FoundationsEdge
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2022
- Messages
- 9
I purchased the Complete Off-Grid Solar Kit - MPP LV2424 2,400W/120V / 24VDC [2.56Kwh - 4.8Kwh Battery Bank] + 800 Watts Solar | Off-Grid, Mobile, Backup [HBK-2] × 1.
I am extremely frustrated with this system as Shop Solar kits support has been extremely slow to help me and unable to really explain to me what the issues are. I am wondering if anyone can help me understand what settings are best for a solar application only. I did install a plug to provide AC as a backup source for charging the batteries but that was only as a backup. The desired use is solar only. In addition, whether I have AC connected as a backup source for charging or not I run into the same problem. I will provide my logs. The core issues. The batteries in the unit are constantly being run down to the point where the alarms trigger and will eventually drain to the point where the inverter shuts down. I've been through a number of different troubleshooting scenarios, and they all end the same. To keep it simple. I reduced my load down to a thermoelectric humidor and my inverter itself. (Normally I am trying to run about 600 watts of supported load). in the attached logs;
Starting on 6/24 at 17:48 the batteries are at 100% capacity. PV in is at 182 watts. I'm using about 36 Watts of power.
By 6/24 at 18:19 PV in is at 34.8 and I'm using 24 watts. But by this point battery capacity has dropped to 68%
At 18:47 I remove my test load which was a small thermo-electric humidor. The only load at this point is the inverter itself. 12 watts of consumption. with 48.3 PV IN.
At 20:40 I shut the system down out of frustration because of all the alarms and clicking. The battery was at 56% capacity.
Does it make sense that the battery is used SO FAST with such a small load of 12-24 watts? The batteries I am using are 2 Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12-Volt 200Ah. At 12 volts 200 Ah, that should be 2400 watt hours. Assuming my maximum wattage out was a consistent 36 watts 2400 / 36 = 66.66 hours of battery. Yet the batteries went from 100% capacity to 56% capacity (according to WatchPower) in just 3 hours I used somehow 1200 watt hours? I'm thoroughly confused.
It just seems like the system is operating incorrectly. It seems to me like the batteries are not charging when / how they should be, and are draining way too fast. I have no idea where to start on this and the support over at Shop Solar kits has been really bad. This same thing happens if I have my AC charging from house current available as well. The same thing happened with the batteries they shipped me which were LifePO4 1280 watt hour batteries. I figured with the house current there is no way the system should hit the point of alarming over a low battery and clicking at me as it loudly changes modes. But again I don't want to rely on house current for this (I desire PV only)... More information that may be helpful. Logs are attached. batteries are connected in series to provide the required 24 volts to start the inverter. 4 Solar panels are connected in series as well. Is this normal behavior? What settings are recommended in the Inverter for Solar only? Very appreciative of any help here. For the money I spent on this system, I sincerely hope I am doing something wrong on my end or it is a defective inverter or something. As it is right now, this system appears useless to me when the sun goes down. If you look further back in the logs you will see where the batteries dip as low as 38%, and at that time you will also see that I had the house current connected in to help things out. That just "seems" wrong. When the system goes from line mode to battery mode (why?) the batteries go from 100% to 84% in 1 minute to 66% to 52 and then 46 in 4 minutes. And very little charging. Okay, enough ranting. I'm hoping someone can help me figure out how to look at this one.
I am extremely frustrated with this system as Shop Solar kits support has been extremely slow to help me and unable to really explain to me what the issues are. I am wondering if anyone can help me understand what settings are best for a solar application only. I did install a plug to provide AC as a backup source for charging the batteries but that was only as a backup. The desired use is solar only. In addition, whether I have AC connected as a backup source for charging or not I run into the same problem. I will provide my logs. The core issues. The batteries in the unit are constantly being run down to the point where the alarms trigger and will eventually drain to the point where the inverter shuts down. I've been through a number of different troubleshooting scenarios, and they all end the same. To keep it simple. I reduced my load down to a thermoelectric humidor and my inverter itself. (Normally I am trying to run about 600 watts of supported load). in the attached logs;
Starting on 6/24 at 17:48 the batteries are at 100% capacity. PV in is at 182 watts. I'm using about 36 Watts of power.
By 6/24 at 18:19 PV in is at 34.8 and I'm using 24 watts. But by this point battery capacity has dropped to 68%
At 18:47 I remove my test load which was a small thermo-electric humidor. The only load at this point is the inverter itself. 12 watts of consumption. with 48.3 PV IN.
At 20:40 I shut the system down out of frustration because of all the alarms and clicking. The battery was at 56% capacity.
Does it make sense that the battery is used SO FAST with such a small load of 12-24 watts? The batteries I am using are 2 Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12-Volt 200Ah. At 12 volts 200 Ah, that should be 2400 watt hours. Assuming my maximum wattage out was a consistent 36 watts 2400 / 36 = 66.66 hours of battery. Yet the batteries went from 100% capacity to 56% capacity (according to WatchPower) in just 3 hours I used somehow 1200 watt hours? I'm thoroughly confused.
It just seems like the system is operating incorrectly. It seems to me like the batteries are not charging when / how they should be, and are draining way too fast. I have no idea where to start on this and the support over at Shop Solar kits has been really bad. This same thing happens if I have my AC charging from house current available as well. The same thing happened with the batteries they shipped me which were LifePO4 1280 watt hour batteries. I figured with the house current there is no way the system should hit the point of alarming over a low battery and clicking at me as it loudly changes modes. But again I don't want to rely on house current for this (I desire PV only)... More information that may be helpful. Logs are attached. batteries are connected in series to provide the required 24 volts to start the inverter. 4 Solar panels are connected in series as well. Is this normal behavior? What settings are recommended in the Inverter for Solar only? Very appreciative of any help here. For the money I spent on this system, I sincerely hope I am doing something wrong on my end or it is a defective inverter or something. As it is right now, this system appears useless to me when the sun goes down. If you look further back in the logs you will see where the batteries dip as low as 38%, and at that time you will also see that I had the house current connected in to help things out. That just "seems" wrong. When the system goes from line mode to battery mode (why?) the batteries go from 100% to 84% in 1 minute to 66% to 52 and then 46 in 4 minutes. And very little charging. Okay, enough ranting. I'm hoping someone can help me figure out how to look at this one.