diy solar

diy solar

Search results

  1. nicorellius

    Fault Code 04 on LV2424 - Display Showing Intermittent Spike in Load

    My system starting doing this again rather frequently. All when battery gets to about 25 volts, eg, SOS of about 20% according to my coulomb meter. I changed two settings: number 29 cutoff voltage to 23.5 from 24 and number 12, back to charge from utility, to 24.5 from 25 volts. We'll see...
  2. nicorellius

    Fault Code 04 on LV2424 - Display Showing Intermittent Spike in Load

    No, haven't figured this out. However, it hasn't happened again. But it did show similar spikes without the fault code a couple times since, seemingly randomly. Not sure what's going on but further investigation is definitely needed.
  3. nicorellius

    Fault Code 04 on LV2424 - Display Showing Intermittent Spike in Load

    I'm looking for some guidance on my LV2424. I've had this small off-grid system running smoothly for about a year. I've got 6x 240 W panels in 3S2P configuration, charging a battery bank of 4x 12 V LiFePO4 batteries, wired in 2S2P for a 24 V system. It's been great so far, after initial testing...
  4. nicorellius

    Adding 2x 100 A h to existing 24 V system (2x 100 A h batteries)

    I just turned my system back on after wiring my two series in parallel. Everything is looking good. This was quite the adventure, but now I've got a much better understanding of how charging these LiFePO4 batteries works. Ah, the joy of learning ? Thanks again @rmaddy for the broad overview...
  5. nicorellius

    Adding 2x 100 A h to existing 24 V system (2x 100 A h batteries)

    After the PSU charges these batteries to 14.4 V in CV mode (accumulation), I am assuming they are at 100% SoC (both new batteries were fully charged as of yesterday at 9pm). In order to match to my old batteries, I'm going to top them off with the benchtop charger (same method). What I noticed...
  6. nicorellius

    Adding 2x 100 A h to existing 24 V system (2x 100 A h batteries)

    Thanks @FilterGuy I started charging one of my new batteries this morning and it took about 7 hours to get to 14.5 V and the current drop to near zero. Battery number two is charging now. If I do let it go in CV mode at 14.4 V for a while, and the current gets down to close to zero (eg, like...
  7. nicorellius

    Adding 2x 100 A h to existing 24 V system (2x 100 A h batteries)

    Picked up a banchtop power supply. I'm thinking setting the PSU to 14.4 V in advance, then hook up the leads and charge at 2-5 A is reasonable, but that will take a while (assuming batteries are at about 50% SoC). Is there any reason I shouldn't charge at 10 A? My batteries should be able to...
  8. nicorellius

    Adding 2x 100 A h to existing 24 V system (2x 100 A h batteries)

    Thanks for the reply. Those precautions seem very sensible. No, I did not. They were at the same voltage, so I hooked them up to my all in one and charged them that way. It's an LV2424. I didn't have a charger I was comfortable charging LiFePO4 batteries with (based on other conversations) so...
  9. nicorellius

    Adding 2x 100 A h to existing 24 V system (2x 100 A h batteries)

    Apologies for any redundancy here. I've read several thoughts on the topic but I'm still unsure how to proceed. I've got 2x 12 V 100 A h LiFePO4 batteries in series making a 24 V system. These batteries are less than 6 months old. I bought 2x of the exact same batteries (same manufacturer...
  10. nicorellius

    MPP LV-2424 uses only a fraction of available power to charge

    What is your solar charge max current? I've got my "total max" set to 80 A and utility max set to 40 A, so solar max by the difference is 40 A. I had these set wrong for a while and saw similar issues. Lots of sun but low incoming watts. Except when load was high, then the panels would deliver...
  11. nicorellius

    MPP LV-2424 uses only a fraction of available power to charge

    I've been using this for a few months and it's been great: AiLi Battery Monitor Voltmeter... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CTKYFTG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Very affordable and easy to set up. I also have an LV2424 and it's been a interesting experience getting it configured just right. This...
  12. nicorellius

    MPP Solar charge controller

    No, it's the white model, off grid... I've noticed here on the forum that sometimes the settings mentioned don't match the manual I'm working from.
  13. nicorellius

    MPP Solar charge controller

    I must be using an older or newer version of the firmware (or maybe different models have different software?), as I do not have the setting, "Battery stop discharging voltage when grid is available." My numbers 19/20 are "Automatically return to default display screen" and "Backlight control."
  14. nicorellius

    MPP Solar charge controller

    I've read and paged through my LV2424 manual so many times that I had to reinforce the covers with packing tape ? Check settings 01 and 16, charger and output priority. Totally agree with @TomC4306 Read that thing cover to cover, then do it again. Then put it right next to your MPPT and...
  15. nicorellius

    Rant on terminology...

