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MPP-SOLAR LV6548

jasonhc73

Cat herder, and dog toy tosser.
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Wichita, Kansas
I just got the email from Peggy Hung from mppsolar.com, deliveries "will be ready in 10 working days". I don't know if the actually means they will start delivering them on November 27th, or it takes them 10 days from when you order them. (I think it means the new inverter will start shipping on November 27th).

$1155 each.
Imagine most of the limits the LV5048 has when it is paralleled, the VL6548 eliminates those issues.

"It is a strong feature inverter 6500w, 110vac 48v, Split phase capable ( for using 2 or above in parallel connection )
For single-unit use, it can work without a battery. wifi/parallel kit built-in. PV input 250vdc ."


One particularly useful feature is the "mobile app". Unfortunately, it is shown to still use WatchPower (which is really crappy by modern standards)
Scheduling feature to only charge or use the battery during specified times.
The much voltage of the MPPT is a significant step in the right direction versus the LV5048.


If you plan to have a rather large system, this looks like a serious contender to some top-tier labels.

 
Wow, I got the same email from the same lady Peggy, except in my email she said $1145 hehe, weird...

I replied back with a few questions like:

-How many watts do you get with 2 units in parallel?
-How many watts on the 240v and on the 120v?
-Can the 120v power be unbalanced?
-Can the 240v start up a 14.5a 3.7 hp air compressor?
-Is this a low frequency inverter or high frequency inverter?

Here is the manual for it:

It's split-phase (requires 2x units to do split-phase), says it's UL1741 TUV Certified (whatever that means, I'm used to seeing UL listed on devices), has built-in wifi adapter, built-in parallel stacking adapter, can be connected battery-less etc, works with some supported BMS/batteries, bunch of other stuff...




I really want to get a Sol-Ark for the long haul, but had been contemplating to buy a cheaper inverter solution like this to start with, just to get by for a year or 2 until I build my shop and house, and thought maybe I should go this route since money is a bit tight right now... But if it can't start my big air compressor or run heavier tools then I may just hold out and get the Sol-Ark to start with...

I was not able to start my big air compressor on my Prius 3.5kW (5.2kW surge) inverter thus far (I was able to run my smaller air compressor and also tested my drill press and it worked)... I did just buy a Hyper Engineering SureStart soft-starter for it, and as soon as it gets here, will install it and see if I can get it to fire up on the Prius inverter again.

I just want to make sure I can get good enough power to run things like that on the ranch property. I would hate to spend $2400 on a cheaper temporary solution and find it doesn't run big things. I also will need big enough to run a minimum 2 HP well pump. I've heard bad stories about high frequency inverters and running big motors with lots of surge.

But the advertised features of this LV6548 do seem enticing though at first look.
 
Wow, I got the same email from the same lady Peggy, except in my email she said $1145 hehe, weird...

I replied back with a few questions like:

-How many watts do you get with 2 units in parallel?
-How many watts on the 240v and on the 120v?
-Can the 120v power be unbalanced?
-Can the 240v start up a 14.5a 3.7 hp air compressor?
-Is this a low frequency inverter or high frequency inverter?

But the advertised features of this LV6548 do seem enticing though at first look.
I have a year on two LV5048's and regularly run them at 7300 watts (240V). The LV5048 is literally two LV2424's in one box, already paralleled.

I am very happy with their performance. I want the extra features and the higher voltage MPPT. I am not too thrilled with having 80V strings, so doing 240V strings I could easily do.

I like all the features of the Sol-Ark, but it is not worth the money for watts output. It's still only 8K output. If you had 4 LV6548's you will still spend less money and have 26k Watts output! I'm pretty sure that will start your compressor. ? Batteryless operation is kind of a joke since it only works on one unit.
 
UGH so frustrated. WHY MPP solar, You No tell me sooner!

Looks like the 5048 might get cheaper though and Id get a 3rd one cheap to finish out my rig.

However this 6548 or the growatt 12k off grid inverter are about the same price range... The MPP has a superior CC with higher voltage and the growatt is a Low frequency inverter. ugh, tough time for me to build my rig.
 
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? Batteryless operation is kind of a joke since it only works on one unit.

Yeah I do remember reading that part... And, batteryless operation is a joke for me because I already have the 32x cells here for the build :geek: ...


Well, it does sound pretty tempting anyways... I do feel more confident hearing from an actual user like you who owns a similar one (is an advanced level solar tech enthusiast), likes to run it hard and still says it's good, even after all that...

I do like the idea of having at least 2 of these paralleled because I work in hardware/software enterprise datacenter virtualization stuff at my job, and I am well conditioned around 'redundancy, redundancy, and more redundancy' ...hehe, it doesn't hurt to have more hot spares.


BTW, I got the email response back from Peggy, it sounds like all greens there from her angle...


