diy solar

diy solar

Growatt SPF 12000T DVM MPV vs 2x EG4 6500EX-48

Lets explore this idea:

A lineman drives by my property, sees a bunch of solar panels on my shop from the road (~200' away at the closest). Then what, he thinks "They have solar panels. I'm gonna get them, and their little dog too!" ? He has no reason to care. No reason to think anything is awry - because its not. But whatever, lets say his spidy sense tingles and he takes interest.
Then what?
Ha Ha, and you thought I hijacked the thread :ROFLMAO: You just opened up a can of worms that is going to produce a crapstorm :ROFLMAO:
 
Cool, I want to hear all about how the 12K works for you. Do you own a back brace. My growatt weighs more than the woman I married last century. Robert did a great job for me.
It weights more than the woman I married more than a decade ago too. However she may have the upper hand on it now. ?

Seriously, that's what brother's are for. Get them over here to help heave it onto the the hanging bolts and provide stabilization/moral support/make fun of me as I bolt it the rest of the way down.
 
Well thanks for the feedback. I made my mind up. Yesterday I ordered a Growatt 12K DVM MPV refurb through signature solar paired with 2x EG4 5.12Kw batteries.
(I'll grow out the additional batteries over time)

I wanted these, but sadly they aren't really available...?

I did everything through one of their reps, Madison (who is awesome by the way). She was very knowledgeable and eager to help. If you're planning a purchase and on the fence about some of the details, give them a call and ask for Madison.

I'll start another post once I get everything in and let everyone know how the refurb inverter works and the system as a whole.
You'll like the inverter. I'm running the 8kw version and it's a tank, but do yourself a favor and order two more batteries so you only have to pay for shipping one time. I tried starting out with just two EG4 batteries and quickly learned Growatt suggests having 400ah for a reason. After adding two more batteries I no longer have to worry about running the batteries into the ground before the sun comes up.
 
You'll like the inverter. I'm running the 8kw version and it's a tank, but do yourself a favor and order two more batteries so you only have to pay for shipping one time. I tried starting out with just two EG4 batteries and quickly learned Growatt suggests having 400ah for a reason. After adding two more batteries I no longer have to worry about running the batteries into the ground before the sun comes up.
I took your advice, in part, and added a 3rd battery to the order. My pockets are not infinite so they extra 1-3 batteries will need to wait for now.
 
You'll like the inverter. I'm running the 8kw version and it's a tank, but do yourself a favor and order two more batteries so you only have to pay for shipping one time. I tried starting out with just two EG4 batteries and quickly learned Growatt suggests having 400ah for a reason. After adding two more batteries I no longer have to worry about running the batteries into the ground before the sun comes up.
Overnight, the idle current of the GW will make a decent dent in two batteries. It's noticeable with four.
 
Lets explore this idea:

A lineman drives by my property, sees a bunch of solar panels on my shop from the road (~200' away at the closest). Then what, he thinks "They have solar panels. I'm gonna get them, and their little dog too!" ? He has no reason to care. No reason to think anything is awry - because its not. But whatever, lets say his spidy sense tingles and he takes interest.
Then what? He isn't a meter reader so he can't trespass.
But Let's say he works dual-role lineman/meter reader. Here we are entirely smart meters, so no meter readers anymore, but for the hypothetical, lets say he has 'something' (exigent circumstances) that will allow him to trespass onto my property legally (Yes, trespassing legally isn't trespassing?).
Then what? There are solar panels on my shop, a external utility disconnect adjacent to the meter, and nothing else for him to see. He can't go into my garage, shop, or utility room.
But whatever, let's say I let him in. Show him the whole system. He asks me "Is that inverter thingy approved by Entergy?".
Me: "You know, I really don't know or care if it is. It's my appliance in my home. They have no more regulation of it than my water heater. But thanks for stopping by. Try to stay cool out there."

This whole thing is like being afraid to cut the tags off your mattress or getting in trouble for using a aerosol can in a manner other than directed by the manufacturer (to be clear I am not advocating huffing, talking about spraying it upside-down or something similar).

It's looking for something to worry about/fear. Don't. We live in the freest society on earth. If you don't pick some ones pocket nor break their leg they will leave you alone, Karens aside?.
I do not agree.

