The Alternative Energy Thread - Generators, Solar, UPS, Wind

[umans]

I'm using Nitrox 5KW. Prefer CAN port if your inverter supports that. You can use RS485 as well if but then you need to make sure communication baud rate is same between battery and inverter. I'll strongly recommend not to bypass BMS in case of lithium

[AkbarGr8]

I have no CAN port unfortunately. Does your nitrox have it? Can you share what pin connections on the CAN port you're using to make it work?

I sold my previous lithium battery for BMS enablement but it appears my solarmax inverter is the bottleneck for now.

[umans]

Yes, Nitrox has both Can and Rs485. I used can cable that comes with battery. You can build your own, pin connection are available on web . Which inverter your are using? I have seen videos of Voltronic power inverters connection with BMS.

[mgalaxy3]

Guys

Any seller of genuine solar panels n parts in Peshawar?

A friend needs asap

[AkbarGr8]

Understood, thank you. What are your battery jumper settings?

I have the solarmax pv 6000+. Have tried multiple pin combinations for the RS485 port to no avail.

[AkbarGr8]

0345 - 904 - 2489

Solar Icon and general works ltd

A friend bought from them and had a good experience. I'd advise conducting your own due diligence also. Good luck.

[umans]

Jumper settings are related to RJ485 communication baud rate. I'm using CAN so jumper settings doesn't matter. Your inverter is actually Infini V4. I believe this compatible with Pylontech via RS485 at baud rate 9600. Screenshot and link of compatibility list attached.
https://midsummerwholesale.co.uk/pdfs/ptlon-compat-list-v199.pdf

See this in priority
1: Check this video, hopefully this will solve the issue

2 Some helpful stuff regarding pin connection
https://voltaconsolar.com/blog/knowledge-base/bms-communication-cables-with-solar-inverters-voltacon-lithium-ion-li-2021-2-4kwh-and-us2000-pylontech/

3: Until you establish BMS communication , follow this for settings
https://portal.segensolar.co.za/reseller/docs/Voltronic%20Inverter%20Setup%20SOP.PDF

[AkbarGr8]

Thank you, I will look into this in more detail and provide updates.

[umans]

Another example

[Corollarules]

Does infini v2 support lithium batteries? What if an inverter does not have bms, can lithium still be connected with them? Will they work properly?

[umans]

Yes, infini series can establish BMS communication. If BMS is not supported, you can still use but you have to strictly implement battery charging/discharging parameters at inverter end.

[Corollarules]

My tesla infini v2 has R-232, USB and dry contact ports, do lithium batteries form bms connection with any of them? And if inverter controls charging without bms does it effect battery in anyway?

[mrdeejay]

What's the lowest solar panel angle/tilt one should go for (in lahore)? Checked on pvwatts website and it seems there isn't too much difference if we go for lower tilt angle e.g. 15-20 degrees.

[AbbasJin]

There isn't a massive difference comparing between 13-20 dev angles. Obv the hr higher angle the merrier. So you can pick any angle that works best for your structure. I decided on 14 Deg for mine but it was a fraction of a percent difference IIRC. So for my 7.5kwh system
13 Deg total annual gen: 10591 kwh
15 Deg would be: 10675 kwh

I went with 14 Deg.

[mrdeejay]

The only benefit I read online was that higher tilted panels get less dust/dirt on them and rain easily washes it away. But I guess its not really an issue in Pakistan because we have so much dust. I'd probably go with 15, so we don't have panels sticking out on our roof.

[AkbarGr8]

Download this app called My Solar Panel Lite. Will help with tilt angle / direction and potential loss calculation also.

[AkbarGr8]

Quick updates here - i have the Infinisolar V4 (user manual can be accessed here)

Went through multiple combinations per the user manual (Pin 3 485B and Pin 5 485A) connecting to the corresponding battery outlet (Pin 8 485B and Pin 7 485A) to no avail. Have correctly followed the jumper settings also. Also tried certain CAN combinations which didn't work either.

Ironically I was able to configure the BMS of my friends Nitrox inverter but not my own. I'm thinking there's a software or compatibility issue with the newer / higher capacity pylontech batteries.

Spoke to a senior tech from Solarmax who has no idea regarding firmware updates of the inverter. Says most likely the port of the inverter is non-functional (highly unlikely, I do not buy this story).

The struggle continues - worst case scenario I upgrade to a 3Phase hybrid inverter this summer which can reverse feed units also (currently have a Huawei 3phase ongrid inverter) as well.

Attaching the pinouts for my inverter as well battery for visibility.

[ali401]

Hello everyone,

Need some guidance. I live a 5 marla house and I'm planning to have a 10kw system installed. I have contacted a few companies and one company has given me quotation for this system with 18 solar panels (550w each). They said they'll use elevated structure as there is not enough space on roof. My question is that would the roof be able to handle/support the load of 18 solar panels (weight) and structure or should i go for smaller system due to potential damage to roof or danger of roof collapsing?

[umans]

yes, easily considering it is RCC roof

[umans]

CAN is not an option for you. Make sure your firmware is same as shown in video and adjust the baud rate using battery dip switches.