EG4 18kPV Q+A general thread

[cs1234]

He’s talking about using PV only for loads

Oh wow. No batteries and high surge loads? Ok, I can't fault the inverter for freaking out on something like that.

 

[timselectric]

So, if he's offgrid, why would @Luxpower_Gilbert say surges are affecting the frequency?

He didn't say anything about frequency.
You did.

 

[cs1234]

This most likely expected with off grid applications, if the load is not stable. High surge load will affect sometimes the frequency.

@timselectric

I was referring to this post. Maybe I misquoted in my other post? I'm getting all out of order.

 

[timselectric]

@timselectric

I was referring to this post. Maybe I misquoted in my other post? I'm getting all out of order.

I see.
I don't know why it would affect frequency of an inverter. There's no rotating mass to slow down. It's all electronically created frequency.
Unless the surge induced low voltage changes the timing of the electronics. Which I guess could be possible. If the voltage went extremely low.

 

[Mesquitemonkey]

The last 2 days my batteries shutdown because of high voltage. My 18kpv has worked great up until this point. I've read that clouds could cause a voltage spike that might throw the batteries over 100%. I use the inverter off grid. How do I lower the charge cut off to say 97%. The only cutoff % I see are ac cutoff and force charge cutoff %.

 

[Zapper77]

The last 2 days my batteries shutdown because of high voltage. My 18kpv has worked great up until this point. I've read that clouds could cause a voltage spike that might throw the batteries over 100%. I use the inverter off grid. How do I lower the charge cut off to say 97%. The only cutoff % I see are ac cutoff and force charge cutoff %.

Can you go in to more detail about shutdown.

Did you check BMS for any alarms?
Do you recall the voltage when the battery shutdown?
Did your inverter power off?
Grid connected?

 

[Markus_EG4]

The last 2 days my batteries shutdown because of high voltage. My 18kpv has worked great up until this point. I've read that clouds could cause a voltage spike that might throw the batteries over 100%. I use the inverter off grid. How do I lower the charge cut off to say 97%. The only cutoff % I see are ac cutoff and force charge cutoff %.

I sent you a PM

 

[Zapper77]

I sent you a PM

LOL I thought about tagging you.

 

[Mesquitemonkey]

Can you go in to more detail about shutdown.

Did you check BMS for any alarms?
Do you recall the voltage when the battery shutdown?
Did your inverter power off?
Grid connected?

The inverter gave several high voltage alarms before it went into a fault and tripped a battery. Different battery each time.
Didn't even think to check the voltage ?
The inverter turned off both times after the fault
Off grid

 

[Luxpower_Gilbert]

If that is indeed the case, this is poor design and not acceptable.

i looked at your data of your system and it seem the inverter is doing its job to keep it at 60 hertz of all time...

 

[Quattrohead]

Zapper77 alerted me to a test firmware he has been running with improved results in this area, Markus pushed it to me and initial results look like the time keeping/frequency is better.

 

[y0bailey]

One question I just thought of for planning my AC coupled install.

I have a disconnect (not fused) between my SolarEdge 7600h and the 18kpv... But no breaker/fusing.

Is that necessary? I can't see the SE inverter randomly outputting more juice than my panels can provide so in theory I am not worried... But I'm no expert and would rather protect my 18kpv if it's at risk.

Thoughts?

 

[pvgirl]

One question I just thought of for planning my AC coupled install.

I have a disconnect (not fused) between my SolarEdge 7600h and the 18kpv... But no breaker/fusing.

Is that necessary? I can't see the SE inverter randomly outputting more juice than my panels can provide so in theory I am not worried... But I'm no expert and would rather protect my 18kpv if it's at risk.

Thoughts?

The SE inverter is current limited, but the connection to 18kpv could provide current that would overload wiring. If you are using the GEN connection there does not seem to be a output breaker to protect that output. You will want to have a breaker at the 18kpv side, 40 amps should be the correct size.

 

[Luxpower_Gilbert]

One question I just thought of for planning my AC coupled install.

I have a disconnect (not fused) between my SolarEdge 7600h and the 18kpv... But no breaker/fusing.

