Growatt SPH Series Installation guide

Brand: Growatt

Model: SPH Series

Type: Installation guide

Growatt SPH Series hybrid inverters are feature-rich devices designed for residential and commercial applications. With their wide power range (3kW to 10kW), they can handle various system sizes, providing seamless integration of solar power and battery storage. The inverters boast high efficiency, allowing for maximum energy production from solar panels. Additionally, the built-in energy management system enables self-consumption optimization, ensuring efficient usage of generated solar power.

14/02/2023

for Hybrid Inverters

Versie 0.1.5

Growatt New

Energy B.V.

Installation Guide

 
1 
 
Introduction 
In this installation guide we will give you a step-by-step overview on how to install a hybrid 
inverter. The focus will be on how to install the Smart Meter and connect the inverter to the 
battery. 
Table of Contents 
Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 
Hybrid inverter & AC coupler/retrofit models ......................................................................... 2 
MIN 2500-6000TL-XH ....................................................................................................... 2 
Installing ARK 2.5H-A1 Batteries and Connecting the BMS ........................................... 3 
MOD 3000-10000TL-XH .................................................................................................... 8 
Installing ARK 2.5H-A1 Batteries and Connecting the BMS ........................................... 9 
Meter Installation .......................................................................................................... 12 
General tips for hybrid inverters ....................................................................................... 14 
BMS error .................................................................................................................... 16 
Difference in battery voltage or too deeply discharged batteries .................................. 16 
 
 
   

Hybrid inverter & AC coupler/retrofit models

Growatt has a wide assortment of hybrid inverters and AC couplers. This guide will discuss

the necessities and step-by-step installation for the following models:

- MIN 2500-6000TL-XH / MIN 2500-6000TL-XA

- MOD 3000-10000TL3-XH

- SPH 3000-6000 BL / BL-UP

- SPH 5000-10000 BH / BH-UP

- SPA 5000-10000 BH / BH-UP

Please note that Growatt cannot guarantee the system will work properly if batteries from a

3rd party is used.

MIN 2500-6000TL-XH

The MIN TL-XH/XA inverters use the same XH battery system with BMS controller BDC-

95045-A1 and ARK 2.5H-A1. All our inverters are compatible with the same

meters. See the tables below for an overview of compatible batteries

and meters.

BATTERY COMPATIBILITY

At this moment in time (May 2023) the MIN-XH are only compatible with

Growatt ARK-HV batteries. Support for different types of batteries will be

announced at a later date.

BMS controller

BDC 95045-A1

Supports 2-7 batteries

Battery

ARK 2.5H-A1

Needs at least 2 batteries

Battery Base

ARK Battery Base

Necessary to install the batteries on the ground as is

recommend.

Battery Cable

ARK XH Battery

Cable

Every system needs 1 battery cable to connect the inverter to

the BMS controller

Series cable

ARK 2.5H-A1

Series cable

Only necessary to connect a 2nd set/base of ARK 2.5H-A1

batteries

METER COMPATIBILITY

Brand

meter

Type

Sold as

Connection

Suited for

delta/split

phase

COM

adres

RS485A

place

RS485B

place

Eastron

SDM230

SPM

In-line

5 / A

6 / A

SDM630V2

TPM

In-Line

Yes

SDM630CT

TPM-CT

External CT

Chint

DDSU666

SPM

In-Line

DTSU666

TPM

In-Line

Yes

DTSU666CT

TPM-CT

External CT

It is recommended to check if the right equipment has been bought and delivered to the

client.

Installing ARK 2.5H-A1 Batteries and Connecting the BMS

The connection of the ARK2.5H-A1 batteries is shown below. Make sure that the cables are

facing the right orientation. After securely connecting, there is a ‘click’ sound.

The cable can be removed by pressing the buttons on the side and pulling softly. If placing

and removing the cable takes a lot of force, you are probably placing it in the wrong

orientation or you are using the wrong cable, and it may damage the connectors.

IMPORTANT: Do not forget to plug in the Insert plug

in the last battery. If the Insert plug is not connected,

the system will not work correctly.

