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  • Post in thread: Growatt, tell me I'm wrong

    This last part is all about, me me me, so if your not intrested, feel free to skip this post. I really like this setup and it provides for all my needs. Signature solar has treated me very well and have contacted me several times to insure that I am satisfied. I run my entire home off this...
  • Post in thread: Signature Solar disappointing service

    Well, I wont fit in here but, here goes anyway... I spent a bunch of money with Signature Solar and was afraid of bad things to come. But, everything came in wood crates or boxes with a ton of thick foam. A minor scratch on somthing (i don't remember, don't care) and everything worked. I did...
  • Post in thread: No earth grounding?

    Let me start you off, until the usual "know it all" shows up. I suggest spending some time, researching this matter. Only because it will he YOUR decision, in the end. As I understand, it is unlikely for you to make lightening strike any more frequent than nature. The issue with solar and...
  • Post in thread: Class t fuse without holder

    When I designed My system, the initial cost was $18,000. After following all the advise from all the safety guys. My system would have cost $32,000. Being safe is of concern of most everybody. But, you have to listen, reason, then act in your best understanding of the people you can put merit...
  • Post in thread: Growatt, tell me I'm wrong

    My set up works better than I thought it would.... you know, with the wife running laundry, dishwasher, microwave, and then she thinks, hum....I'll have a piece of toast. All the while, holding the fridge. Door open.
  • Post in thread: Growatt, tell me I'm wrong

    Nobody likes a dead end thread.... I installed the updated firmware. I want everyone to know, I had a issue installing the new firmware. I called Signature Solar and left a message, i was dead in the water (stuck) Payton called me back in 10 min. AWSOME!!! he helped me through the issue...
  • Post in thread: Assistance with inverter choice Growatt 10k?

    Sorry to jump in, but the 12k growatt will accept 120 amps of input Pv. In any combination.
  • Post in thread: Growatt 12k unboxing

    Nope, I'm useless....today. long story short, I started my system unbalanced. Due to the wife buying me extra batteries as a gift. So I bumped up my array. Now I got everything fud up. I did look at the data sheet on line, and I believe it is the old data, from the 150v models they sold and are...
  • Post in thread: Growatt, tell me I'm wrong

    I think it's time to end this thread... The firmware update solved my intermittent restart issue, but with all firmware updates I've ever done, there are new issues. This time, I only found a small issue... the inverter will now allow a combined charge (solar and utility) to high for my...
  • Post in thread: Real-life winter production in SW Michigan -- lesson learned; have a backup battery charging source!

    I live in mid-michigan and do alright. My system is almost 2x the size I need the rest of the year. But, I am able to use my system all year without the need of an alternative power source, very often. We enjoy all the modern conveniences of power using appliances but, we are mindful of battery...
  • Post in thread: Growatt Maximum Charge Current setting...

    I had a similar issue with my inverter, set to "Li"( 50amp limited). This has been discussed around the forum. You can change to "use defined" and the limit will be gone. If you want to run your system in the "Li" communication mode, without the limit you will need S.S. to give you the firmware...
  • Post in thread: How To Check Used Solar Panels?

    Voltage and amp is a good indication of proper functionality. On the back there should be a sticker of output specs. I would not buy them without a spec sticker. There would be no way to know the max outputs, and that is very important to know for the input of your inverter and/or system.
  • Post in thread: What is the ideal temp for……?

    I keep my system at 68°F. Climate controlled. Better for all electronics AND, humidity less than 50%
  • Post in thread: one string of PVs wired on two mppt ? is it possible ?

    I can't remember who, thinking it was around the time someone lost a main board (caps blown) on a growatt due to over voltage. I can find it, if it would be important to you. But, I still think it would work. Not to use it for voltage split, but for total amps. Anyway, a test to attempt another...
  • Post in thread: Looking for some info on Santan Solar used panels.

    I had the same experience. The shippers covered the 2 panels and the portion of the shipping. They even refunded the full cost of one panel that was only cosmetically damaged. I wish you good luck with your claim. P.s. good pictures and as many as they want.
  • Post in thread: OFF GRID PERMIT?

