Inverter not seeing pv input

[Zazy]

Hi all,

I'm a reuseable energy noob and as the title says my inverter display doesn't show any volts/watt/amp nor the pv icon for my pv panel. 

There's dc volt on inverter pv input +- connectors. There's direct sunshine on whole pv surface.

I only have 1 panel atm because other 3 are at our remote cabin.

(Opt Long Story Alert):  Originally we bought a kit with 3 pv, axpert 3kw 24v inverter, and 4 lead bats. We decided to upgrade to lithium bats but vacation was over so we took everything but the 3 pv panels. The dealer swapped out the inverter and batts with their lithium kit minus 3 pv panels which left me 1. (Story End)

I fig with 1 pv i could check out the system and store it for when we go back on vacation.

The dealer says that i need at least 2 pv to overcome the bat volt before the inverter will see the pv input. Is this true or am I being scammed into buying more merchandise?

Is there a way to check that the mppt is ok?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

System config:

--> Hybrid Inverter:  Axpert King 48v 5000w mppt 80a

U1 71 80

U2 02 00

U3 00 21

U4 00 00 (direct sunshine)

Menu settings:

01- usb, but tried sbu

12- 48v

13- 53v

26- 53.2v

29- 47v

95- 58v

--> 2 lithium batteries:  pylontech Us 2000B 2.4kw 48v 

--> Solar panel:  Amerisolar 340w

[Jaco De Jongh]

5 hours ago, Zazy said:

The dealer says that i need at least 2 pv to overcome the bat volt before the inverter will see the pv input. Is this true or am I being scammed into buying more merchandise?

Yes this is true. 

The Amerisolar 340 Watt has a vmp (Working voltage of max 37.7 volt) You have to be at about 60Volt plus to bring the inverter/MPPT on. At this stage you will not be able to maintain the battery voltage of 48Volt with PV less than 37 volts. The panel voltage will also drop some more as it takes load. 

You will definitely  need more than one, and depending on your loads, even more might be needed to balance your system.  

 

EDIT: Welcome here. 

[Sidewinder]

@Zazy,

The simple answer is that a single panel will only generate between 35 to 49 volts. I don't know the 3kw 24v axperts, (you mention a 48v axpert in your setting, so which is it.? The older Axprt 48 versions need 65 to 145V on the Mppt to register. So you would need at least another in series to "wake" the icon up on the screen. 

Edited October 8, 2019 by Sidewinder

[Zazy]

@Jaco de Jongh, ty for your help!

@Sidewinder i'm using a new Axpert King 5kw 48v manufactured Aug 2019. Ty for the help.

You all are awesome!

[Sidewinder]

So the Axpert King 5kW has a 145V max MPPT controller. Same as the older Axpert 4kW models, but can handle 4000W vs the older 3000W. Quite a beast.

Plenty of headroom for more PV!

[Coulomb]

7 hours ago, Sidewinder said:

Same as the older Axpert 4kW models, but can handle 4000W vs the older 3000W.

Actually, soon after I bought my 5 kVA 4 kW model in late 2015, they upgraded to 4000 W SCCs . And of course, the PF1 models (5 kW) retain this 4000 W SCC.

So the King's 145 V SCC is standard.

Edited October 9, 2019 by Coulomb

[Sidewinder]

SA has been know as the dumping ground for all old tech. Always a few years lag.

[Coulomb]

6 minutes ago, Sidewinder said:

dumping ground

Yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if there are still some old models with the heatsink on top still in South African warehouses.

Those should have run out about 4 years ago.

 

[Dex_]

3 hours ago, Coulomb said:

Actually, soon after I bought my 5 kVA 4 kW model in late 2015, they upgraded to 4000 W SCCs . And of course, the PF1 models (5 kW) retain this 4000 W SCC.

So the King's 145 V SCC is standard.

king FTW