Growatt Split Phase Setup and Configuration

In this video I will go over how to configure 2 Growatts running in Split Phase parallel configuration. This is a very easy setup when done properly. Essentially all you'll need is 2 DB9 parallel connecting cables, and to configure in the menu settings option (23) of your growatt inverter to 2P0 and 2P2. The inverters I will be configuring are the SPF Growatt 3000tl lvm-es 48v, we will go through the menu configuration and parallel cable setup. Enjoy the video!
Comments are welcome, one reason I create these videos is for us all to learn, be safe and create a good experience for all while making DIY projects.
An overview of my system - 2 Growatt 3000TL LVM-ES 48 volt inverters, configured to grid power, running in parallel Split Phase, connected to 24v EG4-LL Lithium batteries, 25.6V, 200AH - 2 x 2 in series to make 48v 400AH total. Overall a great system, 7KW PV system feeding into this battery bank, not a ton of power but more than efficient when connected to the grid and being aware of your electrical needs and consumption. Happy DIY-ing friends! Leave any comments below, if I can I'll be more than happy to help.
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[@mtnsofutah]

Thank you so much, you made a simple project simpler. I was studying and was getting overwhelmed, but you took my complicated project and my vision of it very clear. Thanks again, Tom

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Thanks for the comments Tom

[@phmagpantay1066]

Hi! Thanks for the informative video. How do you connect the AC input when the inverters are in parallel? Do you connect it only on the master or you connect ac input to both inverters.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy A-L-G Thanks COOP ...

[@robertplatt5479]

A couple of suggestions on your overall installation. First like to know what state you are in to be able to determine which version of the NEC is applicable. My suggestion refers to grounding/bonding. You need to have one earth/ground location not multiple ones even if the rods are close together. Your presentation explains in detail methods used keep the neutrals together and the grounds together. You need to keep all the grounds in individual cabinets isolated and connect them all to a single ground which is likely the one that was used at your original service entrance distribution panel. The grouped neutrals in the original service entrance distribution box are connected to the service ground in the distribution service box at a single point.

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Hello Robert and thank you so much for the comments, really appreciated. I fully agree with your suggestions, maybe you can shed some light on a looming question I have with this setup and grounding rods for myself and those connecting to Grids? Currently I have the sub panel grounds and neutrals fully separated, no bonding screw. I do have 2 separate grounding rods installed, one servicing the main panel from the service box as you suggest, and the other servicing my Sub panel. These earth grounds are 200' apart. The reason I did this and where I can't seem to find any information on is if my sub panel shares the earth ground from the service box as it should under normal operations, this ground circuit goes through the inverter and is dependent on the inverter switching that ground circuit from AC IN (sub panel) to the AC OUT (main panel) to complete the earth ground connection correctly. Now if the Inverter takes a surcharge, it shuts down the circuits 100%, where does my earth ground go if I'm dependent on the inverter to make this earth ground? The short circuit in principal will stay hot without having an earth ground connection? Hopefully you can shed some light on this topic, thank you.

[@khalilsalam1500]

you split the phase and the neutral is splited? another question please in growatt the neutral from solar is splited from utility i mean same neutral or splited ? thank you

[@ElMactwo]

Hello, nice video, but can I have 120/240 output?

[@smallshoptalk589]

Hey William, seems like I'm writing to myself. I'm William also, (Bill) new subscriber here. and Thanks for the video. So a lot of comments are all around my question. Is it 120/240 American 240? Does this invert the secondary phase 180 degrees to make 240 VAC when connected to a typical breaker panel? To clarify, Phase A is +120 at the peak of the sine wave as seen on the O'Scope and Phase B is -120 at the bottom of the wave thus making the potential between them 240. So using a typical 240 breaker (double breaker) say on connection 1 and 3 on the breaker panel makes 240? Connection 1 being phase A and connection 2 being phase B.

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Hello Small Shop Talk and thank you for the detailed responses on electrical explanation, and questions. The system is 120/240 as you suggest, making 240v at the panel. Each inverter producing 120v of true sine wave energy (US standard) and going to each leg or phase of the panel. If its a "true" 180 degrees from phase 1, I doubt unless these inverters are actually syncing? I don't have a frequency level meter to test but it does raise a good question when connecting 2 inverters in parallel split phase. thanks for the comments.

[@blainecelestaine4543]

Thx.. Do you have these inverters powering a panel of dedicated loads? Or is it connected to your main load panel but grid is isolated thru a disconnect

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

Hi Blaine, these inverters are powering a sub panel with dedicated loads, 120v and 240v, connected to new and old construction. I have it setup in the hybrid configuration connected to the Main grid electric for when I need more current. The plan is to increase this same system by 300%, depending on how everything functions in my current location 46 degrees north! So far so good, other than blizzard conditions I get 0.1kw for the entire day!

