SA-12K Install Guide and Owner Manual
Table Of Contents
- Spec Sheet
- Wiring Diagrams
- GUI Screens
- Physical Installation
- Inverter Components
- Deciding Backup Circuits
- Single System Installs
- Mounting the Sol-Ark
- Integrating Batteries (Sol-Ark POWERED "OFF")
- E.M.P Systems Only
- Connecting Solar Panels
- Integrating a Generator
- Integrating Sensors and Accessory Placement
- Battery Temperature Sensor
- Limiter Sensors (CT Sensors)
- GEN Start Signal (Two-Wire)
- CANbus & RS485
- Wi-Fi Antenna (Dongle)
- Emergency Stop Signal & PV Rapid Shutdown Signal
- Misc. Hardware Recommendations
- Check the voltage on each PV input circuit
- Check Grid Input Voltage
- Check Battery Voltage
- Provide Power to Sol-Ark
- Indicator LED's
- Power Cycle Sequence
- Wi-Fi / Internet Connection
- Programming Guide
- Limiter Sensors (CT Sensors)
- Install Tips
- Batteries
- Parallel Systems
- Troubleshooting Guide
- LCD is not powering on
- Panels are connected, but DC Light is not on
- Panels are not producing
- Panels are not producing much power
- The system does not keep batteries charged
- Auto Gen-Start not working
- Normal LED isn't on
- The alarm light is on
- Grid HM value is negative when it should be positive (only applies in limited home mode)
- AC Overload Fault or Bus Unbalance Fault
- The system connects to grid and quickly disconnects
- DC Overload Fault
- System is beeping
- Battery cable sparks when connected
- Battery symbol on the home screen is red
- Battery symbol on the home screen is yellow
- Grid symbol on the home screen is yellow
- System has restarted
- Batteries were connected backward
- Why is the LCD screen still on when the power button is off?
- The Batt % meter is not reaching 100%
- Generator setup is reading 0Hz
- Color Touchscreen is Frozen
- Consant F18 Faults while powering loads within specification
- Troubleshooting Phasing Issues
- Sol-Ark 12K Error Codes
- Install Verification Checklist
- Sol-Ark 12K Limited Warranty
June 30
th
, 2022 41
Install Tips
Off-Grid Install Tips
Sol-Ark 12K will automatically operate in Off-Grid Mode without the grid (under the same power priority as TOU).
A. Limiter Sensors are not required for completely Off-Grid installs unless using
Grid Peak Shaving with a Gen connected to Grid input breaker.
B. The Grid input breaker on the Sol-Ark should be used as the Generator input
(4-30kW generators) so that you may maintain Smart Load output capability
when off-grid. Therefore, you will use Grid Charge (default) in the Battery
Setup/Charge menu to enable the generator’s ability to charge the batteries.
C. When off-grid, there is no need for a transfer switch: connect the load
output of the Sol-Ark to the whole home.
D. Do not use Grid Sell or Limited To Home Modes Off-Grid. Only Limited power to load (default).
E. The Auto Generator start functions as a 2-wire switch (closes the circuit when needing charging)
i. Auto Gen-start will be triggered when the battery voltage or percent
reaches the level programmed in the battery setup menu. Then, the
generator will continue to charge the batteries until they are about
95% full (this percentage is not programmable) before turning the
generator off.
ii. When using the Sol-Ark to control a generator, an exercise function
will turn on the generator once a week on Monday mornings at 8 AM
F. We recommend changing the "Grid Reconnect Time" under the Sell control
tab of the grid setup menu to 30 seconds; otherwise, the Sol-Ark will not charge from the generator until it has been
on for at least 5 minutes per the default value of 300 seconds.
G. Under setup for Grid/Sell Control, select General Standard and "GEN connect to Grid Input." Then go to Grid input to
widen the input frequency range to 55-65Hz to work with any frequency generator.
H. If you would like to use a wind turbine in conjunction with the Sol-Ark 12K, the turbine must have a 48V charge
controller with a dump load to prevent overcharging the batteries. Connect the charge controller on the turbine to
the battery bank the Sol-Ark is using, and the turbine will help charge the
batteries.
I. Don't forget to set the Battery capacity and reasonable charge rates.
Grid-Tie / No Battery Install Tips
A. Under Battery setup, select no Battery & disable Activate Battery (or
system will beep).
B. Note: a whole system power cycle is required when changing the battery to
no battery settings.
C. Under Grid Setup, select Grid Sell.
D. Touch Battery Icon to see the Detailed Volts View to verify your inputs &
outputs.