12000xp off-grid setup overloads

[Quattrohead]

Just bear in mind this is 99.9% certainly a software bug and your hardware is not being stressed by it.
I know the error implies a hardware overload but I am pretty certain that is not the case.

 

[jeeptj12]

Just bear in mind this is 99.9% certainly a software bug and your hardware is not being stressed by it.
I know the error implies a hardware overload but I am pretty certain that is not the case.

The stress I'm referring to is the internal "safety switch" being triggered on and off constantly when it's stuck between coming online and overload error. It continues to switch on and off until the battery reaches 100% SOC. There also has to be an affect on appliances connected to the supply.

 

[photomatt8]

While waiting for an update from EG4 to fix this issue, I am building a work around. I am going to use a Normally Closed relay that will be energized by the SMART Load output of the inverter at say 98% SOC. Once the SMART Load output energizes the relay, it will kill power to my TIGO RSD transmitter, killing my PV power, until SOC drops to about 95%, at which time the SMART Load will shut off, allowing the TIGO to power back on bringing the PV power back up. I laid awake for far too long last night thinking about this. This will also give me the ability to shut down my PV remotely by changing the SMART Load limits via the app from anywhere at any time. Built, but not tested yet. Stay tuned.

 

[jeeptj12]

While waiting for an update from EG4 to fix this issue, I am building a work around. I am going to use a Normally Closed relay that will be energized by the SMART Load output of the inverter at say 98% SOC. Once the SMART Load output energizes the relay, it will kill power to my TIGO RSD transmitter, killing my PV power, until SOC drops to about 95%, at which time the SMART Load will shut off, allowing the TIGO to power back on bringing the PV power back up. I laid awake for far too long last night thinking about this. This will also give me the ability to shut down my PV remotely by changing the SMART Load limits via the app from anywhere at any time. Built, but not tested yet. Stay tuned.

It sounds like the fix is being tested and firmware update is eminent.

 

[killercarver]

@jeeptj12 And hopefully it's a solution vs a workaround or fix.... Haven't heard anything on my end from Lux or EG4 other than what's here on the forum.

Had a chuckle just now catching up on reading when EG4 suggested open loop at 55vdc as a temp fix; @jmercier is running Open Loop with our same issue.

Ready to test and help!

@ScrotpusGobbleBottom Have you heard more/getting any traction?

 

[SomethingAppropriate]

@ScrotpusGobbleBottom Have you heard more/getting any traction?

No, I gave my station numbers to the EG4 rep unsolicited yesterday. No response.

 

[jeeptj12]

I’m starting to question all the paid YouTube guys who put it under loads but not much long term testing is done or if it is, maybe not being reported on.

EG4 did upload the test firmware to my inverter so I will test it tomorrow. I’ve had it on since about 3pm without issue. However, my batteries were at 100% SOC and no solar is available to test.

I will give EG4 tech team credit on the customer service. It’s been top notch.

 

[confusedengineer]

@jeeptj12 And hopefully it's a solution vs a workaround or fix.... Haven't heard anything on my end from Lux or EG4 other than what's here on the forum.

Had a chuckle just now catching up on reading when EG4 suggested open loop at 55vdc as a temp fix; @jmercier is running Open Loop with our same issue.

Ready to test and help!

@ScrotpusGobbleBottom Have you heard more/getting any traction?

Hah, just finished testing our system. Lead acid settings did not resolve the problem, with or without the ethernet cable attached.

Edit to add some details of the various tests we tried: With batteries fully charged, loads were successfully applied until they exceeded PV input. Took quite a bit, it was still pretty sunny out, but we finally did lose power when we maxed out the PV input. Switched to lead acid settings, and everything was all screwy, the inverter pulled from the batteries at 60 watts for a bit, then it would show several kW dumping into the batteries from PV, regardless, we load tested anyway, and it was probably even worse than just leaving them in lithium mode with BMS. Gave up on that, and decided to test with PV input disconnected. No amount of loads would trip power off, everything was fine pulling entirely from batteries. Let the batteries drain down to 94% and reconnected PV input. No amount of loads would trip power off, then. So I can confirm the details others are reporting, with the problem being 100% battery SOC, and loads exceeding PV input, while there is still some PV input, causing a loss of power. For whatever reason, we do not get any EPS overload errors from our system. As far as I can tell, that is the only difference from what everyone else is reporting.

