Invest Solar SICM8H12 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SICM8H12, SICM16H24
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE MACHINE.
www.investsolar.co.za

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Before using the product, please read carefully the warning messages
and instructions on labels and user manual of this product and other
components connected to the product.
The product is designed to be connected with lead-acid battery only.
Do not connect the product with other types of batteries.
In the event flooded batteries are used, regular maintenance on
the battery shall be performed.
The product is design for indoor installation. Please do not expose
the product to direct sunlight, rainfall, or snow.
Before performing any maintenance on the product, please
disconnect all power sources (AC mains, batteries, solar panel) to
avoid the risk of electrical shock.
Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the product. Only
authorized personnel are allowed to perform repair.
While performing maintenance or cleaning (especially on the
batteries where hazardous liquid might be touched), it's recommended
to wear necessary personal protections (e.g. gloves and goggle).
The product and external batteries shall not be installed
anywhere near smoke, spark, and flame.
In the event a generator with auto-start function relates to
the product, before performing maintenance or cleaning.

SCOPE OF WARRANTY
The product comes with a standard 1-year warranty. This warranty includes all defects of design,
components and manufacturing. The warranty is void and does not cover any defects or damages
caused by in any of the following
circumstances:
■Seal on the product is broken
■The product has been misused, neglected, or abused
■Improper transportation and delivery
■The product has been used or stored in conditions outside its electrical or environmental
specifications
■The product has been used for purposes other than for which it was designed
■The product has been used outside its stated specifications, operating parameters and
application
■Acts of third parties, atmospheric discharges, excess voltage, chemical influences, natural
wear and tear and for loss and damage in transit
■Improper testing, operation, maintenance, adjustment, repair, or any modification of any kind
not authorized in writing by the supplier
■The product has been connected to other equipment with which it is not compatible
■Use and application beyond the definition in this manual
■Application beyond the scope of applicable safety standards or grid codes
■Acts of nature such as lighting, fire, storm, flood, vandalism and etc.
The right to repair and/or replace the defective product is at the supplier's sale discretion. The
supplier is not responsible for damages beyond the scope of this warranty.

TABLE OF CONTENT
PRODUCT OVERVIEW................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Product Outlook........................................................................................ 5
1.2 Typical Application.................................................................................... 8
INSTALLATION........................................................................................................... 9
2.1 Safety Clearance....................................................................................... 9
2.2 Mounting Inverter on the Wall................................................................. 9
2.3 Batteries................................................................................................... 9
2.4 PV (solar) string.......................................................................................11
2.5 Connect AC Input Cables and Loads........................................................12
2.6 AC Input Voltage Range Selector..............................................................12
OPERATION..............................................................................................................14
3.1 Standby Charging Mode...........................................................................14
3.2 Operation Modes (after powered on) ......................................................15
3.3 Priority Setting Switch..............................................................................16
3.4 Fault Mode...............................................................................................17
3.5 LCD Setting...............................................................................................17
SPECIFICATION.........................................................................................................21
TROUBLESHOOTING................................................................................................22
Alarm Behavior Table..............................................................................................23
APPENDIXA..............................................................................................................24
APPENDIX B.............................................................................................................29

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
This is a DC-to-AC inverter with integrated solar battery charger, which can be used as a long
run-time UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), an energy- saving solution or an automotive
inverter (hereinafter referred to as “inverter").
The inverter accepts input power source from AC mains (utility), battery, and PV (solar)
string and switches between various operation modes automatically depending on the
operational conditions.
When used as an UPS, battery or PV (solar) string act as back-up power source to supply loads
during the outage of AC mains.
When used as an energy-saving device, the PV (solar) string can be set as priority to supply the
loads without consuming the power from AC mains, if enough sunlight is present.
The battery can be charged by both AC mains and PV (solar) string with intelligent charging
controller.
Key features:
•Automatic line-to-battery switch over
•Built-in enhanced AC charger
•Built-in solar charger controller
•Configurable output source priority, charger source priority, charger current and soon
•High efficient DC-to-AC conversion with minimized energy loss
•Rack design & wall-mounted design for flexible installation
•Intelligent 3-stage charger control for efficient charging and preventing
overcharge
•Auto restart upon AC recovery
•User-friendly LCD and LED indications with setting function
•Smart temperature compensation technology to extend battery life
•Multiple protections: low battery alarm, low battery shutdown, over charger protection,
overload protection, over temperature protection, short circuit protection

