Sensors; Battery Setting & Limiter Sensor Auto -Setup - sol-ark 12K Install Manual & Owner’s Manual

1. Main Menu → System Settings → Grid Setup → Limiter → Time Of Use
o Power source priority is as follows:
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 12K will automatically operate in Off-Grid Mode in
the absence of the grid.
o Power source priority is as follows:
1. Solar Panels
2. Batteries
3. Generator
•
Note: Grid Sell and Limited to Home modes can be selected simultaneously
o This changes the meaning of the load (light bulb) icon on the home screen to include both the load
breaker power and the contribution of power being produced that is being consumed locally by the
home.
Backup Generator Setup:
•
Portable Generators (typically less than 10kW)
o Connect to the generator output to the generator input breakers in the Sol-Ark 12K user panel.
o Main Menu → System Settings → Battery Setup → Charge → Gen charge (only for Gen breakers)
•
Standby Generators
o Usually large generators have a whole home transfer switch that feeds the home. If using a single 12K
for your install, we suggest not using the generator input breakers in the Sol-Ark but your normal home
wiring to distribute the Generator's power (through your existing Gen transfer switch). If using a muti-
system install, then it may be advantageous to pass all generator power through the systems as shown
on page 17.
o If off grid, connect the output of the Generator directly to the Grid input on the Sol-Ark 12K. It can then
treat the generator as if it were the grid.
o Under setup for Grid/Sell Control, select General Standard and "GEN connect to Grid Input". Then go to
Grid/Grid input to widen the input frequency range to 55-65Hz to work with any frequency generator.
o Main Menu → System Settings → Battery Setup → Charge → Grid charge (only for Grid breakers)
•
Auto Gen Start Signal
o Automatically start compatible backup generators
o The threshold at which gen charging is triggered can be set using the input boxes above the checkbox.
o Main Menu → System Settings → Battery Setup → Charge → Gen or Grid charge (%Batt or V)

Sensors:

•
Limiter Sensors (Current Sensors)
o Placed on the grid side of your home breaker panel and are required to enable limited To Home mode
(see diagrams).
•
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.
ii. RS485 is SunSpec draft 4 (will not work with draft 3)
Used to communicate with Lithium batteries
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