EG4 18KPV Upgrade Program Installation Part 2 & Testing

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Upgrade Program info HERE! signaturesolar...
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[@ChrisEpler]

Thanks for the install video. I have a little off-grid 800w setup and it's still as magical as the first day I started playing with it...family doesn't seem to feel the thrill but there's just something kinda magical about sucking energy out of the sunlight! I don't have it going to any panels so right now I just use some power stations (Solix C1000) to shuttle power around then charge them back up on the garage system (800w JJN bifacials thru a Victron 150/45 MPPT to a 4 EVE LF304 cell 12v battery for 3.8 kwh storage). It's surprisingly useful. Powers all the lawn equipment I need and will recharge the Solix C1000's in power out situations to run the freezer in the basement and dump some power in a rack battery I have on a hand truck (3kw 51.2v system) for 2 fridges in the house. Would love to have more but wife doesn't want to put panels on the roof so now I'm pondering a solar pergola along the pool....

[@rodneyhunt]

Boom! I say do it lol. Nobody cares until the power is out. But that is part of our jobs to prepare for our families and just daily life things like storms, etc. 👍

[@OnMyGrizzle]

@chrisEpler It is amazing, don 't let your family take the wind out of your sail 😂

[@jayholmes8893]

Hello there Rondey just wanted you to know that you have done a wonderful job on your Install it Looks great and I am Learning from your video keep up the good work.

[@rodneyhunt]

Glad to help! Thanks 👍

[@Jackflash219]

Appears it worked out to be a clean install, out of the weather! Great Job!

[@rodneyhunt]

Yes it was! Thanks

[@tjmooney4181]

Thanks rodney in order to change the time on the app click the little man button top right and set timezone 😉

[@rodneyhunt]

I have several times and then set it. It just won’t take. Time never changes but I will continue to work on it when I have time. Thanks!

[@jiminsav]

you Go Rodney. that looks almost professional.

[@rodneyhunt]

Lol. Far from it but I am learning! Thanks

[@SteveG_Maine_]

You're a good son. Nice setup.

[@rodneyhunt]

I appreciate that. Can’t wait to get all panels installed

[@roslynandbobchauvin2378]

Gret vid. Interesting how getting the time right is hard to do. Saw a video for Midnitesolar All in One, same issue ;)

[@rodneyhunt]

Hey thanks. Yes seems like it would be easy to fix but you need to update in several places

[@UnkyjoesPlayhouse]

I recently purchased a 6000XP and while I like the design, build quality, and the cost, there is no way these inverters will last compared to a similar "transformer" based inverter will. My Victron system costs quite a bit more money, but you get what you pay for. This EG4 will be setup to run my Mini Split's (4) of them this summer, we will see how it stands up to the abuse. Thanks for your videos.

[@rodneyhunt]

Thanks. Sounds great!

[@tb3780]

You can replace these every five years and would still come out ahead vs Victron

[@punksjutgbd]

Get a soft starter.

[@ScottieBMan]

Agree, I have been beating my 6000XP with a well pump I believe is 3/4 HP with large inductive load…it trips every once in awhile, then will run for 4 days no issues, perhaps I don’t have enough battery for it (only 2 Eg4 LL right now)

[@The_Defiant_One]

Next week, EP Cube install video.

[@rodneyhunt]

Lol! I can’t finish the projects I have now. But that would be nice to test

[@Off-Grid]

Looking at purchasing one to replace our Schneider system. Looks good

[@rodneyhunt]

It’s doing great! What is wrong with the Schneider? Output size?

[@Off-Grid]

@@rodneyhunt the output is fine as we rarely go over 6kw for the whole house. The problem happened when I updated the firmware and wasn't told to disconnect the SCP since they made it obsolete. This ended up causing a software fault that Schneider wasn't able to resolve. They warrantied both inverters but I was thinking of selling them and getting this unit instead.

[@rodneyhunt]

Oh Ok! Sounds good. Firmware updates are a huge problem with solar in general at this point.

[@Off-Grid]

@@rodneyhunt I don't plan to upgrade anything in the future after the initial install. If I had just left things alone there wouldn't have been any issues. Live and learn.

[@rodneyhunt]

Indeed!

