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Question I need help getting my EG4 System to work

6 Posts
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Posts: 3
Topic starter
(@holymaniac)
Active Member
Joined: 4 weeks ago

It has been exactly two months since installation, and I have had nothing but problems. I have worked with my installer, who has good intentions but no solutions. I have been working directly with EG4 Tech Support, who have been very kind and have a great attitude but have been unable to solve the issues. It has been escalated to R&D, but no word.
The current issues I need help resolving:
panels randomly not charging the battery. If I turn on my dryer, then the panels go from around 500watts to around 3,000 watts. This issue is apparently experienced by others and is being studied by R&D.
Also, when the battery is charged to some degree (not full) the grid will start feeding in (instead of the battery). So I spent $31,000 on this system and am still getting PG&E grid charges. It is random.
I would like to just return the entire system (GridBoss21 outdoor, and two 16 kW outdoor batteries, and 12 440 watt panels). But I don't think it is practical. 
I just want it to work so that I am powered by the solar panels that also charge the batteries so they power me at night, and if panels and batteries are low then and ONLY then does the grid come in. It seems like such a simple request and what i was promised, but it has not been the case.
Can anyone help me?


5 Replies
fkitzmann
Posts: 65
(@fkitzmann)
Trusted Member
Joined: 1 year ago

This all sounds like everything is working as programmed. The real issue sounds like is that your system may not be programmed properly. You could have your inverter programmed to not send any excess power to the grid. If that's the case, no power can go their which only leaves PV power to go to your loads and/or battery. If the battery is fully charged or reaches a programmed limit, then the battery won't accept any additional power. This leaves the only one remaining place for the PV power to go is your current loads. If this is the case. It would explain why your are only seeing 500 watts and then go to 3000 Watts when the dryer turns on. Your 12K watts of solar has no where to go at this instant so you only see what it's producing at that instant. Since your battery settings may be wrong, you may not be taking fully advantage of your batteries capabilities. Both charging (storing excess solar energy) and dis-charging (using that stored energy during the night for your house loads). You most likely will want your settings such that your 1'st priority is for PV power to go to your current loads. 2'nd priority is to have any excess PV power go to your batteries. 3'rd priority is if 1 & 2 are fulfilled, to have any remaining power go to the grid (unless you don't have an agreement with PG&E). Then when PV power is less then what the current loads require. The batteries then start taking over the load. It's only if/when the batteries are depleted and no solar, that the power gets supplied by the grid. Again, If your system is set up correctly (Which it does not appear to be at this point), all of your PV power (~12K watts - efficiency and temperature) will be going to support your current loads, Batteries and Grid, in that order. The key is to watch the PV energy produced (how much) while tracking where it's going, i.e.how much to batteries, house loads & grid. One thing that should be done if not already, is to make sure that all hardware (Inverter, GridBoss & batteries) have their firmware updated to the latest versions. After that, I would (or have someone)(EG4) check that your inverter's settings are set properly.


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1 Reply
(@holymaniac)
Joined: 4 weeks ago

Active Member
Posts: 3

@fkitzmann  Thank you very much for taking the time with all that info. I have been working with Spencer in Tech Support and there seems to be some other bug he is trying to figure out. Symptoms show something other than just settings. Still working on it. Thanks kindly.

 


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Posts: 73
(@krzysiek_kta)
Trusted Member
Joined: 1 year ago

@fkitzmann Very well thought reply by  

@holymaniac I wonder why your installer could not perform proper setup. 

I'd suggest to reach out to @EG4 Eric as he might be able to help remotely check the firmware versions and adjust the settings 

Brgds

 

K.


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EG4 Eric
Posts: 1096
Admin
(@eg4eric)
EG4 Online Support
Joined: 2 years ago

@holymaniac
I can definitely help you out with these issues and get some answers for you!

Can you please send me a DM with the ticket number or your inverter's serial number so I can look into this for you?


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1 Reply
(@holymaniac)
Joined: 4 weeks ago

Active Member
Posts: 3

@eg4eric  Thank you kindly Eric. I think I should keep working with Spencer in Tech Support rather than take you up on your offer. But I appreciate it.


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