2 x FoxESS 5kW 1Ph Hybrid 2MPPT (H1-5.0-E-G2 (AS4777-2 2020))
1 x Blackout Protection for Essential Circuit
1 x FoxESS Single Phase Meter/Export Control - 1ph (DDSU666)
1 x FOXESS 4.66kWh x 4 Battery
Existing 10kw of panels spread equally over each inverter.
Hi hoping I can get some help, I've had a tough time with my installers.
I have two phases of power connected to my house which is why I have two inverters and two batteries with 9.6khw in each system.
Initially only one battery system would discharge but that has been fixed today.
The load reading on the foxcloud app does not change when I turn my air conditioning on which makes me feel like it's not connected to the solar or battery system. They insist it is but have lied already a few times.
The load reading is now working with other appliances connected to normal power points.
I have an efficient heat pump hot water system that used to run off the existing solar system but I believe that is also now not being fed by solar because it doesn't change the load reading either.
The way it's connect I think but cannot prove, is the AC systems + pool pump + water heater are not connected to the new inverters and therefore will not be powered by solar or batteries. This will cost me a lot in power very quickly and make the new system pointless
Should the AC and heat pump be connected to the solar and batteries like the old solar only system? If not, this means when it's the middle of the day and my batteries are full instead of the AC running for free on solar I'll be paying grid power.
Should I see the load reading in the app show the AC and hot water?
Thank you for any help
Yes you should see the load reading change when anything is turned on in the house, admittedly the data samples are only taken every 5 minutes so you need to wait at least 6 minutes to be sure but if it does not change then the load is not being seen by the inverters meter/CT clamp and consequently the batteries would not be used to supply it.
As you’ve got 2 phases running into the house and one inverter on each phase any load on that phase must be seen by that inverter, there are exceptions for example EV chargers tend to be fitted ‘in front’ of the inverters (grid side) so they don’t see it as load and flatten the batteries.
From what you have said the AC system and other devices may not be connected to either of the phases (i.e. they are on the 3rd phase) or they have been fitted in front of (grid side) the inverters meter/CT clamp and so they are not being seen.
Can I just check a few things you’ve said you have 2 inverters running separate phases, but only 1 meter between them ? - does that mean they are operating in parallel mode ? - If they are in parallel they cannot be attached to separate phases, only 1 phase will work in parallel mode which may be why it is not working. To be attached to 2 independent phases the inverters must be running alone with a meter each.
You’ve also said there is only 1 battery, I assume you mean there is a battery system attached to each inverter ?
As you’ve got 2 phases running into the house and one inverter on each phase any load on that phase must be seen by that inverter, there are exceptions for example EV chargers tend to be fitted ‘in front’ of the inverters (grid side) so they don’t see it as load and flatten the batteries.
From what you have said the AC system and other devices may not be connected to either of the phases (i.e. they are on the 3rd phase) or they have been fitted in front of (grid side) the inverters meter/CT clamp and so they are not being seen.
Can I just check a few things you’ve said you have 2 inverters running separate phases, but only 1 meter between them ? - does that mean they are operating in parallel mode ? - If they are in parallel they cannot be attached to separate phases, only 1 phase will work in parallel mode which may be why it is not working. To be attached to 2 independent phases the inverters must be running alone with a meter each.
You’ve also said there is only 1 battery, I assume you mean there is a battery system attached to each inverter ?
Thanks for the response, no they are not in parallel mode, there is no cable in those ports.
Each inverter has its own 2 X batteries.
UPDATE: my pool pump and hot water service are connected to one of the battery and inverters. I was able to see its usage changed when I turned them off and on. The only thing not connected is my air con split systems. How have they physically done this in the switchboard? I have 3 different breakers for each split system in the same switchboard. None of the aircon units effect the load of either inverter and therefore are not running in the solar.
Is there a way to see the load on the inverter rather than the app? I'm hoping if there is it refreshes faster than 5 minutes like in the app.
Not sure what I can do
Each inverter has its own 2 X batteries.
UPDATE: my pool pump and hot water service are connected to one of the battery and inverters. I was able to see its usage changed when I turned them off and on. The only thing not connected is my air con split systems. How have they physically done this in the switchboard? I have 3 different breakers for each split system in the same switchboard. None of the aircon units effect the load of either inverter and therefore are not running in the solar.
Is there a way to see the load on the inverter rather than the app? I'm hoping if there is it refreshes faster than 5 minutes like in the app.
Not sure what I can do
Ok thanks, that's good news as each inverter is wired up to a single phases house loads.
On the inverter screen you will see 'Power' and 'SoC', Power is the amount of work the inverter is doing, SoC the battery state - so for example you might see 1200 watt for Power which means the inverter is currently doing that much work either to house load, battery charge or export - the important thing is that if you turn a large load on it will very quickly change to show the new amount of work it is doing and fall when it is turned off.
