5 OUTDOOR SOL-ARK 5K INSTALL GUIDE & OWNER’S MANUAL 1-53 TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER COMPONENT GUIDE SYSTEM PLACEMENT TRANSFER SWITCH MOUNTING DIMENSIONS BATTERY WIRING SOLAR PANEL WIRING BACKUP GAS GENERATOR SETUP & SENSOR PLACEMENT TESTING BATTERY SETTINGS AND WIFI SETUP EMP SUPPRESSOR INSTALLATION RAPID SHUTDOWN DIAGRAMS SPECIFICATIONS OFF GRID TIPS & GRID TIE / NO BATT TIPS POWERING ON THE SYSTEM / INDICATOR LEDS SELECTING POWER MODES / SENSORS BATTERY SETTING & LIMITER SENSOR AUTO-SETUP SCREENS (GUI
Disclaimer UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING, SOL-ARK: (a) MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, SUFFICIENCY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED IN ITS MANUALS OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION. (b) ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL, WHICH MIGHT ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH INFORMATION. THE USE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE ENTIRELY AT THE USER’S RISK.
1. Inspect Shipment a. Compare the package condition to the condition of the package in the photo we sent you before it left our facility. You must note any damage due to shipping with delivery driver before accepting the package otherwise the shipping company will deny any claim. b. If damaged, contact us immediately at 972-575-8875 Ext. 3 2. Component Guide a. Limiter Sensors included: 5/8” CT sensors x2 b. Limiter Sensors if purchased: 15/16” CT sensors x2 c.
3. Component Distance Guide WIRE RUN LENGTH: SEE DIAGRAM FOR WIRE GAUGE (AWG) RECOMMENDATIONS, PAGE 43 FOR COMPLETE DETAIL IF PROGRAMMED TO SMART LOAD DO NOT CONNECT GENERATOR TO GEN PORT 4. Decide Backup Circuits a. Subpanels are recommended and are required if you have Arc-Fault / GFI breakers. b. Important: Make sure to keep within inverter amperage limits (per inverter): On Grid = 63A continuous (pass-through) Off Grid = 37.5A continuous/83A peak c.
. Mount Multi-Circuit Transfer Switch (Not valid for Arc-Fault/GFI breakers) OR Backup Loads Panel Opt. Limiters Step 1. Turn off main breaker Step 2. Connect White/Neutral wire (4 AWG) to Neutral Bar Step 3. Connect Green/Ground wire (6 AWG) to Ground Bar Step 4. Remove load wire (12 AWG) from circuit breaker and connect it to the black “A” wire (12 AWG) with a wire nut. Step 5. Place red “A” wire (12 AWG) from the switch into breaker. Step 6.
. Single System Installs: Install Double Pole 60A breaker in Main Panel for Grid In/Out a. It is best practice to install at the opposite end of the bus bar from the main breaker (Usually this is the bottom of the breaker panel as seen on page 5). 7. Mount Sol-Ark 5K a. Find a suitable location for the system(s), keeping in mind the dimensions in Fig. 1 below. b. Sol-Ark 5K is NEMA 3R rated for outdoor install. c. LCD screen should be protected from excessive UV exposure. d.
Fig.
. Connect Batteries (Sol-Ark should be POWERED “OFF”) a. Connect the batteries to the Sol-Ark 5K as shown in the diagrams Fig. B below: b. Fig. A: Install included ferrites (part e. on pg. 3) on the battery input cables. Slide the ferrite over the battery cables so that both cables are within the toroid (as shown in Fig. A). c. When connecting batteries make sure the built-in battery disconnect is in the off position while the batteries are connected, or arcing will occur. d. Multi-system installs: i.
. Solar Panel Install 1. Sol-Ark 5K has 2 separate pairs of solar panel inputs. (Dual MPPT) 3. Max PV input: 6,500W(+/- 5%) per system (3,250W per MPPT) PV = 500Voc Max Max Isc input per MPPT: 25A (self-limiting to 20A @450Voc/300Vmp or 18A @ 500Voc/400Vmp) Note: Damage will occur if PV Voc > 550V. 4. Connect the strings of solar panels to the system as shown on pages 9/10. 5. Parallel strings per MPPT must be the same voltage, PV1A/B must be the same voltage if both are used (see Fig. E).