 

[42OhmsPA]

Switched to lead acid settings

Might be a dumb ?.
Did you disconnect the battery communication cable from the inverter when you switched to LA?

Really hope EG4 and Lux Power get this sorted quickly for their customers.

 

[confusedengineer]

Might be a dumb ?.
Did you disconnect the battery communication cable from the inverter when you switched to LA?

Really hope EG4 and Lux Power get this sorted quickly for their customers.

Never heard back from EG4 on the communication cable, so I tried it both with and without the cable with lead acid settings, and, if anything, the problem got worse in both cases.

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

Firmware version EG4_ceaa-0405 for the 12000XP was released this morning, addressing the false W28. If you're experiencing this issue, please update your 12000XP to the latest firmware.


Here is the changelog I received:

ceaa-0405

Based on ceaa-0304

• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and paralleled systems
• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and no battery systems

 

[SomethingAppropriate]

Firmware version EG4_ceaa-0405 for the 12000XP was released this morning, addressing the false W28. If you're experiencing this issue, please update your 12000XP to the latest firmware.


Here is the changelog I received:

ceaa-0405

Based on ceaa-0304

• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and paralleled systems
• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and no battery systems

Any update for the 6000xp? I have been dealing with this for a year.

 

[jeeptj12]

Firmware version EG4_ceaa-0405 for the 12000XP was released this morning, addressing the false W28. If you're experiencing this issue, please update your 12000XP to the latest firmware.


Here is the changelog I received:

ceaa-0405

Based on ceaa-0304

• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and paralleled systems
• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and no battery systems

This does appear to be working so far. I haven't had any overload errors. I reached 100% SOC this morning and everything seems to have made the transition smoothly without issue.

Is EG4 able to share what the issue was that was causing the error?

 

[jeeptj12]

No errors today so I’d say kudos to @EG4TechSolutionsTeam

 

[SomethingAppropriate]

No errors today so I’d say kudos to @EG4TechSolutionsTeam

No help for me yet tho, As I suggested, the 6000xp will be non-priority.

I am sure its the exact same problem. The only reason I think this is being discussed is because everyone on the 12000xp was forced to use the same lux protocol as me.

 

[jmercier]

No errors today so I’d say kudos to @EG4TechSolutionsTeam

Did the update. I'll test it with the sun tomorrow. Lets hope its a good fix.

 

[jmercier]

Firmware version EG4_ceaa-0405 for the 12000XP was released this morning, addressing the false W28. If you're experiencing this issue, please update your 12000XP to the latest firmware.


Here is the changelog I received:

ceaa-0405

Based on ceaa-0304

• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and paralleled systems
• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and no battery systems

The update fixes the issue. Well, I didn't get any w08 error today with full sun. Thanks! At last, I was able to fully charge my batteries!

 

[sleeper7]

New 0405 firmware update fixed my 12000xp inverter issues. Thanks Signature Solar. Leila

 

[killercarver]

Sweet! Went ahead and updated to 0405 just now (at 1am here in VA...ha). Since others above have had success with one inverter (right?), I went ahead an paralleled. System up, running fine from batteries, and should be tons of sun tomorrow...I mean later today.

Observations:
Updated from 0304. Update went through two steps: 0404 and 0405. 0404 appears to have been a bios-like update; after download, inverter reset coming up with only a backlit screen and fans on full blast for 5ish seconds. Upon wifi reconnection, it downloaded 0405; and did a standard reboot after. I did notice that on my closed loop inverter that I maintained battery SOC and voltage when 0405 was uploading/updating, but on open loop inverter, voltage and SOC estimate were both 0 (which of course was wrong). Paralleled system following the 12000XP instructions, set new discharge at 500A on master which carried to the other inverter, and all is well. I do notice that the fans are always running now albeit very very slow unless I start loading things up (threw the electric elements of hot water heater on and hit the well pump; no issues taking the loads and surge of the pump). Also, still no EG4 setting for lithium batteries, so I'm still on 1. HinaESS.

 

[jeeptj12]

Sweet! Went ahead and updated to 0405 just now (at 1am here in VA...ha). Since others above have had success with one inverter (right?), I went ahead an paralleled. System up, running fine from batteries, and should be tons of sun tomorrow...I mean later today.

