Manually bypassing 18kpv inverter without transfer switch?

[SurferJon]

Hi, I'm installing my solar system next month. Below is my plan the city approved. My new main service panels will run to my new 18kpv, then to a new subpanel housing all of the home's circuits. This will allow the 18kpv to do whole home backup and 200 amp grid pass-through. I am not using a transfer switch because I have limited space and don't want to spend $600-1000 on a big metal box.

Let's say the 18kpv inverter fails in 10-20 years in the middle of the night and I have to wait a week or two to order a new inverter. First I would shut off the main breaker, hit the RSD button, and shut off any other breakers like in the subpanel. Then to bypass the failed inverter, would I simply connect the two grid wires coming into the inverter to the two load wires going out of the inverter in order to connect my subpanel to my main service panel? And if so, I would use something like 4/0 Polaris lugs that I leave inside the inverter in case of said emergency, right?

Also, how would an inverter like the 18kpv typically fail? I'm assuming it would stop converting DC to AC electricity. But maybe the grid pass-through would still work, meaning I wouldn't even have to connect the grid wires to the load wires?

 

[BentleyJ]

I would shut off the main breaker [OR the fused Disconnect], hit the RSD button, and shut off any other breakers like in the subpanel. Then to bypass the failed inverter, would I simply connect the two grid wires coming into the inverter to the two load wires going out of the inverter in order to connect my subpanel to my main service panel? And if so, I would use something like 4/0 Polaris lugs that I leave inside the inverter in case of said emergency, right?

Yes,

 

[SurferJon]

Thanks! Is there any hardware you would recommend for temporarily connecting the wires? I was looking for 4/0 Polaris connectors but couldn't find any that fit a size that large.

 

[ricardocello]

Thanks! Is there any hardware you would recommend for temporarily connecting the wires? I was looking for 4/0 Polaris connectors but couldn't find any that fit a size that large.

https://www.amazon.com/Saysurey-Insulated-Connectors-Splicers-Aluminum/dp/B0CPYBPF9R

Max size 250 MCM, which is bigger than 4/0.

 

[jeff.lankford]

Also, how would an inverter like the 18kpv typically fail? I'm assuming it would stop converting DC to AC electricity. But maybe the grid pass-through would still work, meaning I wouldn't even have to connect the grid wires to the load wires?

The 18Kpv defaults to relays open, no grid pass through. The unit needs to boot up and software needs to decide to throw the bypass relays. So you should plan to make the Polaris splice as mentioned.