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New member here. I’ve been lurking in the shadows for a few months soaking up knowledge. Been hoping to build a solar electric system for years (maybe even decades), the USA 30% tax credit is a good incentive to finally do it. Background: My wife and I live on property in the rural Maryland...

Hello Forum, Here is an update on my Mighty Ground-Mount Project. Installed six solar panels on the second array, AND, passed the county’s building inspection. I’m now free of government oversight and will return to my normal operating practice, which is “Go Rogue”. By the way, my panels are...

Hello forum, Reached big milestone on my solar power project – system is operational! A dozen BlueSun 460W panels, EG4 6000EX-48HV inverter, four EG4 Lifepower4-48V100Ah batteries and lots of DIY labor. I went back-n-forth on the AC wiring and finally settled on using 50A plug and sockets to...

Thank you good people. I'm going to back-out the panel mount screws a few turns to provide some wiggle room for expansion.

sunshine_eggo – Setting #9, grid-tie disabled, I just double checked it. Thanks

Hello galstaf, Yes, I got the Solar Power app working, but it's pretty disappointing software. First I resurrected a Win10 laptop that has an actual CD drive (versus sharing CD drive via network). Then also bought a new USB-RS232 dongle with up-to- drivers. Once installed, I switched over to...

Regarding battery addressing, it was my idea. I was an initial charge on my four batteries one at a time. Started at the top, set address to 000, charged it with solar, turned it off and moved down to the next battery, etc. When done with charging batteries individually, I end up with the...

Mr. galstaf, Regarding monitoring app and firmware for EG4 6000EX.... Here is response I received from Signature Solar while I was trying to get it to work. Hope it helps you a bit. In my case, I think I made the most progress after switching from a Win11 laptop to Win10 and getting a new...

Hello Forum, Reached another milestone with my off-grid solar electric installation. I finished wiring the arrays, which completes all outdoor work. (Just in time, frosty winter weather is expected next week for the east coast of USA.) I installed an IMO disconnect for each of the two arrays...

Hello forum, Reached another milestone on my solar power project, and discovered new challenges… But first: Zoomyn, yes that green box seen behind the solar array is a transformer owned by our local electric utility “BGE”. Now for milestone: Installed the battery cabinet, batteries and...

Extra-Large Conduit! I’m using 4” sewer pipe as conduit for running wires from the solar arrays to the house. Background Eight or nine years ago, I attempted to build a pico-hydroelectric system (even smaller than a micro-hydro). I constructed several test dams on a little creek to measure...

CTS: Attached is a PDF with my design plans for the mighty ground mount, although the rafters could be put on 24" centers. I had to use 19" in order to get building permit. I used GRK lag screws for all connections. Also attached is picture of my southern array with panels installed. I used...

BentleyJ – Thank you for the great insight. If I may paraphrase, you suspect that the inverter is generating electrical noise that is drowning out the PLC signals. Putting a TDK line filter on the input side of the inverter could do the trick. Please see amended diagram. You reminded me that I...

Oh jeez, get out now!

I use a Dymo Rhino label maker. Very durable. I labeled some irrigation equipment, which has been outdoors in the weather for eight years and the labels are holding up very well; no fading. Also, the label achieve is increasable. Once applied to a smooth surface, they will not come off. As seen...

Everyone, Thanks for the wonderful feedback. My inverter, batteries and battery cabinet are on their way from Signature Solar. Very exciting. Except I imagine my pallet of equipment duking it out with all the holiday deliveries. Regarding the small battery cables, I will be using the short...

Note: you need to power cycle the batteries after changing the the BMS address (dip switch) for the new address to take affect.

I recommend a small UPS meant for home PCs or small business. CPAP machines draw very little power and I bet a small UPS would last a whole night.

Hmmm.... Sounds like "Lighting Rods". I am planning to drive two 8ft copper-clad ground rods, one for each array and bond the panels to them. but now will also start thinking about lighting rods.

Hello Ben, I encountered two challenges with EG4 software/firmware. Appreciate your help. #1 - Attempted to install the SolarPower application (from CD that came with EG4 6000EX-48HV inverter) onto my Windows 11 laptop but the install failed. First it failed with error "invalid GUI". I followed...

Folks, The EG4 6000EX-48 does have an internal NG bonding screw for the AC output. Confirmed by SS tech support and my own testing. I did not attempt to remove the screw for fear of voiding the warranty.

Hello Forum, I’m at the verge of a exciting milestone on my off-grid solar electric project; ordering an inverter and batteries. Seeking expertise from forum members with the following question: I’m planning to purchase three of the EG4-LifePower4 batteries and a 6-slot EG4 battery rack. I’ve...

Just got an email from Universal Devices that they are dropping support for the ISY994i. That's the final nail in the coffin, I'm migrating from Insteon to Yolink.

I encountered the same issue and solved it by flipping the mounting ears. This moved the batteries forward just enough to reinstall the back cover

The attached picture shows my inverter and batteries still a work-in-progress. currently temporarily setup to provide emergency power via extension cords, because we’re having a big storm here on USA east coast.

Please disregard

Hello Forum, I’ve encountered a challenge as a result of building my new off-grid solar electric system. The EG4 6000EX-48HV inverter has some unexpected effect on Power-Line Communications (PLC). First some background: I’ve been dabbling with home automation since the 1980’s. Initially I...

Ben, here are pictures of my battery cabinet with modified battery mounting. I also considered installing spacers, which I didn't have on hand, so settled on flipping the mounting ears (no additional material). Also, flipped the ears without taking the 100lb battery out of the rack again by...

Hello Forum, I’m working on the low voltage, high current DC portion of my system. I’ve settled on the layout shown in the diagram, at least for now (hoping to at least partially commission the system so I can claim the USA tax credit for this year). Initially, I was going to use a large DC...

Timselectric, thanks for the note. When you say "sees a grid", do you mean that the inverter has to detect a 60Hz sinewave? If so, I wonder if there is any way to spoof it? Maybe a couple of megaohm resisters to couple the sinewave, but not any current.