Growatt SPF 3000TL User manual

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Troubleshooting guide for
Growatt SPF3k-5kTL HVM off-grid Inverter
VERSION
DATE
NOTE
MADE BY
VER.1.0
2018-6-04
First Draft
Darren
VER. 2.0
2020-04-30
SPF3000-5000TL HVM
汪齐锐

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Content
1 General.....................................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Off grid SPF inverter logic diagram...........................................................................................................4
2 Off-grid system wiring diagram.............................................................................................................................5
3Warning messages..................................................................................................................................................5
3.1 warning 01.................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 warning 02.................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.3 warning 03.................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 warning 04.................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.5 warning 07.................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.6 warning 10.................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.7 warning 13.................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.8 warning 14.................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.9 warning 15.................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.10 warning 16..................................................................................................................................................9
3.11 warning 17.................................................................................................................................................. 9
3.12 warning 20..................................................................................................................................................9
3.13 warning 33................................................................................................................................................10
3.14 warning 34................................................................................................................................................10
3.15 warning 35................................................................................................................................................11
3.16 warning 36................................................................................................................................................11
3.17 warning 37................................................................................................................................................11
3.18 warning 38................................................................................................................................................12
3.19 warning 39................................................................................................................................................12
3.20 warning 40................................................................................................................................................12
3.21 warning 41................................................................................................................................................13
3.22 warning 43................................................................................................................................................13
3.23 warning 44................................................................................................................................................13
3.24 warning 45................................................................................................................................................13
4 Inverter fault...........................................................................................................................................................14
4. 1 Error 01...................................................................................................................................................... 14
4. 2 Error 02...................................................................................................................................................... 14
4. 3 Error 03...................................................................................................................................................... 15
4.4 Error 04.................................................................................................................................................... 15
4. 5 Error 05...................................................................................................................................................... 16
4. 6 Error 06...................................................................................................................................................... 16
4. 7 Error 07...................................................................................................................................................... 16
4. 8 Error 08...................................................................................................................................................... 17
4. 9 Error 09...................................................................................................................................................... 17
4. 10 Error 51....................................................................................................................................................18
4. 11 Error 52.................................................................................................................................................... 18
4. 12 Error 53....................................................................................................................................................19
4. 13 Error 55....................................................................................................................................................19

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4.14 Error 56.....................................................................................................................................................19
4.15 Error 58.....................................................................................................................................................20
4.16 Error 60.....................................................................................................................................................20
4.17 Error 80.....................................................................................................................................................20
4.18 Error 81.....................................................................................................................................................21
4.19 Error 20.....................................................................................................................................................21
5 Contact................................................................................................................................................................... 22
1 General
This document is applicable for Growatt SPF3000TL HVM and SPF5000TL HVM models
off grid inverters.
An error message will be displayed on the LCD screen while fault occurs. The faults can
be categorized as erro and warning . All faults with erro code will stop inverter power
generation. Accompanied with red LED indicator ON immediately, and showing consistent
until the fault had been cleared.
When a Warning message is shown on inverter LCD display, the inverter will continue
working but will be accompanied by flashing red LED indicator.
You may be advised to contact Growatt in some circumstance, please provide the
following information.
Information concerning the inverter:
Serial number
Model number
Error or warning message on LCD
Brief description of the problem
Grid voltage measured
DC input voltage
Battery specification
Load capacity and list
Can you reproduce the failure? If yes, how to?

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Did the problem occur before?
What were the ambient conditions when the problem occurred?
Information concerning the PV panels:
Manufacturer name and model number of the PV panel
Output power of the panel
Voc of the panel
Vmp of the panel
Imp of the panel
Number of panels in each string
How many strings connected in one MPP tracker
If it is necessary to replace the unit, please ship it with the original box.
1.1 Off grid SPF inverter logic diagram

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2 Off-grid system wiring diagram
As shown in above system diagram, Growatt SPF3000TL HVM/SPF5000TL
HVM/SPF5000TL HVM-WPV is used to power common house appliances including some
inductive load such as light, refrigerator. Also, diesel generator and power grid can be
compensation in which solar energy is insufficient as well as to charge the battery.
3Warning messages
3.1 warning 01
Fault description:Fan is locked when inverter is on.
Analysis：
1. The cable of fan is loosed.
2. The fan is stucked by obstruction or the fan is damaged.
3. power supply of the fan is abnormal.
Suggestions:
1. Turn off DC switch and AC breaker, and check the fan. If there is an obstruction of the

