Sol-Ark 15k Review after 12 months with EG4 lithium batteries
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- In this video I give a 12 month review of the Sol-Ark 15k all in one hybrid inverter paired with the EG4-LL 48 volt lithium server rack batteries. The Sol-Ark 15k has performed flawlessly during the last year of usage. The EG4-LL lithium 48v batteries have also performed flawlessly. I highly recommend this system for a successful off grid or grid tied system.
To download my free solar system diagram pdf click here:
solarpdfdownload.com
Here's an affiliate link to where you can purchase the Sol-Ark 15k
tinyurl.com/2hb5eyzy
Here’s an affiliate link to where you can purchase my exact EG4 Lithium battery bank. Use the discount code UNPLUGGEDTEXAN50 to get $50 off
tinyurl.com/re6w8fjv
Check the price of these batteries here as well. I don’t have a discount code, but it’s worth checking the price anyway:
tinyurl.com/5a7mx2c7
#offgrid #offgridsolar
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Excellent video. My system went live Feb 8th with two 15K EMP's, 42 KWH of Endur Energy batteries, 60-390w Mission Solar panels and since Feb 8th averages 85KWH a day production and sent back 1338 KWH to grid so far, which means producing more than consuming !
Why anybody sends power back to the criminals at the utilities I'll never know. I'd rather keep buying batteries, up to 132 kWh so far
We are running the same equipment, but twice the size because we are completely off-grid. It’s been running great.
Great minds think alike 😉
Thank you very much for your expereince and information of what you've learned and used.
Awesome, thank you for sharing.
Looking forward to 18kpv comparison
I was delighted to run across your channel. My system is nearly identical to yours; same 15k inverter, same EG4 battery rack, and probably the same disconnect. The only difference is that I have 18.9kW of solar panels.
I'm fortunate, however, to sell back to the grid at retail rates due to current Minnesota laws. My first paycheck was $120 in February. So far, I am only using the batteries for grid backup. That will change when they start charging extra for peak demand hours.
I'm looking at helping my family update a cabin up north in mn, have you heard much about that last point (charging for peak demand)?
Also I'd love to get info on who you went with and when, since i'm trying to ensure the new place is as well set up as possible.
@@justinpaquette3085 I think that all depends on your power company. I know in Rochester they have an optional TOU plan you can use, otherwise you just have a flat rate. I don't currently know of anything being mandated, but I wouldn't be surprised if things trend that way.
Don't worry the utilities will move the goal post on you. They did that to us in CA last year.
@@justinpaquette3085 look up SolarPod. I am using them for a residential system, but they make DIY ready systems and are MN business. They provide a no roof penetration rack. They are also a Sol-ark distributor and could ship you everything you need.
Yeah I want one, even if just to take advantage of time of use pricing.
Thank you, if energy is not needed it is not used. A+++
This is great man !
nice offgrid! very cool generator can output somewhere. Have you considered any thermal storage dumps for excess? Massive ground sand pit with glycol coils? Driveway melting from solar :D
You need more battery like you have planned.
Two SolArk12k’s, 32kWp, 168kWh DIY LFP. 18MWH consumed last year. Ran wood burner 2 weeks and 10kW lp Gen 6 hrs to help out.
That’s a nice system 👏👏
We have two batteries at 15 kW each for a total of 30 kilowatts. That is 32 Grade A EVE LF280K cells and two JK-BMS's with 2 amp active balancing. I just ordered 32 more and two more BMS. Our total battery cost is $7,500 for 60 kW and are rated for 8,000 cycles. We are 100% off-grid with 14.6 kilowatts of Bi-Facial solar and 12 kW with a EG4 18K PV. We use a Diesel generator running on filtered waste veggie-oil and a EG4 Chargeverter for cloudy days instead of the grid.
I have built two 15k battery's for about $2500 each with the JK bms, bought from the 18650 battery store. Think the bill was just over $2100 for the Cells and Bms. Adds up with the Bulk fitting, Fuse, breaker, wood and fire board.
That is a great price, I have looked at their store in the past. It pays to shop around for sure. Do you like your JK-BMS?
I've been using pretty much the same system for the last 5 months and also did it with the intention of being off grid as much as possible. I'm glad that you put up the power flow video, because I noticed that it shows the grid feeding 14w, which mine does as well. So it's obviously the system and not a fault. However, I'm finding that if my loads are heavy, then the Sol-Ark calls for a little bit of help, with the initial surge, depending on the solar power being generated. Does your system do the same?
I'm not too worried, because I'm guessing that it helps to stop putting the batteries under severe strain. My monthly grid bill runs about $10, so not a problem!
I also get frustrated when the system is clipping the power when my batteries (20.8kw) are 100%. I'm producing and using over a Mw a month, but I could probably generate another 3 or 400kw if I had somewhere to send it!
