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Time to upgrade inverter, what's your thoughts?

M

miles557

New Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2023
Messages
5
Location
Colorado
Have been running a SunGoldPower TP6048 split phase hybrid inverter with 2.7kW (ground mount) PV array and eight 100Ahr LiFePo4 in series/parallel (48V) for about 1-1/2 years now. Inverter is grid tied, not grid feed and system is working fine. Currently building second 2.7kW array and wanting to replace the TP6048 with a 12kW inverter with the same features and connections. First Question: Opinions/experience regarding replacing 6kW inverter a with bigger one versus adding second identical TP6048 in parallel. Significantly cheaper to add 2nd one in parallel but will I regret doing that for some reason? All the labor is DIY (me) so not really a factor either way.

Second question: Are there quiet inverters for sale? Under heavy load the current TP6048 is disturbingly loud and MUST be mounted in an attached garage. I've eliminated external causes and am considering opening it up to see if the fans are having issues but don't want to void the warranty so gotta talk to SGP about that. I'll have to get a db meter to quantify it but it's at least as loud as an old timey vacuum cleaner. What's your experience with noise levels of various brands of inverters?
 
I have the 10kW fan cooled AIO from SGP and if the load reaches 5kW, then the fans get loud. Also when pv input goes over 4kW, the noise level goes up.

There are inverters that don't rely on fans for cooling. It seems to be a HF vs LF thing (HF inverters being the cheap and noisy ones.)
 
Might find it helpful to skim my ASF and ASP threads.
I went from a TP6048 to them. There is a night and day difference in the fans because of the pitch, they are still loud at high loads but it's a very tolerable loud due to the frequency of the noise.

Like CaliSunHarvester said, you're not going to get away from noise without spending bigger money on LF but then you could have transformer whine / hum.
 
NC_hydro said:
Or if you want a more quality unit go with the Midnite All In One. Check out Adam De Lay's channel on youtube with videos on it and how quiet it is.
Click to expand...
The midnite all in one(Senergy inverter with midnite badge) that doesn't work with solar assistant and only has limited range Bluetooth comms, no touch screen and 2.5x the price of the hesp?

😂lol
 
1201 said:
The midnite all in one(Senergy inverter with midnite badge) that doesn't work with solar assistant and only has limited range Bluetooth comms, no touch screen and 2.5x the price of the hesp?

😂lol
Click to expand...
Yes that one, the one that will probably outlast three or more chinesium branded (pick your flavor) Beta Boxes
 
Time will tell.

I can't easily find when Senergy was established but having APD (founded in 1994) as a parent company says something. https://www.senergytec.com/about-senergy/#abt01

Midnite has been around forever and will hopefully continue forever.

The One does seem like a solid unit based on Adam's videos.
Hopefully we see more in use on here.

I chose SRNE (established in 2009) and I have zero regrets, time will tell.
 
42OhmsPA said:
Time will tell.

I can't easily find when Senergy was established but having APD (founded in 1994) as a parent company says something. https://www.senergytec.com/about-senergy/#abt01

Midnite has been around forever and will hopefully continue forever.

The One does seem like a solid unit based on Adam's videos.
Hopefully we see more in use on here.

I chose SRNE (established in 2009) and I have zero regrets, time will tell.
Click to expand...
It might be a good inverter. It might even be a great inverter. But it's a 100% chinese inverter like all the others except that midnite put their name on it and marked it up 150%.
 
miles557 said:
Have been running a SunGoldPower TP6048 split phase hybrid inverter with 2.7kW (ground mount) PV array and eight 100Ahr LiFePo4 in series/parallel (48V) for about 1-1/2 years now. Inverter is grid tied, not grid feed and system is working fine. Currently building second 2.7kW array and wanting to replace the TP6048 with a 12kW inverter with the same features and connections. First Question: Opinions/experience regarding replacing 6kW inverter a with bigger one versus adding second identical TP6048 in parallel. Significantly cheaper to add 2nd one in parallel but will I regret doing that for some reason? All the labor is DIY (me) so not really a factor either way.

Second question: Are there quiet inverters for sale? Under heavy load the current TP6048 is disturbingly loud and MUST be mounted in an attached garage. I've eliminated external causes and am considering opening it up to see if the fans are having issues but don't want to void the warranty so gotta talk to SGP about that. I'll have to get a db meter to quantify it but it's at least as loud as an old timey vacuum cleaner. What's your experience with noise levels of various brands of inverters?
Click to expand...
I believe Sungold and Sigineer has free shipping right now.
The 12k version is a transformer based unit and wont run the fans until its loaded up or getting hot. Just speculation, but running a 12k at half capacity, it will probably run pretty cool, thus staying quiet
Do you need a larger inverter or do you simply need more MPPT capacity for the additional array?

