Good day my fellow privileged Solar Comrades in the South of Africa. 

 

I would like to humbly ask for more Knowledgeable individuals to please chime in and help if possible. 

 

#Backstory.

I use to run a Goodwe 4.6 ES Inverter and  two Pylontech 3000 batteries for a fair amount of time( +- 3 years). As of late the current State of Electricity of the Country have made me worried and I was able to Procure another Pylontech Battery, This time a US3000C. I had some issues with Initial installer of the system as he did not do a good job (Long Story for another day).

Given stage 6 and all the other problems, me and a mate hooked up the US3000C as the Master, equalised batteries and everything worked like magic. Reconfigured my Inverter to Ecomode cause i wanted to start using my setup more efficiently etc. This then lead to the Issue I was experiencing in the following thread :  (How ever, this have been resolved)

 

 

After resolving the issue in the previous thread attached. I tried to go on my merry way, I however unfortunately started picking up another snag that occurs. Sometime during the day, as Im not at home to monitor I noticed that my PV production drops significantly (I have 12 X 415 W panels), even though there is Load on the system (This then draws from Eskom). Even in broad daylight, where it's at least suppose to power some of those appliances using the PV.

When I came back home I noticed my one breaker on me Solar DB tripped. Flipped it back as I thought it might have been just a fluke. However this started happening on a daily basis.

Now, im not well versed with Electricity and stuff so its a bit difficult for me, and Im having difficulty finding a reputable Installer I can trust to assist, so i started fault finding again. Turned the system to be in Backup mode and all seems to be well, however im not using the system optimally and would like to get this fixed.

Upon troubleshooting a bit and seeing what Im able to do to resolve this. I noticed a few things (and please correct me if im wrong, i don't claim to be an expert.).

After installing the 3rd battery and adjusting the Settings to pickup a 3rd batter on the SEMS App, I noticed that it adjusted the Charge and Discharge current for the Batteries. to 110 Amp.

However, the Breaker that is currently tripping is a 50 AMP Breaker, the one on the Right that says (Main Switch) (Please don't ask me what it is, i don't know).

 

Now, i might be wrong, but if the Batteries are pushing through more than that or it charges more than that Its going to trip?

And here I thought I was cleaver, and wanted to adjust the Charge and Discharge Currents on PV Master, only to find out i cant (Its not allowing me). So I assume the BMS is overriding my ability to adjust/lower the Input or Output Current.

So, if there is anyone that might be able to give me advice on what I need to Prevent the Breaker from tripping, that would really be awesome. Even if I need to get someone (an electrician, another installer) out to do it for me, I don't mind, but if I at least can get to the root cause I would really appreciate it.

Things that Im currently considering is to go back into PV Master, and to change the settings where I choose what Batteries Im currently running, to only 2 instead of 3, and maybe, just maybe it will lower the charge current or discharge current back to what was? I don't know.

 

Thanx a bunch for any help or advice.

Sorry to here about your issues.

It seems there are still more to uncover. I hope I am wrong but it seems you have AC and DC mixed in 1 DB. This is a No No.

Hi Jacques.

Thank you very much. It looks like you might be on to something, I only have that one DB Board close to my Inverter, and it is connected to my Mains as well as my Solar Panels.

So I would need to get that Split into separate DB Boxes and split the Solar and AC Going to the Inverter into two separate DB Boxes, is that correct?

I will do that, however I don't know if that would resolve the issue, do you think it might be related?

If I do split them, what breakers and Fuzes would I need to place where? If you don't mind me asking. I will then start to purchase the items so long.

Thank you for the response!

Hi John.

We will need more info on the system and circuit to make an informed decision.

2 DB's one for all the AC and 1 for the DC.

If there is a spilt between Essential en Non Essential Circuit you may need 3 DB's.

Dc DB should house all the PV fuses/breaker with Surge protection.

Battery should have its own dubble fuse.

Awesome! Ok cool, ill see what i can slap together. I atleast know that the Batts have its own double fuzes apart from the system. Inregards to the essential and non essential loads as far as i am aware they are separated at the main DB. But i understand that it is not feasible to give good advice without full knowledge of the system. What i will do is systematically address and adjust each thing that you guys point out and get the basics sorted. Like what you suggested regarding the separate DB's. Ill get another box for the DC, side spesific.

Thanx a bunch! This will be a work in progress.

 

When did this breaker start tripping? If it has done so since the inverter was installed then suspect the installation. 

If it's a recent phenomenon then suspect a load or combination of loads that are exceeding 50a (which is quite a lot) or that the breaker has gone bad. 

Either way you need to have separate AC and DC DBs

Hi Bobster.

It only occurred since I added the 3rd battery.

But yes, I will be modifying the setup to have separate AC and DC DB's. However I dont think that would resolve my problem? But It needs to be done anyway.

Thank you

I would speculate the original setup was sized for 2x batts @ 20A charge current each = 40A plus change on the DC breaker. Since adding the 3rd battery, the BMS is telling the charger it is okay to send more amps now or 100A in your example, but the breaker can't take it and trips when the sun shines bright.

I guess you could put in a bigger breaker or fuses but judging from the wiring I wouldn't risk such high current. Rather set the inverter to limit the charge current to what the cables are rated for - or replace your DB and cabling. Charging will take longer but it is safer.

Hi Rudshep.

Thank you for the response. Im also thinking in that line. I will be trying to split the trunking between AC and DC and put in a new box for the DC side of things.

im scared to replace breakers and fuzes and would like to get some installer to do that for me.

The problem is with the inverter, i cannot adjust or change the Charge current. If someone can explain to me how to do that i would greatly appreciate it.

Edited February 10, 20233 yr by John Does

Hi Guys, just a quick question pertaining to this. Is there away you can Set/Adjust the Charge Current for the Batteries on the Inverter? And then, will this override or ensure the Charge Current over the BMS? or What would be the Correct way to go about it. I dont need a 111 Amp Charge Current, and I dont mind if it takes a bit longer to charge?

Any advice?