12kw Growatt Inverter Operational Check/Review!!
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- Опубліковано 3 гру 2024
- Operational Check/Review on all options of a 12kw Growatt Split Phase Low Frequency 120/240 Pure Sinewave Inverter Model # SPF12000tDVM
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💥💥💥JFYI I was able to use the wifi to change settings after video was edited and uploaded. I tried from a different pc and it works great!!!💥💥💥
pretty scary stuff. I can imagine a thousand things that could go wrong, an attacker gaining access to same and shutting down critical systems is just the least of it
😲 Hmmm......
Never thought of it that way😲
Hi Joe no this is a 12k and I asked sol-ark how much watts do I give and they told me I have 8.000 watts but that I have a unbalance the fault it gives me is a G37 BusUnbalance. On 120v. Before I got this one I had a canteen 6048 and Joe it ran everything. Table saw and no problem.they told me to change my saw to 240 and it will work. My compressor is 240v and it's old and the same thing happens. Not to happy. well Don't know what to do so I thought of getting a transformer. Any stay well and safe.
No Joe the code is F26
Induction cook top need s a pan with water that is designed for induction cook tops. It will do nothing until you put a proper pan on that takes advantage of the induction of the cook top. It will not get hot like a regular resister coil on your regular electric range.
A few others mentioned that as well but I was thinking it didnt work all together since the led display didnt turn on. I still have it so plan to try again.🤘
@@AveRage_Joe remember get a pot \ pan that is induction labeled.
Thanks for the video. I ordered a 3000 sp last week to check it out before I buy the 12000. Wish I had waited 3 more days before ordering and seen your video first. I guess my daughter will get the little one now and I’m ordering the 12000 today. Thanks again for all you do for the community.
Awesome! Thanks for watching. Tell them I sent ya and maybe you can get a discount!🤘
Great inverter, video, and tests!! The design is very similar to AIMS but 10x better with the ability to change settings! I wish some of these LF manufactures could get the idle consumption down a bit though.
Thanks Man! Yeah it seems to be a solid inverter so far! 100% agree if they could figure out a way to lower the idle down!
Joe, your audio was excellent. Good to see you still sticking with our old hobby.
One thing you want to test on a split-phase inverter is differential wattage between the 2 phases. Older architecture and cheaper inverters have issues if the 2 legs are more than 12-16 Amps AC different from each other. This manifests as an induction motor, or pressurized compressor or deep well pump starts up and draws maybe 30+ amps for a split second. The entire Inverter shuts down. So try just loading 1 phase at 20+ amps (with nothing on other phase) and make sure it stays stable. The ones that shutdown are non-starters for most off-grid type applications. ~cheers & Boom
Thanks Man! I tried to fix and adjust in some places but for the most part was out of my control lol. Oh yeah good point for the 2 phase watt difference!! Ill have to see what I can do for that test. I hope it doesnt have any issues like that!!! Fingers crossed
@@AveRage_Joe How Quickly does the UPS function with Utility power switch under surge current conditions. I ask because I am thinking of using the same Growatt inverter unit to run my 240VAC pool pump (turns on only once a day), and a few other dedicated 240 Services (no in rush), I measured the In Rush current of the pump at 46 Amps, normal run current is about 10 amps. Also thinking of not using batteries, at least until they hopefully become more affordable. Obviously clouds could present an issue however, I ask as It appears that in the near future Net Energy Metering will change, so that you cannot use the Grid as a form of Battery Storage. Anyway just thinking of other options. Thanks
Switch says 10ms for time. Occasionally you may see a flicker with Led lights but not all the time. Yeah you could use this for the pump. You will need a battery. Even if using in the solar function. You could probly just get 4 "junk" lead acid batteries for that. Also may even get by with the 6kw one as the surge is pretty damn high. They are 3X the normal so 36kw for the 12kw inverter and 18kw for the 6kw inverter.
@@AveRage_Joe do you think you could run whole house on the 6KW unit? Great review, this is the unit I am considering but our consumption is purdy low, like 15kw/day, mostly during the day so direct solar power would cover use.
Thanks, love your channel!
The interface on that inverter is awesome! I love how intuitive it is to read with the graphics. Makes my Magnum Energy seem archaic.
Yeah the screen is nice and inneractive. Lol on archaic magnum🤣
Magnum does not have the display but will always keep you powered up when the grid goes down. Magnum ms4448pae is a great great choice inverter.
your great explanation has won me over to Growatt. The units appear to offer great value over a piece by piece build system.
Well thanks Man! I wasnt trying to win or anything like that. Like I said Im not affiliated or anything just like the inverter!😆🤘 It is pretty solid tho!!! Much cheaper in cost compaired to many.
My personal situation has changed and I am now relegated to an apartment, although I still play around with batteries currently combing through about 20KW of laptop batteries and building a couple of 14s100p batteries.
I will continue as a staunch observer of your escapades. As always Joe, you do a great job, thanks for entertaining an old man.
Oh why the living change? At least you can still play the bettery game😆 Thanks for watching! Moar to come!🤘
@@AveRage_Joe I was remodeling a 1970's last year and fell broke a hip. At 73 my family convinced me it was time for a change. Then when the hip refused to heal I had a replacement done in December, but in the interim the house sold and I moved to an apt. I've been collecting and processing batteries for several years hoping to follow in your footsteps. Now I am left with about 2700 good cells and thought I'd build them into packs, so still piddling and playing around. Never likely get to build an actual power wall now I suppose.
Still enjoy your videos and learning as much as I can...
Thanks again Joe for all you do, you are a solid inspiration to this old man!
Whoa! Damn wth happen with the hip. A guy at my work had same issue with a hip. Sounds a change was in order for sure however you do have cells to mess with🤣💥🤘
And Thanks for the kind comment! Appreciate that!🤘
It would be nice to have a generator video to demonstrate the functionality in a pure off grid environment. Also a gental suggestion - a Db neter to measure the sound of the fans would be helpful as well. Thanks and keep up the great work!
