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  1. FilterGuy

    Limitation to AC coupling with EG4 18K, help required...

    Yes.... depending on the configuration. For all of the AC coupled power and most of the 12KW inverter power to be pushed to the grid, the system would have to be configured to force the backfeed. (This could be done as part of peak shaving). However, in many configurations, the inverter...
  2. FilterGuy

    Limitation to AC coupling with EG4 18K, help required...

    I assume the above is all about KW, not KWh. Yes. The 18K will draw 7KW from the grid. If you have zero Export on and the grid is up, the AC coupling will be turned completely off. 8KW will be going to the load and up to 7KW will go to charging the battery. If the battery can not take...
  3. FilterGuy

    Limitation to AC coupling with EG4 18K, help required...

    The Gen port behaves differently when configured for AC coupling than when configured for a generator. (I wish it was called something like the Auxillary Port. Calling it the Gen Port leads to confusion) When configured for a generator, the inverter does not (is not allowed) connect both...
  4. FilterGuy

    EG-4 18kw pv inverter, generator won't with it

    Is this a fault shown on the generator or the 18Kpv?
  5. FilterGuy

    Solar Array Info labels?

    The voltages add when in series and the current adds when in parallel. With 8 in series, the Array Voc is 37.2 x 8 = 297.6V However, with 2 MPPTs, the strings are not in parallel, there are two separate Arrays. The Isc of each array is 13.6A. On the white label, both MPPTs have Voc of 297.6...
  6. FilterGuy

    cell number 11 keeps dying ?

    I guess it could be a bad crimp on the balance wire if it is an active ballence system, but the currents on a passive system are so low that it seems unlikely the crimp is resistive enough to be an issue without being an out-right open circuit. Now that active balancing has come up, is there...
  7. FilterGuy

    I really like the new powerpro battery..

    I don't like the Victron Blue color, but I have to admit that when I see a wall of blue, I see a willingness to spend money on good equipment and most likely a very solid system. Weather intended or not, the Victron Blue Market branding is working well for them.
  8. FilterGuy

    cell number 11 keeps dying ?

    Good point about balancing!! If the cells are not balanced when one gets swapped in, there could be issues. However, if I follow his saga correctly, he can move the cells but the issue remains at cell 11. This would indicate it is not a cell balance issue.
  9. FilterGuy

    cell number 11 keeps dying ?

    Oh God.... you hit the 11th dimension portal!!! It's sucking energy out of our mere 3 dimensions!!!! It could suck the life out of anyone standing too close!!! In all seriousnous, if it is always the 11th cell, it has to be either the wiring to the cell or the BMS. Those are the only...
  10. FilterGuy

    Solar Array Info labels?

    Assuming the panels are all in series, yes for the voltage, but the Isc would only be 13.6A. However an array Voc of 595.2V is mighty high..... do you have them all in series? If so, what is the max PV voltage of your controller? There are not many controllers used by us DIYers that would...
  11. FilterGuy

    Victron Orion Engine Shutdown Detection... Is it worth it?

    VCC was a typo. It should have sain ACC. ACC stands for ACCessory on the car/truck. This is a line that is hot when the key is on but turns off when the key is off. By hooking it up the way shown, the Orion will always be off when the vehicle is off. The Orions have an elaborate 'engine...
  12. FilterGuy

    Extra/Auxilary grounding rods..... Don't do it.

    yup. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid creating a ground at the array. Warning: Some folks that I respect disagree with the following recommendation: The code allows the solar EGC to be routed directly to the main breaker panel.... so I recommend doing that rather than routing it to the...
  13. FilterGuy

    Extra/Auxilary grounding rods..... Don't do it.

    Yup.... that is code and it has been the code for a long time. But no one has given me an explanation of why the code requires it. I like it a lot better when I understand the rationale behind the rules.
  14. FilterGuy

    Cistern

    Hmmmmm.... just be sure he doesn't get the pipes crossed!!! :poop: 😯 Sorry. I know nothing practical about cisterns but had to add my smart-arse comment.
  15. FilterGuy

    Extra/Auxilary grounding rods..... Don't do it.

    Another nice video from Mike Holt. Auxilary grounding rods are not required but there is a rule that states there are no requirements on an auxiliary ground e;ectrodes. At one point in the video, he talks about CAT 5 wires and 10 penny nails for the auxiliary grounding electrode. :ROFLMAO...
  16. FilterGuy

    Can this breaker from AliExpress be used to disconnect a solar array?

