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EP Cube installation

countryviewacres

countryviewacres

New Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2023
Messages
7
Location
Illinois
I started installing the EP Cube from Canadian Solar yesterday. I am installing a 4 battery setup (13.3 kw hours) So the installation has been very simple. No battery cables to mess with. Brackets secure it to the wall. And they space everything off the wall a few inches. So the mounting surface doesn't need to fireproof.

You can see from the pictures the rapid shutdown is already pre-wired into the system. It has 4 mppt inputs (I am using 2 inputs so far with 7.36 kw of solar) And the gateway can pass a full 200 amp service, but I am only sending 100 amps in and out, with 100 amp critical load panel.

Here what it looks like so far. Hoping to get the conduits done and wired up tonight.

Since it is a new system, I thought you guys might want to see how it looks.

Evan - Country View Acres
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Here are pictures of the EP Cube nameplates. I found the battery data interesting. 38.4 volts per battery. A minimum of 3 batteries need to be stacked in a system. The inverter battery parameters are 90 to 262.8 VDC. So the batteries are in series and the voltage increases for additional each battery to the stack. That explains why the battery connector has 3 pins and why the wire size is that small.

This increase in voltage explains why the inverter output increases as batteries are added to the system. 20230426_191109.jpg20230426_191729.jpg
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I posted a new video Sunday. Electric company is coming to inspect the system this Thursday. I am planning to add 2 more batteries and another 3800 watts of solar. To bring the system up 20 kilowatt hours of storage and 11k of solar.
The system has worked great so far. It powers everything it can. The grid only supplements for power above 7600 watts during the day. Right now the batteries last till about midnight running everthing. Then it runs on grid over night. Then it kicks back to solar about 8am. So using the grid power only 8 to 10 hours at night. The extra batteries will improve that.
There are CTs installed in the workshop breaker panel. So the EP cube batteries back feeds power to run the tools and lights in the work shop and zero the electric meter. So right now it is running the house and workshop. If the grid power goes out, then only the house will be powered.
So far the system seems good, no issues.
 
countryviewacres said:
I posted a new video Sunday. Electric company is coming to inspect the system this Thursday. I am planning to add 2 more batteries and another 3800 watts of solar. To bring the system up 20 kilowatt hours of storage and 11k of solar.
The system has worked great so far. It powers everything it can. The grid only supplements for power above 7600 watts during the day. Right now the batteries last till about midnight running everthing. Then it runs on grid over night. Then it kicks back to solar about 8am. So using the grid power only 8 to 10 hours at night. The extra batteries will improve that.
There are CTs installed in the workshop breaker panel. So the EP cube batteries back feeds power to run the tools and lights in the work shop and zero the electric meter. So right now it is running the house and workshop. If the grid power goes out, then only the house will be powered.
So far the system seems good, no issues.
Click to expand...
Did you increase your battery size? Have you had any issues with your EP Cube?
 
I have a large stack running my house now. I think it's great for off-grid use. Just need to install soft starts on your air conditioners. What do you not like about it for off-grid use? It is designed as hybrid with the grid. but seems to work great for both applications in my opinion
 
Will Prowse said:
I have a large stack running my house now. I think it's great for off-grid use. Just need to install soft starts on your air conditioners. What do you not like about it for off-grid use? It is designed as hybrid with the grid. but seems to work great for both applications in my opinion
Click to expand...
Are you backing up your entire house panel or just a subset of circuits? I ask because I'm getting ready to install a full stack with gateway for 200amp service. The v2.3 guide states the grid/load terminals will accept wire up to 2/0. In my research 200a should be 3/0 copper. However 2/0 is acceptable using the 83% rule if it will be used as a service entrance. Which it will in this case.
 
JamesMc said:
Are you backing up your entire house panel or just a subset of circuits? I ask because I'm getting ready to install a full stack with gateway for 200amp service. The v2.3 guide states the grid/load terminals will accept wire up to 2/0. In my research 200a should be 3/0 copper. However 2/0 is acceptable using the 83% rule if it will be used as a service entrance. Which it will in this case.
Click to expand...
Whole house. We used 2/0
 
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