If I had a genny Id for sure do a video!!! Yeah a db meter would also be super handy for vids like this!!!
I’m trying to get enough information about off grid power! I like Joe’s set up but looking to make my own generator basically using a 3000 RPM brushless motor ,48 amp amp alternator that last about 10yrs. and battery for back a up battery charger for a 48v battery need help to make it work.... what’s your take on this idea?
Oh, very important, always run a ground from the main panel to the ground next to the input hot leads. Next, run a ground from the chassis to your output source. The chassis ground is on the far right corner looking at it from the bottom. You can see the ground at 8:15 on the video. Super important to do this.
would you use the ground next to the input leads for the grounding rod buried outside or the chassis ground ? or both?(i wouldnt have shore power or a generator connected to the input on the inverter in my case)
The ground next to input I have connected to the main panel ground which is connected to ground rod outside!
Inside your consumer unit is nice and neat like how it should be. so for your the only person consumer unit that look like someone professional installed. 👌🏾👌🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Thanks Man!🤘
I really enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing. Also you say you are not a licensed electrician but I have to tell you that is one of the cleanest and most professional looking breaker panel I have seen and you even have the wires labeled. I am very impressed.
Thanks Jeff! Appreciate that!😆🤘
Thanks for explaining the whole "pass through" thing with the inverter. I was always under the impression it was grid-tie or nothing. I also assume (you might explain it later) that even as a pass through, it is designed to not put power back into the grid and fry some poor linesman..
You betcha! I was always under the same impression. Basically I didnt understand lol! I dont really explain in later but maybe once its all connected to my house I can explain moar/show it!
@@AveRage_Joe hello, thanks for the video. Does this also act as a AC couple system if you have an existing inverter?
Nope, it wont do any of that. Its a stand alone!👍
Really love what you are doing on this channel. I do notice some things in what your video shows. The first is that the fans are ball bearing fans, and they should last longer, but they are noisier than sleeve bearings. It is a shame (I have not found any at least) that no one makes a fluid dynamic bearing DC axial fan (at least of this size). There are plenty of DC cooling fans for PC cases using such bearings. They last as long as a ball bearing fan, but are way quieter. Your version is split phase (for the US), but they also do a 240V single phase version for Europe. Those block connectors do not look very big. I wonder what your thoughts are on having smaller units paralleled together? It provides redundancy, and wiring can be a smaller gauge (and fit those terminals). My house has a 23kW grid supply (but our night tariff is sooo cheap)! I see that Growatt have just released a 3000W (the SPF 3000T HVM-G2) second generation version of this unit also, which makes me wonder if G3 versions of the bigger ones will appear. It seems to be more efficient from the specs. I also don't like those top fans. I might be inclined to fit a duct over the top and vent that air away sideways, stopping any downward ingress of dust and moisture when the inverter is on standby, and likely also reducing noise a bit.
Thanks for the video. I have the same inverter/ charge controller. I was going with different brand and model when I found the growatt. I talked to same place and about different models and went with the 12kw too. Started the solar design and planning 6 years ago with move to large acres in mountains. Well 3 years ago did the big purchase and stock pile of supplies. Then begin this year bought batteries and started our offgrid homestead in June. Well finally getting my pv setup and finishing wiring. So it was nice to see the setup and test. I also have to hook up my generator to system so when batteries are low and no- little sun it will kick on.
NIIIIICE!!! Im a little jelly of your place in the mountains. Id love to do that! Im from wyoming and miss it. Live in Omaha Ne amd its to flat🤣
How much is the standby consumption when the inverter is on and not powering anything?
@@Dave_889 well still learning as we go. But it has standby and on and have seen that the read out is not accurate. But on standby it says 1.2% and I forget the watts: still have to get second array up to get better charge and the generac activation done to charge plus get the 2 wire relay on the victron monitor setup: it’s been tough working full time job and building a homestead from scratch plus manage power.
Its 150ish watts powering itself and nothing else!💥🤘
@@AveRage_Joe Daam, that's a lot of power
"Not an electrician!" -- exposes military spec loomed breaker panel!
🤣🤫lol
Thanks Joe, I still have not put a battery on mine. I have other inverters running mining rigs. im saving it for when the SHTF!!!
There you go! That may be sooner then later lol😬🤣
And how do you do that? My miner consumes 5kw with 8 cards. What inverter you using? It sounds more like a dream lol
@@GeraldPUR I had them split up but 12 cards on 3 computers was about 2kw. I had it running from my 3kw inverter 24volt. You can watch some of my videos showing my solar set up. dont think I filmed my rig, wish i had. I just sold most of my cards last month. price was to juicy. bought more crypto when Btc dipped to 50k. everything was on UPS's so I could swap from grid to solar. my main system has a ATS.
This was the clentcher, after watching your review I went out and picked up the same unit with the wifi adapter (should be free not 50$) thank you
NICE!!!! Ya the wifi should be free!!!
I have one of these and your Video has given me incentive to get it hooked up!
Getter DONE!!💪💥🤘
What's the biggest size wire that can connect to the battery terminals on the inverter 4/0 ? Also what's the biggest size wire for the PV input on the inverter? Thanks
Any size for battery cable as its the lug that will hold the wire. PV I have 6awg installed but I think 4awg could squeeze in there!🤘
@@AveRage_Joe cool thanks for the reply 👍
this is excellent. to the point, not a lot of wasted space, and full of useful info. thanks!!!
Thanks! Appreciate that!💥🤘
I could say a lot more. I just bought the same machine. I really needed this I mean I really needed this thank you.
Its a good one! I would buy again if needed!🤘
Interesting inverter its big for sure what's the install plan I'm interested in how your going to wire it in the panel the inverter seems to handle the loads well enough.
