EG4 6000xp PV input shows voltage but no watts

[lane77]

hey all, I've had my new 6000xp up and running for about a week with no issues.

I am experimenting with changing my panels from series to parallel.

I have one small string connected and it shows the correct voltage but no watts are showing up.

I've tried shutting down the entire system a couple of times with no resolution.

I tested the input right before it goes into the inverter and it doesn't appear to be a wiring issue as the values are as expected.

There are no errors relating to PV in the eg4 app.

What am I missing?

 

[BentleyJ]

Minimum PV Start Up voltage is listed on the 6000XP datasheet as 100V plus or minus 10V. 43V is not going to "wake up" the inverter MPPT circuit.

 

[lane77]

ah man, so then is it not common to run panels in parallel since the voltage will not increase as you add arrays/panels?

Is that setting adjustable?

 

[BentleyJ]

ah man, so then is it not common to run panels in parallel since the voltage will not increase as you add arrays/panels?

Is that setting adjustable?

No.

Most MPPT Charge Controllers are "Buck" type meaning they take voltages (much) higher than the battery voltage and reduce it down the proper charging voltage but higher current. In most cases higher voltage is best way to deliver the DC from the PV panels because it reduces the number of parallel circuits and reduces wire diameter due to lower current requirements to produce the same Watts.

Why do you want all those parallel circuits and a bunch of extra wiring?

 

[GXMnow]

Parallel connection is more tolerant of shading, but in this case, you need at least 3 panels in series to get enough voltage. How many panels do you have? Can you plan out a series parallel group that makes sense? I have a total of 15 panels in my small DC system. I have 3 parallel connected groups with each group being 5 panels in series. The back 2 rows are actually wired left side/right side because I have an issue with a morning shadow on one side of the array. So now the 5 on one end can start making power and the other end comes on after the shadow clears the array.

If you truly need the all parallel connection due to shading issues, you could use a separate charge controller between the panels and the battery directly. But if you are a 48 volt battery, you still need at least 2 of those panels in series for most buck type charge controllers. There are some boost MPPT charge controllers, but they are typically small, just a single panel each, and they are less efficient. I see those used to have a single panel charge a golf cart. Victron charge controllers need the panel voltage to be at least 5 volts over battery voltage before they come on. BougeRV is now selling an interesting charge controller. It is only rated to 20 amps, but it can boost or buck depending on the input voltage. It can charge 48 volt batteries with a solar input voltage as low as 12 volts. But it will also handle up to 145 volts and charge down to a 12 volt battery, all in the same unit.

 

[lane77]

Thank you much, That helps me understand what is going on. I do have a bad shade situation which is why I wanted to put my arrays in parallel. So for now I left each string of 5 in parallel and then put all 4 strings in series which gets my voltage up to 168 so it will start to work.

In the photo, I plan to move the 10 panels close to the ground in a better location soon. I didn't realize how much even a little shade can kill the output.

 

[GXMnow]

With 20 panels, I would suggest you try groups of 4 in series, then parallel the 5 strings. Try to keep each series string in the same amount of shading. As the sun moves across the sky, the group that has full sun will change and each parallel group will make it's best current.