Off Grid Install: Paralleling 2X EG4 18k's

[miran90]

For the OP, if you are considering off grid instead of the 18kpv why not consider the 12xp. Almost the same output inverter and sufficient solar for any needs.

1200xp is not as efficient and those units. no 5 year warranty since its not ip65.

 

[timselectric]

Even Deye have deceptive marketing their 14kw cannot run 14kw without PV.

I'm not familiar with the 14k, but my 8k will do 8k forever.
But if the 14k can't, then I agree, that's a problem.

 

[akitawpo]

1200xp is not as efficient and those units. no 5 year warranty since its not ip65. View attachment 270451View attachment 270452

The 6000XP warranty is 5 years. If your planning of installing the inverter where it is not weather protected, then it would not be an option. Efficiency wise I would take those numbers with a grain of salt. At least that has been my experience. The difference in "efficiency" can be compensated with the difference in price and that monetary difference can be directed on more solar / batteries which would compensate and have additional benefits.

 

[timselectric]

I'm not sure what the differences are between the rest of the world and our funky split phase inverters Tim, I wonder how they do it internally.

To create two voltages, you either need two inverters or a transformer.

the mppt's are the exact same boards.

I would expect that, keeps inventory easier.

I believe EG4 added the bigger wiring compartment, grid pass through switching and breakers.

Actually, luxpower added it. (Possibly recommended by EG4).

Just yesterday someone wired up a pair of these with the ACs (L1/L2) back to front, should that be side to side ? and they just tripped the battery breaker rather than exploding,

I'm not sure I follow. But if they protected themselves, from whatever happened, that's a good thing.

 

[miran90]

The 6000XP warranty is 5 years. If your planning of installing the inverter where it is not weather protected, then it would not be an option. Efficiency wise I would take those numbers with a grain of salt. At least that has been my experience. The difference in "efficiency" can be compensated with the difference in price and that monetary difference can be directed on more solar / batteries which would compensate and have additional benefits.

If they can sell it double the price they can give 5 year warranty، we sell the version without the breakers for 530$. And it's hybrid and can export to grid.

 

[jeff.lankford]

I'm not sure I follow. But if they protected themselves, from whatever happened, that's a good thing.

The inverters shut down due to L1/L2 being crossed, and they also shut down the batteries, presumably via the RSD command.

 

[timselectric]

The inverters shut down due to L1/L2 being crossed, and they also shut down the batteries, presumably via the RSD command.

I see, thanks.
And that's what they should have done. So, it's a good thing.

 

[ksmithaz1]

I'm not sure what the differences are between the rest of the world and our funky split phase inverters Tim, I wonder how they do it internally.
However the rest of the unit is 18K PV, the mppt's are the exact same boards. I believe EG4 added the bigger wiring compartment, grid pass through switching and breakers.
Just yesterday someone wired up a pair of these with the ACs (L1/L2) back to front, should that be side to side ? and they just tripped the battery breaker rather than exploding, as sturdy as your opinions Tim LOL

I think split-phase is safer than single phase, but you could argue your opinion. My understanding is a split-phase inverter is pretty much two (2) single phase units in the same box, tied just like you would with two external single phase 120v units. I doubt there is much difference in between the hardware, they could but economies of scale would dictate it to be as similar as possible.

 

[RHill]

Hello,

Im in Riverside County, CA and in the process of building a 3600sq.ft home. I just received the tentative bill from so-cal Edison and they want $28k to pull wire (assuming I share the pole tap). That's not including all the trenching, pull boxes, and conduit that I would have to install. Im not looking for sympathy, rather, an off grid solution to bypass edison. Since the cost is so high and the distance to the pole is so far (1200ft), the county will review/ consider an off grid install.

Equipment: I have a 400a, solar ready panel and im looking to install the following -- 2x EG4 18k Inverters; 20x 450W panels (another 20x to follow later); 6x Eg4-LL bats (another 6x batts to follow later); and a 20kw Kohler backup gen. The problem im having is it seems that almost every discussion and video pertains to grid-tied solutions or older inverter systems that don't have all the integrated functionality of the new EG4 18k so it is difficult to assess what is needed (i.e., will the PV breaker on the inverter suffice for a kill switch or will county code make me put an external one as well)...do I tie the gen into one inverter or terminal block into both...

To my question: what is the best way to connect the 2x inverters, 20x panels (2 strings of 10), single battery bank (6x batts), and back up gen to the solar ready 400a panel? Please don't say "connect the inverters to the panel" and "connect the battery bank to the inverter"...The biggest problem that im having is that no one actually shows how systems are wired together AND into the breaker panel.

PS: im not an electrician but semi-intelligent and able to size the system and make the appropriate calculations. Please excuse my ignorance as im trying to learn without making a catastrophic mistake.

I have a 4-acre property in Valley Center that I will be building within a year a 3500 sq’ home with a 40’ x 40’ shop. I want to be totally off-grid for my electrical needs. We are going to for now live in our fifth-wheel trailer until the house is built. We also have a family member living in his motorhome currently. So, I want to build a Temporary system that I can expand. I choose Signature Solar for their price, Customer service and after sale technical support. My current draw is Two 40 ‘ fully insulated shipping containers with lighting, small office and a washer and dryer being cooled by two 15k A/cs in one and the other container is also fully insulated with a 15k a/c for a Ham Radio room. I started out with 6 - EG4 48v 100ah batteries, 1-EG4 18pv inverter with 4 rows of 9 panels = 36-460/575 watt bi facial panels in series. This set up is almost maxing out 21,000w pv input for the inverter. I quickly realized I needed more battery storage for cloudy days. My panels can easily charge the 6 batteries by 10am when it’s sunny.
I have since added 6 more batteries for a total 12- 48v 100ah. In the future I will be adding 9 - solar tracking mounts and 6 more batteries with another inverter.
I also have a 20kw Onan diesel generator for emergencies

Future Hybrid Solar system
18- EG4-LL Lithium Battery 48V 100AH (1800ah) Server Rack Batteries

2- Victron Energy Lynx Distributor | 1000A (interconnected to both inverters)
2- EG4 18KPV Hybrid Inverter connected in series
36- 460/575 watt bi facial panels (16,560-20,700 Watts of Solar PV) mounted on 9- Solar Panel Dual Axis Tracking System (Expanded Version Increase 40% Power)
Onan 20kw diesel generator with auto start from inverters

Has far as connecting to the panel. Hope this helps​