Updating CT cable for grid tie inverter. GTIL dual sensors, dual inverters setup. 

yeah, now you know how to do cable yourself

Hey are you using two inverters in your setup?

@@michaelhamilton5348 Two. One is 2kw and the other 1kw. The CT sensors are one looking to the house and line 2 to the grid but I don't know if they are in series or parallel.

Hi, don't worry is totally normal, always you will take from the grid 50 w to 80 w , so you never back feet the grid . The advice from the seller is to adjust the (dc from PV ) production to the AC consumption as close as possible and your inverter will work more cold .... example , PV production = 900w , consumption 600w( 550 w from PV + 50 w from grid) , so you extra is 300 w+ 50w come from grid and your inverter need burn ..... one more think maybe you know if your community grid is off you inverter will know through the sensor and will turn off the production , is totally normal is especial security from the inverter......and the more important never keep your inverter screen always on , you can adjust to turn off automatically to avoid burn the screen

What is the link to the eBay listing.

thanks for your advises, as always deep information. I'll try test that you suggested and report if will find problem. And sounds like it's time to get Iotawatt :)

I think your backfeeding issue is happening strictly because your L1 and L2 from each inverter are swapped. Each inverter is trying to produce a sine wave and overlapping sine waves because L1 and L2 are swapped. I’d recommend putting ct clamps back to series and connecting L1 from both inverter together (or to same phase) and same with L2

@@SolarEngineering Agree... otherwise we are just guessing....iotawatt is on the plan now

Im planning play with the resistor as well, extra room will not hurt

@@carlosguzman4461 so what did you find out by your testing, I'm going to buy one of these 240v inverters soon and I don't want to back feed.

Hi Mike, I was running only 2 in parallel. In theory 5 should work just fine.

I think you don't have split-phase electric power in the UK. Is it one phase with neutral and hot? If the answer is yes, then 1 CT sensor will work fine.

@Kev Great advice. Thank you.

@V KASH Update: I have been running mine mounted as you recommended. I have not added an additional fan yet but will before it gets warm. Mine have only had the fans come on a few times and for a short time. They are mounted with heat flow in mind and onto a heatsink surface (but spaced away per your recommendation). I have the room so my solar is ground based and aimed perfectly and angled correctly. From around 8:00AM to 6:00PM in Northern San Diego my Smart Meter shows between 0.0Watts and 35Watts max all day long. I love it as once set up it is "fire and forget".

Ideally, the inverter should be connected straight to the circuit breaker in the electrical panel. If you are using 240V version inverter - then it's going to be a double pole breaker. In my case I installed 240V outlet (2:14 on video) to have easy way to connect/disconnect inverters when needed. So my connection: ( Inverter --> 240V outlet --> circuit breaker in the electrical panel ) Let me know if you have any other questions.

@@SolarEngineering Thank you so much :) , you are awesome ! can`t wait to setup mine :) !!

quick question man ! thanks for sharing ! do you have picture of the connection from the 240 outlet to the electrical pane , inside the electrical panel l ? is it connected directly to legs or a fuse ?

@@adilfaleh5812 it's going directly do double pole circuit breaker in panel

@@SolarEngineering thank you

Hey Mike, inverters worked really well! I like them, best price/value. In my case, CT sensors that I made in this video performed very well, with no backfeeding at all. Let me know if you have any questions.

@@SolarEngineering thanks for the quick reply. In the video the pot you used was 1k but you said a few times you kept it at 0. So is the pot needed or just keep the CT clamps in parallel?

@@mikerussell5454 some inverters could backfeed a little bit, in this case trimpot needed to add some resistance. Get 500 Ohms, then it's going to be easier to adjust if needed.

CT sensors and Inverters connected together in parallel.

it's a 2kw / 240 volts version. Both of them connected to L1 and L2 in parallel.

Hi, "not to parallel the DC connections" - it's applicable when you are running using solar panels. When connected to the batteries2 inverters could be paralleled.

@@SolarEngineering Bummer, missed that part/never saw it posted anywhere before ordering them from China. Oh well, guess we’ll see how it goes as far as efficiency. Thanks for the reply!

