[RE-wrenches] EG4, SRNE. "All In One" Inverters.

[Jason Szumlanski]

Hi Steve,

In the Midnite App, I can set the generator stop state of charge at 100%.
What do you mean by saying that it stops automatically at 80%?

Also, charging to only 80% IS a problem with some LFP batteries. If they
don't get to 100% routinely, the SOC can drift badly. And I have had issues
with balancing cells on HomeGrid batteries that don't reach 100%. I was
told that this can cause severe cell imbalances, and I have experienced a
few battery module faults due to this issue (at least that is what
HomGrid is blaming it on). I don't think charging LFP to 80% should be an
issue, but in reality, it can be. I thought the BMSs were supposed to
handle these issues well, but maybe they just aren't there yet..


Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208


On Wed, May 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM Steve Higgins via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hello Wrenches,  hope I'm not stirring up a hornets nest here, with all
> the talk about EG4 and some of the "All in One" inverters, I thought I
> would just mention that after careful review of EG4 and SRNE's manuals, I
> wouldn't use thier inverters on any Surrette/Rolls Batteries out there, if
> I were involved in the installation, since you cannot control
> absorb timers, or control when the inverter/charger transitions from
> absorb to float, I would be very hesitant to use these inverters with any
> lead battery.   Lithium looks to be good, but IMO lead would be a no-go...
>
> They are not configurable enough to charge most lead-acid batteries
> correctly.
> I have reached out to both Signature Solar and EG4 regarding this matter,
> and to date, the messages sent over the past four months have not been
> responded to.    I sent them another request today; hopefully, at some
> point, I will be able to make contact and work with them to get a solution.
>
> The Midnite AIO is programmable, but I have concerns about how it shuts
> off automatically when the generator is running, specifically when the
> State of Charge (SOC) reaches 80%. I have been speaking with Midnite about
> allowing the inverter to charge to 100% for this, but I think they are
> waiting for more field feedback before making a change.    I have suggested
> that they set a timer that will go to 80% normally, but 1-2 times a week
> it'll take the lead battery to 100%...  As you know, this isn't a problem
> with LFP or Li-ion...  only going to 80% on lead all the time is going to
> result in severe capacity losses.
>
> With Sol Ark, you should contact them and obtain a firmware upgrade that
> they have developed for the lead batteries.   This will enable you to
> control the end amp's time. You should also disable their battery
> resistance settings, as these can raise voltage and current when the
> battery's internal resistance is too high. This could cause damage to your
> sealed batteries, as temperature compensation is not considered.
>
>
>
>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> <http://www.rollsbattery.com> <http://www.rollsbattery.com>
> Steve Higgins ⋅ Technical Services Manager
> t +1.902.597.4020  m +1.206.790.5840
> f +1.902.597.8447  e steve at surrette.com
> <http://www.facebook.com/RollsBattery>
> <https://www.youtube.com/user/RollsBattery>
> <https://www.youtube.com/RollsBatteryEngineering>
> <https://www.youtube.com/RollsBatteryEngineering>
> <https://www.youtube.com/RollsBatteryEngineering>
> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/rolls-battery-engineering>
> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/rolls-battery-engineering>
> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/rolls-battery-engineering>
> <http://www.instagram.com/RollsBattery>
> <http://www.instagram.com/RollsBattery>
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