Good video very informative.
Thanks for sharing.
Joe, I don’t know if you answer these but I sure could use some helpful guidance and advice so I don’t do anything too crazy. I bought the 12kw growatt after watching your videos. It should be here next week I might need a more detailed video with wiring it completely off grid. I intended to use 12 300w panels total, 6 are in parallel and 6 in series. I have 4 12v Vmax solar 155 batteries and power is being delivered using a #6 Thhn cord. Thanks for making great videos that keep inspiring us to build bigger.
Nice! I have the grid connected as a backup(or when we dont have sun). Do you plan to do that or complete off grid?
@@AveRage_Joe Yes, I have been off grid for the last 3 years due to my local electric company charging seriously high bills while I was out sailing on deployment. I’m talking over 1000 for one month totaling $5000 in a mostly vacant home with solar panels. I bought a Homegrid 5000 and haven’t looked back. This Growatt is a huge step up and would allow me to run equipment like my dryer finally. My biggest fear is that I will mess this installation up, so I have been obsessing for weeks reading the manual and re watching your videos every night. Any help is a great help, and I’d appreciate if you stopped me from fouling up my installation 😁. Thanks Joe.
HiAverage Joe, Can you explain to me the grid pass through thing you mentioned a couple times please. How can I wire mine, when I get it, to take advantage of the grid too? Thanks, Mouse
Basically you will wire your 240v grid connection into the input of the inverter and the 240v output from inverter will go to your panel that you want to power. Then once the inverter is powered on, the grid can pass through inverter to your panel OR the relay inside switchs and you power from battery and solar if you have solar.
Word of caution on that one with split phase systems and these transformer based split phase Inverters. The inverters internal transformer acts like an autotransformer while in bypass mode that generates a "new" neutral output from the inverter and that transformer will try to balance upstream imbalanced loads from the grid connection if interconnected to the grid neutral either direct or via ground bond.
Looks good, the efficiency is better than I expected too. The fans are definitely louder than mine but 12kw vs two 3kw units that's probably expected. There is a mode you can choose where it will charge from both solar and utility, you can set the max charge rate from utility as well as the max overall charge rate of both solar and utility combined going into the batteries. Mostly I think that's a mode you'd use while getting ready for a storm to come through to keep everything topped off or if you're using a generator to top off the batteries during low solar input in say an off grid use.
Nice handling of the surge from that saw too, looked like your Batrium showed a spike above 7kw for a brief bit, one of the nice things about the low frequency design is the surge handling. Great test, congrats man!
Thanks Man! Yeah eff was better then expected! So I had originally went through all the menu settings and explained them all(kinda) but removed it due to length of video. May do another in future on those. Also I forgot to mention I for some reason cant get the beep to shut off while pushing buttons. Option 15 is off🤷♂️. I was also able to change the setting from the online app from a different pc I found out after video🤣
@@AveRage_Joe I've had so many people asking me how to kill that beep, or some other beeps and it must be hit or miss that option 15 works cause on mine with it off no beeps but given all the comments and your experience now too, it doesn't always work. One thing that would be nice as well is if there was a reset to factory default option in the menu too. Overall they work well, its just the little rough edges like that they could stand to fix.
Look forward to your vid with the new battery bank. I've been so slammed with work the last couple months been hard to get any side projects done.
@@AveRage_Joe - I have an ERROR / FAULT #61 & I disabled the annoying "BEEP" by simultaneously PRESSING the + Buttons
which seem to allow other ERRORS to sound-off & ONLY disable the BEEP on Error # 61
COOP
...
What is you solar voltage. Are you close to the high end? I havent had that error but was thinking if your on the higher end maybe its to high from the sun creepin around the clouds. Also if temp is cool/cold with have higer voltage??? Oh and.....did you try restarting it🫣😄🤘
A work horse for sure. But has it limits on programming. One issues for me I had to change my battery setting from 56v to 48v due to not able to set the battery low cut off point.
Parallel Nissian Leaf batteries stack of 8 & series each stack for 48 volts work perfect now. 56v worked fine too just wasn't able to set that safety cut off. Yes, I do have it switching back to utility on low battery source prior to low cutoff safety.
So its not letting you set the low bat cutoff??
Great video. I'm considering a similar hybrid inverter, but one thing worries me. If the power company turns off the main power (or an accident occurs and the power goes out), is there a chance that the inverter will return voltage to the mains and someone get an electric shock. I tried to find circuit diagrams of this type of hybrid inverters to find out exactly how the energy is converted, but I'm still not 100% sure.
Thanks Mate! They way this is actually connected in real use case there is no way to send power back through the grid. Ive had it connected for a few weeks now and I am supplying the inverter with AC from a sub panel, the AC output is connected to the panel showed in this video and I have installed an interlock kit so only the inverter or grid can power the panel, not both.
Hey Joe, thanks for the great video reviewing all the inverter's capabilities. Do you know if the inverter is capable of stacking, connecting 2 of these inverters in a paired configuration?
Thanks Man! Appreciate that. This inverter is not stackable but I have heard growatt is coming out with one but thats all I have heard.
I have a growatt SPF 6000T DVM-MPV since 2 years working perfectly.
Joe! So good to see you back! Great video as ever :)
Thanks!!! I thought it was so so🙄 lol🤣💥
Does your inverter charge up the capacitors with the breakers off?
Yes, the circuit breakers are on the AC input and output!🤘
Thank for the video I bought one of that inverter Groovat12kw' one question Ware I can get to buy one Batrium I will like have one when start my inverter, Thank for all again ,
Nice!!! Its an awesome inverter. I purchased my batrium from there website batrium.com!
3.30.21 Great video Joe. Looks easy when you hook up things. I am working towards this kind of a set up. Thanks again.
Thanks Man! Yeah seems to handle the things I tried. Real test will be with the new batteries!! What all you working on meow?