Observations:
Updated from 0304. Update went through two steps: 0404 and 0405. 0404 appears to have been a bios-like update; after download, inverter reset coming up with only a backlit screen and fans on full blast for 5ish seconds. Upon wifi reconnection, it downloaded 0405; and did a standard reboot after. I did notice that on my closed loop inverter that I maintained battery SOC and voltage when 0405 was uploading/updating, but on open loop inverter, voltage and SOC estimate were both 0 (which of course was wrong). Paralleled system following the 12000XP instructions, set new discharge at 500A on master which carried to the other inverter, and all is well. I do notice that the fans are always running now albeit very very slow unless I start loading things up (threw the electric elements of hot water heater on and hit the well pump; no issues taking the loads and surge of the pump). Also, still no EG4 setting for lithium batteries, so I'm still on 1. HinaESS.

When I set mine to zero EG4 shows up.

 

[SomethingAppropriate]

Firmware version EG4_ceaa-0405 for the 12000XP was released this morning, addressing the false W28. If you're experiencing this issue, please update your 12000XP to the latest firmware.


Here is the changelog I received:

ceaa-0405

Based on ceaa-0304

• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and paralleled systems
• Improved the W028 issue in off-grid and no battery systems

Is anyone working on a fix for the 6000xp?

 

[ChrisG]

@Eddie_LuxPowerTek and @EG4TechSolutionsTeam please provide an update on the 6000xp.

 

[killercarver]

@jeeptj12 Made me do a second look. Inverter screen shows 0: Standard; online EG4 monitor lists only numbers except for 0: EG4. Android app either shows nothing (old settings) or just lithium (new settings). Are you running 0: EG4? 1: HinaESS has performed well today, but I'll probably switch to 0 since it's the EG4 setting in at least one place

Performance today has been great. Brought in over 23kWh so far to fill up the batteries. I've got my 14KW of panels in four equal strings with two strings to each inverter. I did notice that when batts got to 98% SOC, the master inverter was pulling in 2x the solar that the secondary was until SOC got to 100% (2kw vs ~1kw; all the way down to zero charging with ~400w vs 200w). I watched a few cycles of battery charge/discharge with solar charging being pretty close per inverter at this time during these cycles. Things settled and running completely from solar unless i throw surge greater than solar on; so perfect!!! I also noticed that fans are back to their old selves (typically quiet/not running right now with ~600w of load), and the default for this firmware changed the fan characteristic from Default to New Slope on both inverters.

Thank you @EG4TechSolutionsTeam /EG4 Team and @Eddie_LuxPowerTek /Lux Team! I'm passing this info to my distributor too. Great Christmas present . Let's please help @ScrotpusGobbleBottom as I'm sure his issue/this issue probably effects DIY battery builds (which I may also be jumping into for a trailer conversion project with a 6000xp ).

 

[confusedengineer]

Firmware update seems to have fixed the issue! Thanks everyone!

 

[jeeptj12]

@jeeptj12 Made me do a second look. Inverter screen shows 0: Standard; online EG4 monitor lists only numbers except for 0: EG4. Android app either shows nothing (old settings) or just lithium (new settings). Are you running 0: EG4? 1: HinaESS has performed well today, but I'll probably switch to 0 since it's the EG4 setting in at least one place

Performance today has been great. Brought in over 23kWh so far to fill up the batteries. I've got my 14KW of panels in four equal strings with two strings to each inverter. I did notice that when batts got to 98% SOC, the master inverter was pulling in 2x the solar that the secondary was until SOC got to 100% (2kw vs ~1kw; all the way down to zero charging with ~400w vs 200w). I watched a few cycles of battery charge/discharge with solar charging being pretty close per inverter at this time during these cycles. Things settled and running completely from solar unless i throw surge greater than solar on; so perfect!!! I also noticed that fans are back to their old selves (typically quiet/not running right now with ~600w of load), and the default for this firmware changed the fan characteristic from Default to New Slope on both inverters.

Thank you @EG4TechSolutionsTeam /EG4 Team and @Eddie_LuxPowerTek /Lux Team! I'm passing this info to my distributor too. Great Christmas present . Let's please help @ScrotpusGobbleBottom as I'm sure his issue/this issue probably effects DIY battery builds (which I may also be jumping into for a trailer conversion project with a 6000xp ).

I’m running 0:EG4 with no issues.