"
These are High frequency inverter, and still with transformer built in.
As long as your ac load size will not exceed the size of inverter, it will work fine.
Inverter is designed for 6500w continuous power, surge power 13kw ( withhold 5 second ).
And for 2 inverter in parallel, it will be a 13kw inverter system / surge power 26kw.
For working under a 110vac, the support output ac current is 118.18A , or under 240vac ac output , it is 54.16A.
We have many different model of inverter designed in similar way, unbalance power is confirmed not an issue.
"
 
Wow, these surge numbers are much better than the LV5048.

I do like the idea of having at least 2 of these paralleled because I work in hardware/software enterprise datacenter virtualization stuff at my job, and I am well conditioned around 'redundancy, redundancy, and more redundancy' ...hehe, it doesn't hurt to have more hot spares.
These are not really hot spares or redundant, once paralleled they operate as one unit. Much like RAID array. ? If one kaputs, it all kaputs.

I have no idea what high frequency means. The LV5048 is transformer less, but she just replied that the LV6548 does have transformer. If that is the case, then I would say the unit is as close to top tier as it gets.
 
Wow, these surge numbers are much better than the LV5048.


These are not really hot spares or redundant, once paralleled they operate as one unit. Much like RAID array. ? If one kaputs, it all kaputs.

I have no idea what high frequency means. The LV5048 is transformer less, but she just replied that the LV6548 does have transformer. If that is the case, then I would say the unit is as close to top tier as it gets.

So if one unit fails, would at least the 120v bus work on the other inverter (I realize you'd lose the split-phase), it seems you should at least be able to have some redundancy with the remaining inverter to get you some power until you're able to get the failed inverter back online so you're not completely dead in the water. Maybe 3 inverters would be better to have, so if you had a failure, you could at least revert to a 240v split-phase while in degraded state... Starting to get more expensive already :)

Maybe I'm chasing my tail with the fantasy that I should need to bother with redundancy on this level... My first line of redundancy I've already planned in, is having 48v DC heaters and LED lights on hand just in case of an AC failure. I may even use a DC pump for the well.
 
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So if one unit fails, would at least the 120v bus work on the other inverter (I realize you'd lose the split-phase), it seems you should at least be able to have some redundancy with the remaining inverter to get you some power until you're able to get the failed inverter back online so you're not completely dead in the water. Maybe 3 inverters would be better to have, so if you had a failure, you could at least revert to a 240v split-phase while in degraded state...
Take off the tin foil pepper hat. ?

The warranty return rate for MPP Solar, is as low as any top tier brand there is. They make quility units. But if the nut behind the wheel keeps surging the units, it's their fault.

When these get put in parallel they share the current, entirely. If you blow out a phase, you will probably blow out both units at the same time. You may only kill one phase though, and might be able to get by on one phase.
 
UGH so frustrated. WHY MPP solar, You No tell me sooner!

Looks like the 5048 might get cheaper though and Id get a 3rd one cheap to finish out my rig.

However this 6548 or the growatt 12k off grid inverter are about the same price range... The MPP has a superior CC with higher voltage and the growatt is a Low frequency inverter. ugh, tough time for me to build my rig.

I'm curious about these Growatt units too though... They are low frequency.

The other question I have for MPP vs Growatt is the management app software/firmware... Do they require internet connection / cloud account to function? Can they operate in 'dark site' mode? How are the UI's in general, the app functionality user experience, etc? I've read a bit that the Growatt code more refined as it's developed in house, and that MPP is built around someone else's code...

My foil hat is wearing out, gonna go make a new one real quick... :giggle:
 
MPP-Solar and Growatt are the same units, all made by Axpert. MPP-Solar has Axpert supplied firmware.

They all work off-line through the front panel
The app function is unknown. I have the wifi adapter on my MPP-Solar setup and the web interface is as bad as WatchPower.
 
Take off the tin foil pepper hat. ?

The warranty return rate for MPP Solar, is as low as any top tier brand there is. They make quility units. But if the nut behind the wheel keeps surging the units, it's their fault.

When these get put in parallel they share the current, entirely. If you blow out a phase, you will probably blow out both units at the same time. You may only kill one phase though, and might be able to get by on one phase.

Yeah because just remember, in the city, if your power fails, you call the power company to fix it, but when you're off-grid, out in the middle of nowhere, it's all on you, wife will complain but who do you call to fix it? You can't blame the outage on someone else hehe...
 
MPP-Solar and Growatt are the same units, all made by Axpert. MPP-Solar has Axpert supplied firmware.

They all work off-line through the front panel
The app function is unknown. I have the wifi adapter on my MPP-Solar setup and the web interface is as bad as WatchPower.

When I Google it I get this:


Who makes Growatt inverters?

New Energy Technology Co. Ltd
Growatt New Energy Technology Co. Ltd (simply known as Growatt), is a Chinese solar inverter manufacturing company established in 2010.
 
