Controller/Inverter dilemma

[Bandannaman76]

Hello,

I have a problem with overcharging. Have a 48 volt system. My charge controller has a high cut off at 64vdc, but my inverter has an overload cut off at 59.6vdc. I cannot change the controller parameter and as such my system trips and shuts down after the batteries reach 59.6vdc. Is there a way to divert power? Would rather have controller stop current flow. Any help? Thanks.

[SunEagle]

Hello,

I have a problem with overcharging. Have a 48 volt system. My charge controller has a high cut off at 64vdc, but my inverter has an overload cut off at 59.6vdc. I cannot change the controller parameter and as such my system trips and shuts down after the batteries reach 59.6vdc. Is there a way to divert power? Would rather have controller stop current flow. Any help? Thanks.

Before anyone can help you we will need more data such as the make and model of the CC.

[Bandannaman76]

It is an Epever Tracer. I did some research and according to the company, if the controller is providing too much power in charging the battery bank, then disconnect some panels. Yeah, how dumb is that? The controller program that I have on a laptop connected to monitor system does not allow one to change the high limit that is factory set at 64vdc for a 48v system. One would think that it would be allowed due to a lot of different components available to build a system. My inverter is a 12kw/16kw peak, and there is no way to increase the limit shut off from 59.6vdc to 64vdc, but even if there was I would be leery of going this route as IMO it is better to reduce than increase protection values so as to not over tax other components. I am running 16 250w panels in series/parallel to make a 4kw array. I've read all about dumping power by running an A/C unit, freezer or some other device, but all that would do is drain my batteries over night unless it is connected to a timer. Would rather not.

[Bandannaman76]

Any help out there?

[sdold]

What’s the model number of the charge controller? Also the make, model and number of batteries.

[littleharbor2]

So you're saying you can't set the charging parameters lower than 64 Vdc? Seems to me that if charging setpoints are set accordingly this wouldn't be an issue.. Are you seeing any open circuit voltage when the controller is transitioning to float?

[Bandannaman76]

It's an EPEVER 10451 AN controller. According to the MFG one cannot change the over volt cut off, which is set at 64 Vdc.I read a post from them somewhere that according to them, if the system panels are overcharging, disconnect come panels. That has got to be the most lame "fix" from a company that effed up their design.

The batteries are 12v 150ah deep cycle gel arranged in series/parallel 4x4 to make a 48 Vdc bank.

That's 12v x 4, and four sets. I was told that an adjustable voltage regulator set at a lower high point than my inverter and a shunt or load circuit would do, but really???

[sdold]

I can't find that model (10451 AN) anywhere, could it be a typo? The reason I asked is that the "64V high voltage cutoff" sounds more like a safety-valve kind of thing that is there to protect the battery, not a charge setpoint, which might be adjustable. I don't know if that's it, just something I'd look at. At my job we build simple charge controllers that have a high voltage cutoff, but it's there in case there is a failure of the regulating circuitry that might cause an overcharge.

[Bandannaman76]

Yeah... My bad, it's 14051 AN. The 64V cut off could very well be a battery protection feature, but my dilemma is my inverter has a factory set cut off at 59.6 Vdc, so my system shuts down before the controller cut out is initiated. It would be really nice to be able to just set the limit somehow, but I'm thinking something like a DC settable switch/relay set to around 58-59v that would trigger a switch on a 120Vac component that could turn on and off as needed to prevent the inverter from shutting down. Something as simple as a high watt lamp or heat element.

[Bandannaman76]

20220713_090624[1738].jpg

[Bandannaman76]

Just uploaded my system pic.

[sdold]

Yeah... My bad, it's 14051 AN.

I still can't find that particular model, but I found something close, and the manual seems to show some parameters that can be set. The first would be setting the battery type to "gel" to set the proper voltage and turn off the equalization function. If that doesn't work, it seems like there is a lot of customization available using the "user" battery type. Are these settings not available on your unit?


epever stuff.jpg

[Bandannaman76]

Thank you for the good info. It's hotter 'n hades outside right now, but I'll check it out in the morning when it's cooler, and get the correct model number.

[Bandannaman76]

I was able to set parameters in the "user" profile. Never thought of it as i always had battery settings for "Gel". Thank you.

[sdold]

Right on, let us know if it works out.