, completely disconnected does not mean simply making the inverter grid input voltage free. It means physically isolating the public grid so that no current path toward the inverter or the transfer equipment remains.
✖️ If such a disconnection option does not exist, that already indicates a fundamental installation fault. In that case, not only is the test unreliable, but the entire safety concept in off grid mode must be questioned.
It is not enough to de energize the inverter grid input if there is still a connection up to the transfer point. In that case, a fault current path may still exist through the public grid, and the entire test becomes meaningless.
The public grid should therefore be disconnected immediately after the meter, ideally by means of a dedicated main switch that fully isolates both the inverter and the entire building from the grid. Only under these conditions can you be sure that in off grid mode no return path through the grid still exists.
After this disconnection, off grid mode can be activated.
☝️ If you notice that voltage is present at both inputs of the transfer switch, where such a switch exists, this indicates a serious installation fault.
The next step is to measure the voltage between line and protective earth at a socket outlet. If you measure around 230 volts, this shows that an earth reference is generally present. But that value alone does not prove that the fault current path is actually working correctly.
The decisive test must be performed under load. A small load, such as a simple incandescent lamp or a suitable test lamp, can be connected between line and protective earth.
👉 In that moment, the RCD must trip.
If it does not trip, you should assume that there is no functioning fault current path in off grid mode. In that case, the system should not continue to operate until grounding, neutral earth bonding, and current return paths have been checked properly by a qualified professional.
Voltage in off grid mode is not proof of safety. The only thing that matters is whether a defined return path exists and whether the protective devices operate reliably under those conditions.
⚠️ This is one of the most common and at the same time one of the most critical mistakes seen in real world installations.
Alex
___________________
..... if you want to dive deeper into all of these topics, feel free to subscribe to my German channel as well. I cover a wide range of photovoltaic topics there, along with my own system standard, AC Energy Systems.
youtube.com/@Heiling_Alexander?sub_confirmation=1
5 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
https://youtu.be/_Nr1Hl-KPxc
8 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
https://youtu.be/qR1Y3GfbFQ8
8 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
Understanding Hybrid Photovoltaics – soon available in English 👇👇👇
Dear international community 🌍,
I have just approved the final version of my book for printing and binding. The German edition is now complete and already available in my online shop and on Amazon.
This book explains hybrid photovoltaics from the ground up 🔍. Not only the system logic, but also every operating mode and all relevant settings in detail. Many real-world problems are not caused by incorrect values, but by a lack of understanding of how a hybrid system internally measures, controls, and makes decisions.
That is exactly why this book connects two essential layers:
the technical logic of a hybrid inverter and the practical implementation through operating modes and settings ⚙️. Using the SolaX X3 as an example, grid interaction, smart meters, CT clamps, battery logic, charging and discharging behavior, EPS operation, and all operating modes are explained step by step and placed into a clear technical context 🔋🔌.
Many readers choose this book specifically because it does not only show where to change a setting, but explains why that setting exists and how it affects the system as a whole.
My next project has already begun 🚀: a full English translation for my international community. Technically identical to the German edition, precisely translated, and aligned with the official English menu terminology.
The English edition is expected to be released in the third week of January 📅. It will be available in my online shop and on Amazon, as usual.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in this project 🙏
Alex
9 months ago | [YT] | 5
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
Fully powered through the winter 👇👇👇
New must-have Home Assistant automation for your SolaX system – now available for you!
Dear community,
I keep receiving the same winter problems over and over again:
📉 battery capacity drops as soon as temperatures fall
🔋 battery suddenly empty without warning
❄️ cell temperature too low
🔥 inverter running too hot
⚡ breaker trips because boiler, buffer tank, sauna or wallbox run at the same time
👉 And most people only notice it when it’s already too late.
What many don’t know:
these situations announce themselves long before they happen – you just normally don’t see it.
That ends now.