[@todamnbad]

Do both of your growatts have the bonding screw removed or does your master have the bonding screw and the slave have the screw removed? Im getting all sorts of confusing information on how this works, is the N-G screw needed when in current sharing or split phase?

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

I do not have the bonding screws on either of my Growatts disconnected, nor do I have the bonding screw on my sub panel connecting neutral to panel ground.

[@5slabs]

I have the 5000es(us) Growatt...but was wondering...when you parallel the 2 inverters, are you connecting the same battery bank and PV array to both inverters?

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Hello Jay, yes the same battery bank is connected to both inverters.

[@iRollWithPunches]

Are you not using the transformer they recommend? To my understanding you would still want the transformer there in case of any load imbalances (inevitable).

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

I am not using the transformer they recommend seeing as these units support 120/240 and the setup is going into my greenhouse as is.... If I were to use this as my permanent house setup I would use and recommend a transformer to balance the loads. Currently the inverters, connected to grid do a great job of balancing loads, but over a longer period or off grid scenerio I wouldn't recommend not using a transformer with the growatt inverters.

[@Bripromo]

What was the issues with all those problems you were experiencing with the Batteries? Was the Db9 cable connected wrong way?

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Hello sir and thanks for writing, the only problems I have with my batteries is being able to use the full capabilities of the Inverters communicating with the BMS of the 24v EG4 batteries. Apparently there is an issue with the communication between 24v EG4 batteries when communicating with the Growatt inverters. When you read the manuals from the inverters and the batteries they reference opposing dip switch settings and is why I tried the cross over cable idea to find a fix, without luck. On a good note the BMS of the batteries themselves handles the job they were designed to do without any secondary processes being handed down from the inverters. The idea for me moving forward will be to find an alternative BMS to install on my system prior to making the planned upgrades. Cheers

[@houseofancients]

did some reading up. looks like the growatts only like to comm with battery id1. the id is set using the dip switches.. can you plug the bms with id 1 into your growatts and see if its horay ? the growatt should be able to see the rest of the bms too when connectes to id 1

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

Good research and thanks for your comments! I did try setting battery number to address number 1,0,2,3,4 and 5 without success. I believe the Growatts have an issue reading the 24v architecture of the EG4's BMS, that or the software isn't programmed for it? Either or I'm planning to install a backup external BMS before adding anymore batteries. Cheers!

[@houseofancients]

@@ahhlifesgood1956 id0 should always be reserved for you inverter.. please do not use it as a bms id

[@Detroit_Paul]

?!? So you don't need a separate inverter? as I've seen on DavidPoz and DYI Solar power channel. Maybe it's the Growatt model you have that includes the inverter?

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

Poz is using the 5000 Watt 240v only Growatt inverters in some of his videos, these inverters I'm running are capable of at 120 or 240v.

[@raedhatem7379]

Hello bro, why you set the second inverter 2P2 instead of 2P1 ?

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- First inverter is set to 2P0 and the second is 2P1

[@JM-yx1lm]

So you only need 2 inverters to make it split phase ? You don't need the autotransformer? Are those the 5000es?

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Hello J M - 1 Inverter is on Phase (120v) and the other 2nd Inverter is on the Phase 2 (120v) making Split phase. These inverters are the 3000tl model, the 5000es you would need the mid-point transformer unless you plan to run only 240v.

[@bigblockcutlass123]

Do these inverters keep solar charging with them off?

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Thank you for the comments, if the inverters are turned off the charging capabilities is also off.

[@infinitesymphony]

So I'm confused, I thought parallel meant that it was putting out 110, and split phase was 220, but you're running parallel split phase. I have the same two inverters but don't know how to set them up. Is this system putting out 220 or 110? Thanks!

[@ahhlifesgood1956]

- Hello Infinite! Good question, so in my understanding Split phase is exactly that, 120v each side of the split or inverter in this case, where as in Parallel you would combine both strings to have 120/240v. In this case I'm running both inverters connected in parallel but acting in "split phase" only sharing data between inverters but sending 120v lines to each side of the breaker box making 240v or 120 on each phase. This configuration does NOT use the power sharing cable between inverters. You can however from my understanding run these units in Parallel Single phase, be sure to check with your manual on configuration options as they explain pretty good.

[@francosepulveda8438]

Maybe irrelevant in the case of the Growatt system but I rather shut off the PV first just to be safe.