    Yes but.... They don't appear to be UL listed so if you are getting inspected it may not pass.
  17. FilterGuy

    Best Solar Configuration to Charge a 48v Battery Bank?

    What charge controller are you going to use?
  18. FilterGuy

    DIY 600AH Battery Bank

    Yup..... I don't build my own batteries anymore.
  19. FilterGuy

    Hot battery cable

    Slightly different topic: Running wire through a knockout without a grommet or something to protect the cable is concerning and certainly not to code: I made the same mistake a bunch when I first got started, but as I learned more I stopped doing it. Luckily, I never had an issue but if...
  20. FilterGuy

    First post seeking opinions on equipment

    That's probably true for 12V AIO systems, but if the OP is willing to use external charge controllers the system can have as much Solar as he wants. Having said that, 7500W of solar works out to be up to 625A of charge current. This can be done, but the bus bars and wiring have to be...
  21. FilterGuy

    DIY 600AH Battery Bank

    If you want battery communications with the Victron Gear, you will need a BMS that can work with the Victron protocols. I do not have a lot of experience trying to do DIY battery coms with Victron, but if you review Andy from the Off-Grid-Garage channel he has done a lot of integration with...
  22. FilterGuy

    DIY 600AH Battery Bank

    Nice gear. The Victron BMS is pretty much only for the Victron batteries. I am not sure it could be used for a DIY battery or any other battery for that matter.
  23. FilterGuy

    First post seeking opinions on equipment

    We get some jerks now and then, but most of us try to keep it a friendly, knowledge-sharing experience. A lot of it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Let's start with two basic questions: 1) Is it for a stationary home/barn/office/etc or is it for a mobile RV/Camper/Boat/etc. 2)...
  24. FilterGuy

    Hot battery cable

    I suspect there are a couple possible issues. 1) the 'hot' battery cable looks a lot smaller than the othe cables on that fuse. Is it undersized? 2) The darkened connector and the darkened cables could be due to a bad connection or a bad crimp.
  25. FilterGuy

    Rapid Shutdown (RSD) on the EG4 18Kpv

    1) The optimizers don't make a large difference unless the panels are at different angles or there are shading issues. 2) I am not a data fiend, so the extra data collection with optimizers is not an advantage to me, but other folks love to have the data. 3) I like to minimize the amount of...
  26. FilterGuy

    Inverter pre-charge resistor size?

    Yes. It will work. However, the precharge current will only be ~ 1/4A so make sure to leave it there for a few of seconds to full charge of the capacitors.
  27. FilterGuy

    EG4 6000XP Neutral-Ground Bonding

    The anodization and aluminum oxide are both insulators so the set-up with the washers holding the panels down may not have good electrical contact with the frames. If the grounding is to be to code there should be a commercial grounding lug bolted to each panel and a single wire going from lug...
  28. FilterGuy

    EG4 6000XP Neutral-Ground Bonding

    I would do this: Note that the grounding on the frames of the panels will depend on the mounting system.
  29. FilterGuy

    Busbar Size

    Oops. I meant to use a 12KW inverter in the example, but your math looks correct for a 1200W inverter. And yes, putting inverter efficiency in the calculation is a good idea. Either way, the point is that the bus bar can be selected based on load, not battery current capacity....as long...
  30. FilterGuy

    Bad connections

    Yup, On solar systems, the majority of the time, magic smoke is produced by bad connections.
  31. FilterGuy

    Busbar Size

    The busbar size can be speced based on load instead of battery capability. If you have a 1200W inverter, the continuous load is no more than 12000/48 = 250A. Consequently, a 250A or 300A busbar is fine even though the batteries could produce much more. However, there needs to be fusing...
  32. FilterGuy

    EG4 6000XP Neutral-Ground Bonding

    I do not have experience with the tesla charger but I do know it has circuitry the checks for the NG bond. As far as I know it should work with your set up.
  33. FilterGuy

    Ground to disconnect

    Could you provide a wiring diagram?
  34. FilterGuy

    Max panels in series for eg418kpv PV input

    Just to be sure..... are you saying 31F is the lowest you ever will get? That is -.6C. that rounds to -1C. The 20C is from NMOT. You must use the STC value (25C). The Beta for your panels is -.29%/degC. That works out to a multiplier of 1.075. With a STC Voc of 49.7, the temp...
  35. FilterGuy

    DIY Inrush Current Limiter solution needed

    A few potential things to watch for. 1) turning off the breaker will probably not turn off the inverter. If the inverter is left on it will likely go into a low voltage error state. This is not a killer issue, but be aware. 2) Find out how much current is being drawn when only the resister...
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