TIP: If the Insert plug is missing, you can make one

yourself by taking the end of a standard RJ45

connector, and shorting pin 4 and 5, while leaving the

rest unconnected/open.

The communication cable from the BMS goes from the BMU

port to Link 0 of the first battery. Please make sure all cables

are properly inserted.

The INV port on the BMS leads to the SYS COM

port of the inverter.

In case the communication cable towards the inverter is missing, you can use a standard

RJ45/CAT cable. To connect to the inverter, you will need to connect White Orange to Pin 1,

Orange to Pin 2, White Brown to Pin 7, Brown to Pin 8, as shown above, and the associated

definition of the numbering of the pins is defined below:

After everything has been properly connected the battery can be turned on. If everything has

been properly connected, you will now see information regarding the battery if you go to

‘Storage Parameters’ on the inverter.

MOD 3000-10000TL-XH

The MOD 3000-10000TL-XH inverters are the higher power three phase counterparts to the

MIN-XH. Compatiple with the ARK-XH battery system as well as the upcoming APX battery

series.

METER COMPATIBILITY

Brand

meter

Type

Sold as

Connection

Suited for

delta/split

phase

COM

adres

RS485A

place

RS485B

place

Eastron

SDM630V2

TPM

In-Line

Yes

SDM630CT

TPM-CT

External CT

Chint

DTSU666

TPM

In-Line

Yes

DTSU666CT

TPM-CT

External CT

BMS controller

BDC 95045-A1

Supports 3-10 batteries

Battery

ARK 2.5H-A1

Needs at least 3 batteries

Battery Base

ARK Battery Base

Necessary to install the batteries on the ground as is

recommend.

Battery Cable

ARK XH Battery

Cable

Every system needs 1 battery cable to connect the inverter to

the BMS controller

Series cable

ARK 2.5H-A1

Series cable

Only necessary to connect a 2nd set/base of ARK 2.5H-A1

batteries

BMS controller

APX 98026

Supports 1-6 batteries

Battery

APX 5.0P HV

Battery

Needs at least 1 batteries

Battery Base

APX 5.0P HV

Battery Base

Necessary to install the batteries on the ground as is

recommend.

Battery Cable

APX 5.0P HV

Battery Cable

Every system needs 1 battery cable to connect the inverter to

the BMS controller

Series cable

APX 5.0P HV

Series cable

Only necessary to connect a 2nd set/base of APX 5.0P HV

Battery batteries

Installing ARK 2.5H-A1 Batteries and Connecting the BMS

The connection of the ARK2.5H-A1 batteries is shown below. Make sure that the cables are

facing the right orientation. An audible/tactile click indicates a secure connection

The cable can be removed by pressing the buttons on the side and pulling softly. If placing

and removing the cable takes a lot of force, make sure to check the orientation of the

cabling, as the connectors are keyed with notches to prevent switches polarities and

accidental disconnection during operation.

IMPORTANT: Do not forget to plug in the Insert plug in

the last battery. If the Insert plug is not connected, the

system will not work correctly.

TIP: If the Insert plug is missing, you can make one

yourself by taking the end of a standard RJ45 connector

and shorting pins 4 and 5.

The communication cable from the BMS goes from the

BMU port to Link 0 of the first battery. Please make sure

all cables are properly inserted.

The INV port on the BMS leads to the SYS COM

port of the inverter.

In case the communication cable towards the inverter is missing, you can use a standard

RJ45/CAT cable. To connect to the inverter, you will need to connect White Orange to Pin

10, Orange to Pin 9, White Brown to Pin 8, Brown to Pin 7, as shown above, and the

associated definition of the numbering of the pins is defined below:

Meter Installation

For a properly functioning hybrid system, a working meter is vital. The charging and

discharging of the batteries are based on the measurements of the meter.

Due to ongoing supply chain challenges, two brands of meters are supplied, Eastron and

CHINT, both are functionally identical.

For both the single and three phase inline meters, it is essential that the meter is placed

before any of the local load. Easiest way to ensure this is to place it right after the primary

AC grid connection.

Do keep in mind that the installation of the meters do differ between the two brands. Below

are a summary of their respective manuals

For single phase installations:

For single phase installations, the meters provided as the Growatt SPM are the Eastron

SDM230 and CHINT DDSU666

The EASTRON SDM230 the grid is on the left, the load group on the right. Horizontal wiring

orientation.

