elShankos Posted March 1, 2021 Posted March 1, 2021 Hi All, I'm new here and just wanted to first thank the contributing people for all the answers that I have already found on this site - super helpful. So here is my issue with my dear Goodwe 5kW ES Hybrid inverter that I installed over the holidays: When in grid connected mode is does a few odd things like tries to charge the batteries at night from the grid even when there is plenty of charge available, has tangled numbers that at times don't make sense etc. The result is that it will pull up to 25% of the required energy from the grid on a given day even if there is ample battery and / or solar available. For comparison: Also, instances such as this which make very little sense as the battery is quite happy putting out 5kW on its own: Grid Connected: This is what it looks like at night when the grid is connected: SoC going up?! Then when I put it into off grid mode by basically switching off the mains and putting everything through the inverter via a change-over switch (and prompting the wife not to overload things) then it works perfectly. Off Grid: SOC steadily declining as the inverter uses power from the battery pack. So now we are effectively living off grid except for when I need an angle grinder / welding machine which the inverter really doesn't like - I've tried running them through the inverter and it trips in case anyone is interested. So... has anyone else had any issues like this? I.e. hybrid inverters using a bunch of grid power even if there is solar and battery power available? I.e. for no reason? I've contacted Goodwe a number of times and today and it's been pretty painful - they updated the firmware last week which broke a few things and made the grid consumption worse. Today someone came back and asked me if I had "LED Batteries"... not ideal. So I'm not really winning with them. My system is: Goodwe 5kW ES Inverter 3.12kWp of Mono Perc Panels 11kWh of Lifepo4 storage (16s 202Ah cells) with a DALY Smart BMS In sunny Cape Town Any thoughts, comments, ideas, experiences would be welcome! Many thanks. Quote
Yellow Measure Posted March 1, 2021 Posted March 1, 2021 6 hours ago, elShankos said: Any thoughts, comments, ideas, experiences would be welcome! Get a Sunsynk. I can't see your images, but if I were you I would still get a Sunsynk, no problems with my angle grinder or any other power tools. It just works. Quote
Tinuva Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 18 hours ago, elShankos said: Any thoughts, comments, ideas, experiences would be welcome! Do you have installer access to your inverter? Start with that and look at the advanced options set on the inverter. I currently don't have panels yet, but I do notice the inverter periodically discharging and topping up again, but tiny amounts. At midnight exactly, it will do a bigger discharge and top up again, but stays at 100% basically, or go to 99% for too short amount of time to see. The latest firmware definitely made this happen more, but I suspect it is in advanced settings...which I don't have access to yet... Quote
Tinuva Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 Also, linking images to images in your email account wont work for others to see here, only for you. Quote
Bobster. Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) As already stated, we can't see your images so they're no help to us at all. You also need to check what mode your system is in. If it's running in the "economical" mode (interacting with grid) then you need to check for any time based rules and provide details of those. Also check the SOC related parameters. In particular the one that says how far you can discharge your batteries when there is a grid connection. Remember that this figure the % discharge you allow. So if you want to let your batteries run down to 20% then the parameter must be set to 80. Edited March 2, 2021 by Bobster Add details about SOC Quote
Bobster. Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 18 hours ago, elShankos said: So now we are effectively living off grid except for when I need an angle grinder / welding machine which the inverter really doesn't like - I've tried running them through the inverter and it trips in case anyone is interested. The Goodwe has a limit of 20A on the backed up circuits. So I think you need to get your workshop on the non backed up circuits. Quote
elShankos Posted March 2, 2021 Author Posted March 2, 2021 Hi All, Thanks a lot for the comments. Sorry I didn't realised that my snippits wouldn't show. I've attached an example of what I was talking about: House Load: 600W Battery at 82% SoC PV Array output: 2900W But the inverter still continuously draws small amounts of power from the grid - problem is that at the end of each day this can end up being nearly 25% - around 2kWh. And this is unnecessary given that there is loads of battery and PV power available. So I was wondering if anyone else had any issues like this? Thanks a lot! Quote
