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Why aren't my batteries discharging below 18%?

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The inverter on my panels has gone down so for the first time since they were installed in April I expected my batteries to discharge completely (or at least down to 5% which I believe the newer Pylontech 2400's go down to). However, the Solis Cloud app says they have 18% and it is not going any lower. I have 4 x 2400 batteries.

Is this to be expected? It seems odd if this much capacity is not accessible.
16 Panel (250W JASolar) 4kWp, facing 170 degrees, 40 degree slope, Solis Inverter. Installed 29/9/2015 - £4700 (Norfolk Solar Together Scheme); 9.6kWh US2000C Pylontech batteries + Solis Inverter installed 12/4/2022 Year target (PVGIS-CMSAF) = 3880kWh - Installer estimate 3452 kWh:Average over 6 years = 4400 :j
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Comments

  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 18,347 Forumite
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    I don't know your system, but is there a setting in the inverter to limit the battery depth-of-discharge?
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Ripple Kirk Hill member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 34 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Not exactly back from my break, but dipping in and out of the forum.
    Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
  • Rheumatoid
    Rheumatoid Posts: 1,003 Forumite
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    QrizB said:
    I don't know your system, but is there a setting in the inverter to limit the battery depth-of-discharge?
    I'm not sure. Its a Solis inverter and I guess that might make sense. Is it usual to have it set so high though?
    16 Panel (250W JASolar) 4kWp, facing 170 degrees, 40 degree slope, Solis Inverter. Installed 29/9/2015 - £4700 (Norfolk Solar Together Scheme); 9.6kWh US2000C Pylontech batteries + Solis Inverter installed 12/4/2022 Year target (PVGIS-CMSAF) = 3880kWh - Installer estimate 3452 kWh:Average over 6 years = 4400 :j
  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 18,347 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    QrizB said:
    I don't know your system, but is there a setting in the inverter to limit the battery depth-of-discharge?
    I'm not sure. Its a Solis inverter and I guess that might make sense. Is it usual to have it set so high though?
    I think a max discharge of 80% is a common default.
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Ripple Kirk Hill member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 34 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Not exactly back from my break, but dipping in and out of the forum.
    Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
  • Rodders53
    Rodders53 Posts: 2,673 Forumite
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    edited 30 July 2022 at 10:26AM
    Be grateful the system is preserving the lifetime of the batteries.  e.g. Lead Acid batteries should not be discharged below 50% without degrading the charge cycles available.

    From a Solis manual (do find and read yours) 

    Only two parameters need to be defined: * OverDischg SOC (10%~40%, default 20%) --Inverter will not discharge the battery when the OverDischg SOC is reached. Battery self-discharge is unavoidable,  SOC may go lower than the limit if the battery can't get charged for a long period of time.


  • Rheumatoid
    Rheumatoid Posts: 1,003 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Rodders53 said:
    Be grateful the system is preserving the lifetime of the batteries.  e.g. Lead Acid batteries should not be discharged below 50% without degrading the charge cycles available.

    From a Solis manual (do find and read yours) 

    Only two parameters need to be defined: * OverDischg SOC (10%~40%, default 20%) --Inverter will not discharge the battery when the OverDischg SOC is reached. Battery self-discharge is unavoidable,  SOC may go lower than the limit if the battery can't get charged for a long period of time.


    Will dig out the manual now I know its an inverter issue and something that is probably desirable.

    Thanks both.
    16 Panel (250W JASolar) 4kWp, facing 170 degrees, 40 degree slope, Solis Inverter. Installed 29/9/2015 - £4700 (Norfolk Solar Together Scheme); 9.6kWh US2000C Pylontech batteries + Solis Inverter installed 12/4/2022 Year target (PVGIS-CMSAF) = 3880kWh - Installer estimate 3452 kWh:Average over 6 years = 4400 :j
  • Alnat1
    Alnat1 Posts: 3,870 Forumite
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    If your Pylontechs are US2000C they are supposed to be able to go to 5%. My system has been set so they go to 10% though
    Barnsley, South Yorkshire
    Solar PV 5.25kWp SW facing (14 x 375) Lux 3.6kw hybrid inverter installed Mar 22 and 9.6kw Pylontech battery 
    Daikin 8kW ASHP installed Jan 25
    Octopus Cosy/Fixed Outgoing 
  • Rheumatoid
    Rheumatoid Posts: 1,003 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    They are C's that's why I thought only letting them down to 20 was overly protective. What is the general view on a lower limit?
    16 Panel (250W JASolar) 4kWp, facing 170 degrees, 40 degree slope, Solis Inverter. Installed 29/9/2015 - £4700 (Norfolk Solar Together Scheme); 9.6kWh US2000C Pylontech batteries + Solis Inverter installed 12/4/2022 Year target (PVGIS-CMSAF) = 3880kWh - Installer estimate 3452 kWh:Average over 6 years = 4400 :j
  • Reed_Richards
    Reed_Richards Posts: 5,338 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    In the summer I have my minimum charge set to 10% but it rarely gets that low.  In winter my electric heating drains the battery as fast as I can charge it so I change my inverter setting to make the minimum charge 50% in the hope that the battery likes that better.   
    Reed
  • Solarchaser
    Solarchaser Posts: 1,758 Forumite
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    I've pretty much always had mine at 10%, seems a decent limit to me
    West central Scotland
    4kw sse since 2014 and 6.6kw wsw / ene split since 2019
    24kwh leaf, 75Kwh Tesla and Lux 3600 with 60Kwh storage
  • ispookie666
    ispookie666 Posts: 1,194 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    How reliable is the SoC? Could it be the batteries are actually depleted ? 
    “Don't raise your voice, improve your argument." - Desmond Tutu

    System 1 - 14 x 250W SunModule SW + Enphase ME215 microinverters (July 2015)
    System 2 - 9.2 KWp + Enphase IQ7+ and IQ8AC (Feb 22 & Sep 24) + Givenergy AC Coupled inverter + 2 * 8.2KWh Battery (May 2022) + Mitsubishi 7.1 KW and 2* Daikin 2.5 KW A2A Heat Pump
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