[@fullyelectric]

Wow did my post got deleted? Only asked about testing the 6000xp GRID output if possible, since the LuxPowertek SNA-US 6000 does support GRID output of 6000w

[@rodneyhunt]

I don’t delete post lol. Unless something crazy is said. Was the post today? Been working

[@fullyelectric]

@@rodneyhunt my bad, i watched so many of your videos i mixed up the video i posted on lmao 🤣, its all good, but yeah the LuxPowertek 6000, 8000, 10,000 all support GIRD output, so i think EG4 software just deleted that function to make the 6000XP off-grid only?

[@rodneyhunt]

No problem! That is probably true since they have the 6000xp at such a good price point. We will see what the new inverter(12k) has for features and price point hopefully soon! Maybe it will have the missing features from the 6000xp

[@joechan5240]

I love watching your videos, you inspire me a lot, I am going to use you referral to buy the 18kpv with 2 powerpro, I like to setup the same system but I don't know how to connect the grid(from meter) to the 18Kpv (did you install a interlock breaker?) and how to connect from 18kpv to the load (Main Panel, No sub panel). Thanks!!!

[@rodneyhunt]

So I just did the partial critical load panel setup. This has a 70 amp backfeed breaker to main panel that connects grid to inverter. This allows inverter to feed that main panel through the 70 amp breaker when solar or battery will cover the critical load panel. Basically extra power goes to main panel. But manual will show how to connect a tap on your home meter to the 18kpv to have the 200 amp bypass to run entire main panel. Will try to make more videos showing exact setup now. Maybe that will help

[@joechan5240]

@@rodneyhunt So the main panel is not connected directly to the critical load panel, right?

[@chadcarrington1218]

I would like to know more about your solar panel install on the porch. Where did you get the metal? How much? How you attached it? Could you make a video on it? I'm planning to do this on my house.

[@rodneyhunt]

Hey I used unistrut. More info on my tilt array video that should explain everything. Let me know if you need more help after that. 👍

[@afreeland]

Was curious about the breaker size on the AC disconnect. I can't seem to find the recommended breaker size listed anywhere. The manual did mention the inverter capable of a 50amp backfeed, and lots of references to 200 amp service...just curious on the decision for 100amp AC disconnect. I am closing in on these final stages of wiring so curious to hear. =)

[@rodneyhunt]

I used a 100 amp disconnect since the backfeed breaker is 70 amps. So should always be well under the 100 amp disconnect. If you are using the tap on main grid power then you can do 200 amp disconnect but if not then 100 amp is more economical

[@bobcole3852]

Well done!

[@rodneyhunt]

Thank you! Appreciate the support

[@OnMyGrizzle]

Great video, thanks.

[@rodneyhunt]

Thank you. Appreciate the support

[@peterd1973]

First! I've been waiting for this video to come out. Thanks 🎉

[@rodneyhunt]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@garybryan33]

As I understand it, even if you have the no-export feature activated, it might at times send out small amounts of power (detectable amounts) to the grid resulting in issues with the power company What has your experience been? I am installing my system and I was leaning toward an off-grid setup with a transfer switch in case I needed grid power.

[@rodneyhunt]

Have not been running long but I have it set to “fast” I think is the setting. So it should in theory keep you from sending back to grid. Have not seen it going back when I have looked. Need to look on app to verify it says zero sent to grid. I am more of a do and ask for forgiveness later type person lol. Will keep you updated

[@rodneyhunt]

Just looked at it says .1kwh sent to grid. Might have been before I had fast setting set. Will add that to future video updates and testing! Thanks

[@Southernsurvivor-hn4mu]

really like your video's great smooth job. I am doing the same setup. I am going to have an electrician friend help me out however he is on outages most of this summer. I have two legs from of main power going into my inside box. how many amps do you have going into your inverter

[@rodneyhunt]

I have the critical load partial backup setup. So 70 amp backfeed breaker in main panel going to inverter.

[@naominguyen1]

Hello Rodney. I am confusing that you use Hybrid inverter for Off-Grid inverter by setting Zero Export? But reality it would not be 100% Zero Export. There a small of amount will go back the power grid. Am I correct?

