EG4 18KPV Problems and Solution

[Zapper77]

, are you seeing the inverter charge current being limited to 50A (inverter only seeing the master battery perhaps)?

That's what it looks like, just the master battery

Check your cables and dip switches. Confirm all batteries are on the same firmware

 

[5ePV]

That's what it looks like, just the master battery

Check your cables and dip switches. Confirm all batteries are on the same firmware

Yes, it was the dip switches... I was counting in binary from right to left instead of left to right. Note to others, for dip switch addressing, 1000 would be 1, not, 0001 (I think I've seen this mentioned elsewhere on the forum or spec sheet).
My latest issue w 18kPV: I'm intermittently getting battery errors when at 100% SOC.

 

[Zapper77]

Yes, it was the dip switches... I was counting in binary from right to left instead of left to right. Note to others, for dip switch addressing, 1000 would be 1, not, 0001 (I think I've seen this mentioned elsewhere on the forum or spec sheet).
My latest issue w 18kPV: I'm intermittently getting battery errors when at 100% SOC.

What battery firmware version? Comm Hub or No Hub

 

[5ePV]

What battery firmware version? Comm Hub or No Hub

No hub (battery firmware updated per this thread 3-weeks ago).
Inverter firmware: fAAB-0C0D

 

[Zapper77]

No hub (battery firmware updated per this thread 3-weeks ago).
Inverter firmware: fAAB-0C0D

That's an old version of 18Kpv firmware. Any specific reason that you haven't updated?

 

[Quattrohead]

Yeah way old firmware, update to the latest in the app or call into SS and they can push it for you.

 

[MN_1963]

What is the latest?
Mine is FAAB-0E0E

Yeah way old firmware, update to the latest in the app or call into SS and they can push it for you.

 

[Zapper77]

What is the latest?
Mine is FAAB-0E0E

FAAB-1312

 

[Zapper77]

What is the latest?
Mine is FAAB-0E0E

0E0E translates to something like 1010 or 1110, It seems that after 1010 the Firmware uses standard numbers instead of Hex

 

[wizarddaddmb]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post. I spent the last few months installing EG4 8k which was a bust. SS gave me full credit and I upgraded to an 18kpv. I also installed (30 panels) 10.05 kw of 335 watt Canadian Solar panels and 3 eg4 lifpower 4 batteries.

I am so stoked that the inverter is exporting excess power to the grid and seems to be providing power for the home when the grid is on

BUT that is all it seems to be doing.

IT IS NOT

backing up the home when the grid is down (I tested turning off the power disconnect at the meter.

IT IS NOT

utilizing the batteries to feed the power demands of our home when there is no PV.

I have called SS 3 times they suggest my settings are all correct, I updated the firmware on the batteries and the inverter. I do not currently have a communication cable for the batteries, the wrong one was included when it was shipped.

I would love to be able to utilize the full functionality of this inverter, and solar set up.

Any suggestions would really be appreciated

 

[Zapper77]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post. I spent the last few months installing EG4 8k which was a bust. SS gave me full credit and I upgraded to an 18kpv. I also installed (30 panels) 10.05 kw of 335 watt Canadian Solar panels and 3 eg4 lifpower 4 batteries.

I am so stoked that the inverter is exporting excess power to the grid and seems to be providing power for the home when the grid is on

BUT that is all it seems to be doing.

IT IS NOT

backing up the home when the grid is down (I tested turning off the power disconnect at the meter.

IT IS NOT

utilizing the batteries to feed the power demands of our home when there is no PV.

I have called SS 3 times they suggest my settings are all correct, I updated the firmware on the batteries and the inverter. I do not currently have a communication cable for the batteries, the wrong one was included when it was shipped.

I would love to be able to utilize the full functionality of this inverter, and solar set up.

Any suggestions would really be appreciated

Post you settings
And provide a diagram of your system wiring

 

[wizarddaddmb]

As far as wiring diagram I am using a back fed breaker.

Settings are as follows below.

 

[wizarddaddmb]

Here is the last page of settings

 

[Zapper77]

Here is the last page of settings

Do you have a critical load subpanel?

Where are the two CT physically located.?

 

[Zapper77]

FYSA, Saw this in the APP today - FAAB-1616 is available as of 20 Oct.

#10 Generator warmup and cool down is a nice touch.

 

[wizarddaddmb]

Do you have a critical load subpanel?

Where are the two CT physically located.?

I have a critical loads subpanel and had it set up with the 8k. When that unit did not function, I transferred the circuits back to the main panel and left it that way as everything I have read lead me to believe that the inverter would feed the main panel through the back fed breaker.

The CT's are on the lines feeding the backfed breaker and they are facing the inverter.

 

[Zapper77]

I have read lead me to believe that the inverter would feed the main panel through the back fed breaker.

Inverter cannot utilize the backfeed feature if the grid is down. Safety issue.

If you want a grid down backup you will need a critical load panel.

 

[400bird]

I have a critical loads subpanel and had it set up with the 8k. When that unit did not function, I transferred the circuits back to the main panel and left it that way as everything I have read lead me to believe that the inverter would feed the main panel through the back fed breaker.

The CT's are on the lines feeding the backfed breaker and they are facing the inverter.

So, you've got nothing in the critical loads panel? All loads in the main panel?
The EG4 inverter's CTs are on the wires leading from the inverter to the main panel? Measuring the current of exactly 0 loads?
If this is the case, it fits right in with everything I've read about their tech support.

The CTs need to be moved to the other side of the main panel, basically at the utility meter.
This allows the inverter to measure and offset loads from battery when the grid is up.

Zapper 77 is right on with the grid down situation. The inverter must disconnect grid side, it can only provide back up power for loads in the critical loads panel. I am surprised they couldn't figure that one out.

 

[Zapper77]

The EG4 inverter's CTs are on the wires leading from the inverter to the main panel? Measuring the current of exactly 0 loads?

The CTs need to be moved to the other side of the main panel, basically at the utility meter.
This allows the inverter to measure and offset loads from battery when the grid is up.

I wasn't going to mention that yet. Was going to fix one thing at a time. Since he's able to sell to the grid it's only a minor detail.

Edit: disregard - I skimmed over the battery comment. Yes CTs need to be routed correctly for the battery to work.

 

[400bird]

I wasn't going to mention that yet. Was going to fix one thing at a time. Since he's able to sell to the grid it's only a minor detail.

Good point, one problem at a time.

But in the course of 3 phone calls to support they couldn't figure out what we did in just a few posts?