Great video. Thanks for your efforts.
NICE... We Installed 3) 15kw Sol-Arks w/4) x6 Racks Of EG4 Batts = Approx 124kw... 2) Run At 120v @ L1 + L2 For House, Pool, Well Pump, Tesla 50amp Car Charger, Etc, 1) Runs At 220v For 3- 60'X 30' Shops-Garages, Green Houses, Etc... All Run w/Grid As Backup-Batteries Charger Only, System's Been Up & Runnin 9+ Months w/No Problems Yet? Also Have 12kw White Westinghouse 12kw Dual Fuel Gen On Dedicated 250gal Propane Tank Which Hasn't Come On Yet As A 3rd Backup Power To Charge Batts... All Runs Off Only 7kw Solar Panels, To Which We Will Probably Add Another 5kw? And Or A 10kw Wind Turbine Being Winds Are Good-Strong-Constant Up North of Decatur TX On 20 Acre Ranch? PS We Got About $85k In Total System Costs So Far... Thanks 👍👍😜🤣😁😎
Wow, that’s amazing. I feel unworthy to be in your presence. 👏👏👏
@@unpluggedtexan LMFAO Get Up Off Your Knee & You Don't Have To Kiss My Pinky Ring Either... 😜😜🤣🤣😁😎
I've noticed that there is usually more power in my EG4-LL batteries than they indicate. They might say 80% (with 4 batteries), but putting in 2Kwh from the panels (2Kwh being 10% on 20Kwh of batteries) will charge them up to full instead of 90%.
Are you considering losses? They’re not 100 percent efficient.
@@pirahna432 Yes, but if the battery is 80%, with loss on the charging side, you would expect to generate more than 20% of the remaining capacity, not less. The only explanation is that the batteries report a lower state of charge than is accurate.
How? Sell Back to Home? I take it is still running in grid tie. Mine is set up to keep a 100 watts coming off grid at all time's. Any surges in motor starts, the grid take the brunt of load. No light flicker either.
If you were buying a NEW Sol-Ark 15K today, would you get their EMP version, or would you utilize the discrete EMP shielding devices in your 18KPV configuration? Thanks!
If money wasn't an option I would just buy the EMP hardened version. If you have the extra funds in your budget then buy the EMP hardened version. The only way to tell if either really work is if we have an EMP blast (which we all pray never happens). So I think either option is fine, go with what you feel more comfortable with.
I want to do as you have. But, I don't want a Contract with the utility. As long as I don't put anything into the grid I think I can and just use the grid for emergency power.
Yep that’s exactly what I do.
See I was going to do this exact set up but I changed it to a critical loads panel with transfer switch to main panel if needed. If im not home and loads are over 12kw it will just keep tripping. That sounded bad to me.
If you have a grid connection like I do as your backup power then if you go over 12k watts the grid will automatically handle the excess without tripping it.
@@unpluggedtexan lets say you are over 12 kw and you are away, grocery store or where ever and the power goes out. Your system would keep tripping off over and over.
Hi, fairly new to the channel so you may have covered this already. In the screen shot I saw the grid was supplying power even though your PVs could support the house load. Have you programmed the SolArk to always draw a minimum load?
Occasionally it shows a little bit of power from the grid just to maintain a communication. Typically it’s a total of about 0.3 kwh’s per day from the grid. That’s about 4 cents of electricity per day. So it’s not really using grid power, just pinging occasionally to maintain a backup connection.
I see mine sending the same 14w back at the same time as it's drawing it, so it's obviously just 2 way communication as you say.
Have you noticed any discrepancies in Max full state of charge voltage when charging from solar versus grid? I have 2xSol-Ark 15k's and 70 kwh of LFP batteries. When I charge from grid it will take my 48V battery up to 55.2V and then stop charging. When I charge from solar, it will stop charging the batteries at 54.5V.
I have not noticed any discrepancy on my system. I’m wondering if that’s a bug that happened with the new app rollout. Seems the bugs they are having doesn’t affect everyone evenly. Reach out to Sol-Ark to have them look into it.
@@unpluggedtexan Thank you for the response - This has been going on ever since I installed my system. Took me a while to notice it. I am pulling the information directly from the BMS's on the 48V batteries using Solar Assistant. I have thought about calling Sol-Ark, just haven't gotten around to it.
Last questions, can you put back that extra to the grid? I figure use that net metering money to save for more batteries.
And I’m looking to add solar later, one thing at a time. Will the Sol Ark charge the batteries from grid until I get solar so it can still function as a UPS?. And for those hard times from storms maybe charge from the generator?
I may have to look at the Sol Ark as an option. I’ve been looking at the EG4 12KWpv as I was impressed with the peak inrush it can handle for my heat pump and electric water heater. Heat pump I could so a soft start, not sure if that’s an option for the water heater that pulls 1000W more that’s the heat pump on constant.