@@AveRage_Joe 4.9.21 What I want to do is use my solar panels hooked up to the growatt (of some kind) hooked up to my electronic panel and be used like a grid tie inverter. Currently I have a 1000 watt grid tie invertor plugged into a 120v outside plug. I would like to add batteries in the future.
Growatt does have quite a few grid-tie inverters to choose from. I have not tried any of them.
Just a comment that in America we got 240V monophase on 2 lines. We do not have 2 phase that's impossible. Industrial has 3phases and in our house we only have 1 phase ,whit +120v and a seconde line -120v. These 2 lines has 240V of difference of potential between them. Great video!
Yes you are 100% correct!🤘
@@AveRage_Joe Silly question - Are you able to run 240 volt (i.e., well pump or mini split). Everything in me thinks you should, but there is still that little voice telling me no. It’s not easy being me
No silly questions! Yeah you can run anything 240v and also run the 120v stuff at the same time!🤘
Hey Joe my Growat 12k is putting out 120v on the Leg 1 output and 240v on the Leg 2 output. I am also confused as to weather the middle wire, the N , gets a wire to the sub panel or not. The diagram in the manual shows it not being used. I am off grid so my shore power will actually be a 9000w propane generator with a 100amp Chargeverter and those are not connected yet.
is this inverter could work without battery and grid? just directly from pv power to power some resistive load or minimum house load.
You do need a battery as far as I know! I guess you could add a small cheap battery and then use the solar as main.
Is there a mode that will input AC and solar power, export power from both AC and battery power, and use the battery power first? Basically I want to use as much solar power as possible when it is available.
Alternatively with no battery. Is it possible to import AC and solar power and export AC and solar power with solar being priority and whatever solar can't provide AC does?
Yeah there are a few diff settings to choose from. I use SBU mode( solar battery utility) I use solar to power the house and if there isnt enough solar then it will use battery. If battery voltage goes down to 46v(settable) then it will switch back to utility until the battery reachs 54v(settable) and power the house with solar or battery.
This inverter needs a battery but can do what you are asking.🤘
Hy Joe, thank you for the new video
No Thank You!!!💥🤘
i just looked into the growatt and they do a snmp box for the growatt so it can send signals to nas servers like my synology and pc with software to understand the snmp message
Oh nice! Was not even aware they had such a device!🤘
@@AveRage_Joe no did i. i was looking to see if it had snmp settings with it been able to be on a network and it come up in a google search
@@1981dasimpson - does the SNMP functionality offer the ability to be SNMP Polled, for component state of health and performance of all the components?
@@DavidHalko I dont think so it is just a shut down command system for the unit to work as a ups
@@1981dasimpson - that is really too bad. A real snmp mib is like totally awesome, carrying all kinds of neat information about the UPS!
I'm thinking of putting this outside of my bedroom wall (basically the only place I have room for it). But I'm concerned about noise. The videos make this sound like a jet engine: would it bother me or my neighbors if we had our windows open? Is there anything that can be done about it?
I think my AC is louder then the inverter and thats outside our bedroom. I dont think Id worry about it.
Great job, you covered it in depth, looks like a good system.
Can't wait to see it PowerWalled and looking forward to the next battery video..
Just so ya know, Patreon does notifications when you update.
🤔💭💣💥
Very nice 👌 now more batteries more Capacity more power ⚡⚡🔥😼🙀
Thanks!! Another thing I did do but removed from video was going through all the menu items. Thats good to hear that Patreon gives correct and updated notifications!💥🤘
Thanks Mate!!! You know it! Moar batteries moar Power!😆🤘
The system would perform even better a set of at least 1000 farad, graphene capacitors on the DC supply side, paralleled with the battery input into the inverter. The capacitors would take up the slack to keep the batteries from being hit full force with the surge current from inductive load start-ups from the house air conditioning units, saws, etc.
Hi Joe. Did you get the Batrium to work with the Growatt inverter through the CAN port? If yes, what protocol did you use?
Hey Joe thanks for the video, do you have any updates on how this inverter is running a year later? Thanks
Thanks for watching! I dont but want to do an update video! Jfyi I still love it and its working great!🤘
So, will this thing use the grid for a backup to supply loads over what the inverter or solar might not be able to produce?
Yeah you can set it up like that. I have it set to use grid as a backup if battery and solar are dead or cant keep up, it switches over to grid!🤘
@@AveRage_Joe Very nice! Do you know if it can be limited to not feed the grid?
It does not feed grid.
@@AveRage_Joe Oh hell, I missed that then. Awesome unit there... Been torn between this or a couple 5000ES...
I prefer only low frequency inverters. Very nice device.
Thanks Mate! Im loving this inverter so far!!!🤘
Joe, thank you for the video, I was wondering what size breaker was it that you wired the ac input to and does this same connection work to power the panel when the grid goes down? Thank you
About this inverter, I see this one nearly perfectly fit my needs. Can you advice if this inverter can withstand returning power from my existing on grid tie inverter? Would be very costly to me reconfigure all again in home, My idea is to use 12Kw as kind of UPS, THEN MY 7KW inverter will sense power and start produce power, this at least would work without battery in day time. Latter on I like purchase battery bank, if possible same as you show on other video. Unfortunately to me this inverter can't be shipped to Mexico, I need to look for similar in aliexpress. Great video, very instructive.
I cant say 100% or not but honestly dont see why it couldnt. You would run the 12kw as your "normal" offgrid power and the gridtie would sync to it and lower the load. Only issue I could see is you would probly want to make sure you dont send to much back to the 12kw. Just a reminder tho this inverter is an off grid inverter and needs a battery to work and it cant send power back to the grid. Yeah you can find these inverters on alibaba!
