It relates specifically to Simpliphi, but all brands of Li+ need much
higher LBCO set points compared to Lead acid. Hysteresis and time don't
fix the fact that once the batteries shut off before the inverter, the
entire system is inoperable, with no charging available from the PV. It
creates an absolute failure, that requires a manual reset, and there is
no reason for it. It should be an easy firmware fix to allow LBCO to go
above 48. We've used other brands of inverters and had excellent
results with extremely high efficiency charging, noticeably reduced gen
run time, etc. We can set the autostart on the generator to start
higher, but as soon as there is a problem with the generator, we're snow
shoeing in to save the house. Already done it 3 times this past Winter,
so no, this is not a hypothetical problem.
Also, I haven't mentioned Schneider's abysmal tech support throughout
this problem. Zero on site phone support, but we might get a call back
a week later, and then the tech can only read from the manual: something
we've already done. I dropped Schneider many years ago when they brought
out the terrible TR line of inverters. Those had 100% customer
dissatisfaction. They have yet to regain my support, and now after this
latest experience, I have to refuse to even service systems with
Schneider equipment.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 8/10/20 8:03 AM, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar wrote:
Hey Ray,
Your comment on Schneider LBCO relates to which brand? Sympliyfi?
Curious because I will send this in again. I did last time and they
said to make sure the config person knows that you can also set the
default LBCO hysteresis from 2V to 10V and the LBCO time from 60
seconds up to 600 seconds.
Zero probes here for me with Discover AES and Fortress with Schneider
electronics.
*Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ e-mail offgridso...@sti.net
<mailto:offgridso...@sti.net> text 209 813 0060*
On Sun, 9 Aug 2020 18:47:50 -0600, Ray <r...@solarray.com> wrote:
My favorite right now is Simpliphi: company has been around since
2002, and as the name implies, they are simple to install. There is
no external monitoring or comm, just an output breaker on each
battery that can be reset if the internal BMS ever shuts down for any
reason. We've done several sets in new systems, and as battery
replacements with older Outback equipment. Simpliphi provides a nice
programming cheat sheet for all the brands of inverters and charge
controllers.
For smaller systems, the LiFe Blue batteries are great. They have
the best monitoring (simple blue tooth to a free phone app) and they
are the only Li+ battery that has a solution for cold weather
charging that I'm aware of. Other battery companies have just given
us the shoulder shrug and tell us to install the battery in a
conditioned space. Not a good answer for many off grid systems in
the mountains.
I'm not a huge fan of Blue Planet; if their battery is over
discharged, it requires a 48 v dark start. I also did not find their
enclosure to be NEC code compliant to connect conduit to. We had to
modify it to allow a 2" KO. Cable routing and connections internally
are also awkward. Its just a computer rack cabinet repurposed for
batteries, but it does have pretty blue Lights (which we disconnected
at the customer's request) Finally the comm system is based on the
E-gage, which was never designed for off grid and depends on a
constant router and internet connection to monitor. That is another
deal killer for some remote projects. Internet connectivity is great
when available, just the monitoring can't be dependent on that
connection. Their tech support was good though.
Beware that Schneider inverters LBCO can't be programmed over 48v,
which is a deal killer for most Li+ batteries. We currently have a
system that we are adding a relay to shut off AC output, that will be
triggered by the charge controller. That is just an amazingly kludgy
solution for a really dumb problem: not allowing higher settings of
the LBCO. Until Schneider releases a firmware update, they are not
even being considered for future projects.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 8/9/20 5:30 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote:
I have outback FX systems operating for years now, the lab l had
used FX's and midnite systems, it does need to be 48 volts nominal.
Jerry
On Sun, Aug 9, 2020, 4:13 PM Kirk Herander <vtso...@icloud.com
<mailto:vtso...@icloud.com>> wrote:
For some reason (that I never got an answer to from Outback or
Blue Planet) older FX inverters are not compatible with Blue Ion
LFP batteries. The newer FXR series are.
Considering one only needs to change slightly charge voltages,
duration, etc. to meet BI recommendations, it's a mystery why
Outback states that older FX inverters are not compatible.
Outback states this in a tech note about using LI batteries.
On 8/9/2020 5:40:39 PM, drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org
<mailto:drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org>
<drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org
<mailto:drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org>> wrote:
P.S. The system consists of an old Outback FX inverter and
an MX60, with
a 2600 W array.
---
On 2020-08-09 13:12, drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org
<mailto:drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org> wrote:
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> What is the best Li-Ion battery to use with an off grid
system?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Drake
> Athens Electric
>
> --
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