EG4 18k Hybrid Inverter Installation: A Comprehensive Guide

[@Alexdiaz727]

You're suppose to use wire ferrules on stranded PV wire. Its in the install manual.

[@DIYVolts]

Thank you for the information. Looks like page 16 in the manual does indicate ferrules.

[@MatthewYBarbo]

Really enjoyed seeing the 18Kpv paired with the Ethos battery. This is a very clean setup and you made it clear and easy for people to follow what you were doing. Great job teaching. Keep spreading the good word!!

[@DIYVolts]

The system is so easy to work with. Coming up next I am uploading the video for upgrading the Ethos from 10kwh to 20kwh.

[@jorgetorres09]

I greatly appreciate your video. It helped me understand how to setup and install my system.

[@DIYVolts]

I am happy to hear that the video was helpful in your install. This inverter has been great!

[@frankhiebert492]

Great Video

[@DIYVolts]

Thank you. This EG4 has been running my home for a few months and has been great!

[@anuoluwapofatokun5199]

Thanks for the video. Would you mind providing the name of the small white pipe socket you placed at the bottom where the cables pass through? Also, what would the setup difference be for someone with an existing on-grid solar system? I have an existing on-grid solar system and I just got this inverter and battery to convert into a hybrid.

[@DIYVolts]

Those are called PVC pipe glands. They are meant for larger wire than I used but they supply a nice clean surface for the wire to pass through. Normally an on grid system is going to have a micro inverter right at the panel or close to it. That converts the DC power from the panel to 240v grid power. You would need to take DC power from the panels to the inverter. Then from there you can setup the inverter to output excess power to the grid. I would let the inverter charge the battery first then power the house loads and finally send the power to the grid. There are settings in the manual that can help you through the steps.

[@ThunderChicken1]

Great job 👍🏼

[@DIYVolts]

Thank you. This unit has powered my home without issues! I could not be happier with the inverter.

[@carlosalvarez-ep9ys]

Thank you for the video. One question. What happen if there is lo load in the house (nobody home), battery are full charged by solar panels. And I don’t want supply to the grid. The inverter just go to “sleep mode”.? thank you.

[@fromanotherplanet7903]

yes

[@DIYVolts]

Unlike hydro power or wind power the solar will just sit unused. The inverter does have an idle consumption of 50w.

[@waynebeck7801]

Are the 2 positive and 2 negative battery connections one for charge one for feed?

[@DIYVolts]

Both battey wires are for feed and charge. They are the same point electrically. The battery is setup in parallel. The set of wire allows for higher amp draw with a smaller wire size.

[@n_a3522]

This 18k is amazing

[@DIYVolts]

Yes it really is! So powerful and full of features.

[@scifycartoon]

best practice would be to put Ferrules on those stranded wires!

[@dospalospizzafactory6183]

Can I ask how many panels you are using and are you feeding the meter or are you off grid ?

[@DIYVolts]

My system is completely off grid. Currently I have 36 panels for a total of 9kw of solar.

[@dospalospizzafactory6183]

How many watts are your panels

[@MarkSaethre]

What setting did you set your lithium phosphate battery as? Thanks for your video!

[@DIYVolts]

The inverter manual indicates that these needed to be set at 0 lithium type to communicate with the battery.

[@paulbram2]

Could you talk about how your grid is connected? Are you passing the full 200a through?

[@jasonlinkenhoker6961]

I would like to know as well.

[@DIYVolts]

I am about to connect the grid. Might not be on video. You can set the grid to turn on and run at a set amp value based on battery state of charge. This means I can run the grid at 5000w and be fine with my wire size and still charge the batteries.

[@DIYVolts]

I will be connecting the grid soon.

[@paulbram2]

@@DIYVolts seems most videos I've seen are all using critical loads panels. Having a hard time finding examples of passing the full 200a through to an existing main panel.

[@manabouthome]

@@paulbram2 Where would 200 Amps be coming from? Not this inverter. 50 Amps max. But in this case, there's only 6kW of PV. So it'll never exceed 25 Amps.

[@brentfrank7012]

Thank you 🪛

[@DIYVolts]

Thanks for watching. This inverter has been amazing.

[@waynebeck7801]

Can this inverter be installed outside or is it indoor only?

[@DIYVolts]

The manual shows outdoors is allowed as long as its covered and not in direct sunlight.

[@laciencialoca1]

El manual dice que soporta 600 voltios, Podría decirme si eso es en total o en cada stream ? porque veo que tu estas usando 345.8 y 349.2 = 695 V en cada stream, lo que suman por encima de 600 que están en el minuto 15:00

[@DIYVolts]

Each MPPT controller can handle 600v. I now have 3 strings at 345v each.

[@DIY-Elvin-Productions]

Any reason why you chose the Ethos batteries over the EG4 wall mount batteries?

[@DIYVolts]

Big Battery sent the Ethos for review. I have a rhino 2 (same as the eg4 wall mount) and it is a good battery. They take up more space. And the wall mount is 309 pounds. Its easier to move 120 pound modules.