    Nerd mad. That's priceless
  16. nicorellius

    MPP LV2424 not charging from utility, but will bypass

    Been thinking about this myself. I've been considering doing some research and/or writing a program that replaces WP. Maybe open source it... Have you tried issuing commands or updating config via your pi/python?
  17. nicorellius

    MPP LV2424 not charging from utility, but will bypass

    No problem, my pleasure. Glad you got it working. One thing I've noticed with WatchPower is that is is super buggy and glitchy. It's old and outdated as far as I can tell.
  18. nicorellius

    MPP LV2424 not charging from utility, but will bypass

    I don't power off the unit at all. I just change 01 (output sorce priority) to utility first and 16 (charger source priority) to utility first. You can hear a switch click and within minutes my utility power is powering loads and charging batteries. I've got my max charging current set to 80...
  19. nicorellius

    MPP LV2424 not charging from utility, but will bypass

    I'm in Portland Oregon and we get very few sunny or even bright days in the fall and winter. I noticed right away that my array wasn't capturing much at all and my batteries (LiFePO4) ran down pretty quickly, even with low load. I started experimenting with the charger source and output source...
  20. nicorellius

    LV2424: finding the right settings

    I've figured out in running my system for a few months that voltage is not a good metric for SOC. At 27 volts your batteries might be full but they might not. Here's an example. My batteries might be around 40 percent or less in the morning (26 point something volts or lower). Low loads over...
  21. nicorellius

    LiFePO4 voltages - new battery

    I was somewhat worried about my LiFePO4 batteries and their SOC when I first started using them, as well. Then I wrote in these forums about it and many users recommended shunt/coloumb counter/monitor as @DerpsyDoodler suggested. I have been running that device for about a month and I've really...
  22. nicorellius

    AC/DC Wiring: GFCI Tripping Unexpectedly (LV2424)

    I just did some research online and looked into my 70 A Homeline load center a bit further. Apparently the unit doesn't include a ground bar. I missed this in the docs, so that's on me. However, the instructions I received in the package are garbage. I apparently misunderstood the diagrams...
  23. nicorellius

    AC/DC Wiring: GFCI Tripping Unexpectedly (LV2424)

    Good thought. Yes, it should be. I will double check, to be absolutely certain. Unless I made an error, all wires should be isolated correctly. And the LV2424 charger is not necessarily off; it could be charging (or not) during the GFCI trip. I'm pretty sure it was charging each time I tried...
  24. nicorellius

    AC/DC Wiring: GFCI Tripping Unexpectedly (LV2424)

    I was just reading this post: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/battery-charger-tripping-gfci.19049/ My problem feels similar but it's not quite the same. I'm likely doing something wrong so I want to get a sanity check before proceeding. My solar system is working fine, so this is mainly...
  25. nicorellius

    Is there any advantage to having a fuse/breaker between solar panels and solar charge controllers?

    What do people recommend for a DC cutoff/breaker? There seems to be plenty of options, with a variety of prices. My solar array is about 100 V, 16 A. @OffGridInTheCity I recall your reply here. I've been considering this setup but might want something simpler to start. What do people recommend...
  26. nicorellius

    Is there any advantage to having a fuse/breaker between solar panels and solar charge controllers?

    Ha! Very good imagery ;-) That's a very good point. I'm very new to this so I am in no way an expert. I saw Will Prowse use XT60s on a small system he built in one of his videos. My system is rather small, so I thought it was a good idea (plus I had lots of these in my RC gear). And thus far...
  27. nicorellius

    Is there any advantage to having a fuse/breaker between solar panels and solar charge controllers?

    I use XT60 or XT90 connectors to easily disconnect solar. Install a tail from the charge controller and then the panels can be plugged/unplugged rather easily. I've heard of people using MC4 tails for the same purpose.
  28. nicorellius

    Help with first steps

    The LV2424 from MPP is a great option, very affordable and has all the bells and whistles. Takes AC input as well, so panels can be added later: https://www.mppsolar.com/v3/lv-mr/
  29. nicorellius

    Used panels

    I found a seller on Craigslist here in Portland, selling Trina Solar panels, 240 W (30 V/8 A) for $80 apiece (they tested inline with specs so I was very happy with them). I bought 6 and they were delivered, which was a nice added bonus. I see panels on eBay all the time for less than that, but...
  30. nicorellius

    Lean-to Shed Solar Power for Year Round Use

    I saw this video recently. Explains grounds with solar systems nicely. It looks like I might not need to ground my LV2424 (assuming the AC input ground is connected to true earth ground) aside from the AC grounds I've already connected with AC input/output. Which brings up the question: how...
  31. nicorellius

    MPP LV2424 not charging from utility, but will bypass

    As @coil1002 states... If you turn the power switch off and then disconnect the PV input, this will trigger AC charging. At least it does on my unit, which has charger source and output source set to solar. If I switch the unit back on, output goes to batteries...
  32. nicorellius

    LV2424: finding the right settings

    2 x 12 V 100 Ah ExpertPower LiFePO4 batteries in series... Reading the docs for the shunt battery monitor... Instructions say to fully charge or discharge in order to calibrate the monitor. I'm a bit unclear on how to do this. I read that for LiFePO4, you charge at 14.6 V until current slows...
  33. nicorellius

    3s2p at VOC. Lower volt/watt panels or 2s3p?

    @Batterypack Did you ever make a decision on this? I'm considering upgrading my system from 2S2P to either 2S3P or 3S2P and had some similar concerns. In my case, the LV2424 can handle 145 V, but I've been advised to not get too close to that. My panels are 240 W, 35 VOC, 8 A (Isc). For 3S2P...
  34. nicorellius

    LV2424: finding the right settings

    Thanks @cotrailhead. Your explanation has given me some much needed perspective. And it's starting to make more sense as I monitor my system. Clearly my understanding of batteries, especially LiFePO4, was severely lacking. I think I'll purchase a battery monitor, as you suggested. Seems a good...
  35. nicorellius

    LV2424: finding the right settings

    I'm using the WatchPower software to monitor the system (it shows a percentage and voltage in the dashboard). I find it handy because it's on a monitor that I can glance at in passing. It's also nice updating settings with it, as opposed to the MPP LV2424 display. But this may not be accurate as...
Back
Top