@@AveRage_Joe Many thanks for your replay. I agree with sinc. and lowering power output I watched it time ago on another channel, when on grid installation been prepared to off grid with 1500w off grid inverter. So I may be ok, need to test. I think in Mexico in few years forward we will experience power shortages, due to bad infrastructure grow politic here. 12Kw with peak 36kw is model which I'm looking for. Fit my power need. Highest load like car charger and A/C power supply will be on transfer switch, on grid and manually switched to inverter if need.
There you go. Thats what I would do as well.
Hi @@robertmariuszpozniak6482 - “Can you advice if this inverter can withstand returning power from my existing on grid tie inverter?”
This is a good question. It is the same situation that I am running into.
Genetry Solar makes a low frequency inverter that will do EXACTLY this!
This is very tricky, because the inverter must measure the input and output power, take the excess output power (from the grid tie) and sink it to the batteries. (If it can not sink the current to the batteries, it will blow the MOSFET’s.)
The low frequency Genetry Solar inverters will also try to frequency shift the grid tie inverters, to shut them off, if the power is still to high.
Finally, the Genetry Solar inverter will just shut down, if it can not charge the batteries with the extra Grid Tie power or throttle the grid tie inverter, to keep from blowing the MOSFETs.
If this is a problem, you just buy more batteries, to sink the power from your grid tie inverters to, on the Genetry Solar Inverters!
I would be VERY cautious about buying any inverter, where you have grid ties on the output, unless YOU KNOW the inverter manufacturer will support this configuration.
I just received my Grid Tie inverter and screwed it to the wall… doing the rest, now!
Have a great day!
I own one of these growatt inverter. I am on my 3rd one over the last 4 months. First one dead on first 24 hrs. 2nd one had fan lock codes by week 4. Growatt sent a firmware bin file update and it kills the display. And my 3rd one had same fan lock code by week 4. Growatt sent same firmware bin file fix. I am back to display unreadable and hard to control the inverter settings with a unreadable display.
WHAAAAA!!!!! For real????
Do you happen to know the firmware number? If I get that issue I for sure dont want to flash with the same!!!
I am for real. The file folder name growatt sent me 20210220A ISP12K 01 FAULT. The Bin File name in that folder. TMS320F28035_GW511.02_20210220(01 fault).
The only way I can control these inverter now is using pv keeper software on pc or the shine phone app on my phone. I have never uploaded a youtube video before or I would show what the display looks like when wrong bin file is flash making the display unreadable.
Thanks for letting me know the issue and that number!!! You could send a pic to my email if wanted its averagejoestuff@gmail video may be to big for email. Id be interested to see!
Excellent vid and info for the DYIer. Am I correct to say there are NO CT's to measure UR current usage? Comparing to Sol-Ark 12K, what is the PV to BAT to AC Losses? SOL-Ark is 7%. Can U config it to only charge battery from Solar? Looking forward to next vid.
Thanks Man! Id have to figure out how to do all the losses lol. I hear the sol-ark inverters a GREAT. Have heard they have issues starting big inductance loads(dont have one so can confirm that) but overall great efficient inverters. Yes you can choose to recharge with solar only on this inverter.
Can the growatt allow grid AC pass-through in "power saver" mode? Have you tested this mode much?
Yeah Im pretty sure it does and when a load comes on it will "power on" and power the load. I always have mine in "on" mode but have switched it to powersaver mode and it keeps running.
In your opinion would it be advisable to get to 6000 W inverter’s or a one 12,000 W inverter’s for a split phase
I almost went with the 6kw but didnt want to have any issues starting or using pretty much anything at anytime lol. It really depends on your use. I think one could get buy on a 6kw for sure.
“two 6000 W inverter or one 12,000 W inverter for a split phase”?
I heard this discussion before.
One some low frequency inverters, like the Genetry inverters, they can typically be configured to do 6000 watts per split, handling surges of over 12k watts per split, completely supporting a 12k load with super high peaks.
The disadvantage of configurations using two inverters is the high parasitic draw from the idle time of both inverters. This disadvantage drives people to a single inverter.
A single 12k inverter, like this GroWatt is typically heavier than two 6k inverters. The unwieldy nature of the larger inverters is a turn-off for some people, so they would prefer equipment that they can handle by themselves.
I purposefully chose physically smaller solar panels, for this very reason. I try to get the best $/watt in the smallest form factor per panel. Similar for inverters & batteries.
I think this is the inverter I am looking for. I want one to run my 10KW electric furnace. How big of a battery bank would you recommend for this unit?
Hello, like the videos... question. What would you use for a small 7 to 10 rack datacenter? Would this work or bigger unit and big battery?
Thanks mate! What are your plans for the rack? As in off grid or as a ups(for powerloss). What is the racks total wattage while running?
@@AveRage_Joe Hello, this would be power loss, and connected to grid, no solar to start at least. not sure of total power, but I'd say under 30 Amps
Looks to be around 10k Watts, but that will go up, so I'd rather go over kill and not have to add or replace stuff down the road.
Ok. Well 30amps on 120vac is no problem on inverter or battery. This battery would give you over an hour runtime. If you need 10kw of power then you would want A LOT more battery as in more in parallel. How long of runtime do you need/want?
@@AveRage_Joe 1/2 hour would be ok. I'm looking to replace the 3k UPS's at each rack. the cost per rack for UPS's is about $2500. If this will work to to place them I'd save a good amount. On that note, can you use more than one going into the same electrical panel?
Hello Joe, I have the exact same inverter. I am going off grid and have a newer home that is on the grid at the moment. I've read that the inverter AC output L1 L2 and Neutral.. the Neutral is not connected? I've installed a new Siemens circuit panel, attached L1 and L2 from the inverter ac output and attached the house Ground line to the Ground Buss inside the panel but still wondering about the Neutral coming out of the inverter.. connect or not connect? Powering up and measuring at the inverter the output is fine .. 120v on each L1 and L2 to Neutral and 240v across L1 L2. But still wondering about that dang N! Have you connected the N?