If using Y-Connectors: (Running two strings in parallel, totaling 20A (self-limiting) Note: separate wires can be used per string, and string minimum is usually 5 panels or 175V) April 21, 2021 10
10. Connecting a Generator (240V/208V only) a. Generators smaller than 10kW - See diagram 1 i. Connect the generator output to the “Gen” input breaker in the Sol-Ark 5K user panel. ii. Only 240V/208V generators are supported. iii. THD of less than 15% preferred but not required. iv. If you have AC coupled solar panels and a generator then you must use the TOU setting to prevent the generator from being called for during the daytime or else damage will occur.
i. To connect batteries to the Sol-Ark 5K via RJ45, you will need to splice the end that connects to the Sol-Ark 5K. Use the middle two conductors. ii. RS485 is SunSpec draft 4 (will not work with draft 3) d. Gen Start Signal (Two-Wire) i. Normally open relay that closes when the Gen Start state is active ii. If your generator only starts with the loss of 120/240V to the generator, we suggest using a DPST relay to the output of the inverter. e. PV Rapid Shutdown Signal i.
14. Programming Battery Settings a. Battery Capacity i. This allows Sol-Ark to know the size of the battery bank. The system is also self-learning as batteries age. ii. Main Menu → System Settings → Battery Setup → Batt → Batt Capacity b. Use Battery Voltage or % Charged i. Use whatever you are comfortable with. Most installers prefer voltage, while most homeowners prefer % Charged. (Note: if Lithium BMS is selected but not present, Sol-Ark will force Voltage mode) c. Battery Charge & Discharge Current i.
16. Remote Monitoring Setup a. Ethernet Dongle i. Open Dongle housing ii. Thread ethernet cable through provided opening and plug into the RJ45 port iii. Reassemble the dongle housing iv. Plug dongle into Sol-Ark and secure with screws v. If all is well, you will see solid red and green lights vi. Register your dongle via the app or www.mysol-ark.com b. WIFI (Via Cell Phone or computer) i. Plug WIFI dongle into Sol-Ark ii.
WiFi Setup (Video: https://youtu.be/99qoz8jHswA) w/Phone App iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/lk/app/powerview-pro/id1247121391 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/ details?id=com.elinter.app.powervie w&hl=en_US&gl=US 1. Download the App: 2. Open App 3.
4. Sign in 5. Add a Plant Scan the QR code on the dongle while plugged in Select the “+” icon On Plant Type, ALWAYS select Energy Storage (DC coupling). Make sure to pick a unique plant name. (I.E.
6. Connect your system to the internet If WIFI paired with 10.10.10.1, select Done If Location Services are not enabled, it will be requested Read and confirm conditions Select Distribution Network to pair Dongle with WIFI Once you see this screen go to your DEVICE’S WIFI setting and connect to the WIFI network that starts with: EAP-##### Password: “12345678” Once connected return to the app Select the local WIFI network that will be providing the internet connection to the system.
It takes about 60sec for the lights to turn on after setup. Red LED: Connected to Sol-Ark and has power. Green LED: Connected to Internet and Server Flashing Green LED: Connected to router but not server (usually a VPN or firewall issue) You will get confirmation once connection is established. 7. Start Monitoring This screen is the real time view Select your plant Alarms Attention If you are installing parallel systems, DO NOT create a plant for each inverter.
Please Note that this method only achieves internet connectivity, for registration and account management please use the app and/or www.mysol-ark.com 6. Connect to the Dongle: a. Settings → Wi-Fi → Select the Network with E##### (The last 5 digits of your SN number) Password: 12345678 *Disclaimer: The wi-fi dongle does not have internet, you still need to be connected to the dongle for this process. 2. Login to Web Portal using any search browser: a. Open Google or Safari → type in the search bar 10.10.
3. Scroll Down until you see Wi-Fi Connection: b. Once you see the Wi-Fi connection settings, select the Scan button to search local area networks. 4. You will see several networks; choose the home network (Not the dongle’s network). *Disclaimer: Connecting the dongle via the IP address only connects the dongle to the internet. *YOU MUST STILL CREATE AN ACCOUNT VIA THE POWER VIEW APP.
5. Enter in the Password for your Network and select Ok c. Select Network → Enter in Password → Select Connect 7. Once Password is Entered, tap the “Save” button underneath the Wi-Fi Information If Successful you should get a Red and Green light on the Dongle showing that it is connected. Red LED: Connected to Sol-Ark and has power.
E.M.P Systems only: • • Suppressor installation If your system was purchased with Lightning / EMP Hardening, the vast majority of protection is in the Sol-Ark. However, you also have EMP suppressors that get installed on the power cords of appliances that are connected to the transfer switch. Although not critical, it is recommended they be installed as close as possible to the appliance. You also have EMP suppressors that get installed on both solar panel wires with a zip tie.