1.1 Product Outlook
Front Panel
①Power ON/OFF button
②Setting function button
③LCD
④LED indicators
Rear Panel
①AC input socket
②AC output socket
③PV Input terminals
④Battery terminals
⑤DC Fan

LCD Display
LCD displays the power flow and input/output readings in a visualized graphic design which
allows the user to understand the operation status easily. The backlight of LCD remains on
whenever the inverter is working (including Standby Charging Mode and Fault Mode).
Icon
Description
This icon is showed when AC input (from AC mains or generator) presents.
If unit is on wide mode, "WIDE" will be lighted, else MNARROWW will be
lighted.
This icon is showed when PV (solar) system presents.
The icon indicates level of remaining battery capacity
The icon indicates battery flow way. If unit is on CC&CV charging stages,
“FAST" will be lighted.
The icon indicates output load level. If unit work on bypass mode,
"BYPASS" will be lighted.
Indicate PV input voltage. PV input current, AC input voltage, Battery
voltage.
Indicate output voltage, output frequency, load percentage, load VA
voltage watt value.
The icon indicates unit is on LCD setting mode.
The icon indicates unit is on alarm mode or fault mode.
When unit is on LCD setting mode, it indicates program code, when unit is
on fault mode, it indicates the fault code which can be referred to specific
fault event (please refer to Section "Troubleshooting").

LED Indicators
The operation mode of the inverter can be easily told by LED indicators. Please see the table
below for details.
LED indicators
Information
Green
Line Mode 1 (charge
current >3A)
Green flashing every 2 seconds
Line Mode 2 (charge
current 3A)
Green solid lighting
Off-charge mode
Green flashing as cycle:
0.5s On 0.5s Off 0.5s On 4s off
Yellow
Battery mode
Yellow solid lighting
Red
Overload
Red flashing every 0.5 second
Fault
Red lighting
Function Keys
Function Keys
Description
To power on/off
To enter the setting mode or exit setting mode
To go to the next selection page
To confirm the selection in setting mode

1.2 Typical Application
A typical application diagram for home and office applications is as shown
below. The inverter can accept AC input from AC mains, and is capable of
supply various loads such as fluorescent lamp, fan.

INSTALLATION
2.1 Safety Clearance
The minimum clearance to the wall shall be larger than 30cm in order to ensure
proper ventilation.
In the event the ambient temperature is high, it's recommended to increase the
distance of safety clearance to improve the heat dissipation.
2.2 Mounting Inverter on the Wall
The inverter is designed to either be placed on horizontal surface or be
mounted on the wall with various ways (as shown below). When mounting
the inverter on the wall,
1) The wall shall be solid and strong enough to carry the inverter.
2) The location of installation shall allow the user to read the LCD easily.
3) Two screws shall be firstly fixed on the wall (distance as shown below)
so that the inverter can be hung on the screws, recommended screw size is
M4*50~65mm.
4)After mounting the inverter; make sure it's firmly mounted and won't easily
fall off in the event of unexpected earthquake or vibration.
2.3 Batteries
Determine the size of battery
The inverter is designed with pre-set charging current and voltage. Given a fixed
charging current, under-sized batteries may shorten the battery life while over-sized
batteries may result in unreasonable recharging time.
It's recommended the batteries capacity shall be no less than 100Ah.