240V inverter will backfeed 100%. 120V inverter needs only one CT clamp. check this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Aza7vvLe0oY.html

yes, one sensor must be reversed. Try multiple combinations.

yep, connectors just paralleled for 2 inverters

In my case, smart meter will count backfeed as a consumption. So when I backfeed to grid 1kWh, the electric company will charge me for this 1kWh as I used it. So even meter show negative values, it's adding to consumed kWh. To get the meter to subtract kWhs, electric company needs to enable this feature on the meter. (Net metering)

yeah, in Europe with single phase you don't need to modify CT sensors.

@@SolarEngineering but what I'm thinking is, if I put in two, clamp one CT sensor per inverter to L, and enable the limiter, then won't they both also react in parallel and each deliver 100% of the required output to compensate, resulting in the second unit backfeeding to the grid? I'm trying to get to 4kW with the GTIL2, but I don't see a way forward. No 3-phase service to my house.

@@theodricaethelfrith It should not double output, but might be some issues when inverters react slower. I guess only real-life test will show you how it's going to react/work.

In my case inverters connected to 23.5kWh battery bank. I didn't notice any issues with inverters being in parallel.

The mppt of the inverters is disabled when batteries are used. No you should not connect 2 of these inverters to the same solar panels

@@RJ-cc1fz wouldn't your charge controller control that function? No need for the inverters to use MPPT

@@chemicalburn507 correct

Because inverter supply 240V and with only 1 CT sensor we can get reading from only one leg (120V). I explained it in video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Aza7vvLe0oY.html

That's for US split phase system. Depends where you live, it might work with 1 CT sensor per phase.

I think connection like in this video should work

@@SolarEngineering it worked

just don't solder 2nd connector. So you'll have 2 CT sensors as in video and only 1 GX12 connector with resistor.

This ebay seller have the cable for one or two inverters. www.ebay.com/itm/Upgraded-cable-coils-for-US-220v-Grid-tie-inverter-with-Limiter-GTIL-USA-Seller/232675119713?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=533229111130&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

@@SolarEngineering what should be the capacito od the trimpot ?

@@carlosguzman4461 in video I'm using 1kOhm.

@daren darensky ​ congrats with purchase. For me it works when sensors connected in parallel. I just replaced resistor with blue one that you can see on 9:19, and turned it to add about 30 ohm resistance. Don't see any backfeed and see only about 10-20w power consumed from grid. Just assemble sensors (don't solder) test it and then solder. You could repeat same tests that I'm doing in video. Let me know if you still confused. Post result after you done with cable. Good luck.

10kOhms will be too big. It's better to install 500 Ohm and will be easier to adjust it.

@@SolarEngineering hi. Could you confirm exactly what resistor do you use. I bought 500 ohm resistor and it's not working. Even worse. When inverter working at full load 1500W when I increase resistance from 100 to 500 ohms number of power usage from grid (on inverter display) increase and inverter trying to provide more power and back feeding is increasing even more than without resistor ! I don't know what's wrong, resistor too small or it's not working in this way as you've shown.

@@ptrwsk I'm using 1kOhm, 500 Ohm should work as well, check ct sensors for correct wiring/direction.

also check this video where I redid sensors: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PcIfI7jypB4.html

@@SolarEngineering hi. Thanks for reply. My CT sensor is installed correctly ... it's working OK but when inverter reach 1000-1500w production then it starts backfeeding from -5W to even -60W when reaching 1600W ... what I managed to find on Google it means some parts of the system reading are not correctly chosen to this CT sensor and this power. I thought that resistor will help like in your case ... but what was my surprise when I found out that more resistance I put on this cable in CT resistor then inverter reads it as higher grid use and tries to produce more and more 😅. I have 3 phase system with 3 independent inverters and 3 independent CT sensors.

this inverter is 240V, so we have to use 2 ct clamps to monitor each leg. You could get 120V version, then only 1 ct sensor needed.

@@SolarEngineering oh, I see. GroWatt make 120V inverters they might be worth looking at. They've abandoned the CT clamp though, you have to buy one of their smart meters to limit export, but it would save you having to run around to the front of the house if you had your own meter in the garage. :D The mains voltage can fluctuate 220-240V in Europe I guess thats why they abandoned CT clamps and why you sometimes see a small amount go export.

didn't measure cable, should be close to 0. Or do you mean sensors resistance?

inverter using both L1 and L2 (it's a 240V version), so need to use 2 CT sensors

1. Yes it should work. I have 2 inverters connected to the same CT sensors (I need 2 sensors because we have split phase system here) 2. It is for an external limiter, I haven't used it, so don't know many details. 3. It's recommended that each inverter would have its own circuit breaker, but you can connect all 3 inverters to the same breaker/cable, make sure you use proper cable gage. 4. Inverters will produce full power when running without limiters. They will back feed power to the grid. Limiters needed only to equalize inverters power production with house consumption.