Rapid Shutdown Hardware Diagram (Midnight RSD per PV string) Note: The Built in 12V power supply in the user area of the Sol-Ark (Pins 15 and 16) is rated for 100mA (1.
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Off-Grid Install Tips • • • • • • • • • Limiter Sensors are not required for completely Off-Grid installs unless using gen peak shaving with a gen connected to grid input breaker. The Grid input breaker on the Sol-Ark should be used as the Generator input (4-30kW generators) so that you maintain Smart Load output capability when off-grid. Smart Load will allow you to run high power nonessential appliances (hot water, dehumidifier, heat pump, irrigation pump) on solar power instead of batteries.
Powering on the system: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Turn on the Built-In battery disconnect Make sure that Sol-Ark 5K is properly connected to the batteries, panels, grid, etc. (see system wiring diagram). Turn on grid power breakers. Press the power button on the front of the unit. Make sure Solar panel inputs are not connected to Ground, then Turn on DC disconnect switch. Turn on load breakers.
o Use your batteries to reduce power consumption from the grid during a user programable peak pricing window of time. 1. Main Menu → System Settings → Grid Setup → Limiter → Time Of Use o Power source priority: 1. Solar Panels 2. Batteries (until programable % discharge is reached) 3. Grid (can control when Grid charges) • Off-Grid (powering loads) o This mode does not need to be programmed, Sol-Ark 5K will automatically operate in Off-Grid Mode in the absence of the grid.
o • • • Placed on the grid side of your home breaker panel and are required to enable limited To Home mode (see diagrams). CT winding default ratio: 2000 : 1 but this ratio is programmable. Battery Temperature Sensor o Placed on the battery bank and used to adjust charging voltage and capacity calculations PV Shutdown signal o Used to accommodate Rapid Shutdown of PV components and discharge onboard capacitors CanBus / RS485 i. Used to communicate with Lithium batteries ii.
Possible Limiter Sensor issues: Fig. H In Limited To Home Mode HM values will be close to zero. HM values should never be negative. If negative, the Limiter Sensors are not installed properly.
▪ ▪ ▪ • • • • • • Note: If these values are reversed, current sensors may have been installed incorrectly (reverse polarity).
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ o o Max A discharge: set max discharge for battery bank (In off-grid mode, the battery bank will discharge 120% of this value for 10 seconds before the inverter shuts down to prevent battery damage) TEMPCO: Temperature coefficient used in conjunction with the batt temp sensor to adjust optimal voltages for lead acid batteries Use Batt V charged: displays battery charge in terms of voltage Use Batt % charged: Battery voltage can be misleading for determining the % Charged.
o • • Smart Load (Gen Load) ▪ This mode utilizes the Gen input connection as an output which only receives power when the battery is above a user programmable threshold. ▪ The Gen input breaker in the user area of the system becomes an output to high power loads such as a water heater, irrigation pump, ac unit, pool pump.
• • When on grid the AC coupled inverter will always be on and the power it produces will be sold back to the grid. Limited To Home mode will not function with AC coupled PV arrays.
• o o You may need to widen the frequency range when using a generator (55-65 Hz) FreqVolt (UL 1741SA must enabled in “Sell Control” tab) ▪ Puerto Rico Grid Compliance Settings: ▪ Kauai Grid Compliance Settings: ▪ HECO Grid Compliance Settings for O’ahu, Maui, Hawai’i: ▪ HECO Grid Compliance Settings for Lana’I and Moloka’i: PowFac ▪ Power Factor is programmable from 0.8 – 1.0.
Sol-Ark 12K Menus Brightness Beep Auto Dim AM/PM Time Sync Year Month Display Time Advanced Factory Reset Parallel Day Hour Minute Second Solar Arc Fault ON Gen Peak Shaving Grid Peak Shaving Auto Detect Home Limit Sensors Clear Arc Fault Factory Reset Lockout All Changes System Self check Test Mode Parallel Master / Slave Modbus SN Phase A/B/C Batt Capacity Max A Charge Max A Discharge TEMPCO Basic Setup Battery Setup Grid Setting System Alarms Batt Charge Discharge Smart Load Use Batt V Charged Use
Battery Charging Information 4-Stage Charging The MPPT has a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for rapid, efficient, and safe battery charging. The figure below shows the stage sequence. MPPT Charging Algorithm Bulk Charge Stage In Bulk Charge stage, the battery is not at 100% state of charge and battery voltage has not yet charged to the Absorption voltage setpoint. The controller will deliver 100% of available solar power to recharge the battery.
