Are the firmware versions supposed to be the same for the 5.5 as for the 8.8

   I have E410 and MCU 2151

 

As per sunsynk technical help desk, the firmware numbers are different and I have the latest version for the 5.5

Loving my sunsynk 5.5 🤩

Silly question. How do I check the inverter software version's? To know if I must request an upgrade? 

5 minutes ago, Dani said:

Loving my sunsynk 5.5 🤩

Silly question. How do I check the inverter software version's? To know if I must request an upgrade? 

You can check the version on the Solarman Smart app under device or on the home screen on the inverter. 

This is so sweet! Nice, Your roof will even look better with the last 4 panels -lol

On 2020/12/09 at 6:06 PM, SolarFrans said:

How have you set up your geyser to charge from solar? Do you have a switch to switch it from your inverter to the grid and back? I assume that unless your battery is charged and the sun is shining you wouldn't run the geyser off the inverter?

You could potentially do this with "smart" switches that will proportionally send power to the geyser(s) only once you start to export power to the grid, and only the amount that would of electricity that would have been exported otherwise, the below two products are available locally as far as I know, could be others also:

Solic200 - Single channel unit, no programmable timer

https://re-volt.co.za/Store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=636

Apollo GEM - Dual channel unit wit a programmable timer, can also be fitted with a temp sensor.

https://www.apollosolarelectric.co.uk/products/ - Got mine from Rubicon in Cape Town, dealt with Nick Roche there

 

 

On 2020/12/12 at 9:54 PM, Kalito said:

This is so sweet! Nice, Your roof will even look better with the last 4 panels -lol

Lol yeah. 

Gents, My current inverter has a single ac output and I have two bypass switches (one for the mains + gennie and the other for the inverter + mains) to manage the flow of power in the db. 
With the Sunsynk 8 kw I’ll be using two ac outputs and I’m stumped with what the bypass switches must be like. 
Any examples of how you have done it will be welcome. 
I have a non-technical better half and I really don’t want to increase the complexity of the current system. As it is I had to motivate the huge expenses to replace a perfectly working system 😀

Edited December 19, 20205 yr by Johandup

On 2020/12/10 at 7:16 PM, Leshen said:

Hi Johan

The Sunsynk has 2 MPPT controllers and each MPPT can take two strings. So you can connect the 9 on the one MPPT and the other 5 on the second MPPT. 
 

Regarding the protection box, with 2 strings, you only need 2 DC surge arrestors and 4 DC fuses/DC circuit breakers. The fuses are cheaper. 
 

I have a 3 string config (390w JA x 😎 and this is my protection box. 
 

 

Thanks, am waiting for the stuff to be delivered. Is now looking for advice on the bypass switches for a Sunsynk dual ac output. 

35 minutes ago, Johandup said:

Gents, My current inverter has a single ac output and I have two bypass switches (one for the mains + gennie and the other for the inverter + mains) to manage the flow of power in the db. 
With the Sunsynk 8 kw I’ll be using two ac outputs and I’m stumped with what the bypass switches must be like. 
Any examples of how you have done it will be welcome. 
I have a non-technical better half and I really don’t want to increase the complexity of the current system. As it is I had to motivate the huge expenses to replace a perfectly working system 😀

This is what I've done. 

DB is split in two, essential and non essential loads. 

The second ac output can either supply the non essential loads or it can be used as an ac input for a generator. 

The grid input is also an output that can supply loads before the inverter. 

If you have a generator and want to keep it you will connect it to the second ac output and set in software as the gen input. 

Essential loads will be on the AC output and everything else can be before the inverter. 

3 minutes ago, Achmat said:

This is what I've done. 

DB is split in two, essential and non essential loads. 

The second ac output can either supply the non essential loads or it can be used as an ac input for a generator. 

The grid input is also an output that can supply loads before the inverter. 

If you have a generator and want to keep it you will connect it to the second ac output and set in software as the gen input. 

Essential loads will be on the AC output and everything else can be before the inverter. 

Your layout looks really neat. 
What are the Waco switches used for.  I can read the printing but are they for switching between the mains and the inverter?

 

5 minutes ago, Johandup said:

Your layout looks really neat. 
What are the Waco switches used for.  I can read the printing but are they for switching between the mains and the inverter?

 

The switches are to disconnect the grid from the inverter (right), middle to disconnect the non essential loads from the inverter and left to disconnect the essential load from the inverter. 

I have a change over switch in my DB to select grid or inverter for all loads. 

Basically if I ever need to remove the inverter I would just switch the change over switch on the DB over to grid then switch off the grid Waco switch. The inverter should then have no supply coming in from the grid side. 

 

3 minutes ago, Achmat said:

Basically if I ever need to remove the inverter I would just switch the change over switch on the DB over to grid then switch off the grid Waco switch. The inverter should then have no supply coming in from the grid side. 

@Achmat are you sure this safe as there is no mechanical interlocking involved?

1 minute ago, Johandup said:

@Achmat are you sure this safe as there is no mechanical interlocking involved?

Not sure what you mean by mechanical interlocking. 

