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I’m reading this and have to think that someone who is knowledgeable enough to work with the 18KPV will have had some prior experience with residential PV systems including inverters, and have run across RSD, PVDisconnect, etc. and not expect the manual to cover basic topics that are commonly...

I think I learned a new term’clickbait’. Being an old guy current vernacular sometimes escapes me. Back to the point - for years I wouldn’t even consider Victron. Wayyyy too expensive, blah, blah, blah…. After a couple “Bluebox” purchases (after reading the forum for the RV I purchased), for my...

That has not been my experience. Serious over paneling (300%) doesn’t seem to bother the ones I’ve used.

Lots of factors going into the answer. I sized my batteries for 3x my average daily load. Then I sized my array for an average 50% daily wintertime replenishment rate. Wrong answer. Array should have been 75% replenishment. I needed to buy grid power for an equivalent of 3 days use each month...

There’s a 12v balancer that can be connected to 2, 3, or 4 in series. Uses capacitive charge distribution. Basically sequentially connects a capacitor to one battery then switches to the next battery, etc. Search Amazon for PwrMr battery equalizer.

I purchased extra rail connectors through SS. You might want to try them again. I’m still finding SS support to be irregular, so another contact may result in a different response. BTW I think they were around $12 but don’t take that to the bank.

As of right now, based on my personal experience with Signature Solar and others’ forum experiences specifically with the EG 18k, if you desire a more plug and play solution, look around so more.

I just today installed the first set of 4. Definitely cannot do the 45-65 install by reversing posts. BTW: the vertical main post attachment to the base has a weakness. Regardless of how tight your lower bolts are the two holes are different diameters and therefore allow way too much play. I...

BTW: the Code Check series spiral bound books are a pretty good reference. Maybe in a local library? Covers conduit fill run lengths etc. Includes some PV stuff but not in-depth

Actually there are XT90 connectors that are “no spark”. As the connection is initially broken, there is a second contact that has a resistor back to the first contact so that most of the voltage is dropped when the final disconnect occurs - hence no high current arc. These often have a green...

I’ve come to question anything from SS that doesn’t make sense. I think they’re experiencing some growing pains and tech support seems to be carrying the brunt of it. For example I received an email response that the 8K EXP does not support RS 485 even though they offer a Comm cable to do...

Panels usually have grounding points marked and frankly are better grounds than the BRIGHTMOUNT brackets IMO. If you are insistent on using BRIGHTMOUNT you can contact them and order additional rails, etc. I had a shipping issue and got replacements and ordered separate components. The latter...

SAE is very common and nothing to necessarily avoid. Many RV have input ports for portable solar panels and I think all are SAE. I just don’t think they’re that well suited for many applications. Just watch your polarities and current. There’s a variety of wire gauge used on SAE. I’ve seen as...

I used a similar product and it works great. Not recommended for permanent use as it takes power from the cells 24/7 even after balanced.

Home Depot doesn’t- just for example. They’re a distributor just like SS. Do I “like” not being informed? Of course not, but it’s pretty common practice.

I’m using the 8K-EXP along with 6 LiFePOWER4 batteries. It seems to work but there remain a couple issues and a ton of questions. If you were to ask me what I thought 3 months ago I would have said “meh”. Now after self diagnosing (Sig Solar tech support is pretty worthless) several issues, I...

You might consider asking Eco if you could purchase a replacement then get credit for the return. You’d have peace of mind regarding an outage and be made whole $$ when they credited your payment method.

I suggest your expectations are not fully in line. If you’re dealing with the likes of Amazon, I totally agree with you. Others like Home Depot are more like what you experienced with SS. Only difference is that as best I can tell from my CC postings, HD only charges after transferring to a...

Sorry to disagree. The XT descriptions are pretty clear. It’s also commonly understood that arcing is a disconnect phenomenon.

Dead topic. Let’s move on. Warranty registrations are not required.

A reasonable initial estimate of rated output is measuring the surface area of any panel multiply by 1000W/ m2 multiply by 20% efficiency.

Just the connectors. As my earlier reply indicated, these were added to a shipping damage replacement shipment. Not an independent order, if that helps explain anything.

Might want to take a look at EG4 BRIGHTMOUNT through Signature Solar. Each 4 panel set costs less than $300 plus shipping and requires just a lot of concrete. They are manually adjustable. I think Will did a video on them. Comes with much of the code required grounding hardware.

In my experience dealing with SS for over a year now, I’ve had both excellent and terrible interactions with them. Keep a phone log of who you talked to and keep your emails. In technical support I’ve had great dealings with one or two techs,and downright terrible dealings with another two. In...

I’m also in the process of installing these. The recommended ballast design shows about a 9” above grade attachment of the mounts. On a level grade install you will have enough room to access the set screws but remember you’ll be moving 4 panels at one time so it’s definitely a two person job...

I’m looking at adding another 200 A-hrs to my RV 12 volt system. I found Redodo has their “mini” version in a form factor that will save me a lot of cabinet reconfiguration. Has anyone tested these for stated capacity?

I’ve been looking for an advantage of lead-acid….. yea! I found one ?? LOL I ran the balancer mentioned and it works well for the most part. However it consumes a noticeable background power even after the batteries are balanced. Just the electronics I presume.

Some days yes - SS fan boy. Most days - not. Probably a similar feeling that many who have dealt with SS have.

Agreed

Hmmm … 120 single phase? I’d say most seasoned RV types go with Victron Multiplus units. 3000 V-A seems to be the most used.