elShankos Posted March 2, 2021 Author Posted March 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Tinuva said: Do you have installer access to your inverter? Start with that and look at the advanced options set on the inverter. I currently don't have panels yet, but I do notice the inverter periodically discharging and topping up again, but tiny amounts. At midnight exactly, it will do a bigger discharge and top up again, but stays at 100% basically, or go to 99% for too short amount of time to see. The latest firmware definitely made this happen more, but I suspect it is in advanced settings...which I don't have access to yet... Hi Tinuva, yes I have access - via PV Master app using the Goodwe2010 password login - hopefully will work for you. The APP is seriously buggy though - just a heads up. Sometimes I change some settings, restart the inverter, and then when I look at the app again it has put in different values or sometimes even just takes the values out and leaves the fields blank! Very strange. Quote
Achmat Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 Not familiar with this inverter but I think all hybrid inverters pull a small constant amount from the grid so as not to feed back. My sunsynk is set to pull 50w constantly from the grid. Over 24 hours this comes to 1.2kwh each day. Quote
elShankos Posted March 2, 2021 Author Posted March 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Bobster said: The Goodwe has a limit of 20A on the backed up circuits. So I think you need to get your workshop on the non backed up circuits. Hi Bobster, yes I saw that but I thought it would be able to handle the inrush of a 840W Makita angle grinder but unfortunately it can't run it. Quote
elShankos Posted March 2, 2021 Author Posted March 2, 2021 11 minutes ago, Achmat said: Not familiar with this inverter but I think all hybrid inverters pull a small constant amount from the grid so as not to feed back. My sunsynk is set to pull 50w constantly from the grid. Over 24 hours this comes to 1.2kwh each day. Hi Achmat, thanks a lot for this - really appreciate it as I'm trying to figure out if this consumption each day is normal or not. Quote
Tinuva Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 Do you have any load between grid and the inverter? Your story sound different from someone else I know (who has panels) who says his inverter overshoot the push back to the grid by 100w at least, where his system is set to to feedback to the grid, but do power non-backup devices that sit between grid and inverter's grid input. Assuming you do have the CT installed properly. Quote
FixAMess Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) 21 minutes ago, elShankos said: Hi Achmat, thanks a lot for this - really appreciate it as I'm trying to figure out if this consumption each day is normal or not. A grid tied inverter has to sync to the grid, so it uses grid frequency and Voltage to sync its output into your house and grid, so it will always send back/receive from the grid, regardless of your settings, usually about 20W. This is normal. Post pics of your settings and we will help you sort them out. To start, use General Mode, then decide what you want to fine tune from there...Here is the app manual. PM me for help and we can do a whatsapp session if you like. https://www.dropbox.com/s/te0k2d5qkyv86wm/goodwe pv master user manual_ v02_20200212.pdf?dl=0 Theres something wrong with your setup from your pic is looks like your battery is going to 0 charge?? Edited March 2, 2021 by FixAMess Quote
Bobster. Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 18 minutes ago, elShankos said: Hi Bobster, yes I saw that but I thought it would be able to handle the inrush of a 840W Makita angle grinder but unfortunately it can't run it. Two questions 1) What else is running? 2) What does the angle grinder draw to get going? Some devices draw a lot momentarily as they start up. The Goodwe will allow 20a constant, 30a peaks for a few seconds. If the angle grinder drives it over that 30a even momentarily then the system will trip. Tripping used to be a not uncommon occurence in my house. This sounds cruel, but I got it into other heads that they have to play a little counting game. Is the dishwasher on? That's one. Is the microwave on? That's one more. Do you want to turn the kettle on? That also counts as one. So two is OK, three and you are on the edge (oh, and the hair dryer counts as "one" as well). This is not very scientific, and it's also a bit on the conservative side ,but they can't easily see if the heat pump (which is backed up) is running and so I have to leave some head room. Since I got everybody playing this game we don't have trips any more. Quote
Bobster. Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 26 minutes ago, Achmat said: Not familiar with this inverter but I think all hybrid inverters pull a small constant amount from the grid so as not to feed back. My sunsynk is set to pull 50w constantly from the grid. Over 24 hours this comes to 1.2kwh each day. This matches my experience. My Goodwe pulls a little from the grid every day, even when there is plenty of sun. I will add that the guys we buy these systems from really need to tell us these things. It used to bug me no end that no matter what I did this system would always consume some grid power every day, until I read on this forum that the inverter needs to sync with the grid and, of course, for that to happen it must draw a little from the grid. If somebody had told me that at install time I wouldn't have lain awake pondering this. I would instead have lain awake pondering the deployment of UN forces in Iceland or something. Quote