I’m providing you with a complete Home Assistant automation that solves exactly these issues:
👉 you get early notifications on everything important related to your PV system, directly on your smartphone
👉 your battery is maintained regularly so it doesn’t lose capacity
👉 the system runs more stable and reliable
👉 the automation is easy to adapt to your own entities and thresholds
👉 installation is extremely simple thanks to my clear documentation
No technical knowledge needed.
Import, select entities, save – done.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I can only offer this automation in the Community tab for channel members on my German YouTube channel.
The reason is simple: on this English channel, I sadly get too little support in terms of views and subscriptions, so I cannot enable channel memberships here yet.
Here is the link to my German channel:
[youtube.com/@Heiling_Alexander?sub_confirmation=1](youtube.com/@Heiling_Alexander?sub_confirmation=1)
And here is the link to become a channel member and access the download:
[youtube.com/channel/UC_Bz5SOFgcytE-76e89N5ww/join](youtube.com/channel/UC_Bz5SOFgcytE-76e89N5ww/join)
ZIP file includes the YAML automation + an easy-to-understand guide.
Thank you for your support – and enjoy the new automation!
10 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
Winter routine for stable battery capacity 👇
Every year before winter, many people from the community reach out to me because their storage capacity seems to decrease, charge curves suddenly look non-linear, and the battery behaves very differently compared to summer.
This is understandable – but that’s exactly why a clear strategy is needed.
For that reason, I developed a coordinated balancing routine that runs in Home Assistant and activates automatically whenever there are too few natural charge cycles during the winter months.
It keeps the cells properly balanced, stabilizes the available capacity, and ensures that the battery stays healthy in the long run without requiring any manual intervention.
Alex
10 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
I am now building the automations you need 👇👇👇
Dear community,
more and more of my customers are now using Home Assistant – many of them running on the mini PC I supply.
But let’s be honest:
only very few want to sit in front of a computer for hours like I do, dealing with YAML… and that’s why it’s difficult for many to build truly meaningful automations for surplus control, load management, priorities, storage logic and so on.
From now on, I’ll take care of this for you – but not in the way you might think 😉
I won’t log into your systems and build everything individually.
Instead, I provide you with professional and dynamic templates:
the so-called Blueprints.
These are stored on my server,
you can easily import them into Home Assistant,
and you can get them in my online shop as a digital product.
After that, you only need to define a few things:
• the thresholds you want (on/off, minimum SOC, etc.)
• which entity should be switched
• conditions for switching on and off
• optional logic such as “only when the sun is shining” or whatever else you need...
I’m still fine-tuning and thinking about what you truly need, but I think my concept is almost ready.
To put it simply:
you fill out a form – and Home Assistant carries out exactly what you want in your household.
no technical knowledge
no YAML programming
no frustration
I’ll start with the most important and at the same time the simplest:
three independent surplus consumers, switched in a cascade
based on battery level, available surplus, priorities, and thresholds
including minimum-SOC handling
and a feature SolaX does not offer out of the box: automatically stopping the SolaX EV-charger as soon as the battery reaches your defined minimum level
What do you think?
I run countless such automations assisted by AI, and I can create them practically in my sleep.
But building these templates in a clean, flexible, and universal way is a huge challenge, because they do not consist of a single automation.
They are tied to tons of helpers and external parameters that I can’t know from your setups.
After sleepless nights, I finally found a way to share my entire logic with you, so you can benefit to the maximum – without effort, simply by defining your wishes in the form.
And now it’s your turn 👇
write in the comments which automations you want
tell me what you want to happen in your household and when
I’ll build it dynamically, modularly, and scalable...
so that it doesn’t just work for one person but for all of you – in every home!
that’s how you use energy the right way – automated – complex for me, simple for you.
Alex ⚡️
10 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
the components of the alexBOX advanced 👇👇👇
Dear community…,
as already announced, I will soon publish a video on my YouTube channel
[youtube.com/@Heiling_Alexander?sub_confirmation=1](youtube.com/@Heiling_Alexander?sub_confirmation=1)
in which I go into detail about the purpose, the functions, and the possible use-cases of the alexBOX advanced.