Yes you can do net metering with the Sol-Ark 15k. You can also add solar later and just run it on batteries as an UPS. Checkout the EG4 18k pv all in one inverter. The 200amp pass through is very important to me. The 12k can’t do that. But both the Sol-Ark 15k and EG4 18k pv have the 200amp grid pass through.
@@unpluggedtexan Thanks, yes the 200 amp passthrough is also a requirement for me. I installed the emporium vue to do a power audit on the house and a soft start will probably be needed on the heat pump, but everything is electric in my house with no options for gas unless I install a tank outback.
Just a heads up SolArk warranty will not cover inverter failure paired with EG4 batteries. I'm going through it right now.
Wow. I’m getting ready to order the 15k and eg4 wall mount indoor battery and sol-Ark’s warranty will be voided ?
I have not been told that. I just sent an email to my contact at Sol-Ark for clarification. If that’s the case then they’re about to lose a lot of business.
I’ve gone back and forth with Sol-Ark today. They’re saying they’ve seen a few instances of EG4 batteries in closed loop communication change other settings on the Sol-Ark inverter causing some issues. They’re saying that they recommend non closed loop communication with EG4 batteries which has no issues. They say their warranty covers manufacturing defects and that if any item connected to it is deemed to be the cause of the issue then it will not be covered by them under warranty. So they will cover an inverter failure using EG4 batteries if it’s deemed to not be associated with that. Sounds like they can claim that with any batteries though. They reiterated that EG4 batteries work great on their inverters in non closed loop. That’s the way I’ve used mine since installing my system and have no issues. But since EG4 claims to have closed loop communication with Sol-Ark yet Sol-Ark says they don’t recommend that and have seen issues is definitely confusing. Keep me in the loop on what Sol-Ark claims the EG4 batteries did to your inverter.
Great video. When I try to download the Sol-Ark schematic, it will not allow me as I previously downloaded the EG4 18KPV schematic. It says I'm already registered, which is true, but I'm not sure why I would be precluded from downloading this schematic.
QUESTION: If the Sol-Ark 15K FAILED (with this configuration) would you be able to bypass it and use grid power until the Sol-Ark 15K was replaced/repaired, without changing the physical wiring?
Use a different email address and it should work. In the event the Sol-Ark failed I could pull the hot legs into the gutter and splice them together bypassing the Sol-Ark altogether. But I’m pretty good with electric work. You could install a transfer switch to make it easier.
If you have more solar than 19500 watts going into the Sol-Ark 15k, does it void the warranty? I was thinking of adding additional panels. Thank you.
I wouldn’t do it. It will send the Sol-Ark 15k into an over voltage error. Even if you keep the volts below it’s max I still think it will error due to too many amps. If you want to add more solar than 19,500 watts you should connect another Sol-Ark 15k in parallel with it.
When you say you have to be careful not to exceed 12k watts…is that just to remain on grid or if you do exceed and are grid connected you trip the SolArk?
You only have to worry about not exceeding 12k watts when off grid. If you have the grid pass through connection then it will just go to grid for the additional power needed.
So is your 12000 watt limit based on solar ark, or the battery output and BMS?
Your setup is almost identical with appliances and what I am looking to do with the exception of using batteries that can do 200A constant out.
The 12,000 watt limit is due to the Sol-Ark 15k’s max output when on battery (no solar coming in). You’d have to parallel 2 Sol-Ark 15k’s together to get more output than that.
@@unpluggedtexan Thanks, I’ll also have to look at the 18K and see if it has the same limit. Although if I manage it correctly I might be good with the 12,000 watts. Thanks for your replies.
I'm curious why sell the 15k and install the 18k?
I don’t understand your question. I have the Sol-Ark 15 installed on my home. I also own the EG4 18k PV which I’m about to swap with the Sol-Ark 15k to run tests to see if the 18k PV performs as well as the Sol-Ark 15k.
What settings do you use that allow you to use grid to provide power when in a cloudy day?
You have to check the box “limited power to load” on the Sol-Ark 15k working mode settings. Then check the “battery first” box. Sol-Ark can walk you through it over the phone.
@@unpluggedtexan awesome, thanks!
Question regarding pass-through: When your house load exceeds the AC output of the inverter (supply from battery or solar or both), does the inverter passthrough the grid completely? Or does the inverter passthrough only the incremental power from grid? Example: If house load goes from 14kw to 18kw, will it passthrough all of the 18kw from grid? or just the additional 3kw from grid (18kw load - 15kw output rating) . Thank you
It will pass through only what is needed to supplement from the grid. It will still use solar and battery as much as it can.