    Agree with you!!! I live on a 100+ year old farm..... the answer to the question of 'work/changes done without a permit ' would be "yes to all". You can laugh but I'm not falling for their trap either.
  • Post in thread: What even is this??

    Omg, I cant stop looking at it..... it's a work of art. But don't touch ANYTHING.
  • Post in thread: Flow of electric

    Let's not forget, the old adage "electricity travels in the path of least resistance " has been proven false. It is now " electricity travels on all paths back to source " it may not seem important at first but, can be significant to ones safty and understanding of how electricity moves.
  • Post in thread: Lifepower4 (EG-4) rack battery positive user experiences

    My 2 cents... growatt 8000mpv dmv, 6 lif4 non display wired from a breaker to hot1 hot2 and Earthed lug on main earth. No stray voltage, no voltage on grounding wire (.03 + -) same as main or anywhere else. The batteries are good for me. I use about 15k per day. Pv array 9200w at 168 volts...
  • Post in thread: using wire length and awg as charging and discharging limiter

    Not necessarily a fire hazard, at all. It all depends on wire size to current limiter. If you don't understand that statement than, yes fire, fire, fire. If that keeps you away. There is heat loss, this is how it works. The wire can be a thousand miles long, that's your resister. The heat is...
  • Post in thread: Current difference on rack batteries

    If it would not be too much work, you might try moving your top and bottom batteries to the middle and middle two, too the top and bottom. Then try your test again in a few days. This will confirm the position difference and rule out bms arguments. I plan to do this to my system every year or...
  • Post in thread: Growatt 12k unboxing

    I was hoping you would not catch that...my bad
  • Post in thread: URGENT battery alarm

    I've never heard an alarm on mine. It might be a real nuisance if it did, for hours. It seems the alarm flash is normal. A few here have noted the same results. I called sigsol and was told that they don't know and never heard of it..?? Anyway, it should be ok. The batteries also seem to...
  • Post in thread: E.M.P

    You can research emp suppressors, it will help you start. Some manufacturers claim hardness. I opted for high quality surge/lightning suppressors for my system.
  • Post in thread: New growatt spf 8kt dvm panel set up. Please check me

    I spent some time on your diagram. It looks pretty good. It appears you are under on volts and good on your watts. So, just check wire size now. There are charts out there that give you wire values for distance. I don't want to say my opinion about wire size on here because a LOT of people here...
  • Post in thread: New growatt spf 8kt dvm panel set up. Please check me

    I'm excited for you. Take your time and test every step of the way. It's easy to get the positive and negative mixed up for new installers. Just think of DC as twice what AC is.... dangerous stuff. And I'm NOT the safty police either. Good luck. Let us know how it went. ????
  • Post in thread: Ground mount - 410' run. Do I need a junction box ?

    Crap, I put my wire in the conduit wrong 27 years ago. Now, after reading this, I wont sleep well tonight.
  • Post in thread: EG4 48V 18A - AC to DC battery chargers - Sold!

    Yup, I ordered from S.S. but thanks anyway?
  • Post in thread: Effect of wire resistance on MPPT charge controller

    Short story... I spent months planning and doing the numbers. (Like three or four times) including wire size and resistance. After my full installation I was coming up short on input power. Again, I did the real world figures. Not the rated power or our hopeful power. I then measured voltage...
  • Post in thread: Charge priority of AC and Solar

    It should just be a setting. You decide what charge rate and order of priority.
  • Post in thread: Growatt 12k unboxing

    A separate charge controller is not a big expense...cheap insurance, if you will.
  • Post in thread: Ground mount - 410' run. Do I need a junction box ?

    I'm learning, with nec its alway a, reread, anyway. I guess I never had more than two 90° But, I don't do conduit everyday. So many good points. I agree #6 along side, if no nec conflicts.
  • Post in thread: Average Consumption?

    15k a day for us, in Michigan usa. Dishwasher, microwave, clothes washer, window air, computer, and all the little stuff. I just wired in a subpanel and started transferring circuits over one by one, until you reach your max. Each circuit is removed from grid completely separate. Worked great...
  • Post in thread: Do i have a bad lifepo4 battery?