Please let me know sir, if you would.
Thanks
✌PT
Yeah I have my neutral connected. It bonds to ground in main panel!
@@AveRage_Joe thanks AJ..
✌️PT
You bet!
Thanks for the breakdown of off grid vs grid tie. This is the first time I've heard that explained. I had to figure that out by reading the install documents on a few MPP and Growatt inverters.
Do you happen to know if Growatt makes a grid tie version of this inverter?
Thanks Mate! I wasnt aware at one time either! I know they have many grid-tie inverters but not sure if there is in this particular model.
@@AveRage_Joe possible dumb question. Is there a reason wifi is used instead of ethernet? I don't think I saw a ethernet port on the bottom of the device. It's possible I've missed it skimming over the serial and can RJ45 ports.
Not dumb question. You can connect directly and use the software that comes with the inverter. They also supplied a usb cable for that.
Great video Joe, because of your video I went and buy 6000 watts version but sometimes it reboot by itself and when my battery is too low the inverter shut off but when it comes back on I have to change the setting to 60hz. It does not stay on 60hz after rebooting
Interesting! I would check for a firmware upgrade!
4.9.21 Question: Joe do you know what the letters mean in the name? SPF T DVM LVM TL ?
I think SPF is split phase but the others......not sure🤷♂️
Joe, I have the 6k version, for the life of me I can't get the software to change from 100 percent battery SOC? any clue? Also are you using the battery equalization setting for your batteries??.. thanks bro
I have a question. Will this inverter handle a 220 volt well pump ? Pump is 220 volt at 12 amps? I’m looking for new inverter that can run my house and well pump at the same time. The total amp load on the house is 25 amps.
Should handle that without a issue at all!🤘
@@AveRage_Joe thanks Joe
You betcha!
the thing id like to know you said it can act like a ups does this mean it will also give a signal to a computer/server to shut down when the battery's get low
Yeah you can set alerts in the online deal. I was able to change settings and all that from a different pc after I did the video btw😆
@@AveRage_Joe thats freaking awesome i have not scene any one try and see if it will work as a computer ups that just simplified things alot i wont have to have an inverter to a ups for computers or run the ups as an inverter i can just have a hole in one unit
Yes Sir! You can run the entire house on UPS mode! DONE!💥🤘 Jfyi if you didnt need 12kw they have smaller ones as well.
One of my next videos will be about that option!💪🤘
@@AveRage_Joe always better to oversize not working them to hard then and you always have excess i just love how they have added the option to shut pc hardware down like a pc ups would i use an apc with network card to controll my server pc and conversion machine
is this considered a "hybrid" unit? like a Sol-Ark unit?
I guess similar but the sol-ark has AC coupling and this one does not.
Does it shut off or auto transfer to electric input when overloaded?
You can choose that option to do either.
Thank you my friend .. What is the MOSFET used in this device
Oh ahhh, I am not sure🤷♂️
@@AveRage_Joe
Thank you, my friend. I want to know that, because I am designing a device. I want to put the same MOSFET
any update for today about the inverter is still kicking?
Still kicking and doing GREAT!!!! I want to do a follow up vid when I get time!!!
Would the inverter works if you don't want to connect to the Growatt Cloud? TIA
Yeah it will work without connecting to cloud!🤘
Still up and running? How well does it handle your central AC, water heater and other 240 loads?
Thanks so much for this great overview video. I've been looking around for a controller that does everything that you demonstrated to replace my MPPT LV2424 which can't do much without major modification to my house sub-panel.
This one is an Awesome inverter and I am still Loving it!!
after 3 years is it still a good inverter? no issues since?
Great video. Can the inverter trigger an auto start to a generator thinking the generator is the grid?
Yeah its has genny contacts on it and you can hook up genny to the input as grid!
@@AveRage_Joe ok thank Joe. Keep up the good work. Question.
In 12 years time Gods willing I’m hoping to build our retirement home in the Caribbean, but it will be large 3 bed with three additional studio apartments and a swimming pool, with sauna and gym. Assuming I use LED lights everywhere and both 240v and 110v appliances. I’m wondering if I can be completely off grid with 20kva generator that as auto start for back up (that can be my grid) and have a 50kwh battery built from Eve cells. Maybe use dc solar pool pump to circulate but would need more power for the WELL PUMP and jacuzzi pumps. Am
I’m being realistic as the array would need to be massive to stack 3 or 4 Growatt sfp 5000es in parallel. Is this a realistic way to live given I could possibly need to run upto 5 inverter type air conditioning wall units with external compressor at the same time. Hope I’m making sense?
For you, what is the best hybrid investor at the moment? Good morning.
Enjoyable video.
Does the inverter have a mode that allows the inverter to use pv and battery and grid-utility power simultaneously? Allowing the grid to only supply the excess power needed for loads that is above the inverters max output?
Thanks Man! Technically the inverter will do all that! It will power from solar first, if not enough then also uses battery. If battery is dead or low it will use grid! Max load above the 12kw is 36kw but for short time. Hope I can test that here soon!!!
@@AveRage_Joe so I guess there really wouldn’t be any time that you have more loads than the max capacity of the inverter with such a high capacity. I was wondering if it would shut the inverter off like a standard offgrid inverter, or if it would continue to put out its max but still allow the grid to supply the remaining power needed to fully supply all the homes load
If it could do this then a smaller inverter that covers the majority of continuous loads could be used. Then the system could be cheaper with a smaller battery that wouldn’t have to supply power for surges and occasional high loads. Easier on batteries etc. this would only be beneficial if there was a grid connection to the home
Is this a high frequency or low frequency inverter. Does it handle surges?
