Problem: Magnum 24v MSH4024M inverter detects a "dead battery" or "low battery" after disconnecting from any AC input charging or power source, i.e generator or external power cord while using the EG4 Lifepower4 battery.
This does NOT happen if I have a DC charging source other than the EG4 Lifepower4 battery, i.e. the solar charge controller (SCC) is pulling in DC power during daylight.
See video here for the problem.
Because the SCC (Solar charge controller) only works in daylight hours, the issue rears its head if I need to top off the batteries after sunset, like at the end of the day running the A/C. I can start the generator and the inverter will charge the batteries. But when I cut off the generator or other external AC charging source (with no DC source), the EG4 Lifepower batteries go into fault mode and the alarm light on the EG4 Lifepower batteries turn on which prevents the EG4 Lifepower batteries from powering on the inverter. The inverter gives a fault reading of "dead batteries" or "low batteries" and fails to power on. Restarting the generator does not fix the problem, as the inverter reads a "dead battery" and will not power up. The EG4 Lifepower4 batteries can not be restarted without disconnecting them from the system to avoid the alarm. You can not connect a hot wire to the system without potential damage. This leaves me completely without power until sunrise when the solar charge controller can power up the inverter.
My original solution was to swap back in the Big Battery and disconnect the EG4 Lifepower which temporarily solved the problem. The next day I reattached the EG4 Lifepower batteries. The system works flawlessly, day and night, unless I disconnect from an AC power source and have no alternative DC power source (i.e night time).
Unfortunately, I need an AC charging source during the summer due to the demand to run my A/C units (air conditioning).
See video here turning on faulted batteries with DC power providing an "electrical bridge" for the faulted EG4 Lifepower4s
My guess is there is something with the EG4 pre charge resistor that is preventing the inverter to kick on. The batteries are charged. The issue has happened at 100% to 40% SOC. So its not a "dead battery"
I have gone through every startup and shutdown procedure that I can think of, but I still get the same error regardless, unless I have a DC charging source. For now, I leave the generator on all night until sunrise when I know I can shut it off without a fault.
My SOLUTION: Added an additional, non-EG4 Lifepower4 battery, that I know will not trip, to bridge the inverters transition from managing the AC loads to using the DC batteries to invert for the AC loads. This should be seemsless. No flickering of lights or shutting off clocks, etc when switching from an AC power source to a DC power source.
See video explaining here:
For some people, I know this may not be a solution. People, rightfully so, expect their expensive purchases to work and not get in a battle with the vendor over fault and costs. This, however, may provide a solution until @SignatureSolarJames, @SignatureSolarUS , @RichardfromEG4 , provides a firmware upgrade to these batteries.
Peace!
This does NOT happen if I have a DC charging source other than the EG4 Lifepower4 battery, i.e. the solar charge controller (SCC) is pulling in DC power during daylight.
See video here for the problem.
Because the SCC (Solar charge controller) only works in daylight hours, the issue rears its head if I need to top off the batteries after sunset, like at the end of the day running the A/C. I can start the generator and the inverter will charge the batteries. But when I cut off the generator or other external AC charging source (with no DC source), the EG4 Lifepower batteries go into fault mode and the alarm light on the EG4 Lifepower batteries turn on which prevents the EG4 Lifepower batteries from powering on the inverter. The inverter gives a fault reading of "dead batteries" or "low batteries" and fails to power on. Restarting the generator does not fix the problem, as the inverter reads a "dead battery" and will not power up. The EG4 Lifepower4 batteries can not be restarted without disconnecting them from the system to avoid the alarm. You can not connect a hot wire to the system without potential damage. This leaves me completely without power until sunrise when the solar charge controller can power up the inverter.
My original solution was to swap back in the Big Battery and disconnect the EG4 Lifepower which temporarily solved the problem. The next day I reattached the EG4 Lifepower batteries. The system works flawlessly, day and night, unless I disconnect from an AC power source and have no alternative DC power source (i.e night time).
Unfortunately, I need an AC charging source during the summer due to the demand to run my A/C units (air conditioning).
See video here turning on faulted batteries with DC power providing an "electrical bridge" for the faulted EG4 Lifepower4s
My guess is there is something with the EG4 pre charge resistor that is preventing the inverter to kick on. The batteries are charged. The issue has happened at 100% to 40% SOC. So its not a "dead battery"
I have gone through every startup and shutdown procedure that I can think of, but I still get the same error regardless, unless I have a DC charging source. For now, I leave the generator on all night until sunrise when I know I can shut it off without a fault.
My SOLUTION: Added an additional, non-EG4 Lifepower4 battery, that I know will not trip, to bridge the inverters transition from managing the AC loads to using the DC batteries to invert for the AC loads. This should be seemsless. No flickering of lights or shutting off clocks, etc when switching from an AC power source to a DC power source.
See video explaining here:
For some people, I know this may not be a solution. People, rightfully so, expect their expensive purchases to work and not get in a battle with the vendor over fault and costs. This, however, may provide a solution until @SignatureSolarJames, @SignatureSolarUS , @RichardfromEG4 , provides a firmware upgrade to these batteries.
Peace!
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