We have just installed a six panel solar array from ‘auto solar’ in Spain and it came with two lithium batteries and an axpert king 3 kW 48V inverter - we are complete newbies but followed the instructions carefully and connected it all up according to the instructions - we measured that there was a good voltage coming through from the panels and connected the PV input of the inverter, all in the right places and all connected really well doublechecked and triple checked everything - even our neighbour who is an electrician has had a look and said that it’s all correct but the inverter is not registering any PV input at all!! 🤷‍♀️ we phoned auto solar they told us that we should’ve set up the panels in parallel and series not just all in series so we’ve changed that and we now just have one panel connected to see if it’s okay because the voltage and the amperage were too high before - but still nothing, we’ve checked for a trip switch in case we overloaded the system but there is none to be found, no fault code or alarm and the rest of the inverter is still working and registering the batteries, load, et cetera et cetera but no recognition whatsoever of a PV input….any ideas? 

What type and how many panels in series do you have?

The King is usually a low voltage mppt. You cannot have more than 145Voc on the PV array.

You should be using 2s3p array.

Just connect 2 panels in series and see if the MPPT is in fact working.

1 hour ago, Mauritius B said:

What type and how many panels in series do you have?

The King is usually a low voltage mppt. You cannot have more than 145Voc on the PV array.

You should be using 2s3p array.

We have six 405W 25V panels, initially in series and then after we spoke to autosolar, we realised they should be three maximum in series, so we tried just three and now we’re down to just one to test the connection and although now we’re getting a voltage reading from the cables at the point of input to the inverter, the inverter is still not recognising the PV panels or the input voltage…?

35 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

Just connect 2 panels in series and see if the MPPT is in fact working.

Tried 3, 4, and just 1, still nothing 🫤

Do you think there is a fault with the inverter then?

42 minutes ago, ponteverdial said:

Do you think there is a fault with the inverter then?

Based on a previous post indication a max volts on MPPT of 145V six panels in series should/could have caused damage. Depending on the panel specs you might be able to use 3S x 2P but cannot say. 6 is for sure a no go that's why I suggested only 2. If the MPPT was OK even 2 should produce some power.

Yes I think you’re right 🫤 in our exuberance and poor instructions- we didn’t realise we had to parallel them in pairs but we have since spoken to the company again and will send the inverter back for repair or replacement depending on if it’s our fault or the device…lesson learnt the hard way! 🥺 thanks for your help 

Unfortunately, MPPT seems to be "fried" after wrong panels connection.

Edited July 28, 20223 yr by Mauritius B

20 hours ago, ponteverdial said:

Tried 3, 4, and just 1, still nothing

But the combination that will work is 2 panels, one of the only two non-zero configurations that you tried.

But I agree with Scorp007 that the six panel initial configuration likely fried the Solar Charge Controller (MPPT).

There actually is an Axpert King II model now, that is a high PV voltage version of the King. [ Edit: Oops! But only in 5 kVA. ]

Edited July 28, 20223 yr by Coulomb

36 minutes ago, Coulomb said:

But the combination that will work is 2 panels, one of the only two non-zero configurations that you tried.

But I agree with Scorp007 that the six panel initial configuration likely fried the Solar Charge Controller (MPPT).

There actually is an Axpert King II model now, that is a high PV voltage version of the King. [ Edit: Oops! But only in 5 kVA. ]

So what would you advise is the best configuration? do we need to do three groups of two panels? And then run those 3 groups in series? That’s what the configurations suggests that Auto solar have now sent us! (better late than never I guess but not very helpful instructions from them overall!!)

25 minutes ago, ponteverdial said:

So what would you advise is the best configuration? do we need to do three groups of two panels? And then run those 3 groups in series? That’s what the configurations suggests that Auto solar have now sent us! (better late than never I guess but not very helpful instructions from them overall!!)

If you tell us what panels do you have, it will be easier to determine the configuration.

It is already written on post nr.2 that you should be using 2s3p configuration, meaning 3 parallel groups of 2 panels in series.

Please, confirm if the panels are JA solar 405w with and Voc of 37,23volt. This is the usual one that you get from Autosolar. Please, check the label on the panel.

Yes those are the ones! Thanks 🙂

7 minutes ago, ponteverdial said:

Yes those are the ones! Thanks 🙂

Then we are in fact back to post #2 of 2S and 3P strings one you know the MPPT is fine. 3S might be the maximum in series based on the 37Voc you confirmed.

Edited July 28, 20223 yr by Scorp007

P

1 hour ago, Mauritius B said:

If you tell us what panels do you have, it will be easier to determine the configuration.

It is already written on post nr.2 that you should be using 2s3p configuration, meaning 3 parallel groups of 2 panels in series.

Please, confirm if the panels are JA solar 405w with and Voc of 37,23volt. This is the usual one that you get from Autosolar. Please, check the label on the panel.

 

35 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

Then we are in fact back to post #2 of 2S and 3P strings one you know the MPPT is fine. 3S might be the maximum in series based on the 37Voc you confirmed.

Perfect 👍🏼 thanks