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PV Voltage Being Limited by my new EG4 12000XP

@Joehaynie EG4 gave me a new test update, we will find out tomorrow if this fixes our issues.
So yesterday the @EG4TechSolutionsTeam updated my firmware to cEaa-1414. That reset the inverter so the real test was whether I’d go back to 120V this morning. Remarkably I DIDN’T! The inverter is recognizing the actual input from the PV. I recognize that this is a track record of only one day, but it makes me hopeful that, in my case, it’s resolved. I hope yours is too. What was your firmware number?Here is a screenshot:
 

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So yesterday the @EG4TechSolutionsTeam updated my firmware to cEaa-1414. That reset the inverter so the real test was whether I’d go back to 120V this morning. Remarkably I DIDN’T! The inverter is recognizing the actual input from the PV. I recognize that this is a track record of only one day, but it makes me hopeful that, in my case, it’s resolved. I hope yours is too. What was your firmware number?Here is a screenshot:
My firmware is the same and I also had no problems this morning. Super happy they solved this quickly for the both of us, and im sure some others out there. It was great working with you and EG4 to try to figure out the problem, or where it was stemming from, and it looks like they found it. Now the long term testing. If there are any issues, we will probably get it at the same time! But I doubt it : )
 
Also, like others have mentioned, and I need to double check my settings as well. Make sure all your charge settings are set properly for your batteries since you are also running lead acid mode. I requested for them to implement a new setting for lithium batteries that don't have a BMS, so hopefully we can get that soon too. The extra settings it gives for lead acid could lead an average person, or a person with decent knowledge into making an accidental setting mistake. But only supplying the settings we need, it eliminates most of that mistake making. Even when talking to one of the signature solar tech support reps, they were not confident of all the settings. Or at least missed one that needed to be changed.
 
Also, like others have mentioned, and I need to double check my settings as well. Make sure all your charge settings are set properly for your batteries since you are also running lead acid mode. I requested for them to implement a new setting for lithium batteries that don't have a BMS, so hopefully we can get that soon too. The extra settings it gives for lead acid could lead an average person, or a person with decent knowledge into making an accidental setting mistake. But only supplying the settings we need, it eliminates most of that mistake making. Even when talking to one of the signature solar tech support reps, they were not confident of all the settings. Or at least missed one that needed to be changed.
A lithium battery s just an unmanaged block with terminals and a vent on it. To my knowledge, all of them in use these days would be connected to a BMS programmed for the blocks of batteries. So you see, you cannot have a lithium battery option without using closed loop communications. What you are doing by using the lead acid protocol is to manually insert voltages and times that are safe for your brand of battery system. Those voltages and amperages will be presented to the battery system's BMS which will properly charge the lithium blocks. Without a closed loop, you don't need anything else except the correct voltages and times to insert into the lead acid protocol boxes. AND, BY THE WAY, ALL INVERTERS EVEN THOSE WITH CLOSED LOOP SHOULD HAVE THE LEAD ACID FIELDS FILLED OUT FOR YOUR BATTERY SYSTEM TO HAVE AS A BACK UP IN CASE THE CLOSED LOOP COMMUNICATION FAILS FOR SOME REASON. ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN CASES OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND LOW VOLTAGE CUT OUTS.
 
Where does that exist? Hopefully nowhere, and if I were them I'd never support that.
My batteries do have a BMS. Unfortunately they don’t support a communication cable so the inverter is blind to the actual SOC. However the BMS does handle all the protective features such as not allowing an overcharge etc.
 
Since at least two of us with the problem have had a firmware update and both of us came up with normal PV this morning, I’m calling this issue resolved. I want to that all of you who weighed in and helped on this thread, as well as the Tech support at SignatureSolar and EG4. I can go back to tweaking and adding to my solar arrays. Thank you all!
 
My batteries do have a BMS. Unfortunately they don’t support a communication cable so the inverter is blind to the actual SOC. However the BMS does handle all the protective features such as not allowing an overcharge etc.
So you mean "Batteries without communications with the inverter" above, rather than "Batteries without a BMS".
 
Aether posted below: "Literally no one asked for this..." , so in deference to Aether all of the information I posted has been deleted.
 