A lineman has a vested interest in his safety, and the safety of his brethren. He does not know if you are, or are not feeding the grid (not all places have smart meters so do not take this as only targeted at you, and is it even possible for a smart meter to detect a zero export system? ((duh on my part, whether the grid was up, or down, I'd guess a zero export would never feed it)) or if you have taken proper steps to prevent feeding a downed grid. Feeding a down grid is a major safety no-no. Surely, it is in a lineman's job description that if a possible life threatening situation is discovered, it must be dealt with accordingly. While in the office, the lineman mentions he saw a new solar install and inquires if it passed inspection.
All the elec provider has to say to you is prove you are safely connected, or not connected to the grid. They have the on/off switch.
 
Last edited:
I have a neighbor down the street who is a lineman; he's got my rototiller at the moment. :) I like him, his wife & their children. Even if I didn't like them, I wouldn't take the chance of back-feeding the grid.
 
I have a neighbor down the street who is a lineman; he's got my rototiller at the moment. :) I like him, his wife & their children. Even if I didn't like them, I wouldn't take the chance of back-feeding the grid.
Agreed
But, this discussion isn't about a grid tied inverter.
I personally have no use for a grid tied inverter.
 
I have a neighbor down the street who is a lineman; he's got my rototiller at the moment. :) I like him, his wife & their children. Even if I didn't like them, I wouldn't take the chance of back-feeding the grid.
Dude, you're different, but I like you. ?

I too agree back-feeding is bad, should never be done, kills linemen, and is inexcusable.

Now that, that's over...
 
Agreed
But, this discussion isn't about a grid tied inverter.
I personally have no use for a grid tied inverter.
It has now morphed into safety and how our electric providers have a right to keep their team as safe as reasonably possible.
 
Dude, you're different, but I like you. ?

I too agree back-feeding is bad, should never be done, kills linemen, and is inexcusable.

Now that, that's over...
Dang, you beat me to the post by that much.
 
So, does anyone know what the max wire size for the AC inputs & outputs is on the GW 6/8/12s (assuming all are the same)? I know the manual recommends 6AWG. Will it fit #4 or even #2?

I'd prefer to use the largest diameter wire it will take to minimize transmission losses.
 
I'd love to have 6, but the extra $4,500 is not negligible.
Although the prices are not as attractive as before, you can save a little $ by rolling your own battery bank. Docan still shows stock of 280ah cells @$149 and jbd bms@$149.
 
So, does anyone know what the max wire size for the AC inputs & outputs is on the GW 6/8/12s (assuming all are the same)? I know the manual recommends 6AWG. Will it fit #4 or even #2?

I'd prefer to use the largest diameter wire it will take to minimize transmission losses.
I have the SPF 6000T DVM-MPV.

4awg is the largest I could get to (barely) fit into the AC in/out & PV connections. Southwire 6awg, stranded THHN fit nicely.

The 4awg wire I tried is TemCo WC0148, Conductor Diameter: .233”, 1/4”, 5.92 MM, Maximum Amps: 150, Outside Diameter: 0.331, Maximum Voltage: 600, Conductor Type: Stranded, Conductor Material: Copper, Stranding: 364, Max Temp Rating: 105°C.

The 48VDC input terminals have a diameter of about 8.1 mm. I could mount a 7 mm thick terminal connector and still have a thread or two showing after torquing down the nut.
 
I apologize I am new to this forum and it may not be my place to say anything about solar. I have the EG4 inverters and batteries and I am in California, off grid. but I have noticed what that there is a lot of talk about pros and cons of having combiner box's or not. And that has to do with savings but there may not be any. the NEC has said more than 3 load carrying conductors in a conduit has to be D-rated. my system has no combiner box's. I have 8 PV coming down. Which D-rates the load capability to 70% of the wires rated load.
load. Just something to think about I have been looking to find if conduit size, may makes a difference and I have unable to find that information. So if you can go up in conduit size which costs more money. It's possible it's just a trade off larger conduit or combiner boxes.
 
Here's a little bit of info about derating conductors in a conduit derating conductors in conduit For more information just search 'nec derating of conductors in a conduit'. With the eg4 inverter, I think it is safe to assume we are talking dc current. Does dc affect this rating? I am not sure.
Which eg4 controller? Which pv panels and how many? How far is the run from panel to inverter? What size wire for the run? How many mppt inputs does the eg4 controller have? Lots of questions.
 
Back
Top