Connect the battery cables
• The gauge of battery cables shall be no less than 6 AWG with 105*C rating.
• No matter how the batteries are connected (in series or in parallel), make sure the
cables' terminal voltage is consistent with the inverter's specification (12V for
1000VA/1200VA model and 24V for 2000VA/2200VA model).
• It's recommended to cover the battery terminals during the connection.
• Check the polarity of cables before connecting to the inverter.
• Connect the battery cables to the inverter's battery terminals as shown below.
Connect with single battery
Make sure the battery voltage meets the inverter's specification (12V for
1000VA/1200VA modeland24V for 2000VA/2200VAmodel)
battery
Connect with multiple batteries
While connecting multiple batteries, use the same brand/type for all
batteries. Do not mix the battery bank with different brand/type of
batteries.

The user may connect the batteries in series in order to double the voltage
connected to inverter. The diagram below illustrates how to connect two 12V
batteries in series to make up 24V (for 2000VA/2200VA model)
The user may connect the batteries in parallel in order to increase the total battery
capacity without changing the battery voltage. The example below shows parallel
connection of multiple 12V batteries. While the total capacity is times by the number
of batteries, the terminal voltage remains 12V.
2.4 PV (solar) string
Selection of PV panel
PV string is a connection of PV panels whose output voltage and current vary under
different illumination. And just like battery, the PV panel can be connected in either
series or parallel as per needed. Please consult the supplier of PV panel so that the
operational voltage and current fall within the allowed range of the inverter as set
out in the specification.
Please do not use PV panel which requires one terminal
connected to ground (e.g. thin-film panel).
Connect the PV strings
As the PV string generates power if illumination exists, a circuit breaker
shall be installed between the PV string and inverter so that the power
from PV string can be switched off when needed (e.g. regular
maintenance).

To ensure better contact and reliability, ring terminal shall be fit on the cables from
PV string before connecting to the inverter. The recommended size of ring terminal
is
Model
Wire Gauge
Ring Terminal
Cable mm²
Dimensions
D(mm)
L(mm)
1K/1.2K/2K/2.2K
1*10AWG
5.16
5.3
19.8
Connect the cables from PV string to PV input terminals as shown below, a circuit
breaker with 80A rating shall be installed as shown below, please check the polarity
before connection.
Circuit
Breaker
2.5 Connect AC Input Cables and Loads
Connect the AC input cables and loads to the receptacles as shown below.
2.6 AC Input Voltage Range Selector
A. “NARROW" setting:
Set the selector to "NARROW" when connected with loads which are more sensitive
on voltage range. With this setting, the inverter is more sensitive to the voltage
disturbance on the AC input and the input voltage range is set at 170~280VAC while
output voltage follows input voltage.

B. ”tWIDE” setting:
Set the selector to "WIDE" when connected with loads which are less sensitive on
voltage range (e.g. light bulb, fan, fluorescent tube). With this setting, the inverter's
input voltage range is extended to 90~280VAC while output voltage follows input
voltage.
Please note that the inverter's transfer time switching from Line Mode to
Backup Mode gets longer as the input voltage gets low. Under the
circumstance, connecting the inverter with loads which are sensitive to
transfer time (e.g. computer) might result in power interruption.

OPERATION
After connecting batteries, AC input cables, and loads, the inverter is now
ready to work.
3.1 Standby Charging Mode
The battery can be charged without switching on the inverter, and such operation is
called Standby Charging Mode. When AC input cable and battery is connected, the
inverter will enter Standby Charging Mode and LCD will be turned on with the
following display.
If PV string is also connected with enough voltage, the display will be as
shown below to indicate the power flow from PV string.
Even if AC input is absent, PV power can still charge the battery and the
display will be as shown below.

3.2 Operation Modes (after powered on)
Press the Power ON/OFF button to power on the inverter and the inverter will
automatically enter either of the operation mode according to the condition of
LINE MODE1
AC input power is present but there is no PV power (e.g. nighttime). Load is
supplied by AC input power directly.
LINE MODE 2
Both AC input and PV input are present. Load is supplied by either AC input
or PV input depending on the priority switch's setting.

