PeterMc

This is the follow up post to all my previous posts re the Mercer inverter. Mustek Cape Town (the importers of the Mecer range of inverters) have given me the most incredible service and have ultimately replaced the unit after agreeing that it was faulty. The replacement inverter (the same model but a slightly newer version) integrates perfectly with my solar panels. This newer version is identified by the green circular light around the “battery” switch which the previous one did not have on it. The only problem with this unit is how the switchover from solar to mains voltage occurs - on setting 3 the PV panels are used to charge the battery but the switchover to mains charging only occurs when the battery hits zero percent - I am not happy with running the lithium battery to this level. I have thus changed the setting to 1 which uses mains to charge and then swops to PV when load shedding is active. I also manually disconnect the mains during the day and then reconnect in the evening when the PV panels are not keeping the battery fully charged. Hopefully this post will be of assistance to other users in the future.

Thank you very much for your replies. I did manage to find the the support helpline number for Mustek - they are the suppliers of the Mecer range of inverters. The very helpful Xolani advised that the P1 (inverter mode setting) needed to be set at 03 which gives priority to the Pv input over the mains supply. This worked and the pv panels showed full amperage on the display UNTIL, about 5 minutes later, an E10 error appeared and the inverter started to cycle on and off. I contacted Xolani and, after a telephonic discussion, he is of the opinion that some of the battery cells may be failing and that I would need to take the inverter to their Cape Town branch for repairs - hopefully under guarantee as the inverter is only 9 months old and there is a 12 month warranty. The two pictures are display before and after the E10 code. I will keep the forum updated as to the end result and this will hopefully assist anyone that has the same problem in the future.

Hello. I am non electrically minded but am a home handy man. After spending hours on the Internet, I decided to install my 2x410 w JA panels in series linked to my stand alone Mecer 1 kw inverter which has a built in Mppt Solar charge controller. All went well with the installation and I proudly did the final connection ( via a 10 m long solar 4mm cable with Mc4 connectors) only to find that there was voltage only and no current showing on the inverter display. After checking and rechecking all connectors, I decided to remove the panels from the roof, prop them up outside the back door in full sun and connect a panel directly to the inverter. When I disconnected the mains power to the inverter the pv input display read 0.5 amps only. The voltage is is consistent with the method of attachment, ie, 37 volts as a single panel or 75 volts when they were connected in series on the roof. The specifications of the panels and the inverter are attached. I do have a household 10 amp multimeter for testing purposes. Logically the two panels could not both be faulty so it must be the Mppt controller in the inverter that is the issue here. Could someone analyse my installation and advise if I made some major fault with the pairing of the panels and the inverter. Any advise would be hugely appreciated.