mien

As per usual I'm here to gather some information and thoughts please?
After a heavy lightning storm at midnight and several direct strikes in my neighbourhood, my batteries went from 67% to 0% instantly and no led's on - no flashing led's nothing.  Inverter reported a F56 dc volt low fault.
Installer tested next day and sent both batteries and inverter off - apparently these were all damaged.
What I don't understand though is that my db didn't trip - the 'eskom' db - I'm still grid tied.  Surely if it was a 'near strike' causing a spike the mains would have tripped?  How is my inverter and batteries fried but nothing else damaged or tripped?  It was definitely not a direct lightning strike.
And most importantly - how do I/ can I take measures to prevent this from happening again with the next heavy lightning storm?
Any thougts/advice please?  Btw - solar panels are earthed with coper spike - don't know yet if they were damaged - there is no visible damage and definitely wasn't struck directly. 

Best wishes and hopefully insurance "pulls finger quickly" to get your equipment replaced and keep you away from Load Shedding. Also see a test of the MidNite Solar's Surge Protection device. 
 

That's what I've heard as well - if the strike is strong enough it will breach all protection measures taken.  Eish.
Neighbour 5 houses away had direct strike and every single electical appliance was fried.  So in comparison I came off lightly.... And luckily my insurance covers this.  

That's what I've heard as well - if the strike is strong enough it will breach all protection measures taken.  Eish.
Neighbour 5 houses away had direct strike and every single electical appliance was fried.  So in comparison I came off lightly.... And luckily my insurance covers this.  

@mzezman @wolfandy Just some feedback. Installer connected both strings to one mppt and here is the result - full cloud cover and all - very happy - thank you again😁

Thanks. I suspect this may be the best way to go to see the real state of the batteries - thank you.  I will not be taking this route - have a full time carreer to attend to...😂 But now understand that it's not a simple answer.

@mzezman @wolfandy Just some feedback. Installer connected both strings to one mppt and here is the result - full cloud cover and all - very happy - thank you again😁

@mzezman @wolfandy Just some feedback. Installer connected both strings to one mppt and here is the result - full cloud cover and all - very happy - thank you again😁

@mzezman @wolfandy Just some feedback. Installer connected both strings to one mppt and here is the result - full cloud cover and all - very happy - thank you again😁

@mzezman @wolfandy Just some feedback. Installer connected both strings to one mppt and here is the result - full cloud cover and all - very happy - thank you again😁

@mzezman @wolfandy Thank you for all the assistance and advice. I'll contact the installer and discuss. Thanks.

@mzezman @wolfandy Thank you for all the assistance and advice. I'll contact the installer and discuss. Thanks.

@wolfandy sorry should have been screenshot of 20 and 21 nov. But 21 nov looks similar to the one for the 20th.

@wolfandyscreenshots for those 2 days as per your directions. Only have pv1 and pv2 - nothing under pv3 etc.  No shading from trees etc.