JacksonSolar
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 13
It looks like you just need a firmware update for zero export. Markus had this firmware if you want he can update your inverter
EG4 18kPV Q+A general thread
- Thread starter SignatureSolarJames
- Start date
Zapper77
Renaissance Man
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2022
- Messages
- 2,337
With the 6500ex I used 10% (that was fairly consistent for conversion). The 18KPV I'm seeing a 94% conversion (batt to load), while the 6500ex was closer to 10%. 2nd I thought we got around 94-96% efficiency with the ChargeVerter.
Quattrohead
Solar Wizard
Yeah it's really weird that you have to log out of the app in order to update the inverter firmware. I guess it has your information in there so it knows and you are in control of it but it seems to me like a non authorized user could potentially do something.
Markus_EG4
I am from Germany. Don't mean to come off rude
The Firmware has not been added to the Apps yet. That usually takes a week to 2 weeks to get added. If you want i can Remote in and update it now or you can wait till its out on the App up to you Sir.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
- Messages
- 18,962
It's somewhere around there. lol
Thank you. Like @timselectric I do not currently have one but have been talking to James about getting one. I like to fully understand the system/support/issues before getting one which is why I've been asking questions and commenting.
Would also like to see that this updated firmware version fixes it for @rmacgurn.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
- Messages
- 18,962
I was guessing on round trip.
Chargeverter and inverter.
Markus_EG4
I am from Germany. Don't mean to come off rude
Ok well we have the fix for sure. It has been tested for over 8 weeks now. If tech Support didn't know about this that's because it was being tested at the time. I understand your concern hopefully the data will back up the questions you have. If rmacgurn needs this firmware i can help him out.
rmacgurn
New Member
would love you to do that for me as I have been trying for a week with Jared to fix this after a warning from my utility, my site id is 3162670087, or do you need the inverter info too? its listed as CR home.
ksmithaz1
Solar / EV Junkie
Ahh, but we did not account for the battery->AC loss thru the inverter. So If I use the chargeverter to allow overnight run by dumping juice at the batteries, I lose 7% to the batteries and another 6% battery -> Grid so realistically probably 15%. If it's under 4 hours might be worth it, from a hassle/continuity perspective to stay isolated from the grid.
Markus_EG4
I am from Germany. Don't mean to come off rude
Thank you for the update. I will help you out with the firmware very soon. I’ll send you a personal message to know when a good time is to do the update
eXodus
Solar Addict
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2020
- Messages
- 1,482
We are all wondering here: How close to Zero "Zero Export" really is and how accurate your amp sensors inside the inverters are?
Is there any way to calibrate? Could you add a setting to the firmware - like the peak shaving - to have always a minimum amount imported while be on Zero Export. Like 10W or 50W or whatever. I mean 0 is just another arbitrary number. Would be amazing to just have a open field to change whatever any person feels is "zero"
Think should just wait to see what happens with @rmacgurn since he has the issue shown in nice graph and sounds like there is no need for any different settings or UI changes. If I'm understanding correctly it was a bug in the firmware allowing power to be exported to the grid when it shouldn't be and the soon to be released firmware version addresses this.
Markus_EG4
I am from Germany. Don't mean to come off rude
Peak shaving is a setting already. You can do this. Zero export will also work its been configured and tested.
Markus_EG4
I am from Germany. Don't mean to come off rude
Post in thread 'EG4 18KPV Grid Draw'
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/eg4-18kpv-grid-draw.64906/post-812748
Here is someone we fixed this on already. Please read the post
eXodus
Solar Addict
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2020
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- 1,482
The peak shaving setting has quite a high minimum value 0.1kw = 100w I mean it's not terrible - that's only 2400wh 2.4kWh a day. But still would be great to fine tune.
Testing and fixing bugs is always good. I appreciate that Signature Solar is so fast with Customer support
Just saying some folks could get into troubles with a bug like this when the EG4 definition of Zero is the wrong side of 0 of the power company.
Here is the thing - the software may be set to 0 and everything is perfect - but the measuring part in the device - a shunt or a coil - hall sensor ? which tells the software the current flowing - is a piece which may drift with various factors: temperature, age, cycle life, cycle frequency
The later one - Documentation already gives a hint with "fast Zero Export" there is likely a sampling algorithm running every ? 20ms ? So that the inverter reads the sensor value what is being exported every 20ms and adjust power output accordingly. While 20ms sounds like a great sampling rate -remember the power grid runs at 60HZ /s = 16.67ms Maybe the inverter is sampling more often - the documentation just says "the export detection and adjustment will takeplace every 20ms, which will effectively avoid any solar power being exported"
That leaves a tiny bit of risk: if you have a load dropping off very fast - right after the sampling was done right at the bottom of a half wave there is still the chance of exporting. I know where the 20ms are coming from - that's the European Asian 50HZ systems. For the US 60HZ system you might need to increase the sample rate.
OR the sensor part just comes with a error from the factory. Electronic components are not perfect. Many come with 0.5% error. That doesn't impact life expectancy - or anything. It's just accuracy. Worst case The sensor reports to the software = I'm at Zero - but in reality it's not.
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ksmithaz1
Solar / EV Junkie
Has anyone successfully read '485/modbus from an 18K. If so which port are you connected to, and what device address did you use?
Luxpower_Gilbert
Luxpert @Luxpower USA Team
CT POWER OFFSET can make it close to zero...
Markus_EG4
I am from Germany. Don't mean to come off rude
The modbus protocol is posted on the eg4 website
rmacgurn
New Member
ok so seems for my issues EG4 new firmware has resolved it very nicely. now when in self consume mode it shows power from solar or batteries going to backup icon not the house. I guess that is how they want it. also seems the CT's were reversed and that was part of the issue. so it seems that they really need to face the grid feed link most other inverters to measure the amount feed back to the gird. with those changes now it is working fine. there has been no input from grid or export since the updates and CT direction change.