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fan, please remove it and clean the fan well. Turn on the inverter to check whether the
warning still exists or not.
2. If the warning still exists after step 1, turn off DC switch and AC breaker again, remove
the fan from inverter with screw driver to do cleaning or replacement.
a. Remove the protect baffle of the fan with hex wrench.；
b. Disconnect the cables from fan with screwdriver；
c. Remove the screws from the protect plate on the fan, clear up dust and
sundries on the fan.；
d. If cleaning does not help, please replace the fan with a new one.
3. If the problem still remains, please contact Growatt Service for further solutions.
3.2 warning 02
Fault description:Over temperature.
Analysis：
1. The NTC cable inside the SPF is abnormal.
2. It may be that the machine is placed in an environment where the temperature exceeds
the allowable temperature range of SPF.
3. Internal temperature of component is over 100℃.
Suggestions:
1. Check if the installation environment of the machine is conducive to heat dissipation.
2. Open the front cover of the inverter to check if the NTC cable is well connected.there
are four NTC inside，there is special software can help locate which NTC is broken.
3. If the NTC cable is firm and the error code is still shows on the LCD, replace
the inverter.
4. Check if the air flow of the unit is blocked or the ambient temperature is too high.
3.3 warning 03
Fault description:Battery is over-charged.
Analysis：
1. It may be that the battery voltage is not within the specified range, please refer to user
manual
2. It may be that the connection line of the battery is not firm, or the distance is too far, and
the line is too small, causing excessive impedance on the line when charging, and the
machine detection port voltage is too high.
3. Battery is over-charged.
4. The battery voltage is too high.
Suggestions:
1. Check if the battery voltage is normal by multi-meter.

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2. If the actual value is higher than 60V, replace the battery.
3. Check if spec and quantity of batteries meet requirements.sometimes customer
connect 24V battery with 48V inverter model，please make sure the voltage is suitable.
3.4 warning 04
Fault description:Low battery.
Analysis：
1. It may be that inverter communication protocol is different from lithium icon battery
communication protocol，only some models of Pylon、Dyness brand lithium icon battery
can build communication with our inverter.
2. it may be that battery discharge too much，battery voltage is really low.
Suggestions:
4. if use lithium icon battery that can build communication with inverter，but still warn 04
fault，normally this fault comes with 20 fault，please arrange to upgrade inverter software
using ISP tool program software.
inverter new firmware software version：F2809_GW500.07_20191227_B.
inverter new BMS software version：F030_sk022_05_20191220.
please don’t forget to reset factory setting after upgrading every software.
2.If battery voltage is really low，please contact battery supplier to help charge battery to
normal state，don’t let battery discharge too much in future.
3.5 warning 07
Fault description:Overload.
Analysis：
1. Output load is higher than 5500W.
2. It may be the problem inductive load on the machine, and at startup, it will cause
excessive shock current, which will protect the machine and pay attention to
the impact of such inductive load.
3. Could be a short circuit on the load and needs to be checked.
4. The inverter is overload 110% and time is up.
Suggestions:
1. Check if there are some inductive load on the output, if this fault appears at the
startup,it caused by shock current of load, you need reduce the load and resrtart
inverter.
2. Reduce the connected load by switching off some equipment.

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3.6 warning 10
Fault description:Output power derating.
Analysis：
1. the voltage of the AC input is too low.
Suggestions:
1. Check whether your AC input voltage is below 170V or not.if it’s below，there is still AC
output with inverter，but warning code occurs on inverter screen and beep.
2. inverter will still have 20% AC output rate power at least，but it’s very hard to provide
5kw power to the load even its rate power is 5kw.
3. Disconnect some load with inverter AC output.
3.7 warning 13
Fault description:Solar charger stops due to high pv voltage.
Analysis：
1. Pv panels configuration is wrong.
Suggestions:
1. SPF5000TL HVM model，suggest connect 3 pcs in series 4 parallel（330W panel），
make sure pv open circuit is below 145V.
3.8 warning 14
Fault description:Solar charger stops due to overload.
Analysis：
1. There is too much load connected with inverter AC output，it’s more than 5kw，inverter
will send an order to stop solar charger.
Suggestions:
1. Don’t connect too much load with inverter AC output，it’s more than 5kw，please
disconnect some.
2. Check if there are some inductive load on the output, if this fault appears at the
startup,it caused by shock current of load, you need reduce the load and resrtart
inverter.