The only benefit i see of paralleling 2 of the 6k units is redundancy. That is worth something.
 
seneysolar said:
The only benefit i see of paralleling 2 of the 6k units is redundancy. That is worth something.
Click to expand...
True, and OP would save $$ to buy one additional 6k likely, but at higher idle current/cost I believe.
however it seems he was trying to get away from fan noise, Victron?
 
42OhmsPA said:
Time will tell.

I can't easily find when Senergy was established but having APD (founded in 1994) as a parent company says something. https://www.senergytec.com/about-senergy/#abt01

Midnite has been around forever and will hopefully continue forever.

The One does seem like a solid unit based on Adam's videos.
Hopefully we see more in use on here.

I chose SRNE (established in 2009) and I have zero regrets, time will tell.
Click to expand...
I will chime in, on a short note.. looking for a replacment AiO, before making purchases.. I contacted them regarding another issue with a video that someone could not get the wifi to work.. and stop. and the local people not the Mfg.. could not get support.. I contacted SRNE, made them aware in less than 24 hours, they were on the issue.. As well a rep of the company at SRNE was directly available. As well in my further search about the people of are Sub, contacted them.. Both were SRNE and APD sub, were there..
The after sale is just as important as the product.. If you don't realize this, then you have not lived the nightmare when your AiO dies and your in a remote country and you can't get support or replacement or warranty.. Next AiO is going to be the above.. note: I have been a long time Growatt supporter. they build a good product.. but Support literally is almost impossible. Poor - Sorry Growatt, I have lived it with you for 4 years. Most every one at some time or place needs Support, for any reason.
 
doityourself2021 said:
I will chime in, on a short note.. looking for a replacment AiO, before making purchases.. I contacted them regarding another issue with a video that someone could not get the wifi to work.. and stop. and the local people not the Mfg.. could not get support.. I contacted SRNE, made them aware in less than 24 hours, they were on the issue.. As well a rep of the company at SRNE was directly available. As well in my further search about the people of are Sub, contacted them.. Both were SRNE and APD sub, were there..
The after sale is just as important as the product.. If you don't realize this, then you have not lived the nightmare when your AiO dies and your in a remote country and you can't get support or replacement or warranty.. Next AiO is going to be the above.. note: I have been a long time Growatt supporter. they build a good product.. but Support literally is almost impossible. Poor - Sorry Growatt, I have lived it with you for 4 years. Most every one at some time or place needs Support, for any reason.
Click to expand...
The old midnite aio was made by srne. The new one is made by Senergy. Different company.

Good plug for srne btw. I suggested the op look at the srne hesp 12k
 
Last edited:
seneysolar said:
I dont think Victron fits in here, too much $$ to really compare.
Click to expand...
IDK, the OP didn't specify any budget conditions.
my experience with Victron is near-zero (ie just the smart shunt) but I recall members saying Victron have models with no fans - just radiant heat sinks - perhaps they have fans but these run only at higher load, not to sure from memory.
 
seneysolar said:
I believe Sungold and Sigineer has free shipping right now.
The 12k version is a transformer based unit and wont run the fans until its loaded up or getting hot. Just speculation, but running a 12k at half capacity, it will probably run pretty cool, thus staying quiet
Do you need a larger inverter or do you simply need more MPPT capacity for the additional array?

The only benefit i see of paralleling 2 of the 6k units is redundancy. That is worth something.
Click to expand...
OP here, Need a larger inverter actually. The TP6048 does have the MPPT capacity for both arrays. Decided to prioritize building the second array while the weather was good. I can install an inverter any time of year. Redundancy is a factor I hadn't considered.
 
miles557 said:
OP here, Need a larger inverter actually. The TP6048 does have the MPPT capacity for both arrays. Decided to prioritize building the second array while the weather was good. I can install an inverter any time of year. Redundancy is a factor I hadn't considered.
Click to expand...
Here's a link to my ASP thread.
There a link in the 1st post to my ASF thread that I upgraded to from the TP6048.
4

Thread 'SRNE 20KW parallel ASP journey.'

This will be an ongoing thread on my work in process expansion going from an SRNE ASF to parallel ASPs for additional power, 10KW wasn't cutting it...
3-30 edit - 9MWh
3-9 edit - 8 MWh
2-14 edit - 7MWh
1-16 edit - 6 MWh
12-1 edit - 5MWh
7-22 edit - Current settings.

Quick specs that come to mind for the ASP.
-Up to 6 units in parallel.
-Supports split phase, 3 phase and single phase (I'm running the US version, there is also a 230V native version).
-10KW AC output, 5KW / leg.
-2 5500W 22A 500 VOC max mppts, 11KW solar input.
-200A charging...
  • Like

Note the 6048 has a higher max current for the single MPPT, you could run 3 parallel strings with minimal clipping vs 2 strings with the ASP and ASF but you have two 5500W mppts....

Redundancy is very good to have...
 
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