Is that necessary? I can't see the SE inverter randomly outputting more juice than my panels can provide so in theory I am not worried... But I'm no expert and would rather protect my 18kpv if it's at risk.

Thoughts?

I recommend to put a breaker between the SE and 18kpv.

 

[solarHandyman]

Does the 18kpv have any kind of soft start feature or precharge resistor to prevent arcs from current in rush when turning on the DC circuit? Without a precharge resistor many of us "enjoy" sparks on the terminals when turning on the DC breaker for the battery bank.

 

[timselectric]

Does the 18kpv have any kind of soft start feature or precharge resistor to prevent arcs from current in rush when turning on the DC circuit? Without a precharge resistor many of us "enjoy" sparks on the terminals when turning on the DC breaker for the battery bank.

No
Precharge is for the battery, not the inverter.
If not provided by the battery. You can provide it yourself.

 

[shortman]

Has there been in changes to the fan control logic? It would be nice to make them run to keep the units cooler.

 

[solarHandyman]

Has there been in changes to the fan control logic? It would be nice to make them run to keep the units cooler.

Someone replied to my post the other day that the 18kpv runs less hot in their laundry room that previously had two 6500 ex units.

 

[Brucey]

Has there been in changes to the fan control logic? It would be nice to make them run to keep the units cooler.

Perhaps a firmware option, the default "quiet" mode and then perhaps a more aggressive "always on" option?

 

[Quattrohead]

Well it's been 5 days since the latest firmware and I am pleased to say my clocks are now accurate, well done to Luxpower, EG4 and signature solar for actually making the improvements requested.

 

[Markus_EG4]

Well it's been 5 days since the latest firmware and I am pleased to say my clocks are now accurate, well done to Luxpower and signature solar for actually making the improvements requested.

What about EG4 ?

 

[Quattrohead]

Who, what, why ???? ?

 

[xtrorion]

Does anyone know how to configure to stay in EPS Mode. I want NO Grid assist (I see lots of problems when using that mode including feeding back to the grid, and using mostly grid power for low load levels when I have lots of sun and battery power...) and just want the old SBU mode I had with a pair of EG6548's. Right now, the only way I can get in this mode and stay is to cut the grid power....

 

[Markus_EG4]

Does anyone know how to configure to stay in EPS Mode. I want NO Grid assist (I see lots of problems when using that mode including feeding back to the grid, and using mostly grid power for low load levels when I have lots of sun and battery power...) and just want the old SBU mode I had with a pair of EG6548's. Right now, the only way I can get in this mode and stay is to cut the grid power....

Pm me I can help you out if your inverter is online. But you do want to make sure you don’t have any priority Charge First settings enabled that will put you in self consumption mode. Grid soft start you would want to disable. Fast zero export selected.

I also have a firmware I can load onto your inverter for zero export. It has been enhanced and has been working great

 

[Mkillmer]

I'm in the process of testing this. I have SolarEdge p320 optimizers on the current setup with SolarEdge. I have been looking for a SolarEdge key, which will "unlock" the optimizers for use on any inverter. It disables SafeDC protection, which (as far as I understand it) is basically SolarEdges "Remote Kill Device" and in the process opens up compatibility. May cause code/permit issues for the crowd that cares about that!

My p320 optimizers aren't listed as compatible (they don't end in "i") because they aren't listed as having Ind-OP (https://www.solaredge.com/products/retrofit/power-optimizer-indop#/)....but after some digging I found a reddit thread that mentioned he unlocked my exact model with the SolarEdge key. There is no Ind-op mentioned in the datasheet for my optimizer, but literally stamped on the side of each optimizer is "IndOP".

There are ZERO places to buy this key in the US...so I ordered the key from some site in Austria a few days ago. No evidence of it shipping. I also spent 20 minutes on the phone with SolarEdge today to just try to obtain/buy one from them and made it nowhere. I'll have to try again.

I will report in, because the second I confirm this works with my optimizers I'm buying the EG4-18kpv and the new battery they just released.

ALSO, if anyone has a SolarEdge Key I will pay you a deposit to "rent it", or I will outright buy it from you. PLEASE.

Any luck finding the solaredge key