I need help diagnosing my solar system as my inverter does not recognize my solar array

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,725 admin
    #32
    My Android phone gives the same photo posting options as the clips I posted earlier...

    My only other question--Are you, Jadlcs, trying posting photos from your phone, or trying to use the Imgr app/web site? Our website is designed to take uploads directly from your phone storage, not from Imgr site...

    Otherwise, you posting of Imgr links is working fine... "We" just need to click on the link to see your photos (directly from Imgr).

    The only other option you might try--At least on Android phones, is the "Desktop Site" option (very upper right of the phone screen the "hamburger menu" (the three stacked dots, click, then scroll down to the "Desktop site" browser option--At least on Firefox--You will now have the full browser options vs the stripped cell phone option).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • manzanita2
    manzanita2 Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭✭
    edited December 2025 #33
    If you look at the first image, if i'm understanding what I am seeing, it shows many cables going to the combiner box, perhaps 10 cables. That could support the 5p2s theory. Likewise for the 85 volt reading.
    I tried to study the rest of the panel wiring but imagur was playing games with the page.
    Sol-Ark 12, 3 Pytes V5 100ah batteries, currently 12 REC 420w panels installed. Four more panels waiting to be installed.
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  • manzanita2
    manzanita2 Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭✭
    #34
    I'll try to repost his images: This is the first ...

    Sol-Ark 12, 3 Pytes V5 100ah batteries, currently 12 REC 420w panels installed. Four more panels waiting to be installed.
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  • manzanita2
    manzanita2 Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭✭
    #35
    And the second:


    Sol-Ark 12, 3 Pytes V5 100ah batteries, currently 12 REC 420w panels installed. Four more panels waiting to be installed.
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  • manzanita2
    manzanita2 Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭✭
    #36
    the third?

    Sol-Ark 12, 3 Pytes V5 100ah batteries, currently 12 REC 420w panels installed. Four more panels waiting to be installed.
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  • manzanita2
    manzanita2 Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭✭
    edited December 2025 #37
    The wiring is difficult to follow, but it looks a lot more like 5p2s than 2p5s. But I can't know if the contents of the combiner box is different from what I expect.
    The combiner box output appears to exit downward using romex wire. Wouldn't there be too many amps for that size of cable?  Perhaps it is a heavier gauge than it seems in the image.
    POW-LVM5K-48V-N_User_Manual: 
    Inverter PV input specs:
    Maximum PV open-circuit voltage 500Vdc
    PV operation voltage range 120-500Vdc
    MPPT voltage range 120-450Vdc
    As suggested earlier, 85 volts doesn't seem to be a high enough voltage to satisfy the AIO's needs to operate. I believe that 2p5s should work fine, even at winter temperatures.
    Sol-Ark 12, 3 Pytes V5 100ah batteries, currently 12 REC 420w panels installed. Four more panels waiting to be installed.
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2025 #38
    If you were wired as a 2s 5p scenario you would end up having 10 wires (5-2s strings) going into the combiner box, which would explain your low voltage. If you were wired with a 5s2p scenario, you would only have four wires (2-5s strings) going into your combiner box, resulting in the voltage that you're looking for to power up your inverter. 

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • UpNorthMan
    UpNorthMan Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭✭
    edited December 2025 #39
    Just for clarification on terminology. I've attached a couple pictures I borrowed from the internet. The first one is 5S2P the second is 2S5P. 

    Sometimes people say the same thing, but only different ways. 
    1000W panels Kid CC 184 ah battery bank @ 48v
    Weekend cabin, 250w inverter.
    Looking to upgrade inverter!
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #40
    The illustrations don't properly show how a combiner box fits into the configuration though if the op has 5p2s set up which it sounds like he does then it would relate to the lower illustration But the long red line and the long black line Would represent a combiner box with only one positive on one negative coming out of it

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • manzanita2
    manzanita2 Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭✭
    edited December 2025 #41
    If there is any confusion on your part, we're suggesting you use the top image as a wiring guide. That would give you 2 strings with 5 panels wired in series in each string. 

    Which as suggested will give you two negative and two positive wires going into your combiner box.

    If your combiner box has five circuit breakers in it, usually the positive leads will go into their own breaker and the negative leads will all go to a terminal strip or busbar. 

    You will only need two of the breakers after you rewire the panels.

    Feel free to send a picture of the wiring in the combiner box if you're unsure.
    Sol-Ark 12, 3 Pytes V5 100ah batteries, currently 12 REC 420w panels installed. Four more panels waiting to be installed.
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  • jadlcsw2004
    jadlcsw2004 Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 14 ✭✭
    #42
    My apologies for the late response. I am using a Samsung S21 phone.

    I rewired my entire array as it was wired in parallel.  I wired two strings of five panels in series. They test at 189-240 volts leaving the solar array and entering the inverter. I think I might rewire it to all 10 panels in series at 486 volts. The inverter now recognizes my solar array and it is charging the batteries.  The combiner box looks fine and I'm sorry I can't add a picture here. Now my only issue is that the inverter does not take a charge from my generator, which is a problem for cloudy days. I reset all the inverter settings to default, but I'm sure it's a setting somewhere that's making the inverter not take a charge from the generator. Thank you all for the help so far. I'm getting there!
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #43
    It wouldn't recommend going 10 in series Due to the 500 volt open circuit limit of your inverter When it gets really cold Your voltage on your Solar panel input is going to rise above that limit

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • jadlcsw2004
    jadlcsw2004 Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 14 ✭✭
    #44
    I understand and I voiced the same concern to my neighbor buddy that has the exact same inverter. He said he has his 10 panels wired in series and our PowMr inverter has a built in protective device for that situation; he said he's had no issues with it. In addition, I have the DC 600 surge protector both on the input side at the combiner box and on the input side of the inverter.

    The higher voltage would charge the batteries at a faster rate correct?  I won't rewire it and chance it if you still think it's a high risk even with all the protective devices in place.

    Any thoughts on how to get my inverter to take a charge from the generator?
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  • Wheelman55
    Wheelman55 Registered Users Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited 3:41PM #45
    OP. Wiring 10 in series will double voltage, but it’ll cut amps in half. Meaning no change in power (watts) available to charge. 

    Consider getting an EG4 Chargeverter. You can then charge direct from generator to battery bank. 
    Off-Grid in Terlingua, TX
    5,000 watt array - 14 CS 370 watt modules - 7S2P. HZLA horizontal tracker. Schneider: XW6048NA+, Mini PDP, MPPT 80-600, SCP. 390ah LiFeP04 battery bank - 3 Discover AES 42-48-6650 48 volt 130ah LiFePO4 batteries
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  • jadlcsw2004
    jadlcsw2004 Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 14 ✭✭
    #46
    Understood.

    Oh wow, didn't know that was a thing.  Great thought, thank you!
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #47
    So again,  10 in series is risking going over voltage on a cold snap. There's nothing to gain and more at risk going that way. You don't need fusing for two strings of five so it's still very simple wiring

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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