RikH

Guy's I've installed a PCM60X to add 12 solar panels to the system. There is already a MPPsolar MPI 5k installed and to set that uo I use SolarPower software. Now I have installed MPPTracker but when I click the icon to start it SolarPower starts and I really have no idea why. When I try to start it by clicking MPPTracker direct the same happens. Software is downloaded from this link. Has a separate folder and now link that I'm aware of with the SolarPower software. Advice will be appreciated!

Hi Stefan, I have the same inverter but the 5K version 1 phase version. I have experienced the same problem several times. It works fine when the grid is off but when the grid goes back on you hear clicking from relays while synchronizing and when it connects the fuse between grid and inverter goes. Sometimes it behaves like it should and sometimes it doesn't. At first I thought I made a mistake within the settings or something and I tried other settings after which it started again. But when I tried to reproduce the failure I did not succeed. Weird behavior! Anyway the inverter works fine for 2,5 years now so no further complaints and hoping it doesn't kill itself. Now your inverter, it looks like they just sent you a wrong pcb. Did you try to replace the old mainboard to check if everything is still functioning as it did before? Greetings, Rik

@Tass99, did you read Youda's lab? There is a lot, and I mean a lot of info about that battery. All your questions are answered there.

Ok, I misunderstood that because I read to quick often. Like this: But when you don't continue reading you miss the part: 😉 Anyway, did you ever found the cause of this:

Not sure. Since @Wetkitassumes one should earth the negative side of the panels. I don't, never. But I do earth the panels framework and mounting rails etc. So if you don't earth the - PV the batteries are also not earthed via the mppt. Just my thoughts. Nice topic, thanks for bringing it up @Sammyigt.

Jij bent niet bang!

There are some more advantages for the 5K plus to add to Christo's list: Power AC out is 5kW but it can mix 2 more kW from the grid. That makes 7kW max. When solar reaches 5 kW to provide loads and the PV delivers more that can be sent to the batteries. With the enrgymeter connected in your DB it can also provide power to the loads on the grid side (AC in) without pushing back into the grid. Sure there is more to tell but now I'm not that fit so I'm going to sleep.

Exactly. Why is that Henk? Now you have made an investment like this it seems like you forgot the panels. On the other hand these panels should be fine for your 4x4 (Which looks awesome btw!) so I go with @Louisvdw, this is overkill. And not only the MPPT.

Well this seems a little over-complicated (for me). It was easier than that. Thanks for your quick reply @Ingo!

Hi all, a while ago I have been pointed to a free windows app with which one can make nice drawings. Now I can't find it anymore. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Tnx in advance, want to rebuild my DB so would be very helpful.

Well still there is no explanation why these panels give less. Are they shaded? Your SW aray gives more power than the NE, that's weird. How are they connected? 4s per array?

So PROBLEM 1 - phase balancing concerns me. Why? Number 3) won't help improving this. If you mean using 2 phases from 3 then yes, why not. For all your other questions and remarks about unbalanced phases; I wouldn't bother to much. It is not your problem but you energy supplier's (Eskom?) . Everybody is taking from the three phases as they please and the end result will be a quite well balanced grid in most cases.

Very impressive Mike! Thanks for sharing. Missed your build last year so I'm happy to read it now!

Or when you want it less complicated you can give Hubitat a try. Very nice hub!

Who is them? For reliable advice in Victron systems you can ask @plonksterto have a look at your list. @Jaco de Jonghalso can help you, I think he is installer as well.

Hi Wozza, welcome to the forum! First of all you're measuring the battery capacity with the inverter. This is only a guestimate because all the inverter knows is the battery voltage. When you connect a load you will see a voltage sag and the inverter thinks the capacity drops that fast as well but it doesn't of course. If you want a good measurement of the SoC (State of Charge) I recommend to connect a Victron BMV to the battery. Now you know what the SoC is but the inverter still does not. By adding ICC to the system the SoC can be forwarded to the inverter as well so it (or ICC) makes better decisions.

Richard what do you mean with that? Draw too much from the panels? Or maybe simply overload the inverter?

Now what? You have 3 of these (5K, ok..) Voltronic products and you're advising not to buy these, how come? 🙄 I remember when I ordered my 5K from MPPsolar it was not in stock and they tried to convince me to buy the 5.5. Happy I didn't. Reason: no possibility to parallel them. So far I'm happy with it. Another question Youda, when the inverter is connected with a meter it will try to compensate for consumption on the AC in side as well. Is this only when the inverter is not allowed to push back into the grid? And will it use the battery as well to compensate for the loads on the AC in side? And beyond that, use the battery to feed in to the grid? Curious...

Since you're planning to go lithium just don't do it. Keep the batteries balanced by means of equalization every now and then.

Nobody??

That's what I would like to try as well but how?? Maybe @Youda or @Coulomb knows? Thanks for your reaction Achmat.

??? WTF?

Hello all, I came across the settings "Allow battery to feed-in to to the grid when PV is available/unavailable". In the first place what is this setting for? Seems quite useless. On the other hand, is there a possibility to make the inverter empty the battery into the grid and if so how do I do that? Could be useful for testing purposes e.g. capacity test without losing the entire amount of energy. (In the Netherlands we still have netmetering so I can use the grid as a giant battery.) So if I empty the battery to the grid and later charge it from the same grid it could give a nice indication of 1.- the battery capacity 2.- the losses in the inverter whilst discharging and charging. Has somebody done this? Maybe with another type or brand inverter?

Never succeeded in opening this address. What I get is "Access from your area has been temporarily limited for security reasons." Is there another way to get in touch with them?

No I don't think so. The Chinese manufacturer has responded already that they will send me a new cell under warranty. They are aware that the cells are not standing upright cause I told them. That cannot be the cause they said.