Hello Wrenches, We recently inherited an Outback system that I've been keeping an eye on via Optics. Its a dual stack 3648 VFXR, with about 4kW of PV with a single string of EnergyCell 1100RE battery bank (reported to be ~6 months old) ~.46 kWh at C20.
I have been observing how the system functions and how the voltage behaves. We keep getting 2 minute voltage starts on the generator in the middle of the night that don't seem necessary judging from how much energy has been used from the battery bank. I am hesitant to tweak anything because these battery set-points are a bit different than I'm used to. As per Outback: Absorb Voltage is 55.6V for 2 hours Float Voltage is 54.0V I've slowly been dropping the 2 minute start voltage to see if there is a bottom, but I'm hesitant to take it much lower (maybe I should). 2 minute start voltage: 44.8 V. The system easily charges the battery bank to 100% (and easily reached the 2 hr absorb time) every day. The flexnet DC is correctly set up and calibrated. The load on the system is pretty consistent. They use between 400 and 600W throughout the night. An average night, they may use about 6 kWh before the voltage sags below the 2 minute start voltage and it starts the generator. Just curious if our 2 minute voltage needs to be dropped or if these batteries are degraded. What corrective changes can I make to get better performance? I have and will call Outback about this, but I'd like other perspectives as well. Thanks as always for your expertise -- Mac Lewis *"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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