OomD Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 (edited) I currently have a 4KW Axpert, and I'm looking at adding a second one. Apparently the newer ones are 5KW PF1, and need a software change to make them run in parallel with older 4KW units. My 4KW currently runs 73.00b (will be going to 73.00c soon), does anyone know if this 73.00b/c is compatible with the 5KW Axpert? And, if so, if it can then be used in parallel mode with an older 4KW unit (older = about 2 years old). @Coulomb, @weber any feedback or info you guys can provide will be appreciated, or anyone else, off course. Edited June 5, 2018 by OomD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 @ebrsa, you may want to watch this thread :-) Maybe do a swap, ie one guy sells his 4kw to the other and buys two new 5kw units? :-) ibiza 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrsa Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 (edited) Thanks a lot @plonkster for the info. @Mike is a bit busy but will soon disconnect my faulty unit and I will see if the repairman can fix it. If so I will be fine, otherwise your suggestion will be a good option. Perhaps having just one unit and wiring appliances with large current demand to the grid might be the best option as it gets one away from the predicament of one unit in a parallel array failing and a replacement not being available any longer. Seems like I have some thinking to do. Also the 5Kw Axperts with PF of 1.0 comes as units with either 60V or 64V maximum charge voltage which would be great for my Trojan T105 batteries. Edited June 5, 2018 by ebrsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 17 hours ago, OomD said: Apparently the newer ones are 5KW PF1, and need a software change to make them run in parallel with older 4KW units. I don't know if all the new ones are 5 kW models. For now, let's say this is true. Quote My 4KW currently runs 73.00b (will be going to 73.00c soon), does anyone know if this 73.00b/c is compatible with the 5KW Axpert? @Coulomb, @weber From the parallel compatibility post: http://forums.aeva.asn.au/viewtopic.php?p=66644#p66644 You'd have to go back to a patched 72.70. The 5 kW model would be running the 74.XX that comes with it. There is no patched 74.XX firmware as yet, since we don't have the update file. As far as I know, the charge bugs are not fixed. I imagine that depending on whether the patched machine becomes master or not, your battery would be charged properly or not. Which machine becomes master is indeterminate, and I don't know any way to sway the odds. So 5 kW in parallel with 4 kW won't be all that great, until Voltronic Power fix their charge bugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OomD Posted June 6, 2018 Author Share Posted June 6, 2018 2 hours ago, Coulomb said: I don't know if all the new ones are 5 kW models. For now, let's say this is true. From the parallel compatibility post: http://forums.aeva.asn.au/viewtopic.php?p=66644#p66644 You'd have to go back to a patched 72.70. The 5 kW model would be running the 74.XX that comes with it. There is no patched 74.XX firmware as yet, since we don't have the update file. As far as I know, the charge bugs are not fixed. I imagine that depending on whether the patched machine becomes master or not, your battery would be charged properly or not. Which machine becomes master is indeterminate, and I don't know any way to sway the odds. So 5 kW in parallel with 4 kW won't be all that great, until Voltronic Power fix their charge bugs. Thank you, @Coulomb So it seems my options are: 1. Try and get hold of a 4KW unit (but then I also have the same (potential) problem as @ebrsa, one day when one of the two breaks). 2. Get rid of my 4KW and buy 2 x 5KW units... and still have the charging problem. 3. Go back to 72.70, and potentially still have the charging problem. If the 4KW is still being sold new then that may be an option. I gather the 4KW and 5KW have actual hardware differences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilotfish Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Solar Warehouse are selling the 4kW MPPT model under R10k right now. https://www.inverter-warehouse.co.za/products/axpert-inverter-mks-5k-48v-4000w-mppt?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=5189341839397&gclid=CjwKCAjw6djYBRB8EiwAoAF6oTfAysx8y6TrYqcLO5kM85GcEffEkLWl53dxCnk_6PbBpTry1hXJ8RoCQX8QAvD_BwE I would suggest getting one of these units and installing it and then have the other unit repaired. If you have a problem again you will have a unit in reserve. I have a reserve unit that I bought off @Mike and it gives a lot of piece of mind while sitting in the garage doing nothing. OomD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OomD Posted June 6, 2018 Author Share Posted June 6, 2018 33 minutes ago, pilotfish said: Solar Warehouse are selling the 4kW MPPT model under R10k right now. https://www.inverter-warehouse.co.za/products/axpert-inverter-mks-5k-48v-4000w-mppt?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=5189341839397&gclid=CjwKCAjw6djYBRB8EiwAoAF6oTfAysx8y6TrYqcLO5kM85GcEffEkLWl53dxCnk_6PbBpTry1hXJ8RoCQX8QAvD_BwE I would suggest getting one of these units and installing it and then have the other unit repaired. If you have a problem again you will have a unit in reserve. I have a reserve unit that I bought off @Mike and it gives a lot of piece of mind while sitting in the garage doing nothing. Strange, it is Gary at Inverter Warehouse that I communicated with, who initially told me that the inverters are all 5KW now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 @OomD , why not consider going hybrid (peak loads on Eskom), using a smaller inverter? I just poured my heart out here :-) : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 18 hours ago, OomD said: I gather the 4KW and 5KW have actual hardware differences. That's still my best guess, but as yet unconfirmed, as far as I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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