Dual EG4 6000XP and differing battery banks

[JR's fun with solar]

How unusual would it be, and are there any issues with having 1 battery bank on one 6000XP and a different second battery bank being connected to the second 6000XP along with separate solar panels connected to each of the 6000XP's? Their output would be combined in a combiner box but I'm not certain if this is acceptable practice or not. I would also like to know if I should have the 6000XP's talking to each other, connected in parallel. I assume yes since I'll combine the outputs but we all know what assume means..... Thanks in advance. Newby to the forum here but following Will for a few years.

 

[ScrodusGargleRotten]

Welcome to the forum.
Yes, the 6000xp can be used in parallel.
If the outputs are in parallel you absolutely need the communication cable and parallel operation configured.

Follow the instructions in the manual and make sure the individual displays say host and slave before firing on the output breakers

 

[JR's fun with solar]

Thanks SomethingAppropriate but that's not my question. The question is mainly about separate battery banks being connected to each 6000XP as opposed to sharing a single battery bank. If that is acceptable then the question becomes would I want the 6000XP's to be connected in parallel? I hope this clarifies the questions.

 

[TM48]

If you parallel the inverters you must create one battery bank and connect it to both inverters.

 

[JR's fun with solar]

Thanks TM48. Does that imply that I could run them not in parallel, or will they have to be regardless due to combining the 120v output together so they are in proper phase?

 

[TM48]

If you intend to combine the outputs the inverters must be paralleled. The output wave forms must be synchronized. While some inverters can in theory be paralleled at 120v there is no advantage over split phase 240v only disadvantages. The inverters must be capable of parallel operation (not all are) and must be fed from one battery bank because the battery chargers are combined as well.

 

[JR's fun with solar]

If you intend to combine the outputs the inverters must be paralleled. The output wave forms must be synchronized. While some inverters can in theory be paralleled at 120v there is no advantage over split phase 240v only disadvantages. The inverters must be capable of parallel operation (not all are) and must be fed from one battery bank because the battery chargers are combined as well.

I believe that resolves my concerns. Thank you TM48, I appreciate your knowledge and willingness to share it.

 

[bikerider4818]

So...you can't parallel the two inverters and then turn off "shared batteries" and have two separate battery banks, one on each inverter with their own separate communications. I'm asking because I wanted to do the same thing as OP wanted because I might end up with two different brands of batteries. That's why I was hoping to setup separate banks of batteries.

 

[ScrodusGargleRotten]

So...you can't parallel the two inverters and then turn off "shared batteries" and have two separate battery banks, one on each inverter with their own separate communications.

Yes you can.. why else would that setting be there?

 

[bikerider4818]

Yes you can.. why else would that setting be there?

Because others above are saying it has to be one combined battery bank

 

[ScrodusGargleRotten]

Because others above are saying it has to be one combined battery bank

Eg4 disagrees. This is the answer they gave me via support 2 weeks ago

That said, I am not confident they know what they are talking about. Not even sure what "parallel battery synchronization" is

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

Although it's recommended to use a single battery bank for both inverters, it is possible to configure two separate battery banks—one for each inverter. If you choose to proceed with this setup, be sure to disable the Share Battery setting.

I would also like to know if I should have the 6000XP's talking to each other, connected in parallel. I assume yes since I'll combine the outputs but we all know what assume means..... Thanks in advance. Newby to the forum here but following Will for a few years.

Yes, you would want to have both inverters communicating with each other, meaning making sure you have them set up in parallel.

 

[JR's fun with solar]

Thank you EG4techsolutionsteam.

This takes me to the next question, should I use a solar panel combiner box for the 4 solar strings (remember 2 6000xp's), then separate them at the output to the 4 MPPT controllers so all solar can be utilized to charge the separate battery banks or should I keep all strings separated altogether? I don't know if that's a crazy idea or if it will work.

EDIT: I didn't consider that all voltage would pass through likely resulting in 6000XP damage. Never mind, stupid question. I have a tendency to overthink things.

 

[TM48]

Thank you EG4techsolutionsteam.

This takes me to the next question, should I use a solar panel combiner box for the 4 solar strings (remember 2 6000xp's), then separate them at the output to the 4 MPPT controllers so all solar can be utilized to charge the separate battery banks or should I keep all strings separated altogether? I don't know if that's a crazy idea or if it will work.

EDIT: I didn't consider that all voltage would pass through likely resulting in 6000XP damage. Never mind, stupid question. I have a tendency to overthink things.

You can't separate them, once combined.