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3.9 warning 15
Fault description:Parallel input utility grid different.
Analysis：
1. There may be some phases lost in three phase system.
Suggestions:
1. Check your AC iutput cable wiring connection，all inverters neutral line should connect
to the same neutral line together，P1 phase inverters should connect to L1 line
together，P2 phase inverters should connect to L2 line together，P3 phase inverters
should connect to L3 line together.
3.10 warning 16
Fault description:Parallel input phase error.
Analysis：
1. There may be some phases lost in three phase system.
Suggestions:
1. Check AC input cable wiring connections，make sure N、L1、L2、L3 lines connected
well，there are details shown in the user manual，power connection and
communication connection.
3.11 warning 17
Fault description:Parallel onput phase loss.
Analysis：
1. There may be some phases lost in three phase system.
Suggestions:
1. Check your AC output cable wiring connection，all inverters neutral line should
connect to the same neutral line together，P1 phase inverters should connect to L1
line together，P2 phase inverters should connect to L2 line together，P3 phase
inverters should connect to L3 line together.
3.12 warning 20
Fault description:Bms communication error.

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Analysis：
1. battery communication protocol is different from our inverter communication protocol.
Suggestions:
1. if it’s Dyness brand lithium icon battery（B4850），please set L01 in program 05 setting.if
it’s Pylon brand lithium icon battery（US2000/US3000），please set L02 in program 05
setting.if error message still exist，please arrange to upgrade inverter firmware software
and BMS software
（https://drive.google.com/open?id=12ttv9oCoC2rowUPDdsjfs0P4fz9DuSVt，
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1MFgsuwvJ2BRs-uHHlTshcjIiOsQIPYBt），there is a
software，a video that guide you to upgrade software，a SOP file that guide you to
upgrade step by step，and a video that guide you to reset inverters factory setting
including.
2. if it’s other brand lithium icon battery，please also arrange to upgrade inverters firmware
software and BMS software，don’t forget to reset factory setting after upgrading，then
select US2 in program 05 setting for it.USE is designed for lead acid battery，US2 is
especially designed for lithium icon battery.
3. if inverter work with Pylon/Dyness icon battery，get 20 and 04 fault at the same（won’t
allow to change program 05 setting in this situation），and it’s hard to get a charger to
charge battery back to normal state，you can consider to reupgrade software to remove
20 fault first，then change program 01 setting to UTI and change program 14 setting to
SNU，in this way will avoid battery to discharge and charge battery as soon as possible.
3.13 warning 33
Fault description:Bms communication loss.
Analysis：
1. Bms communication loss.
Suggestions:
1. Check the communication cable wiring connection between inverter and battery，you
can disconnect it and reconnect again.
2. Change a new cable.
3.14 warning 34
Fault description:Cell over voltage.
Analysis：
1. Battery cell voltage is high.
Suggestions:
1. Test battery cell real voltage，check pv panels configuration if it’s really high，for

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SPF5000TL HVM model，suggest connect with 3 pcs in series，4 parallel（330W
panel）.
2. Check battery specification，whether it’s suitable for inverter model or not.
3. Ask battery supplier for help.
3.15 warning 35
Fault description:Cell under voltage.
Analysis：
1. Battery cell voltage is low.
Suggestions:
1. Test battery cell real voltage，check load capacity if it’s really low，disconnect some
load.
2. If connect with some special load，like water pump，its rate power should be below
1.5kw（connect with SPF5000TL HVM model），because normally it needs 3 times of
rate power when it startup.
3.16 warning 36
Fault description:Total over voltage.
Analysis：
1. Battery voltage is high.
Suggestions:
1. Test battery real voltage，check pv panels configuration if it’s really high，for
SPF5000TL HVM model，suggest connect with 3 pcs in series，4 parallel（330W
panel）.
2. Check battery specification，whether it’s suitable for inverter model or not.
3. Ask battery supplier for help.
3.17 warning 37
Fault description:Total under voltage.
Analysis：
1. Battery voltage is low.
Suggestions:
1. Test battery real voltage，check load capacity if it’s really low，disconnect some load.