I keep getting asked which components I personally use for this system.
✔️ That’s why you’ll find below an overview of the parts I selected for my prototype, including Amazon links so you can source them directly and at a good price.
When choosing the components, I placed great value on reliability, control logic, grid separation, convenience functions and a clean structure.
Exactly this combination has proven to be reliable and practical in my setup.
For everyone who really wants to understand in detail how all components interact, I am currently preparing a document for my online shop.
In this document, I show how my alexBOX advanced is wired and structured internally, which signals go where, how specific functions are implemented, and what considerations lie behind protection, contactors, control paths, and sensors.
The document describes my personal setup and can serve as a technical reference if you want to understand how such a system can be structured and what relationships must be considered.
It will be written in a way that everyone can follow even with only minimal technical knowledge.
Until then, here is a complete list of all relevant components that have proven themselves for me:
---
Doktorvolt surface-mounted distribution box, metal enclosure, 72 modules, 4-row, IP30 IK07, white, for indoor installation
[amzn.to/47lKyqT](amzn.to/47lKyqT)
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Doktorvolt flush-mounted distribution box, metal enclosure, 90 modules, 5-row, IP30 IK07, white, for indoor installation
[amzn.to/4qzjrQF](amzn.to/4qzjrQF)
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Kraus & Naimer KA63B T904 VE2 +F437 changeover switch, 4-pole, 63A, positions: grid / 0 / backup, snap mount, load switch
[amzn.to/3Lkhzv9](amzn.to/3Lkhzv9)
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UPS 12V2A 22.2W for camera, router, with overload and short-circuit protection
[amzn.to/4hFVbZe](amzn.to/4hFVbZe)
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Xenterio 10mm² H07V-K wiring kit for electrical distribution / meter cabinet, cable lengths: 5×2m, conductor colors: brown, black, grey, blue, green-yellow
[amzn.to/43dJzXs](amzn.to/43dJzXs)
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Pollmann junction terminal HLAK 25 1/6 M2
[amzn.to/4qXheir](amzn.to/4qXheir)
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VulTech UPS60PW-DC white mini-UPS 12000 mAh, 60W, for router, modem, access point, camera, smartphone – input 100–240 VAC, USB 5V DC / 12V
[amzn.to/47UjcZ5](amzn.to/47UjcZ5)
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ABB ESB25-13N-14 contactor, 12 V AC/DC coil, 4-pole, 1 NO + 3 NC, 25 A
[amzn.to/3X5jkii](amzn.to/3X5jkii)
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Shelly Pro 4PM | WLAN & LAN 4-channel relay with power-measurement – 40A
[amzn.to/4hFRfHJ](amzn.to/4hFRfHJ)
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Shelly 1 Gen3 – WiFi smart relay with potential-free contacts, 1 channel, 16A (4-pack)
[amzn.to/47jjbhe](amzn.to/47jjbhe)
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DIN-rail mount kit compatible with Shelly relays (Mini Gen3, 1PM, 1PM Mini Gen3, 2PM, 2.5, RGBW2, PM, Plus i4 DC, Dimmer 2), set of 4
[amzn.to/3X97QdC](amzn.to/3X97QdC)
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ABB S200M circuit breaker type C, 4-pole, 25A, Pro M Compact, DIN-rail mounted
[amzn.to/47DA0Cr](amzn.to/47DA0Cr)
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Heschen household AC contactor CT1-25, Ie 25A, 2-pole, two normally open, DC 12V coil, 35mm DIN-rail mount
[amzn.to/4390wSN](amzn.to/4390wSN)
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Pre-configured Mini-PC for Home Assistant
[pr-heiling.at/products/home-assistant](pr-heiling.at/products/home-assistant)
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Home Assistant backup file – preconfigured
[pr-heiling.at/products/home-assistant_backupdatei_…](pr-heiling.at/products/home-assistant_backupdatei_…)
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NiPoGi AK1PLUS Mini PC, Intel Alder Lake N95 (up to 3.4 GHz), 16GB DDR4, 512GB SSD, 2.5-inch SSD expansion, gigabit ethernet, 2.4+5G WiFi, BT4.2, 4K@60Hz UHD dual display
[amzn.to/4nAEZKc](amzn.to/4nAEZKc)
10 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
PR-Heiling - international
The prototype of the alexBOX advanced is ready! 👇👇👇
Since I’m currently being flooded with criticism, WhatsApp messages, and emails – mostly from people who look at pictures but can’t read texts – I’ll once again explain the purpose and structure of all components inside the alexBOX advanced.
