PHI 3.8 24V & 48V Battery Manual

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This allows a system to stay online until at least one full day of sun can recharge the PHI Battery

bank.

In any application, off-grid or grid-tied, if your PHI Battery bank is reaching the LBCO, load

disconnects or load shedding set points may need to be adjusted. Refer to Programming section.

In case of LBCO, cycle the DC Battery Disconnect (inverter), in order to reset the system. Only

complete this procedure when there is a charge source available, otherwise, the system will

simply reach LBCO in a short time period and shut down again.

4.4 – Battery Bank Expansion

New SimpliPhi batteries that are added to an existing SimpliPhi battery bank must be of the same

nameplate voltage form factor. The battery bank’s total energy capacity is the sum of the

differently-rated batteries. For example, a battery bank composed of one PHI 3.5 battery and one

PHI 3.8 battery has a total energy storage capacity of 7.3 kWh for the bank (3.5 kWh + 3.8 kWh).

CAUTION:

Do not combine PHI Batteries with other brands or chemistries. This will void the Warranty.

Add new additional SimliPhi batteries to an existing SimpliPhi battery bank within the first three

years or the original SimpliPhi battery bank’s commissioning date. Consult SimpliPhi Power

Technical Support if you wish to expand a SimpliPhi battery bank beyond the three year mark.

In addition to adhering to all other Installation Manual instructions, refer to the following guidelines

when expanding upon an existing SimpliPhi battery bank:

1. Charge the existing battery bank (“Bank A”) according to normal charging procedure (PHI

batteries charge to 54.4V / 27.2V / 13.6V and “rest” at approximately 52.5 - 53.5V / 26.1V -

26.7V / 13.1 - 13.3V after being taken off a charge).

2. Disconnect Bank A from the system, by either

a. Disconnecting all battery cables leading from Bank A’s batteries to the battery

combiner box, panelboard, or inverter’s power panel, OR

b. Turning off the 80A breakers included in each of Bank A’s batteries

3. Connect the additional batteries (Bank B) to the system, following all wiring instructions

and torque specifications outlined in previous sections of segment 4.0 in this manual.

4. Modify the settings in the system’s inverter/charger(s) or charge controller(s), whichever

device will be used to intially charge Bank B.

a. Adjust the charge rate in accordance with the number of batteries in Bank B

5. Charge Bank B fully, making sure all loads are disconnected at the time of initial charge

6. Wire all Bank A batteries and Bank B batteries in parallel, adhering to the wiring methods

outlined in Section 4.3 above.

a. Ensure that DC Positive common bus and DC Negative common bus ratings are

appropriate for the new larger quantity of batteries in the bank.

7. Reprogram all inverter/charger and/or charge controller equipment for the new larger

battery bank capacity.

a. New charging current parameters for the expanded bank should be appropriate for

the oldest included PHI battery model. For example, a battery bank composed of

one PHI 3.5 battery with a maximum continuous charge rate of 34 Amps DC and

one PHI 3.8 battery with a maximum continuous charge rate of 37.5 Amps DC has

a combined maximum continuous charge rate of 68 Amps DC (not 71.5 Amps DC).