So it's easy to test stood by the inverters, with the A/C units off look at the 'Power' on each inverter, then turn an A/C unit on and one of them should react straight away and the Power increase, if it doesn't the A/C units must be connected in front of the inverter / house load.
You would need to demonstrate that to the installers (you can prove it by turning a kettle on that the load affects an inverter then turn your A/C units on and it should also affect the inverter). If the inverters are not seeing the A/C then the inverter meter/CT must be moved so that the A/C units are included in the house load for that phase, in theory this is only a modest piece of electrical work and would need them to establish what is connected to each phase / where and then place the meter accordingly so that it sees the load from your A/C units (assuming you want them to flatten your batteries when there is no solar).
On the inverter screen you will see 'Power' and 'SoC', Power is the amount of work the inverter is doing, SoC the battery state - so for example you might see 1200 watt for Power which means the inverter is currently doing that much work either to house load, battery charge or export - the important thing is that if you turn a large load on it will very quickly change to show the new amount of work it is doing and fall when it is turned off.
So it's easy to test stood by the inverters, with the A/C units off look at the 'Power' on each inverter, then turn an A/C unit on and one of them should react straight away and the Power increase, if it doesn't the A/C units must be connected in front of the inverter / house load.
You would need to demonstrate that to the installers (you can prove it by turning a kettle on that the load affects an inverter then turn your A/C units on and it should also affect the inverter). If the inverters are not seeing the A/C then the inverter meter/CT must be moved so that the A/C units are included in the house load for that phase, in theory this is only a modest piece of electrical work and would need them to establish what is connected to each phase / where and then place the meter accordingly so that it sees the load from your A/C units (assuming you want them to flatten your batteries when there is no solar).
Thank you for that response. I have spent a bit of time today and I have worked out the the hot water, cooker, pool pump and half the house power points are connected to one inverter. I can see the load go up and down when I turn them on and off which is great. The other inverter has the other half of the power points but nothing else.
If I turn any of the 3 wall split AC units on neither inverter changes with load. Can you please elaborate on your description a bout the inverter being connected before the aircon?
I pulled the rcd cover off and didn't see any connections besides the battery backup supply to one set of power points and lights.
I assume the connections are made in the meter box rather than the stand alone rcd switch box? Can the aircon connection be moved to the inverter easily?
If I turn any of the 3 wall split AC units on neither inverter changes with load. Can you please elaborate on your description a bout the inverter being connected before the aircon?
I pulled the rcd cover off and didn't see any connections besides the battery backup supply to one set of power points and lights.
I assume the connections are made in the meter box rather than the stand alone rcd switch box? Can the aircon connection be moved to the inverter easily?
I'll use a simple diagram of how an EV charger should be wired to avoid being seen by the inverter.
If you look at this diagram and imagine this is just one of your phases coming into the house from your meter, the live feed will be split using a Henley block (a very large terminal connector), one side of the feed goes to the house load and the inverter and the inverters meter (or CT in this diagram i.e. the green blob) is placed so that it can see everything that happens after it.
However the EV charger has been split off and because it is 'in front' of the inverters meter/CT it cannot be seen by the inverter and consequently it will not be measured as house load, it will not flatten the batteries, BUT the EV charger will benefit from any solar export and will be able to use it.
In your system the A/C units must be split off like this before the house consumer unit or where the inverters meter/CT has been fitted and the inverter cannot see their load.
However much as with the EV your solar export will be used by the A/C units it's just your Fox statistics won't report it as house load, your export value will not tally with your electricity supplier (as it may have been consumed by the A/C units) and the inverter batteries will not be able to supply these loads as the inverter does not know they are there.
If you look at this diagram and imagine this is just one of your phases coming into the house from your meter, the live feed will be split using a Henley block (a very large terminal connector), one side of the feed goes to the house load and the inverter and the inverters meter (or CT in this diagram i.e. the green blob) is placed so that it can see everything that happens after it.
However the EV charger has been split off and because it is 'in front' of the inverters meter/CT it cannot be seen by the inverter and consequently it will not be measured as house load, it will not flatten the batteries, BUT the EV charger will benefit from any solar export and will be able to use it.
In your system the A/C units must be split off like this before the house consumer unit or where the inverters meter/CT has been fitted and the inverter cannot see their load.
However much as with the EV your solar export will be used by the A/C units it's just your Fox statistics won't report it as house load, your export value will not tally with your electricity supplier (as it may have been consumed by the A/C units) and the inverter batteries will not be able to supply these loads as the inverter does not know they are there.
So are you saying that potentially all that needs to be done to have the air conditioning units work off of battery is the CT clamp needs to be moved so the inverter is aware of its load? Or does it need to be rewired somehow?
Thankyou for your help. I hope the installer agrees to come back and fix this.