EG4 12000XP design review

[solarenvy]

Putting this out there for anyone interested in some holiday reading. Any and all feedback appreciated!

For those following along, you know I haven’t been much of a “make a plan and stick with it!” kind of DIY’er. I’ve been through several design and equipment iterations for a solid 3 years now. Problem is the more I learn, the more ambitious I get. It also doesn’t help that new hardware seems to be released just as I commit to something! See exhibit A —

Thread 'Dual EG4 6000XP Wiring'
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/dual-eg4-6000xp-wiring-please-review.78087/

The 6000’s were sold, 12000 received, and here we are. This time I made sure to get it installed and running in a temporary configuration before the next new thing is released

Design decision points:

• This is in a remote cabin currently on grid. The objective is to be 100% self-sufficient but still use the grid for backup power when needed.
• N-G bond only at the 200A Service Main (figure 1).
• I need to be able to easily talk anyone through switching PV off completely. Using the 100A non-fused manual transfer switch to do that (figure 2) with 100A breakers feeding it from each side.
• All 100A runs are using 3AWG THHN wire.
• 6 AWG bare copper or THHN for all grounding.
• Dedicated PV sub-panel (figure 3.) for local (PV-only) loads and allow for isolation (this was previously the combiner panel for the 6000 XP’s).
• Single 12000 XP (figure 4), grid provides AC input for backup / bypass purposes only.
• 2 x EG4 280Ah Indoor batteries (figure 5). Paralleled and wired directly to inverter.
• IMO disconnect at each end of the PV cables (figure 6).
• 2 strings of 4 (4S2P) 455W Solarever panels (figure 7), plan to go to 8S2P. Ground array ~90ft from solar shed.
• House main sub-panel for all loads (figure 8). This is currently the main, but will become a sub-panel when the service main panel is installed.

I think that covers it. Please poke holes, AMA!

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

 

[TM48]

I would recommend you go with a single string of 8 but since if you are shipping the panels you have to buy multiples of ten. Also you really only need a disconnect switch at the panel end as the inverter has one. Most use IMO brand a known quality.

 

[CaySol]

I would recommend you go with a single string of 8 but since if you are shipping the panels you have to buy multiples of ten. Also you really only need a disconnect switch at the panel end as the inverter has one. Most use IMO brand a known quality.

I’m trying to figure out my disconnect switch as well. Can I put the imo in a wire trough with the all the Flexboss wiring?(3 in parallel). Just want to avoid water intrusion if I have it outside.

 

[solarenvy]

I would recommend you go with a single string of 8 but since if you are shipping the panels you have to buy multiples of ten. Also you really only need a disconnect switch at the panel end as the inverter has one. Most use IMO brand a known quality.

Agreed, and that’s the long-term plan. I currently have 8 panels, adding another 8 at some point. I just figured to split what I have across 2 MPPTs and see if that performs better / worse than 8 on a single MPPT. Eventually will have 8 per MPPT.

As for the PV disconnect - I prefer a cutoff option physically separated from the built-in disconnect as well so i can completely isolate PV while working on the inverter. I’m not sure why i wrote AIMS - I have IMO brand installed. (Edited original)

 

[solarenvy]

I’m trying to figure out my disconnect switch as well. Can I put the imo in a wire trough with the all the Flexboss wiring?(3 in parallel). Just want to avoid water intrusion if I have it outside.

IMO’s have IP66 rating. The one mounted with the panels has overhead cover but not stuffed inside anything. On the shed side it’s mounted next to the inverter for easy access.

 

[TM48]

IMO’s have IP66 rating. The one mounted with the panels has overhead cover but not stuffed inside anything. On the shed side it’s mounted next to the inverter for easy access.

I used the internal style. IMO makes many different ones.

 

[Farm Boy]

Looking at this thread title I thought I'd ask. I searched you tube and could not find any videos of the insides of this inverter: 12000xp. Does any one know of any I may have missed? Just wondering to see all the insides of how it's built.

 

[solarenvy]

Looking at this thread title I thought I'd ask. I searched you tube and could not find any videos of the insides of this inverter: 12000xp. Does any one know of any I may have missed? Just wondering to see all the insides of how it's built.

Intro by @Gavin Stone -

and his follow up -

 

[Farm Boy]

I like Gavin's videos but neither one of these show the inside "design" or layout of components.

 

[solarenvy]

Oh you’re looking for a teardown. $2500 and a screwdriver should do the trick .

I don’t know of any out there, but maybe @EG4TechSolutionsTeam might be able to point to one.

 

[Farm Boy]

Oh you’re looking for a teardown. $2500 and a screwdriver should do the trick .

I don’t know of any out there, but maybe @EG4TechSolutionsTeam might be able to point to one.

On some one else's dime is all ways better.

 

[miran90]

I like Gavin's videos but neither one of these show the inside "design" or layout of components.

I have the 18kpv disassembled

also the 6000xp without breakers here

sorry this one for the assembly of the 6000wpv

and I will bring this 12xp too.

 

[Farm Boy]

I have the 18kpv disassembled

also the 6000xp without breakers here

sorry this one for the assembly of the 6000wpv

View attachment 271479
and I will bring this 12xp too.

This doesn't look like the EG4-12000xp

 

[miran90]

This doesn't look like the EG4-12000xp

this is the 12000xp

 

[Farm Boy]

this is the 12000xp

Thank you!