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2. If connect with some special load，like water pump，its rate power should be below
1.5kw（connect with SPF5000TL HVM model），because normally it needs 3 times of
rate power when it startup.
3.18 warning 38
Fault description:Discharge over current.
Analysis：
1. Battery discharge current is high.
Suggestions:
1. Check load capacity if it’s over battery maximum output current，please disconnect
some load if it’s.
3.19 warning 39
Fault description:Charge over current.
Analysis：
1. Battery charging current is over battery accepted charging current.
Suggestions:
1. check pv panels configuration if it’s really high，for SPF5000TL HVM model，suggest
connect with 3 pcs in series，4 parallel（330W panel）.
2. Check battery specification，whether it’s suitable for inverter model or not.
3. Ask battery supplier for help.
3.20 warning 40
Fault description:Discharge over temperature.
Analysis：
1. Battery discharge current is high.
Suggestions:
1. Check load capacity if it’s over battery maximum output current，please disconnect
some load if it’s.

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3.21 warning 41
Fault description:Charge over temperature.
Analysis：
1. Battery charging current is over battery accepted charging current.
Suggestions:
1. check pv panels configuration if it’s really high，for SPF5000TL HVM model，suggest
connect with 3 pcs in series，4 parallel（330W panel）.
2. Check battery specification，whether it’s suitable for inverter model or not.
3. Ask battery supplier for help.
3.22 warning 43
Fault description:Battery over temperature.
Analysis：
1. Battery charging current is over battery accepted charging current.
Suggestions:
1. check pv panels configuration if it’s really high，for SPF5000TL HVM model，suggest
connect with 3 pcs in series，4 parallel（330W panel）.
2. Check battery specification，whether it’s suitable for inverter model or not.
3. Ask battery supplier for help.
3.23 warning 44
Fault description:Battery under temperature.
Analysis：
1. Battery temperature is low.
Suggestions:
1. Check battery specification，whether it’s suitable to work on this site or not.
2. Ask battery supplier for help.
3.24 warning 45
Fault description:System shut down.
Analysis：

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1. System will shut down.
Suggestions:
1. Check battery SOC and voltage，whether it’s close to the voltage point of program 21
setting.
4 Inverter fault
4. 1 Error 01
Fault description:Fan is locked.
Analysis：
1. The cable of fan is loosed.
2. The fan is stucked by obstruction or the fan is damaged.
3. power supply of the fan is abnormal.
Suggestion:
1. Turn off DC switch and AC breaker, and check the fan. If there is an obstruction of the
fan, please remove it and clean the fan well. Turn on the inverter to check whether the
warning still exists or not.
2. If the warning still exists after step 1, turn off DC switch and AC breaker again, remove
the fan from inverter with screw driver to do cleaning or replacement.
a. Remove the protect baffle of the fan with hex wrench.；
b. Disconnect the cables from fan with screwdriver；
c. Remove the screws from the protect plate on the fan, clear up dust and
sundries on the fan.；
d. If cleaning does not help, please replace the fan with a new one.
3. If the problem still remains, please contact Growatt Service for further solutions.
4. 2 Error 02
Fault description:Over temperature.
Analysis：
1. The NTC cable inside the SPF is abnormal.
2. It may be that the machine is placed in an environment where the temperature exceeds
the allowable temperature range of SPF.
3. Internal temperature of component is over 100℃.
Suggestion:
1. Check if the installation environment of the machine is conducive to heat dissipation.