Bobster. Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 33 minutes ago, elShankos said: Hi Tinuva, yes I have access - via PV Master app using the Goodwe2010 password login - hopefully will work for you. The APP is seriously buggy though - just a heads up. Sometimes I change some settings, restart the inverter, and then when I look at the app again it has put in different values or sometimes even just takes the values out and leaves the fields blank! Very strange. I found that the app's behaviour changes with brand of phone. My installer told me that he much prefers for it to be used on an iPhone. I used to have a huawei phone and the app was very unhappy on that. It is less unhappy on my current LG. Quote
elShankos Posted March 2, 2021 Author Posted March 2, 2021 4 hours ago, Bobster said: I found that the app's behaviour changes with brand of phone. My installer told me that he much prefers for it to be used on an iPhone. I used to have a huawei phone and the app was very unhappy on that. It is less unhappy on my current LG. Ah thanks for the tip - I'll see if I can get an iPhone from someone to try it out. On my Samsung it's really a bit all over the show. Quote
elShankos Posted March 2, 2021 Author Posted March 2, 2021 5 hours ago, Bobster said: This matches my experience. My Goodwe pulls a little from the grid every day, even when there is plenty of sun. I will add that the guys we buy these systems from really need to tell us these things. It used to bug me no end that no matter what I did this system would always consume some grid power every day, until I read on this forum that the inverter needs to sync with the grid and, of course, for that to happen it must draw a little from the grid. If somebody had told me that at install time I wouldn't have lain awake pondering this. I would instead have lain awake pondering the deployment of UN forces in Iceland or something. OK that makes sense that it uses a bit of power to sync to the grid. I was just concerned that 2.5kWh seemed like quite a lot but I guess if others have a similar consumption pattern then I suppose its normal... I have a pre-paid meter here in Cape Town and so if you push or pull through a pre-paid meter it just treats both directions as consumption. Quote
elShankos Posted March 2, 2021 Author Posted March 2, 2021 5 hours ago, FixAMess said: Thanks for the response. The syncing with the grid story makes sense - so at 20W, thats about 0.48kWh/day right? Mine varies quite a bit but gets up to 2.5kWh/day sometimes - to thats a bit high right? And then at night the numbers really don't make any sense at all - I've attached some of the screenshots from the SEMS portal - hopefully you can see them. Do you have a similar setup to mine? I can't access a lot of the settings at the moment due to the dodgy firmware update Goodwe did - busy waiting for them to set it back to the original version so that I can actually access and change things! 5 hours ago, FixAMess said: A grid tied inverter has to sync to the grid, so it uses grid frequency and Voltage to sync its output into your house and grid, so it will always send back/receive from the grid, regardless of your settings, usually about 20W. This is normal. Post pics of your settings and we will help you sort them out. To start, use General Mode, then decide what you want to fine tune from there...Here is the app manual. PM me for help and we can do a whatsapp session if you like. https://www.dropbox.com/s/te0k2d5qkyv86wm/goodwe pv master user manual_ v02_20200212.pdf?dl=0 Theres something wrong with your setup from your pic is looks like your battery is going to 0 charge?? Quote
Bobster. Posted March 4, 2021 Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) On 2021/03/02 at 6:44 PM, elShankos said: Thanks for the response. The syncing with the grid story makes sense - so at 20W, thats about 0.48kWh/day right? Mine varies quite a bit but gets up to 2.5kWh/day sometimes - to thats a bit high right? I'd say so. On a day with good sun shine when I don't use the grid other than staying in sync with it I consume about 0.7 to 1 kw/h per day. This is with the same inverter you have. So 2.5 says it's drawing power for some additional reason. Quote And then at night the numbers really don't make any sense at all - I've attached some of the screenshots from the SEMS portal - hopefully you can see them. Do you have a similar setup to mine? I can't access a lot of the settings at the moment due to the dodgy firmware update Goodwe did - busy waiting for them to set it back to the original version so that I can actually access and change things! This graph looks very strange. Your SOC increases at night without there being any PV. Though since the draw from grid seems to start at about 30% SOC the guestion of mode and settings arises again. There's also an increase in SOC, with a draw from grid, just before those big loads kick in at 2am ish and chew up a whole load of battery. It also seems to show zero load for periods over night. Really? Are you sure everything is connected correctly? You should be seeing the opposite happen. At night SOC should go down, and then the system will start charging again in the morning when PV is available. Here's the graph from my systenm. This is the behaviour you should be looking for. SOC goes down over night and then starts picking up again as PV becomes available Edited March 4, 2021 by Bobster you/your Quote