It is a low freq inverter and can handle surge to 36kw!😁💪
@@AveRage_Joe that's an amazing inverter I'm off grid so I dont need the grid tied features
Yeah you dont need to connect to grid if not using as a ups or anything like that.
Thanks for making videos on this inverter I've been thinking about getting one. I have a MPP solar LV 5048 off grid set up with the Nissan Leaf Gen 2 batteries I didn't really know what I was doing but I copied the settings from a UA-camr and got it working learning as I go. I saw something about the recommended minimum battery capacity being 24 kwh I only have about 8 kwh and the Nissan Leaf G2 batteries are hard to come by right now so I don't know if it's a good idea to get rid of my system and start over or wait till batteries become available and just change the inverter. Either way I look forward to your next video on this inverter.
You are welcome! I almost went with a LV 5048 but seen they couldnt start a saw unless you had 2 units. The manual for this 12kw inverter recommends a 400ah battery but its just a suggestion. My current system is only a little over 200ah and everything is just fine. Like I mentioned in video my draw back was the wires I used during the build. You can use whatever size battery you want but it would be best to make sure its capable of delivering over 250amps if you want to use the full 12kw from the inverter. I can supply my entire house off my battery EXCEPT my dryer, stove and AC at this current time and thats only because of my poor planning in the 2 10awg wires on the battery packs. Next battery pack will be a huge upgrade. So for you, Id either wait or add similar chemistry batteries to raise the AH so you dont need to redo system. I however am pretty much redoing my system lol
can you do a video 12kw run a central air 230v off grid ?
Will be in the future for sure!!! Waiting on a few parts for the new battery setup!
I was getting a Sol-Ark 12 only to learn its really a 9000watt (4500 per leg) inverter and wont run my house in a blackout situation. Did you ever max out the growatt 12k? I need to run 4ton AC and refrigerators and well pump and thinking I can get 2 of these for less than 1 sol-ark 12k, Why soo cheap and why only 2year warranty?
Yeah the solark is expensive for 9kw but has features many might like. I love the 12kw I have. I havent maxed it out yet, dont have my other cells put together yet. To busy from work. This inverter will run all of that. Only thing it cant do is parallel inverters together like the solark.
A single low frequency inverter like a GroWatt has a high peak power capability.
The SolArk does not have peak power that the low frequency inverters offer.
If you need multiple inverters, look at a Genetry Solar, they have run multiple inverters, for years, are preparing to release their 12k low frequency inverter. They can be configured to handle a full 240v split phase load or configure 2 inverters to handle each of the split phases.
Can this run on solar and battery, then, if battery is low at night, then it does AC pass through? In other words, only use AC passthrough as last resort.
Yes! And that is exactly how I use it!
@@AveRage_Joe thanks!
Does it have a Dump load? Like the sol ark? A circuit where if the batteries are full and there’s excess solar, it sends the power to something like a hot water heater or electric car charger?
It does not have a dump load for other circuits!
Great video! One question, I have this inverter and have it set for the utility to charge my batteries if the solar fails and the battery voltage gets below 46v. Could you share your settings, specifically programs 01, 05, 12, and 13? In my tests, the utility power never kicks in.
Awesome! Yeah my settings are as follows.
1-sbu
5-use
12-46v
13-54v
Soon you will be supplying your whole neighbourhood with power 😂. Good video!
😆 LOL SHHHHH
Hey Mr Joe Sir ... One More Question about this Growatt 12kw. What is the idle power consumption in normal mode (not power saver)? Is it reasonable? Can you deal with the amount of power it consumes just being on?
Off the top of my head I think it was 150w idle no load. Thats in a vid I did. I honestly dont care about idle load. I was using a 2700w server ups for an inverter before this lol and it was almost the same! Yes I can deal!😆🤘
What's the maximum number of 200AH batteries you can connect to this inverter?
You can connect any size of battery you like. 100ah or 1000ah doesnt matter!🤘
@@AveRage_Joe I wished to know the maximum number of 200AH batteries it can take. Can it connect 40, 50 or 100 as the maximum number?
There is no maximum number of AH as it is just capacity!🤘
What is the purpose of the "Growatt Cloud"? You said you 'had' to log in to it, for what purpose? If you don't log in to it, can you still use the system as advertised? If yes, how can you use this off-grid? Signed Confused... 🙃
Yeah the online deal is to view stats and change settings remotely. You can 100% use without any of that. Just use like any Ol inverter!🤘
Hi Joe, I have the same inverter that you have? How did you do the sub panel for bypass? Do you have. Diagram for it? I’m setting up the same setup like yours. Thanks
Inverter with built in charge controller is good idea. Less wiring less heat related problems. I am upgrading my battery and inverter, from 400w to 1 Kw to match the panels.
100%
Joe, can this inverter accept input from 240 volt micro inverters??
Hmmmmm.....thats a great question. I guess I dont see why it couldnt but I dont have any so cant say 100%
Accepting microinverter input is very tricky.
Usually, this would be placed on the output of the inverter, but this could blow the MOSFETs if the power produced by the microinverters was higher than the power draw in your house and the power on the output lines was greater than the power coming in on your input lines. (This is not designed to be a grid tie inverter, that extra power must be sent somewhere, otherwise it can blow up the unit.)
I know the Genetry Solar inverters will do what you want, and it has the ability to throttle down the microinverters in case they are producing more than you are consuming.
If you are selling back to the electrical company, then the microinverters need to be on your input lines (before the whole house inverter); and you will need advice from both vendors as to what the voltage needs to be set to. (I bet GrowWatt would be ok with this, but you need to check, since the microinverter voltage and electrical company voltage may determine voltage settings on the whole house inverter.)
If you mean direct input from micro inverters e.g to charge the batteries without Grid -- NO
And as David H pointed out on the inverter output side it is a definite NO since these are not AC coupled inverters that provide a frequency shift to to tell the micro inverter(s) to slow down or stop if there is insufficient load.
good day and pls can u show how to get the 240v , i live in a country where the power voltage is 240 and so i would like to know how to connect both 120v on this inverter to the 240v , thanks and i was hoping u would show that with the induction cooker , but too bad it did not work , so hope u can show how that is set up .