For the CHINT DDSU666 Grid mains on the bottom, on top the load group. Vertical

orientation.

The standard cable colours are ‘White Blue: A and White Orange: B’. A and B connect to Pin

5 and 6 on the SYS COM port:

For three phase installations

For thee phase installations, Growatt

supplies the Eastron SDM630 and

Chint DTSU666 as the TPM meter.

Keep in mind that for the SDM630 the

Load side is on the bottom, while for

the DTSU666 the load side in on the

topside.

Installation tips for meter connection

When meter and inverter are installed at different places with a distance larger than 15

meters, for instance in the meter box and attic respectively, the following condition is

recommended to ensure minimum data loss:

1. Try to use an Ethernet cable with as this possible otherwise with shielding. Standard

CAT5 cables are not always shielded. If possible, use signal cables or MODBUS

cables.

2. Always use a twisted pair. In a standard Ethernet cable, this is always a white striped

and solid colour cable twisted together.

3. Double-check the meter address selection via the Meter Compatibility table.

General tips for hybrid inverters

Here you can find the necessary information for Growatt personnel to understand and

analyze the system. Please check the following steps and provide necessary information

when contacting Growatt for support.

- Connectivity of the system. Bring the device online with a datalogger. This allows

Growatt personnel to retrieve necessary log file and to perform update remotely.

- Provide serial numbers of all components.

- Provide PV voltage, AC voltage measurements.

- Provide individual battery voltage measurements.

- Provide pictures of the full installation.

- Provide the error code information on the LCD display with pictures.

- Provide the time and date when the error first occurs.

After full installation, your COM plugs should look as follows

using standard RJ45 (internet) cabling:

For MIN-XH inverters:

1 - White-orange

2 - Orange

3 - Empty / disconnected

4 - Empty / disconnected

5 - Meter A (on EASTRON port A+, Chint port 24)

6 - Meter B (on EASTRON port B-, Chint port 25)

7 - White-brown

8 – Brown

For MOD-XH inverters

Only the top horizontal row is used. Pins 11 through 30 are not used for general

communication or functionalities in Hybrid systems.

1~4 - Empty / disconnected

5 - Meter A (on EASTRON port A+, Chint port 24)

6 - Meter B (on EASTRON port B-, Chint port 25)

7 - Brown

8 - White-brown

9 - Orange

10 - White-orange

BMS error

BMS errors may indicate numerous possible causes. Hence, it is important to ensure that

the batteries are under the right working conditions. The follow inspection is to be performed

before contacting Growatt.

1. The voltage level of the battery modules used. The operating voltage range of the

ARK 2.5H-A1 battery is 47.2 - 56.8V. If the battery is under or over voltage, it should

not be used anymore.

2. The voltage difference between each module should be less than 0.5V. If the voltage

difference is higher than 0.5V, the battery may cause errors.

3. Make sure that all connections are fastened. Change cable if necessary.

4. Install proper grounding in the installation. A potential difference between the BMS

and inverter can also cause problems.

5. If online monitoring is not available, a local Firmware update can be performed with

the appropriate files on a USB stick. Always contact Growatt before any update.

Failure to do so may cause damage to the system that is not covered under

warranty.

Difference in battery voltage or too deeply discharged batteries

If the difference between the module is too large, or if the batteries have dropped below 48V

but still, you can fortunately bring them back to normal by charging them with an external

battery charger.

When the module voltage different is too large, or battery voltage is between 36V and 48V, it

is possible to charge the battery back to working voltage range by using a lab DC charger

power supply. Charger should be set to constant voltage 52V with 5A current. Stop charging

when the current reduces to 0.5A.

Measure the voltage after letting the charged battery rest for 2-3 hours. Make sure that the

voltage between battery modules is the same, then place them together with the BMS and

inverter.

Very important: Pay attention to the polarity! Having the polarity inverted can blow up a lab

power supply.

Growatt SPH Series Installation guide

Growatt SPH Series Installation guide

Growatt SPH Series Installation guide

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