Bobster. Posted March 4, 2021 Posted March 4, 2021 PS: What are those loads in the wee hours? Can they be moved to a time of day when the sun is shining. That will leave you with more battery if the grid goes down in the early AM. Quote
elShankos Posted March 4, 2021 Author Posted March 4, 2021 2 hours ago, Bobster said: I'd say so. On a day with good sun shine when I don't use the grid other than staying in sync with it I consume about 0.7 to 1 kw/h per day. This is with the same inverter you have. So 2.5 says it's drawing power for some additional reason. This graph looks very strange. Your SOC increases at night without there being any PV. Though since the draw from grid seems to start at about 30% SOC the guestion of mode and settings arises again. There's also an increase in SOC, with a draw from grid, just before those big loads kick in at 2am ish and chew up a whole load of battery. It also seems to show zero load for periods over night. Really? Are you sure everything is connected correctly? You should be seeing the opposite happen. At night SOC should go down, and then the system will start charging again in the morning when PV is available. Here's the graph from my systenm. This is the behaviour you should be looking for. SOC goes down over night and then starts picking up again as PV becomes available Hi Bobster, Thanks for the comments. Here are 2 images from midnight to more or less morning - one when the grid is available (crazy numbers and SoC increasing with no PV) and one where I have switched off the grid - nice and normal looking. The firmware update Goodwe did in order to try and fix this actually made it worse and now it consumes more power from the grid for no reason. I've double and triple checked the direction of the smart meter CT and its fine. Also, I now can't access the basic settings within the PV Master App. So I asked them to put it back to my previous firmware version because at least it worked. Turns out they now tell me they can't put it back to a firmware version from the end of 2020 (when I got the inverter and installed it) because they "no longer have access to those versions of the firmware". Now I'm sort of in no mans land between dodgy firmware updates and an inverter that sort of works. Also, I can only access the Advances Setting part of the app at the moment - nothing very interesting in there except that I had to switch off SoC Protect because the system seems to have defaulted to a 100Ah Lithium pack setting whereas my pack is 202Ah - but I can't really check because once again I can't get into the Basic Settings. Our setups look very similar (I looked up the Revov battery option and then decided to build my own pack) so one thing that would really help would be if you could check what firmware version you are running? And are you able to access the Basic Setting menu? Mine is as per this screenshot from the App: Quote
elShankos Posted March 4, 2021 Author Posted March 4, 2021 2 hours ago, Bobster said: PS: What are those loads in the wee hours? Can they be moved to a time of day when the sun is shining. That will leave you with more battery if the grid goes down in the early AM. This is the dishwasher and then sometimes the washing machine that get scheduled at night - old habits that we will adjust slowly with some coaxing Quote
Bobster. Posted March 4, 2021 Posted March 4, 2021 32 minutes ago, elShankos said: Our setups look very similar (I looked up the Revov battery option and then decided to build my own pack) so one thing that would really help would be if you could check what firmware version you are running? And are you able to access the Basic Setting menu? Mine is as per this screenshot from the App: My software version is 1818. My system has an extra box added that is supposed to convince the Goodwe it is talking to a BYD B-Box, so my settings won't be much help to you. But do you have a BMS at all? There is a message "Battery Communication Fail" in that screen shot. Quote
elShankos Posted March 4, 2021 Author Posted March 4, 2021 17 minutes ago, Bobster said: My software version is 1818. My system has an extra box added that is supposed to convince the Goodwe it is talking to a BYD B-Box, so my settings won't be much help to you. But do you have a BMS at all? There is a message "Battery Communication Fail" in that screen shot. Thanks. An emulator type box is a good way to get around these issues. Might I asked where you got the box from? From Revov? If you have a pic or some specs that would be really helpful - maybe I could try and get hold of one. I have a 150A DALY BMS with Bluetooth link which wo rks perfectly well on its own - balances the cells and protects them etc. A few pics attached. Quote
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