Hello I have a deep water well pump is 3hp I can run it with 4K harbor freight generator how ever the pump is 220v Will this work any chance this works with no battery just with solar array. Sorry for so many question I’m in desperate need of help as I have failed in my other attempts
Yeah this would run it. It can output 220 or 240v BUT you would need to connect A battery. You could throw a couple cheapo lead acid batteries with your solar and pretty much ise the solar to run everything. It just need a battery tho.
After almost a year after this video was done, have you found the web portal is actually beneficial? Does it only have a 5 min refresh rate or can it show you realtime stats like Victron's VRM?
Yeah I check in on the inverter pretty much daily lol. I check with my phone tho since its super easy. Yeah the refresh rate is 5min. Not like victrons which would be nice.
I have a 12 kW Growatt inverter and a 300Amp 16 S Daly BMS attached to charge and discharge a 460 Amps LiFePo4 battery pack. The BMS does not communicate with with the inverter and the inverter shuts down every time I have over 30 A consumer, displaying Fault code #4 “Battery voltage too low”…
How should I program the inverter to recognize the batteries?
Is your bms capable of comunicating to the invertet? What kind of battery amd bms are you using? Id recheck all your battery and bms connections and make sure they are not loose. Also check the settings in the bms if it allows.
@@AveRage_Joe Joe, you’re a good man! I watched a lot of your videos and I bought my inverter at your suggestion (I bought the 250 volts not the 150) actually I installed a safety switch rated for 300 Amps, I will remove it, I think it’s fake!
How many panels you have and how can you tell how much they produce ?
I bought a pallet of 29 panels 405 watts from signature solar, but I’m only getting 40 amps!
Thanks! Appreciate that! Yeah I was actually sent the 250v version but didnt realize it till later lol. I have about 5kw of solar. Im running 6 panels in series for roughly 200v. I have 4 strings of 6 panels. 2 strings to each solar input. Winter time I dont see anything near that tho. For you only getting 40a... Id check angle to sun, check settings in inverter. Also if your batteries are near full charge then you wont see full amp. How do you have your panels setup?
Hi AveRage Joe, just learning about off-grid, DIY's- those awesome cabinets you have for your stuff, where did you purchase them?
Thanks, Mouse
Its Awesome stuff to learn!!! I got the server racks from a e-waste recycler not to far from my house actually!
Oh thank you for the info. I'm watching your stuff on this inverter. Thank you for your clear-cut informative videos. I would love to truly understand this grid pass-through thing that you referred to a couple times. Be Blessed, Mouse
As always, Joe knocks it out of the park.... I feel so lame for not doing my video on my units yet, I looked at my invoice and its been almost 10 months...Shame on me, Make sure you support your UA-camrs and use Joes Code's to save and get a BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM Shirt!
You better get on it man!!! What all you got left to do?
@@AveRage_Joe alot, working on the building to put everything in
Awesome! Cant wait to see whatcha got cookin!🤘
Weird question but if I were to mount it on a wall would I hear aggressive vibration or fan sounds coming from the other side of the wall
Nice vid Joe! Do I understand it right it is no a hybrid because it cannot push back to the grid?
Thanks Mate! Yes you are correct, not a hybrid and cannot push back into the grid!⚡⚡
@@AveRage_Joe but other than not selling back to the grid - it acts like a hybrid unit, correct?
I just want to power my house with PV and/or grid - and also will be able to have full access to my PV if the grid is down.
It seems that this unit will accomplish that, correct?
Yes it acts like a hybrid but does not send power to the grid. You can power your house with solar, battery and grid. Can use it like a ups as well. Its a pretty awesome unit!
Is there anyway to select an option so it DOES NOT charge my batteries?
Yeah dont add solar or AC input from grid!💪
How did you grounded your 12K inverter AC/DC sides ?
AC ground goes back to the main house panel ground. I actually dont have the battery grounded.😅
@@AveRage_Joe Thanks
Hi Joe I hope your well have you tried using a soft starter in line with the saw or compressor it may suppress the inrush current? I saw the Batrium wobble. Stay safe.
I havent tried a soft start. May get one for AC in the future. The cells I am using are recycled 18650's so they will dip for sure. My new cells should help in that department once connected!😆🤘
@@AveRage_Joe Hi Joe please make a video of the Soft Start Soft Stop for your Air Con.
@@AveRage_Joe Your new cells will definitely be more rugged Joe. Please can you do a video using a soft starter with your AC when you have time. Stay Safe.
Looks good brother. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.
Thanks Man and thanks for watching!🤘
Truly appreciating your video on the way from Down Under, This’s Australia 😆
Thanks Mate and thanks for watching!!💥🤘
A great video - thank you sir! Some comments. 1) cloud requirements for software - I avoid these as you know they will share/use your personal data. 2) I have a MPP Solar Off-grid and noticed that when I have grid + PV, the 'max amps to the battery' setting is ignored unless I use a specific combo of Utility->Solar / Solar->Utility priorities - and would be interested what you find out about the Growatt. I have to say that my Midnite Classic (80a) = $700 + AIMS inverter 12,000w = $3500 + UPSs $1000 = $5200 compared to all-in-one Growatt for
Thanks Man! Yeah not a fan of the cloud service thing at all!! There is an option to connect directly to a pc and use the supplied software which is similar to the mpp software. May give it a try. I was also able to change settings in the cloud after video of course lol. I tried from a different pc and it worked great! I do have all the settings to control PV+Utility ect but will have to try a few combinations to see how it reacts or if it does similar to yours. So I actually only paid $2000 for this inverter shipped to my door!!