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2. Open the front cover of the inverter to check if the NTC cable is well connected.there
are four NTC inside，there is special software can help locate which NTC is broken.
3. If the NTC cable is firm and the error code is still shows on the LCD, replace
the inverter.
4. Check if the air flow of the unit is blocked or the ambient temperature is too high.
4. 3 Error 03
Fault description: Battery voltage is too high
Analysis：
1. It may be that the battery voltage is not within the specified range, please refer to user
manual
2. It may be that the connection line of the battery is not firm, or the distance is too far, and
the line is too small, causing excessive impedance on the line when charging, and the
machine detection port voltage is too high.
3. Battery is over-charged.
4. The battery voltage is too high.
Suggestion:
1. Check if the battery voltage is normal by multi-meter.
2. If the actual value is higher than 60V, replace the battery.
3. Check if spec and quantity of batteries meet requirements.sometimes customer
connect 24V battery with 48V inverter model，please make sure the voltage is suitable.
4.4 Error 04
Fault description: Battery voltage/soc is too low.
Analysis：
3. It may be that inverter communication protocol is different from lithium icon battery
communication protocol，only some models of Pylon、Dyness brand lithium icon battery
can build communication with our inverter.
4. it may be that battery discharge too much，battery voltage is really low.
Suggestion:
2. if use lithium icon battery that can build communication with inverter，but still warn 04
fault，normally this fault comes with 20 fault，please arrange to upgrade inverter software
using ISP tool program software.
inverter new firmware software version：F2809_GW500.07_20191227_B.
inverter new BMS software version：F030_sk022_05_20191220.
please don’t forget to reset factory setting after upgrading every software.

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3. If battery voltage is really low，please contact battery supplier to help charge battery to
normal state，don’t let battery discharge too much in future.
4. 5 Error 05
Fault description: Output short circuited is detected by internal converter components
Analysis：
1. Output short circuited has been detected by internal converter components.
Suggestion:
1. Check if wiring is connected well and remove abnormal load.
2. You can test inverter AC output voltage directly，check whether it’s correct or not.
4. 6 Error 06
Fault description: Output voltage is too high
Analysis：
1. AC output voltage sample circuit is damaged.
2. Output abnormal，inverter voltage below than 190Vac or is higher than 260Vac.
Suggestion:
1. Check the output voltage by multi-meter.
2. Turn off PV, batteries and grid to power off the inverter completely till there is nothing
displayed on LCD and restart, observe whether the error code is cleaned.
3. If the error code is not cleared when restarted, replace main board to fix it.
4. Reduce the connected load.
4. 7 Error 07
Fault description: Overload time out
Analysis：
1. Output load is higher than 5500W.
2. It may be the problem inductive load on the machine, and at startup, it will cause
excessive shock current, which will protect the machine and pay attention to
the impact of such inductive load.
3. Could be a short circuit on the load and needs to be checked.
4. The inverter is overload 110% and time is up.
Suggestion:

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1. Check if there are some inductive load on the output, if this fault appears at the
startup,it caused by shock current of load, you need reduce the load and resrtart
inverter.
2. Reduce the connected load by switching off some equipment.
4. 8 Error 08
Fault description: Bus voltage is too high
Analysis：
1. DC-DC diode or driver circuit is damaged.
2. Battery can’t build communication with inverter.
Suggestion:
1. Turn off PV, batteries and grid to power off the inverter completely till there is nothing
displayed on LCD and restart, observe whether the error code is cleaned.
2. please arrange to upgrade inverter software using ISP tool program software.
inverter new firmware software version：F2809_GW500.07_20191227_B.
3. If fault still exist after upgrading software or it’s not convenient to upgrade software ，
please change some settings below：
program 02：40A
program 05：USE
program 19：52V
program 20：51V
If it’s still not work，please also try to set lower settings for it：
program 02：30A
program 05：USE
program 19：51.5V
program 20：51V
4. For lithium icon battery，strongly suggest try to upgrade software ，US2 is especially
designed for lithium icon batteries that can’t build communication with inverter.USE is
designed for lead acid batteries.this is also the difference between USE and US2.
5. Please check your pv panels configuration ，for SPF5000TL HVM model ：suggest
connect with 12 pcs（330W），3 in series，4 parallel.
4. 9 Error 09
Fault description: Bus soft start failed.
Analysis：
1. Battery mode setting wrong.
2. The inverter diode or the IGBT on the high voltage side of DC/DC is damaged.