 

[the5thjourney]

Although it's recommended to use a single battery bank for both inverters, it is possible to configure two separate battery banks—one for each inverter. If you choose to proceed with this setup, be sure to disable the Share Battery setting.


Yes, you would want to have both inverters communicating with each other, meaning making sure you have them set up in parallel.

I'm looking at a similar setup issue. I have two 6000xps and want to add a third. I have ≈64kWh of batteries on the two existing inverters but will be buying a different brand of batteries for the third inverter, likely with either 15.36kWh or 30.72kWh. Which of the following would work?

To start I know that all three inverters will have to communicate between each other.

1) Two existing inverters and batteries stay in battery share mode and the third has batter share disabled and handles it own set of batteries separately. Closed loop between the battery shared inverters and closed loop between the third inverter and it's batteries.

2) Battery Share is disabled in all three inverters and I split the 64kWh batteries up into 32kWh. So I'd have three inverters all with their own batteries in close loop communication.

3) I add the third inverter, enable battery share and simply wire the additional batteries into the busbar. Open Loop Communication with the batteries.

 

[SnickeringBear]

The advantage of having fully separate batteries on each inverter is in having full redundancy so that failure of one inverter/battery does not impact production from the other set. The disadvantage of separate batteries is that maintaining charge state can be difficult depending largely on the capacity of the connected solar panels.

Simple decision, if high redundancy is required, use separate battery strings. If not, use shared battery strings. One caveat, if two different types and/or capacity batteries, it is generally best to run them as separate strings.

 

[ScrodusGargleRotten]

The advantage of having fully separate batteries on each inverter is in having full redundancy so that failure of one inverter/battery does not impact production from the other set. The disadvantage of separate batteries is that maintaining charge state can be difficult depending largely on the capacity of the connected solar panels.

Simple decision, if high redundancy is required, use separate battery strings. If not, use shared battery strings. One caveat, if two different types and/or capacity batteries, it is generally best to run them as separate strings.

The question is,
If there is a problem on one inverters battery, will both inverters turn off.
I think, yes

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

I'm looking at a similar setup issue. I have two 6000xps and want to add a third. I have ≈64kWh of batteries on the two existing inverters but will be buying a different brand of batteries for the third inverter, likely with either 15.36kWh or 30.72kWh. Which of the following would work?

To start I know that all three inverters will have to communicate between each other.

1) Two existing inverters and batteries stay in battery share mode and the third has batter share disabled and handles it own set of batteries separately. Closed loop between the battery shared inverters and closed loop between the third inverter and it's batteries.

2) Battery Share is disabled in all three inverters and I split the 64kWh batteries up into 32kWh. So I'd have three inverters all with their own batteries in close loop communication.

3) I add the third inverter, enable battery share and simply wire the additional batteries into the busbar. Open Loop Communication with the batteries.

#3 is be recommended but #2 works as well.

 

[the5thjourney]

#3 is be recommended but #2 works as well.

Thanks EG4. Is there anything I need to know when doing either #2 or #3 as far as settings or setup goes?

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

Thanks EG4. Is there anything I need to know when doing either #2 or #3 as far as settings or setup goes?

The main setting to have correct is the Battery Shared setting. If you need help with any other settings, please let us know. We’re happy to assist!

 

[TOU47]

The main setting to have correct is the Battery Shared setting. If you need help with any other settings, please let us know. We’re happy to assist!

I assume that this is the same with two 12,000XP's or...a 18kPV & a 12,000XP
The two different batteries would be 6 LifePower4's (V1) on one 3 PowerPros on the other. I have 48: 395W bifacials.

 

[TM48]

or...a 18kPV & a 12,000XP

I may be just misunderstanding this but you can't parallel an 18kpv with a 12000 XP.

 

[TOU47]

I may be just misunderstanding this but you can't parallel an 18kpv with a 12000 XP.

I have been told otherwise

 

[TM48]

I have been told otherwise

Not sure who told you that but I'd be very surprised if that is true. The 18kpv is a hybrid inverter, the 12000xp is off grid so their capabilities are not even close. Also their output is different. You can't even parallel a 12000 xp with a 6000 xp and they have nearly the same features.

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

I assume that this is the same with two 12,000XP's or...a 18kPV & a 12,000XP
The two different batteries would be 6 LifePower4's (V1) on one 3 PowerPros on the other. I have 48: 395W bifacials.

EG4 inverters are not designed to operate in parallel with different models. Each inverter was designed to be paralleled only with units of the same model.

Regarding the Share Battery option, the same applies to any inverters being paralleled.