[@rockys7726]

Would have been nice to know what gauge wires you were using.

[@DIYVolts]

The output of the EG4 18k is 12000w. 12kw/240v=50amp. I used 6awg that can handle 55amp.

[@rockys7726]

@@DIYVolts what about the battery connection?

[@DIYVolts]

i think it was double 1/0. should handle 300 amps.

[@waynebeck7801]

I think the grid and load and grid wire would be much heavier gauge.

[@DIYVolts]

Yhe max output of the 18k is 12,000w. The wire I used can supply 55 amps. 55amp x 240v = 13200w. The wire could be 1 size larger no problem but it is still within amp capacity.

[@Just_An_Idea_For_Consideration]

What size wire did you use for grid and load, and why?

[@DIYVolts]

The grid and load are both 6awg. This size wire can handle 55 amps. The inverter is a 12kw system so 240v * 55amp: 13200w. The wire size is large enough to handle the output of the inverter. So far in over a month of use I have not had a load over 3000w. As for the grid I have not had to use that so far. But I will limit the charge down to 4000w so that it is well within the wire size.

[@timidj3934]

@@DIYVolts i am using 6awg with 50amps breaker for subpanel

[@randya9143]

You should change out that 100amp main breaker in the sub panel to a 50 amp one. The 18k inverter has a higher pass through, I think and while on grid you could get into trouble.

[@peterd1973]

You should also turn all of the breakers off before shutting off the main breaker and then turn them on one at a time after turning the main breaker on.

[@DIYVolts]

Is that due to an inverter load issue? Seems like the same as a power outage being restored.

[@peterd1973]

@@DIYVolts less inrush of electricity, and it's safer all the way around

[@freethought2725]

Why no body ground for your bAtt and metal boxes

[@DIYVolts]

I spoke with the company about the ground on the batteries and they did not seem to have an answer. I would like to ground them at some point.

[@jaredgalvin]

So let's say your hybrid inverter has gone kaput, does that mean you need to rewire to get power from the grid? because now your grid wires are directly connected to your inverter.

[@DIYVolts]

I used wago connectors in my main house panel. I would need to reconnect the house breakers in the house panel. It would take an hour but it would not be hard to do. (Each wire is labeled in both panels Hot and Neutral)

[@phongmai3306]

Don't see cts connected and no grid power shown from inverter screen. cement board would be better choice. metal conduit for pv wires and look like you use ac wires for pv and no ferrule at all. battery cable strip look too short and no torque wrench use. Would like to see update inverter pulling power from grid. #2 wires feed to sub panel for safety load amperage.

[@DIYVolts]

The breaker I have coming from my house grid panel is only 40amp. My 6awg wire is able to handle 55 amp. when I connect the grid I will only use the power to charge the battery when it drops below a set SOC. I am also able to set the charging amps from the grid. likely I will not have that above 35 amps. That is 4200w charging. The AC will only charge the battery from 20% to 50% SOC. Otherwise the system is off grid only.

[@jasongphillips]

Your wire sizes are worrying me. Should be 2 gauge wire feeding that 100amp breaker, maybe you could get away with 4. Looks smaller than that. Even if you aren't needing to draw that much current the wire should match the breaker. Downsize the breaker if you need to.

[@DIYVolts]

Good point. The EG4 allows for setting amps for AC charging. I can set the max charging at 55 amps and use the 6awg wire. That is 6600w. I am only using the AC power to charge the battery when it gets below a set SOC.

[@j.badinter988]

Many mistakes ... Ferrules are required for PV cables, no exception, basic PV install knowledge. Moreover, don't you think you are using the wrong gauge for your load and grid cables??? If you need such power, use the proper gauge, the ones you installed are meant for 50 Amp.

[@DIYVolts]

Ferrules are not required by code in the USA however highly recommended in some instances. I actually found in the manual that ferrules are recommended. This inverter has an AC output of 12,000 watts. Each leg of the power output can supply 6000w at 120v. 6000/120= 50amp. The wire I am using has a rating of 55 amp. This allows my inverter to run at 13200 watts. This is higher than the rated output. I am sure that you could step up the wire size but as it is now I am good for the rated power.

[@HomeTech_Pro]

This is really bad , stranded wire screwed down is NOT a good connection, You need to get an electrician or learn how to use crimped Feral connections.

[@DIYVolts]

True. Ferals are needed on the wire. Good point.

[@LPCliftonMusic]

Those wires look very small.

[@DIYVolts]

I used 6awg. Those can handle 55 amps. The inverter can output 12000w. 12000w/240v=50amp. I still have 5 amps above the maximum output on both sides of the AC.

[@3er328]

I thought this was going to be a comprehensive guide / install😢

[@DIYVolts]

For my application it was. Sorry you did not understand. Is there something that I can help explain?

[@ingenieroobras3101]

the video did not show where you got LOAD AND GRID CABLES from which is the most important way to under stand

[@DIYVolts]

My local plumbing store had thhn wire. you can find it many places.