DIY Sol - Ark 15K system. Any feedback?
- Thread starter TexasAmerica777
- Start date
grovny
New Member
I'm right about $.14/kWh, with a small negative offset at times. Guess I'm kinda lucky.
TexasAmerica777
New Member
Yeah, we are lucky. I have co-workers in DFW and they are over $.20
NC_hydro
Solar Wizard
The latest fun Sol-Ark things my friend’s 15k system is doing is shutting off two times now in a week for no apparent reason if you check the sol-ark app. No events recorded or anything….BUT if you look at the screen on the inverter itself it shows the DC under voltage fault that they started getting after Sol-ark rolled back the firmware with tweaks to allow 14KW output instead of the 12kW cap. We thought it was fixed when we tightened the factory bolts that were loose right above the battery cable bolts. But at least up until these last two shutdowns the my solark app would show errors. Maybe they are embarrassed and don’t want to log the errors? Hopefully your very expensive sol-ark doesn’t suffer the same bugs 
Maybe it’s like a windows computer and we need to restart it occasionally….
Maybe it’s like a windows computer and we need to restart it occasionally….
TexasAmerica777
New Member
I have a question regarding distribution blocks and or Polaris multi taps. If I am doing a line side tap via a distribution block and mount it inside a wire raceway or wire trough. How do I waterproof the penetrations when I secure the distribution block through the raceway into the brick wall behind? This is all going to be mounted outdoors and will need to be weather tight.
That actually worked for me, a factory reset. Previously I had tried power cycling (reset) but that didn't work.Maybe it’s like a windows computer and we need to restart it occasionally….
455dan
Solar Wizard
deleted
Last edited:
455dan
Solar Wizard
And Yet it appears they Literally threatened a member here with doing EXACTLY that when the member commented on buying a DEYE unit on a YT SolArk install comment section in 2021
page 106
Below links read,
I still think the new 18K Sol Ark will be a Great unit for those wanting , more output power, and upgraded MPPT's , but I am going with lesss expensive multiple Inverters route myself.
Last edited:
Tulex
Solar Wizard
I see someone said it, not Sol-Ark saying it. Maybe they did say it, can't say. Means nothing. There is absolutely nothing that points to Sol-Ark being the company who bricked the inverters. If someone can show me differently, I will change my opinion.
Caulking. Just decide if you want paintable or not paintable. This is the same thing if you have a large switch with penetrations to the mount. Caulk the back sides well.
455dan
Solar Wizard
Youtube comments highlight the video poster in comment sections when they respond to a comment, If Blue is right it certainly sounds like it was a Sol Ark Instruction Install Video that they posted to YT ? IF it was just a comment from the employee that posted the video a grain of salt.
I am sure this new 18K Sol Ark will be just what some folks want , need and will purchase.
ps. I have not seen the EG4 18K PV prices dropping so far but price competition is growing for all of these inverter companies including Schneider.
Last edited:
TexasAmerica777
New Member
I am seeing a few in that range. I am hoping practical preppers drops his price. He already has free shipping which is nice.
I spoke with Sol-Ark and apparently the new 18K inverter will require 4/0 to each set of terminals for full charge and discharge capacity. The physical dimensions are like an inch taller, width is the same. MPPT capacity for PV is increased to like 28 kW. Not certain of the total watt output on battery or battery + PV.
SunDave
Solar Wizard
Other posts have 18k spec sheets attached. Here it is in case you have not seen it.
AC Output
Continuous Power 18,000W
Surge Power (10s) 36,000W
No differentiation between battery and battery + PV on this one. Just one rating.
AC Output
Continuous Power 18,000W
Surge Power (10s) 36,000W
No differentiation between battery and battery + PV on this one. Just one rating.
NC_hydro
Solar Wizard
It’s straight 18k output. Nothing changes with PV etc which is a good thing. Or at least that’s what their spec sheet shows.
Brucey
Velcro Man
Tommy Brennan sol-ark ceo is responsible.
There was zero reason for Deye to do the remote bricking without Tommy requesting it.
Sol-arks very "generous" offer of discounted new solark aios to replace the bricked deyes....how lucky we all are for their empathy.
I read the spec sheet. Here are the highlights to know if contemplating an install now or as a future replacement of an existing inverter:
The MPPT controllers can accept an input of 36 amps, up from the existing 26 amps. The voltage ranges remain the same. What this means is that the new inverter may require awg 8 wire into the MPPT ports unless the design allows for more parallel inputs to each mppt to add up the amps inside the unit. The manual will be needed to know this.
The charge and discharge current of the inverter will require 4/0 battery cabling to achieve full capacity safely.
The output of the inverter will require a 100 amp breaker if going to an existing panel as a branch input and may require derating of the main breaker inside a main panel in this case. The wire from the load output of the inverter to the panel should be 3 awg copper to carry the output safely.
So it seems if you provision now for the 18k, you will be able to do a drop in replacement to the 18k with little difficulty.
The MPPT controllers can accept an input of 36 amps, up from the existing 26 amps. The voltage ranges remain the same. What this means is that the new inverter may require awg 8 wire into the MPPT ports unless the design allows for more parallel inputs to each mppt to add up the amps inside the unit. The manual will be needed to know this.
The charge and discharge current of the inverter will require 4/0 battery cabling to achieve full capacity safely.
The output of the inverter will require a 100 amp breaker if going to an existing panel as a branch input and may require derating of the main breaker inside a main panel in this case. The wire from the load output of the inverter to the panel should be 3 awg copper to carry the output safely.
So it seems if you provision now for the 18k, you will be able to do a drop in replacement to the 18k with little difficulty.
SunDave
Solar Wizard
Hi Gland. Also in the spec sheet:
No. of MPP Trackers 3
No. of PV Strings per MPPT 2
SplitUniverse
Solar Wizard
$.30, about $.13 for electricity itself and the rest in fees.
SplitUniverse
Solar Wizard
If you are still going with Solark and didn't purchase the unit yet, I'd recommend you wait and grab the 18k unit. If my experience with Solark is any indication, the support for the 15k will be non-existent at best once they launch the "newest and greatest".
Another option might be the HEBP, I don't have any experience with the unit or the company so I can't comment on it.
Another option might be the HEBP, I don't have any experience with the unit or the company so I can't comment on it.
NC_hydro
Solar Wizard
Hopefully they changed those jankey lever lock MPPT inputs to allow for AWG8. The 15k states a max of AWG 10 for its MPPT inputs.
Brucey
Velcro Man
Guessing they are still using same connections so just have to double up with awg 10
NC_hydro
Solar Wizard
It’s unfortunate they did do 4 MPPT inputs. A pair of SRNE ASP would get you 4 MPPT inputs and 2KW more output capacity. AND you’d have almost $5k extra in your pocket by not buying the $7,300 18k
This is unchanged, just the amps have been increased.
Similar threads