Ok I have emailed Peggy with a bunch of questions, I am planning on purchasing two units to supply 240vac split phase. I am stuck to either purchase the LV5048 as there are numerous you tube videos with lots of info, however very interested in the LV6548, however don't see any of them in use via you tube ??
I am leaning towards LV5048 however the output of the LV6548 is impressive, and a newer model.
Which one should I purchase LV5048 or LV6548 and why ???
Thanks in advance to whom ever can help me out.
 
Ok I have emailed Peggy with a bunch of questions, I am planning on purchasing two units to supply 240vac split phase. I am stuck to either purchase the LV5048 as there are numerous you tube videos with lots of info, however very interested in the LV6548, however don't see any of them in use via you tube ??
I am leaning towards LV5048 however the output of the LV6548 is impressive, and a newer model.
Which one should I purchase LV5048 or LV6548 and why ???
Thanks in advance to whom ever can help me out.

Well, I know from some of my research, the LV6548 has increased the PV input from 150v to 250v. Also, for the price, the 6548 has the WiFi built-in, where the 5048 you had to buy the separate WiFi module. If you wanted to parallel stack, on the 5048 I think you also had to buy the parallel stacking cards, where the 6548 has it built-in as well. 5048 had 60a utility charging of battery, 6548 had 120a utility charging capacity. The 6548 also claims UL1741 compliance TUV certified... And of course the higher 6.5kW rating.

If I was up against this decision on which to buy of those 2, I would get the high capacity one because then they are more future proof, and since they're beefier, they may last longer under lower loads... Probably one downside to a larger inverter, might be idle no-load power draw. Not sure if you could ask Peggy for a spec on that, between the 2 models.

But yeah, it is a new release so not going to be any You Tube videos yet. Maybe you could ask Peggy if she'd send you a free pair of LV6548's, and you could make the first You Tube video review for it which would promote the new model for them :)
 
My LV5048's in parallel draw roughly 30watts just sitting there. The fans do not stop, ever. These are very good and have served many users very well. They are transformerless. I don't know if that's good or bad. The LV6548's appear to have transformers, again no idea if that's better or not.

I do not have mine grid-tied, but I do use them grid fed on the weekends, to fully top off the batteries. Grid-Tied means can back feed, the LV5048 does not have this capability. If the LV6548 is UL1741, that to me means that it can back feed the grid, but that is not shown anywhere in the user manual. You can have A/C input from the grid (or generator) and A/C output to a loads panel. The LV6548 is not a grid-tied UL1741 type of inverter, even though it shows it is right there on the feature set in bold and red.

The Sol-Ark is a grid-tied UL1741 type with an A/C input, A/C Bi-Directional, and A/C output. All UL1741 really means to us users, is that if the grid goes down, the inverter will not put power on the grid. Since the LV6548 can't send power to the grid no matter what you do, it kind of is UL1741 compliant.

If you have a small PV array, less than 10K, and you can find an LV5048 for a much better price than the LV6548 get it. The LV6548 is the same price this year as I paid for the LV5048 last year. The LV5048's come ready to be paralleled. I am 90% sure they come with the two cables to make the parallel. The LV5048's weigh about 20 lbs each, they are really light feeling for their size. The LV6548's weigh nearly 42 lbs each. I suspect it is because they have actual transformers, but that is just a guess.

I really like the LV6548 for two main features. The surge rating is far superior to the LV5048, and the MPPT is double the voltage range. The MPPT on its own is worth it in my mind just for the simplicity of wiring and the efficiency gained with the higher voltages you can use.

I am 90% decided on getting a pair of LV6548's myself. I could certainly make a great deal on the pair of LV5048's I have and have used for the last year.
 
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PV Inputs for the LV5048 vs the LV6548

2020-11-21.png

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The A/C wireing is quite a bit different on the LV6548 also. I would say that it is a world design. The LV5048 has L1, L2, N, and G. the LV6548 only has L, N and G. You get US Split Phase 240V with just one LV5048. You have to have 2 LV6548's to get US Splitphase 240V.

LV5048 A/C connections:
2020-11-21 (3).png

LV6548 A/C Connections:
2020-11-21 (4).png
 
LV5048 in split-phase(standard 240V US), upto 3 in parallel possible
2020-11-21 (6).png
LV6548 in split-phase (standard 240V US), upto 6 in parallel possible
2020-11-21 (5).png
 
Thank you so much for all the info, I'm going to research a bit more, I may go with the LV6548 just cause its a newer model and more output, not interested in grid-tie at this point, just want battery back up, hydro was out for 4 days this past week from a wind storm, ran generator for the whole time.
 
FYI, just an update on a question I had sent to both vendors for the MPP LV6548 and the Growatt SPF 12000DVM, about idle power draw.

Peggy responded that the LV6548: "...stand by power consumption is around 25-30Watt "
(not sure if that is for pair or single unit, I specifically asked about 'pair of these' in my original question to her)

And seller of the Growatt SPF 12000DVM indicated: "Idle draw on the 12kw is 150W"
 
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