My whole house is run from the inverter including aircons, geyser and pool pump. 

Followed the sunsynk installation manual. Not sure if this screenshot is legible. The only thing not in their diagram is the change over switch. 

Looking at your switches I assume that one needs to isolate the inverter with the Waco switches before switching the db over to feed from fb mains.

If you do not follow the steps to isolate you might get a live feed into your inverter.

Do you have a generator as well connected someplace?

2 minutes ago, Johandup said:

Looking at your switches I assume that one needs to isolate the inverter with the Waco switches before switching the db over to feed from fb mains.

If you do not follow the steps to isolate you might get a live feed into your inverter.

Do you have a generator as well connected someplace?

Correct. I think I got the steps confused. 

To isolate the inverter I would first switch off all the Waco switches, then switch the change over switch to grid so that my loads are back on the grid supply, then switch off DC input from solar panels and lastly turn off and disconnect the batteries. The inverter should then not receive any power and be switched off. 

I do not have a generator but my understanding is that the generator would be connected to the second ac output or aux connection. This is currently my non essential loads. I have no loads before the inverter. This aux output can be configured on the inverter settings as an output or input for a generator or even another inverter input as ac coupled. 

Aux settings screens for gen input, aux output and micro inverter input. 

Second screen 

Third screen 

1 hour ago, Achmat said:

Correct. I think I got the steps confused. 

To isolate the inverter I would first switch off all the Waco switches, then switch the change over switch to grid so that my loads are back on the grid supply, then switch off DC input from solar panels and lastly turn off and disconnect the batteries. The inverter should then not receive any power and be switched off. 

I do not have a generator but my understanding is that the generator would be connected to the second ac output or aux connection. This is currently my non essential loads. I have no loads before the inverter. This aux output can be configured on the inverter settings as an output or input for a generator or even another inverter input as ac coupled. 

The problem is that it is not mistake-proof. If the switching is not done in the right way you will damage the inverter. Thats why I mentioned the mechanical interlock - it must be a break then make mechanism. Lately I just trip the mains isolator as the inverter will kick in in ms. My db is also split into a low and high amps side.

Thats why I mentioned initially that it will become complex - and I don’t see a way out of it. As it is my wife complains that it becomes too difficult to remember all the steps when switching back and forth - as is my habit when the highveld lightning becomes too intense to my liking.

I have a Hager SFT240 changeover switch on my essential loads, this a three way break before make switch, so there is no way to screw up, also, I have a two pole circuit breaker between the grid and the inverter. This way, the inverter can be fully isolated from the grid for repair work.

 Also, the changeover switch is a legal requirement by CoCT 

7 minutes ago, Tariq said:

I have a Hager SFT240 changeover switch on my essential loads, this a three way break before make switch, so there is no way to screw up, also, I have a two pole circuit breaker between the grid and the inverter. This way, the inverter can be fully isolated from the grid for repair work.

 Also, the changeover switch is a legal requirement by CoCT 

So you are using one output only. 
After reading and spending a lot of time on the bypass switch for two inverter outlets I’ve come to the conclusion is that its best to use the essential outlet only. I am not convinced of the advantages of using the gen input as an aux outlet. In my case the electrical supply can go off for 4 days at a time and then I won’t have power to my high amp side. 
Currently I can do the bypass switching and use the generator as an alternative power supply. And my better half is used to operating like this 😀

And no changes means no unnessary expenses.

 

Remember the grid connection on the inverter is an output AND at the same time an input, current flows both directions and this connection is for your non essential loads

4 hours ago, Tariq said:

I have a Hager SFT240 changeover switch on my essential loads, this a three way break before make switch, so there is no way to screw up, also, I have a two pole circuit breaker between the grid and the inverter. This way, the inverter can be fully isolated from the grid for repair work.

 Also, the changeover switch is a legal requirement by CoCT 

I think I have the same or something similar in my DB. Down is inverter, middle is off and up is grid. 

13 hours ago, Johandup said:

The problem is that it is not mistake-proof. If the switching is not done in the right way you will damage the inverter. Thats why I mentioned the mechanical interlock - it must be a break then make mechanism. Lately I just trip the mains isolator as the inverter will kick in in ms. My db is also split into a low and high amps side.

Thats why I mentioned initially that it will become complex - and I don’t see a way out of it. As it is my wife complains that it becomes too difficult to remember all the steps when switching back and forth - as is my habit when the highveld lightning becomes too intense to my liking.

Just checked my DB and I have this Hager change over switch. 

I don't really think I understand what the complications are. Do you want to disconnect the inverter during thunder storms? 

Just flip the change over switch to position I and then make sure the pv and batteries are disconnected. 

As mentioned, the grid connection on the inverter is both an input and output. The aux can then be used for the generator and the inverter can be wired to start up the generator under certain conditions. 

Grid - > non essential loads - > inverter - > loads on backup. 

Generator - > aux input on inverter - > backup loads and battery charging. 

My setup is the following:

Grid - > inverter - > backup loads on main inverter output and non essential loads on aux output. 

I'm in CT so don't have to contend with lightning or having to worry about switching back and forth.