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EG4 3000EHV-48 for Time of Use Charging

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Posts: 8
 RSEM
Topic starter
(@rsem)
Active Member
Joined: 2 months ago

Hello.  I just finished the setup of my EG4 3000EHV-48 inverter with the intent to use this system as consistent clean power for my computer systems while also minimizing my my power bill by always charging the battery to full between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. when my Time Of Use Grid power is the cheapest.  I do not have a solar array on the system at this time.  My use case is as follows:

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EQUIPMENT

Inverter: EG4 3000EHV-48

Battery: LifePower 48V v2 

Timer Switch:  Smart Plug - Provides on/off control of grid power from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for TOU power.  

 

USE  

Provide 24/7 power to computer servers while minimizing utility bill by only connecting to the grid from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to charge batteries when Time of Use (TOU) rates are the cheapest.  

 

DAILY OPERATION

8 a.m. - Automatic Timer Switch turns on input power from the grid to the inverter with the intent to charge the batteries to 100% during this time.  Batteries need to charge to 100% each day during this time no matter what their charge state is.

4 p.m. - Automatic Timer Switch turn off input power from the grid to the inverter and system runs entirely on battery from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next day.

----------------

PROBLEM

I currently have this system setup with EG4 battery communication and I'm running into a problem where the batteries will not charge from the grid/utility power during the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. period unless the battery is down to at least 50% (highest setting available in program 43).  Is there a setting in the inverter that will charge the batteries to full anytime the unit has input power (Grid Power)?  Ideally, the system would charge to full and use grid power from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when my timer switch is ON and providing a grid connection when my utility power is at its cheapest.  I'd like to be at 100% battery power each day at 4 p.m. when the timer turns off and the system then operates from battery until the next day at 8 a.m.

 

Thank you for any assistance that can be provided.  

11 Replies
Jared
Posts: 247
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(@jared)
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Joined: 5 months ago

 

Setting 43 would be the correct setting to initiate charging with the 3000EHV. However, as mentioned, the maximum initiation threshold is 50%.

 
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Posts: 8
 RSEM
Topic starter
(@rsem)
Active Member
Joined: 2 months ago

I have been using Program Setting 1 in SbU Mode, thinking I needed to prioritize "battery", but today I changed the system back to the UtI setting (default) and my testing seem to appear as if the battery will charge to full from any existing battery state of charge.  I will verify this over the next few days, but if this is the case then Program Setting 43 is overridden by Program Setting 1 when it's in the UtI mode.  

3000EHV 48 Program 1
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Posts: 8
 RSEM
Topic starter
(@rsem)
Active Member
Joined: 2 months ago

All is working fine with Program Setting 1 in Utl, but it seems that the 6000XP would be a better option for this use as it appears to have an internal clock and a better firmware for programming Time Of Use parameters without having to use a timer to cut the power off during the hours that I don't want the system to utilize the grid.  I have ordered a 6000XP to test this unit rather than the 3000EHV-48 I am using now.  

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Posts: 16
(@frugal-farmer)
Eminent Member
Joined: 4 months ago

Did you happen to notice if it is programmable to put it's self in Stand By mode also during times and upcoming dates? Internal power consumption on the 3000EHV-48's seems excessive on my 2 running in "split phase". 

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1 Reply
 RSEM
(@rsem)
Joined: 2 months ago

Active Member
Posts: 8

@frugal-farmer

There was no clock of any kind that I found in the 3000EHV-48, but it does have a power savings mode.  I was not interested in this as I wanted to make sure it was always able to switch from grid to battery backup quickly enough to keep my computer servers & ethernet switches running without any glitches.  The internal power consumption is a bit much if you are not truly using the inverter for peak shaving or have solar connected.  I didn't do an exact study on the inverter power consumption but the specs seem to be a best case scenario.  I also noticed that both the 3000EHV-48 and the 6000XP inverters seems to use a bit more power than what is state on the spec sheets, but I also do not have them hooked up to any PV.

For all of this, it really depends on what your goals are and how you are using it.  For me the goal was to provide a robust, redundant power system that could operate automatically for 30 plus hours without the grid AND take advantage of buying power when it's cheapest and using my stored energy when the TOU rates are more expensive (peak shaving).  I have accomplished that.  See my other post from today where I post more about my final solution with more details, graphs, etc.

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