    Do I have a bad lifepo4 battery? System; growatt 8000mpv dmv (same as 12000) 6 lifepower4 batteries in Signature Solar rack. Batteries connected in diagonal orientation. Currently using use2 programming as suggested by S.S. BUT, I have increased the cut off voltage, changed from 46v to 47v this...
  • Post in thread: Selecting a location

    Looks good on paper. Your location sounds good, consider angle now, for best results at what time of year. This is a one and done, unless you can change tilt angle. Start building?
  • Post in thread: Growatt 12k unboxing

    I totally believe you. Conflicting info is part of our world today. I will only over panel at 20% and I'm sure you understand that means, I almost never go over the max allowed anyway. Error on the side of safty. I know, that cost money. But that's my opinion.
  • Post in thread: Pairing Growatt AIO with Growatt SCC

    Ok, I think I can get you heading in the right direction but, everyone and every system is different and can react differently. I perfer to think of it differently. What i mean, it helps me to think of the direction that current is flowing. This can be in both directions on a wire or any...
  • Post in thread: Growatt 12k unboxing

    I agree, and I don't pretend to understand the way all the electronics work together. But, i had hoped this would help, at least a little. Good luck ?
  • Post in thread: Ground mount - 410' run. Do I need a junction box ?

    Laugh if you like (and please do) but, 27 years goes faster than you think. Nobody likes doing a crappy job twice..... so, don't do it crappy. I may not have done mine right, but being there are differing ways to achieve a goal. I suggest to... look, listen, research, and reason, before...
  • Post in thread: Parallel battery cable length

    You got there 10 sec. Before I sent mine. But, that will help anyone that wanted a second opinion.
  • Post in thread: Advice on my Growatt and Pylontec installation

    I have a growatt 8000. Not the same but, I believe you can change your settings as not to charge at all. Or less amps and even to a lower level, say 40% battery s.o.c. Spend some time reading the manual and experiment with some settings.
  • Post in thread: Does Solar Pay for Itself? Is it worth it?

    As for me, I did the math.... about 20 times, and my payoff would be at the 10 year mark. I think I built the system as economical as possable, without kicking safety totally in the wind! As of year one, we are on track, within a small margin of error. I did figure in some maintenance as well...
  • Post in thread: How Often dO YoU Top Balance YoUr LFP BaNk?

    I'm in for, every 6 months. Unless I see something getting way out. Although, spring and fall I'm topped off most days.
  • Post in thread: All-In-One Inverter advice

    Totaly agree, it's your system and you should enjoy every min. I just like sharing the things I've done and learned, to make things easier, for those that want a smooth running system with little effort. Maybe it not the most efficient or with the utmost longevity or maybe it is.... you decide.?
  • Post in thread: Lifepower4 (EG-4) rack battery positive user experiences

    I don't want to make a statement either way, as I have not broken the seal on the inverter yet. Even with a firm grasp of neutral and earthing and equipment grounding, I don't "KNOW" how the inverter does the internal bypass/passthrough. I just know there is NO current on the ground wire(s)
  • Post in thread: Growatt 250V Inverter Update

    Forgive me, it been a long time now. I updated my thread on this but must have missed this one. SS did contact me... tear 1 or something, anyway they gave me a update and everything has been good for months now. I think the update number can be found here, in the "resource " area. It only too...
  • Post in thread: Decent 60-80A MPPT? PowMr is certainly out......lol

    Growatt has been around sence 2010, but agreed, we can't count on warranties. They make a good working unit. I depend on them for my everyday whole house power BUT, keep spare around. Haha, can't trust anybody these days. The saying; one is none and two is one. And I always use 80% advertised...
  • Post in thread: Growatt, tell me I'm wrong

    Lifepo4 yes. I changed the utility change over to 8% and low cut off to 5%. S.S. approves this and many others ( like Will P.) Says it's ok to do.
  • Post in thread: Finally posting Pics of my system.. 17500 total panels,12kw inv 1200ah batts(60+kwh)

    You WIN!!! Thats a awsome setup. ?
  • Post in thread: Top balancing server rack batteries

    You can use the FLA (flooded) setting. All chargers are basically the same. It's all in the settings. Good luck, have fun!!!

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