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3. Bus soft-start failed circuit on the main board is damaged.
Suggestion:
1. Check if battery mode setting on SPF is same with the battery type you connecting.if no,
change it and restart system.
2. Turn off PV, batteries and grid to power off the inverter completely till there is nothing
displayed on LCD and restart, observe whether the error code is cleaned.
3. If the error code is not cleared, replace main board to fix it.
4. 10 Error 51
Fault description: Over current or surge.
Analysis：
1. Output load is higher than 5000W.
2. It may be the problem inductive load on the machine, and at startup, it will cause
excessive shock current, which will protect the machine and pay attention to
the impact of such inductive load.
3. Could be a short circuit on the load and needs to be checked.
4. Output current sample circuit is damaged.
Suggestion:
1. Check if there are some inductive load on the output, if this fault appears at the
startup,it caused by shock current of load, you need reduce the load and resrtart
inverter.
2. Check the output load, if more than 5kw, switch off some load and restart inverter to
remove the fault message.
3. If the error code is not cleared after restarted, replace the main board to fix it.
4. 11 Error 52
Fault description: Bus voltage is too low
Analysis：
1. there may be too much load start at the same time，the instantaneous load is too large
to pull down the bus voltage
Suggestion:
1. please start special machine first if there is some linear load connected with inverter
AC output.it takes almost 3 times rate power while starting up ，such as water
motor.SPF5000TL HVM is only possible to supply a 1.5kw water motor.
2. Restart inverter，take turn to startup loads.

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4. 12 Error 53
Fault description: Inverter soft start failed
Analysis：
1. MPPT voltage is always below expected voltage in 20s when inverter start.
2. There is something wrong with inverter switch tube.
3. There is something wrong with DCDC in DC side.
Suggestion:
1. please try to restart inverter，check whether fault will disappear or not.
2. Please check your pv panels configuration ，for SPF5000TL HVM model ：suggest
connect with 12 pcs（330W），3 in series，4 parallel.
3. Change the main board.
4. 13 Error 55
Fault description: Over DC voltage in AC output.
Analysis：
1. Output voltage is unbalanced.
2. This fault is caused by the internal failure of the machine and may be caused by the
regulation control.
Suggestion:
1. Turn off PV, batteries and grid to power off the inverter completely till there is nothing
displayed on LCD and restart, observe whether the error code is cleaned.
2. If the error code is not cleared, replace main board to fix it.
3. If replace the main board still shows error code on the LCD of the inverter,please
contact Growatt service center for help.
4.14 Error 56
Fault description:Battery connection is open.
Analysis：
1. The communication line is not plugged in or poor connection.
2. Lithium battery is not approved by Growatt.
3. The lithium battery is switched off.
4. The battery is broken.
5. Fuse is burnt.
Suggestion:
1. Check the lithium Battery is on or off.

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2. Check if the battery is approved by Growatt.
3. Check the connection of lithium Battery and inverter is firm and correct.
4. switch off the whole system，especially switch off the main grid，make sure that the
cable wiring connection between inverter and battery is stable，restart the system.
4.15 Error 58
Fault description: Output voltage is too low.
Analysis：
1. Output abnormal，inverter voltage below than 190Vac or is higher than 260Vac.
Suggestion:
1. Reduce the connected load.
2. Please start linear load first，let it run stable，then start the others.
4.16 Error 60
Fault description: Negative power fault.
Analysis：
1. AC output wiring connected wrongly.
2. There is negative power more than 3kw exceed 100ms.
Suggestion:
1. if there is only one inverter run alone ，Disconnect AC input and AC output wiring
connection，connect AC input and AC output wiring connection correctly.
2. if there are several inverters run in parallel，please check whether current sharing cable
wiring connection is correct or not.
3. there may be phase difference among inverters in parallel system.
4.17 Error 80
Fault description: CAN fault.
Analysis：
1. Communication cable between inverter and battery doesn’t connect well.
Suggestion:
1. Disconnect communication cable，wait for a while，then reconnect it again.
2. You can find cable wiring connection details in user manual ，Red is communication
cable，green is current sharing cable，make sure red cable connected correctly.