Thanks, looks like the eg4 18kpv is different. It will passthrough load completely to grid in this situation.. so I've been told by signature solar
@@amritgrewal7388 I didn’t know that. That surprises me. I’m almost done installing an EG4 18k pv. I’ll find out once I begin testing it. I think Signature Solar may be wrong on that.
@unpluggedtexan yeah, I can't believe this would be a flaw, I asked a few others on the forum today and looks like the behaviour is similar to SA15, so S2 may just have misunderstood
Some users suggest it behaves what S2 said. If you can check it once you have it installed, that'd be great
Did you have to get permits from the electric company and county?? Thank You!!
I’m in a rural county that doesn’t require anything if the owner is doing the work themselves. I don’t sell back to the power company so I did not seek approval from them. That being said, I talked to a solar company that said in my area the power company would still want to make sure I have a disconnect switch to isolate myself from the grid. So there is one inspection required for how I’m doing it. Every municipality is different. If you’re in a rural area it will be much easier than if you’re in city limits (especially in large cities, they are the worst).
@@unpluggedtexan Thanks. We are rural in northern, Ca and operate a Job Shop CNC Machine shop. Our electric has jumped to $.51 kwh. ($3500.00 month). We are forced to make some changes. I can get by with 15kw if monitored by only running a few machines at a time. Your video really encouraged me about The Sol-Ark 15kw. I will be looking to purchase one. Thanks Again, Gregg
@@1gdfoster1 $0.51 per kWh is insane. Glad I could help.
Great video i was just about to take the leap Until you mentioned that you will be reviewing the eg4 18k unit Guess I can't expect that system to perform any Beter ? just less $ ? Please advise I've got the solar bug and if i don't stop analyzing the s out of these systems including transformer based Victron's , ill bail Scott
Everything I’ve seen on the EG4 18k pv inverter is it’s not quite as strong in regards to surge Amps when compared to the Sol-Ark 15k. And it’s not quite built as tough. Sol-Ark is more considered industrial grade while the EG4 18k pv is considered more residential grade. Still a great inverter though. I’ll find out in the next few weeks when I install it and put it to the test.
thank you think ill buy it does the screen break down draw of each leg ?@@unpluggedtexan
last question i see it draws 90 watts @ idle so that would be about 2.5kw per day if it actually was idle, yes? other thing , is that 90 watts negated when unit is providing or is it added to the losses of the inverter's operation? thanks Scott@@unpluggedtexan
just read eg4's 18kw 70 watt in use 18 watt standby hmmm
@@justanotherdillhole7824 yes. You have to toggle to a different screen. But the answer is yes.
You'll be sorry with the EG4 18k. It won't like your AC. I'm waiting until it gets warm here in Ca again. I installed at end of October and had major issues with AC. Would shut off inverter. They have since updated firmware multiple times but AC testing when 65 degrees does no good. The problem is the inverter doesn't have 100% surge like your solark. So it doesnt like the AC hit even with a soft start. Besides that, I get a blink in mosts lights when a motor load is turned on or 240 load like oven. Oven is the worst because it cycles to maintain temp.
I had 2 6548's and they ran everything perfect for 2 summers.
you try a soft start?
Yes I have soft start on it.
Interesting to hear. I went with the SolArk since my installer was familiar and I didn't want to deal with providing my own hardware (EG4). I'm hoping there isn't any light flicker, and if all is good, I may be very happy I didn't try to save a few bucks and get the 18k. I'm also hoping I don't need to add a soft-start, but we'll see once it warms up.
It is working now after a few more firmware up dates. It will make certain lights flicker. Right now its only my 4' led tubes and some ceiling fans that I can't change. Going to get some newer flicker free tubes and see
The SolArk is not covered under warranty with the use of EG4 batteries
Looking on going with a sol-Ark 15kw. Your video (12 month review with sol-Ark 15) you commented that you can send power to your sisters house from your inverter ? If so. What the max distance you can go
It all depends on how large of wire you use. I think I’m going to use 8 gauge thhn. I would have no problem going 300 ft without much voltage drop.
Really leaning to the sol-Ark 15.kw. Have you done an EG4 18pkv comparison yet
What would she need on her side to have power from my side ?
@@Southernsurvivor-hn4mu not yet. I’m almost done installing it. Probably need until next week to hook it up. Then I’ll need a few days pushing it hard to see how it performs.
@@Southernsurvivor-hn4mu another inverter with battery storage. My in laws have the Bluetti EP800. We’re going to make a transfer switch near his EP800 that switches from his grid power being his backup to using my smart load from my Sol-Ark.
Your PV kWh are DC. Loads and Grid are AC. The DC to AC efficiency of any inverter is not 100% efficient. The amount of AC power produced from your PV is clearly going to be less than what you are showing with percentages. Generally inverter efficiency is higher when converting more power since the operating watts of the inverter is spread out across more watts converted.