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1️⃣ Superior grid disconnection – AI-controlled
It all starts with a high-quality contactor that, under AI control and according to definable rules, intentionally disconnects only the three phases (not the neutral) from the public grid.
This contactor is powered via a 12 V UPS to ensure a fully uninterruptible supply at all times.
The switching command comes from Home Assistant, where alexGPT continuously polls countless parameters, sets entities, and triggers dynamic automations – for example during grid-operator interventions, thunderstorm alerts, or other user-defined rules.
👉 The neutral line remains permanently connected,
because the actual standardized grid separation takes place within the hybrid system or inverter itself. Whether it happens before or after is irrelevant.
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2️⃣ The two change-over switches – why they exist (and why many don’t get it 🍌🍌🍌)
Despite full automation, there are two manual 4-pole change-over switches:
• First switch:
Used for connecting a backup generator in case of absolute emergency – it enables a seamless switch between EPS mode and generator backup.
• Second switch:
Normally set to “EPS” to route grid power through the inverters in a parallel setup.
This way, all power – whether from grid-parallel or off-grid operation – flows through the EPS position to the consumer side.
👉 If one inverter fails, the household can be switched directly to the grid via this switch.
So it’s purely for maintenance and bypass purposes – not for normal operation.
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3️⃣ Internal structure – engineered down to the last detail
The box is designed so that, via spacious labeled distribution terminals, up to 10 inverters can easily be combined into a parallel system – both on the grid and EPS sides.
This means the entire backup wiring is already pre-configured.
To connect a backup-capable hybrid system, you only need to wire:
• the public grid,
• grid inputs of up to 10 inverters (for parallel operation),
• EPS outputs of all inverters,
• and the household loads.
👉 Everything else – including correct neutral-line routing and load disconnect switches – is already prepared.
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4️⃣ Intelligent load control with AI support
On the consumer side, there are separate terminals for:
• general household loads,
• and dynamically switched loads,
controlled by AI-based logic or surplus energy.
Standard configuration includes:
✅ 4 cascaded 25 A circuits, AI-controlled via Home Assistant
✅ 1 additional 25 A circuit via inverter dry-contact – directly controllable in the SolaX app
✅ 4 temperature sensors providing data for intelligent boiler and buffer-tank control
Everything comes pre-wired and ready to use.
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5️⃣ Communication & interfaces
• RJ45 Modbus (A/B) port for SolaX Wallbox, Adapter Box G2, or other RS485-capable devices
• DRM functions:
– Normal mode (DRM active) pre-configured
– 6 additional terminal pairs for DRM 1–5 prepared
• 4 × 12 V outputs powered via the mini-UPS,
for supplying router, Home Assistant mini-PC, and other control electronics
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6️⃣ Custom-built for every project
I build each box individually based on my customers’ requirements.
The prototype’s configuration (cable cross-sections, protection ratings, etc.) is tailored precisely to my own system – the production version will be customized and documented per installation.
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🚀 Conclusion
The alexBOX advanced is not just a distribution cabinet – it’s an autonomous, AI-driven energy-management system that combines grid, backup, surplus, communication, and safety in one compact unit.
Everything works – seamlessly, logically, reliably, and intelligently.
Pricing on request!
And one more thing to all the 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌 out there:
Please spare me the pointless criticism if you don’t understand the technology behind it.
Build your little “standard-compliant” box yourself – and enjoy the result! 😎
Alex
11 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
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