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.... What is not available is the complete accuracy and continuous monitoring of the batteries state that can often be viewed via the internet with a closed loop system.
Some more expensive BMSs offer went based monitoring via the internet. My Orion was an example of that. It was significantly more expensive than other BMSs
 
Even when talking to one of the signature solar tech support reps, they were not confident of all the settings. Or at least missed one that needed to be changed.
Thank you so much for this feedback! We will make sure the team is fully aligned on the settings :)
 
What is a BMS?

It is a microprocessor based computer loaded with firmware whose design is to be connected to individual lithium blocks (cells) under its management control and to also be connected to the charging source. The BMS contains firmware that has been programmed into it and this firmware in most all cases can be undated. The BMS allows through communication the data on the individual lithium cells that make up the entire battery pack. Both the voltage and the power. Any voltage and power (amperage) coming from the charging source is intercepted by the BMS and only the correct amount of voltage and amps are allowed to pass into the lithium cell. The BMS also knows then to cut out the lithium cell if the voltage is too high or too low to prevent failure. Some BMS have temperature sensors programmed to control the charge going into the cell or even to heat the cell up with an onboard heater. So the BMS is really a Battery Management Computer and it is inside the "battery chassis" along with all of the cells.

Closed loop means that the inverter and the BMS can communicate with each othr passing information about each cell and charging in a continuing intelligent way and present the data to the human user such as the battery temperatures and state of charge, the voltage in and out and the power in and out of the batteries. Once connected and working, the human user just really needs to know their cut out and cut in voltages for both high and low or even just what Status of Charge they want to use during the day.

Manually entering parameters for the battery into the charger provides the guide for voltage and amperage that the charger will present to the lithium battery pack. BUT, the onboard BMS will intercept, block, allow as is permitted by its programming to charge and discharge the batteries. What is not available is the complete accuracy and continuous monitoring of the batteries state that can often be viewed via the internet with a closed loop system. Also, it is best in manual mode to program the battery parameters using voltages rather than the state of charge.
Literally no one asked for this... I know what a BMS is. I just wrote my post wrong, and I get it, one small detail changes a lot. But it really did seem like you came around to be a "know it all..." A BMS Cable is what I meant. One could probably pick that up if they read the whole post. Thanks for hand holding me into every definition possible of where I wrongfully left out a single word, "cable" or "connection".

Maybe your last paragraph is the most useful, but I know that communication is likely for benefit for state of charge accuracy. What else can a battery do? It probably just more accurately monitors cells from the BMS, then sends the BMS SOC to the inverter... Since the BMS will be able to track the different cell voltages and the out of balance areas...
 
Literally no one asked for this... I know what a BMS is. I just wrote my post wrong, and I get it, one small detail changes a lot. But it really did seem like you came around to be a "know it all..." A BMS Cable is what I meant. One could probably pick that up if they read the whole post. Thanks for hand holding me into every definition possible of where I wrongfully left out a single word, "cable" or "connection".

Maybe your last paragraph is the most useful, but I know that communication is likely for benefit for state of charge accuracy. What else can a battery do? It probably just more accurately monitors cells from the BMS, then sends the BMS SOC to the inverter... Since the BMS will be able to track the different cell voltages and the out of balance areas...
I edited and removed all of the information I posted since you took exception. It was never my intent to cause you any emotional disturbance.
 
I edited and removed all of the information I posted since you took exception. It was never my intent to cause you any emotional disturbance.
You did not give me emotional disturbance lol. It just seemed like you completely ignored the previous postings. You could have probably gauged the education level from this, due to the reasonable testing, Just to eliminate any other factor others were bringing up(even though I highly thought it was not the issue, but one must stick to the scientific method. There is no need to remove the information, unless you felt you did wrong. I get you were trying to help, but maybe an internet conversation is hard to suggest as the right way. It can be kind of insulting to have someone talk down to you about a BMS. That is how it felt. But like I said, it was my mistake.

I guess the question is, did you read all the previous posts before making yours? Maybe just ask if you know how "X" functions? It just didn't seem relevant to any of the issues in this thread. I think that was the most odd part of the whole thing.
 
What is a BMS?

At the request of Aether, all of the information I posted has been removed. It was posted so that others who come across this thread looking for information in the future might get some knowledge. But Aether took exception to that concept. So in defference to Aether, I removed the information I posted.
I never requested any information to be removed, Via private message or on this thread, or otherwise. This removal was completely done on glandpuck's own choosing. I just wanted to clear this up. There was some good information others could have learned from on his redacted post. Like I mentioned before.

Edit: The original post is still available to see from my quote that was posted just before glandpuck's last post.
 
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