Troubleshooting Guide • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • LCD is not powering on o Check all connections ▪ At least one of the following power sources is required: PV/Grid/Battery o Try pressing the power button. Or Timechscreen or navigation button.
• • • • • Batteries were connected backwards o Battery breaker will trip. Can cause damage! Why is LCD screen still on when power button is off? o If PV or Grid power, LCD stays on but inverter and loads are off. The Batt % meter is not reaching 100% o System needs to go through a small discharge/charge cycle to first calibrate battery Generator setup is reading 0Hz o Select “General Standard” instead of UL1741. Then widen the voltage range to 53Hz-65Hz.
F46 Parallel_Aux_Fault F47 AC_OverFreq_Fault Cannot communicate with other parallel systems. Check Master = 1, Slaves are 2-9, ethernet cables are connected. Grid over Frequency (common in power outages) causes disconnect. Will self-reset when grid stabilizes. F48 AC_UnderFreq_Fault Grid under Frequency (common in power outages) causes disconnect. Will self-reset when grid stabilizes. F49 AC_U_GridCurr_DcHigh_Fault Contact Sol-Ark.com F55 DC_VoltHigh_Fault PV maybe higher than 500V.
Simpliphi Power: PHI 3.8 Battery 48V Batt Capacity: 75Ah x # Batt Max A Charge: 37.5A x # Batt (20A for better lifespan) Max A Discharge: 37.5A x # Batt (34A for better lifespan) Max A Grid Charge: 20A x # Batt TEMPCO: 0mV/C/Cell BMS Lithium Batt: Not Selected Float V: 54.0V Absorption V: 56V Equalization V: 56V Equalization Days: 30 Equalization Duration: 2 Hours (tops off battery) Recommended Shutdown V / Percentage: 50.2V & 20% Recommended Low Batt V / Percentage: 50.
Wire Gauge Guide (Copper) 15.875mm (5/8in) PV input: 10AWG 23.813mm (15/16in) 4/0 AWG Max 2/0 AWG Max Grid input: 6-4AWG Load output: 6-4AWG Limiter Sensor Small Limiter Sensor Large All Sensors: 20-24AWG Inputs Inputs Gen input: 6-4AWG 100A: 50mA Battery input: 2/0-4/0AWG (3/8” Lugs) - + 200A: 0.1A 15.875mm (5/8in) PV Panel Inputs 0’ – 100’: 12 AWG 25.4mm (1.0in) Max - + 10mm (1/2in) 100’ – 300’: 10 AWG 10 AWG Max DC Battery Input 15.
Compatibility Reference Guide (This list is for reference only and is not exhaustive) • Rapid Shutdown: Currently Supported Battery Communications o String Level Blue Ion 2.0 16.5kWhr (requires separate E-gauge device) ▪ Midnite MNLSOB-R1-600 Discover AES 42-48-6650 (requires Discover Lynk adapter) o Module Level Fortress E-flex 5.4kWhr ▪ TIGO TS4-A-O Storz Power 5.4kWhr (requires splicing and crimping comms cable) Simpliphi Ampliphi 3.
Sol-Ark 5K Torque Values Application Note Load Breaker Grid Breaker Gen Breaker Neutral / Ground Busbars Cover Screws Battery Connection 26.5 IN Lbs 26.5 IN Lbs 26.5 IN Lbs 26.5 IN Lbs 26.5 IN Lbs 90.0 IN Lbs 3 NM 3 NM 3 NM 3 NM 3 NM 10 NM Do Not Use Impact Drivers to Tighten Any Fasteners on the Sol-Ark.
Diagram 1 z Diagram 2 April 21, 2021 44
Note: PV fuses are only required for >2 strings per MPPT Diagram 3 45 April 21, 2021
Note: PV fuses are only required for >2 strings per MPPT Diagram 4 Diagram 8 Diagram 53Diagram Diagram 2 April 21, 2021 46
Sol-Ark 5K Install Operational Verification Checklist Questionnaire For installer to complete after system is operational. Purpose is to protect installer, homeowner, and inverter. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Limited Warranty: Sol-Ark 5K Hybrid Inverter 10-Year Limited Warranty for SOL-ARK (Portable Solar LLC) Products. Sol-Ark provides a Ten-year (10) limited warranty (“Warranty”) against defects in materials and workmanship for its Sol-Ark products (“Product”). The term of this Warranty begins on the Product(s) initial purchase date, or the date of receipt of the Product(s) by the end user, whichever is later. This must be indicated on the invoice, bill of sale from your installer.
