Off-Grid Energy Storage System (w/o Solar) of RIIO II 5kW 48V Inverter, 15/20kWh LiFePO4 Batteries, and 6kW Generator

BATTERY BANK

Warning:

Never mix batteries within the battery bank. All batteries must be of the same type, size, and general age. Using an old, mismatched, or faulty battery can cause significant issues.

Note: New batteries behave like older ones initially and require a few cycles to function optimally.

1. What is the battery bank capacity of the 5kW/15-20kWh ESS?

The 5kW/15-20kWh ESS utilises three or four LFP-100 48V 5.12kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, providing a total capacity of 15/20Wh if connected in parallel. Its patented structural design ensures optimal use of active materials, significantly enhancing both the utilisation rate of active material and the efficiency of the battery's internal space. This system delivers exceptional performance, even during high-current discharge scenarios.

2. What is the cycle life of the battery?

The batteries are rated for 6,000+ cycles at 95% depth of discharge (DoD).

3. How can I maximise the lifespan of the battery?

• Regular Charging: The battery must be charged at least once every six months. During this maintenance charge, ensure the State of Charge (SoC) exceeds 90%.
• Annual Checks: After installation, inspect the power connector, grounding points, power cables, and screws annually. Ensure there are no loose connections, broken components, or signs of corrosion. Verify the installation environment is free from dust, water, and insects, and remains suitable for an IP20-rated battery system.
• Storage Maintenance: If the battery is stored for extended periods, recharge it every six months to maintain an SoC above 90%.

4. What are the battery care and storage instructions?

• Storage Charging: Recharge the battery every six months when stored, ensuring the SoC is at least 90%.
• Post-Discharge Recharging: Recharge the battery within 12 hours after a full discharge.
• Environment Restrictions: Avoid installing the battery in outdoor environments or locations outside the operational temperature or humidity range specified in the manual.

5. When should I charge my battery?

LiFePO4 batteries do not require charging after every use unless fully discharged. They are not damaged by remaining in a partial state of charge (PSOC). Charge the battery after use or when it has been discharged to 80% depth of discharge (DoD), leaving a 20% state of charge (SoC).

6. What should I do if the battery bank loses power too quickly?
Check Appliance Power: Verify whether high-power electrical appliances are connected. For example, with a 15kWh or 20kWh Off-Grid Energy Storage System, if a connected appliance consumes approximately 2,000W, the battery will last about 6.5 hours (from the full 15kWh charge) or 8.6 hours (from the full 20kWh charge) when discharged from 100% to 10%.

DC TO AC INVERTER

1. What does a power inverter do?

A power inverter converts battery power into mains electricity. Specifically, it transforms 48V direct current (DC) into 230V alternating current (AC). This 230V AC matches the electricity supplied by utility companies and is suitable for household appliances like lights, televisions, and refrigerators.

In the 5kW/15-20kWh ESS the RIIO II Off-Grid 5000W 48V Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charger is used to create a home 230V "grid".  

2. What type of inverter is used in the 5kW/15-20kWh ESS?

The system uses a pure sine wave AC Coupled inverter rated at 5000W. This inverter outputs a smooth, harmonic sine wave resembling utility-supplied power. It seamlessly switches polarity ("+" and "-") between power cables and adjusts voltage gradually to meet demand. This inverter design ensures compatibility with a wide range of appliances.

3. What are the key feature of this inverter?

RIIO II 5000W 48V Pure sine wave inverter:

• Converts DC current into 230V AC mains electricity to power household appliances such as TVs, laptops, fridges, microwaves, and lighting.
• Delivers 5000W continuously, with a peak capacity of 10000W to support appliances requiring high starting currents, such as pumps or vacuum cleaners.

Enhanced 60A smart battery charger:

• Enables fast, efficient (up to 60A), and safe charging of batteries from a generator, featuring multiple charging stages and overcharge protection.

System expansion potential:

• Can be connected in parallel with up to three inverters for system expansion, handling up to 15kW.
• Supports 3-phase operation for industrial-grade machinery.

4. What are the additional feature of this inverter?

• Automatic Generator Start (AGS): Activates a generator only when necessary for optimal energy use.
• Power Assist and Control: Allows a small generator to handle heavy loads by supplementing power as needed.
• User-Friendly Monitoring: Features the Nova Web and mobile app via the TBB-KIN2 Kinergy-II Wi-Fi module for remote monitoring and control.
• Reliable Operation: A fast 4ms switch ensures uninterrupted power during outages. ECO mode maximises battery backup time with low energy consumption.
• High Efficiency: Achieves 96% inverter efficiency and 98% MPPT efficiency, maximising energy output.
  

5. WHAT CAN I USE RIIO II 5000W 48V INVERTER FOR?

The 5000W 48V off-grid inverter charger is selected based on typical power consumption for standard household appliances. Refer to the table below for examples.

Appliances marked with an asterisk (*) are likely to have a starting power consumption several times higher than their normal operating power. This is typically due to the presence of electric motors. For example, an electric lawnmower with a normal operating power of 1,000W may have a starting power of over 4,000W. An inverter with a continuous power of 3,000W is suitable in such cases because it can handle a peak power of up to 6,000W.*

**Appliances without electric motors may also have variable power consumption with occasional spikes. These spikes necessitate a larger inverter than would typically be required for devices with similar nominal power ratings.

Please note: This table is for general guidance only. The actual power consumption and starting power requirements of your appliances may vary significantly. Always check the specifications of your devices to confirm their continuous and starting power requirements.

If multiple devices are connected to the inverter, the total power consumption should be the sum of all connected appliances. This total will determine the inverter capacity required.

6. Why are a 48V battery bank and a 48V DC to 230V AC inverter used in this system?

This configuration offers several key advantages:

• The inverter’s input current is two to four times smaller at 48V compared to 24V and 12V, respectively, improving system safety and reliability.
• The cables connecting the battery to the inverter can be thinner than those required for a 24V or 12V system, reducing material and installation costs.

7. What AC inputs/outputs does the inverter have?

• 1 x 60A 230VAC INPUT;
  
• 1 x 21.7A 230VAC ERTB10 AC OUT1;
• 1 x 22A 230VAC SMART PORT ERTB10 AC OUT2.

8. Does the inverter have wireless control?

The inverter can be set up to send data to an online user portal using a NOVA WEB & APP. 

9. What should I do if the inverter cannot power electrical appliances?

• Confirm that the inverter's output power meets the power requirements of the connected appliances.
• If a warning is displayed, follow the troubleshooting steps outlined in the User Manual.

10. What should I do if an appliance's usage time is too short?

• The inverter operates at less than 100% efficiency, with the best efficiency being approximately 94%.
• Actual usage time may vary depending on the continuous power demand of the appliance.
• For an accurate calculation of usage time, contact Energian Customer Service with the specifications of your appliances.

If you have any questions, please call us on 020 8064 0335 or email info@energian.co.uk.