Thank you very much for your prompt and expert advice.Please allow me to ask you some more points about the s.panels and inverter 2KW. I am using panels that offer 340W each with they contain at their belly each[Vmp=34,2 and Imp=9,94][Power 340.If we account the open V=41,1 and I=10,55 these are supposed to be instantly maximun solar gain. In my panels calulations at what characteristics i make good eyes?? the open or the Vmp and Imp CASE ONE [ If i take in account the open voltage and Ampere. that each panel gives ] step1. i connect 2 in series .[In series we add only the voltage].so i have V=41,1x2=82,2 volt and I=10,55 . step 2. i use 3 pairs and i connect them PARALLEL (we add only the ampere] and i have total output characteristics of 3 pairs.OUTPUT V=82,2 and I=10,55x3=31,65 Ampere ie.Power to the inverter P=82,2x31,65= 2 6 0 1 WATT with V=82,2 < than the permisible 90 and I = 31.65 Ampere. At ideal Sun positioning in refer to the panel surface. CASE TWO If I take the Vmp=34,2 Imp=9,94 step1. Connection of 2 panels in series gives V=34,2x2=68,4 Volt and I =9,94 Ampere. step2 .I use 3 pairs and connect in parallel. V=68,4 inside the permissible range of the inverter and I = 9,94+9,94+9,94= 29,82 Ampere Total Power to the Inverter 68,4 x 29,82 = 2 0 3 9 WATT MY QUESTION The only thing i know is the permissible Voltage range of the inverter which must be between 45 - 90 VOLTS. What about the Ampere ? Its obvious that if we take as constant the Power which is supposed to be 2000 watts ,and if we take the maximun voltage permissible in that inverter that is 90. for security we take 85 than 2000 / 85 = 23,53 Ampere .Is it so??? Summing up my questions in ittle words. Question 1.What value of voltage and amperage do i estimate in my calculatios Open or Vmp and Imp. Question 2.The maximum permissible voltage for this inverter will come out after the division of 2000 watt by the voltage that (solar panel teams give) which must not exceed 90volt.??? And QUESTION No3. Suppose i have other panels too that they have different characteristics. V=65 and I=1,54. Can i trust them that they can contribute in my Sun's Free energy if connect them straight to the inverter OR in that case i use per each team of panels and a seperate solar charge controller .and how can i regulate the solar charge controller to give steadily to the inverter 48 Volts from all team of panels.? or say 60 volt. Because for the moment I AM NOT USING BATTERIES. Thank you very much. pv. .

@@pkefvkef4856 Q1/Q2: Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) should not exceed 90V, you could oversize panels by Amps (for example install 2.5kW arrays), but voltage cannot be more than 90V Q3: If you going to mix different type of panels, performance might go down, it's better to connect same panels to one inverter (MPPT), and other set of panels to another inverter(MPPT) If you are planning to use inverters without batteries, then solar panels should be connected directly to inverters, since they have builtin MPPT.

The original 2000GTIL2‐H can only output 1800W continuous. The new model 2000GTIL2-T has 60‐110V and has a continuous output of 1950W. If you want 6kWh you might think of looking at a GroWatt grid tie inverter. You can limit export with one of their smart meters and its up to 550V I believe.

Could you elaborate on using a current switch ? How would that be implemented. I understand that the split L1 and L2 could be unbalanced, but I don't understand how the inverter can't see witch 120v is drawing more power an supplement. Is the inverter not calculating something correctly ?

How about adding a link to your eBay cables

What is the cause of drops in efficiency to 60%? You are suggesting Connecting both 240V separately each to it's own 240V breaker and each on having dual sensor clamps?

do you mean this inverter could fail and not disconnect if grid goes down? It's grid interactive inverters, so should disconnect in case of grid failure.

Tom, these are grid tie inverters have anti-islanding. Every grid tie inverter has this feature. They are designed to be connected directly to the grid

Lol must be new here.