[@rodneyhunt]

It should be zero export with zero export enabled. Now the inverter CT’s that monitor it may be off slightly and some days show .1kw exported but I don’t think it is actually sending anything back most of the time. Not enough for utility to care.

[@naominguyen1]

Thank you for the information.

[@amio_roseto1]

good work

[@rodneyhunt]

Thanks! Appreciate that

[@ikediashitimothyonuorah417]

Hello sir, please is it true the EG418Kpv has 3 MPPTs with 600VDC max input on each MPPT? Please i need a clear answer as this is confusing to me. Thanks for your response in advance

[@rodneyhunt]

Yes it has 3 MPPT’s with the first having 2 inputs and 1 input for each additional MPPT. 600 volts per MPPT max but working range is 100-500 for MPPT to be active

[@ikediashitimothyonuorah417]

@@rodneyhunt Thanks sir 🙏🙏

[@beeroy26]

Trying to understand how you have it wired up in this video. So if its not currently setup to the subpanel, you have it wired from the grid side of the inverter only and its feeding back through those wires from PV and Battery? Or have the the load side of the inverter circling back around into the main panel?

[@rodneyhunt]

Yes its going back through the grid input. It goes to main panel to help run loads and zero out grid input when possible. Then charge battery with excess. I have the CT’s in the main panel for this to work correctly on the main wires l1 l2 from the grid.

[@beeroy26]

@rodneyhunt wow!! If this is to code and/or safe to do without actually sending back to utility, it's a game changer! I'm currently deciding on how I'm going to wire up my 18kpv without sending back to utility (will take a while to jump through all the hoops to get city and utility approval)temporarily and will likely use your method.

[@EbanQHanna]

What gauge wire are you using on the AC side please? I didn't understand what you'd said even though I replayed it multiple times. Thanks

[@rodneyhunt]

I used 2-2-2-4 service entry wire. With the 70 amp backfeed breaker.

[@rodneyhunt]

Basically 2 awg

[@Scat.original]

Can you provide links for disconnect, Harbor Freight ratchet set, wire way under main panel? Thanks Scat

[@rodneyhunt]

Will try to add it tonight!

[@BY-tt3vc]

I was trying to listen, but might have missed it. Is the panel bus 225 amp rated?

[@rodneyhunt]

Yes. Didn’t talk about that. I recorded tons but decided to cut most out. After installing more panels the load testing will be more fun than the installation.

[@jayholmes8893]

Hey Rondey could you please tell me what kind of disconnect box that is and what size it is thank you

[@rodneyhunt]

The 100 amp Siemens from home depot.

[@timlochner9147]

I was wondering can u use ct clamps on the 6000xp like u have set up on the 18k using like a grid tie inverter?

[@rodneyhunt]

No it is a off grid only inverter. You can pull power from the grid but only power your inverter load side. That is an awesome feature of the 18k

[@stephanied143]

Did you use no ox on that aluminum wire

[@rodneyhunt]

Ox?

[@stephanied143]

@@rodneyhunt it's a coating for aluminum wire its called no-ox

[@RollinHomies]

Good eye. Aluminum wire needs to have the gel on the terminals.

[@rodneyhunt]

No but I can add it. Not an electrician and didn’t think about it. Thanks

[@stephanied143]

@@RollinHomies it's more for the wire to keep from oxidizing brush it into wire real good .

[@tiendo4070]

Did you need the permit for this system

[@rodneyhunt]

@@tiendo4070 I didn’t get one. I am not selling back to the grid and couldn’t find any permits for the county. Now I didn’t ask directly either. I am more of a do it then ask person but not recommended for certain locations. I recommend following all your local laws but that is your decision. Thanks

[@tiendo4070]

@@rodneyhunt good to know. It is so hard to find the info for these. I am not sure if I need permit when I install panels on the roof for off grid system.

[@tiendo4070]

⁠@@rodneyhuntOff grid: does it mean that we don’t sell it back to the grid even though we still have AC wire that tie to the main panel from the inverter. I am so confused about this and can’t find the answer.

[@rodneyhunt]

Possible but all depends on your local codes. Check your county and city permits online if available.

[@rodneyhunt]

Yeah to me if I am not selling back it is off grid. Some people will say off grid means no grid input at all.