3.3 Priority Setting Switch
In LINE MODE 2, if priority setting switch is set to give PV priority and PV power is
also strong enough to support load, the AC input will not be consumed even though
it is present. This is deemed an energy-saving operation.
BACKUP MODE 1
Both AC input and PV input are absent. The backup power to load comes only from
battery. The backup time is determined by the capacity of battery.
BACKUP MODE 2
AC input is absent and PV power is not enough to support loads completely.
The insufficient power is covered by battery.
The larger the PV power, the less consumption from battery and therefore
the longer the backup time.

BACKUP MODE 3
AC input is absent and PV power is strong enough to not only support the
load and charge the battery.
If the PV power persists, the load can be powered continuously without consuming
power from battery.
3.4 Fault Mode
Inverter enters Fault Mode when there is a fault event. The fault icon will be shown
with a fault code. Please refer to fault code table in "Troubleshooting" section.
3.5 LCD Setting
(1) Display Menu
The LCD display content will be changed in turns by pressing button. The
Select able information is switched as below order: PV input voltage, PV
input current, AC input voltage, battery voltage, output voltage, output
frequency, load percentage, load VA value, load watt value. LCD will return
to default LCD display after 1 minute, if users want to return to default LCD
display immediately, please press button.
(2) Setting Menu
After pressing and holding button for more 2 seconds to enter setting mode,
Pres button for 1 second to select setting programs, the press button
to select program option, then press button to confirm the selection.

Program
Description
Selectable option & behavior
LCD setting display
1
AC input voltage
range
Wide(default): if selected, acceptable
AC input voltage range will be within
90-280VAC
Narrow: If selected, acceptable AC
input voltage range will be within
170-280VAC
2
Output source
priority: to
configure
load power
source
priority
Solar first(default): solar energy
provide power
to the loads as first priority.
If solar energy is not enough to power
all
connected loads, battery energy will
supply
power the load at the same time.
Utility provides power to the loads
only when
any below condition happens:
-Solar energy is not available
-Battery voltage drop to either
low-level waning
voltage or the setting point is
program 5.
Utility first: Utility will provide power
to the loads as priority. Solar and
battery energy will provide power to
the load only when utility power Is
not available.
SbU: Solar energy provides power to
the loads as priority.
If solar energy is not enough to power
all
connected loads, battery energy will
supply
power the load at the same time.
Utility provides power to the loads
only when battery voltage drops to
either low-level waning voltage or the
setting point Is program 5.
3
Charger source
priority
To configure charger
source priority
Solar first: solar energy will charge
battery as priority.
Utility will charge battery only when
solar energy is not available
Utility first: utility will charge battery
as first
Solar energy will charge battery only
when utility power is not available
Solar and Utility (default): Solar
energy and utility will charge battery
at the same time.

Only solar: Solar energy will be the only
charger source no matter utility is
available or not.
4
Setting voltage
point back to
battery mode
when selecting
"SBU priority" or"
Solar first- In
program 2
Options in 1K/1.2KVA model:
Full/12.5V/13V/13.5V(default)/14.0V
Options in2K/2.2KVA model:
Full/25V/25.5V/26V/26.5V/27V(default)/
27.5V/28V.
5
Setting voltage
point back to
utility source when
selecting "SBU
priority" or -Solar
first in program 2.
Options in 1 K/1.2KVA model:
10.5V/11.0V/(default)/11.5V/12.0V
Options in 2K/2.2KVA model:
21V/21.5V/22V(default)/22.5V/23V/
23.5V/24V/24.5V
6
Max charging
current: To
configure total
charging current
for solar and utility
chargers: (Max.
charging current=
utility charging
current +solar
charging current)
Options in 1 K/1.2KVA model:
20A/30A/40A/50A/60A/(default)/70A/80A
Options in 2K/2.2KVA model:
20A/30A/40A/50A/60A/(default)/75A
7
Max utility
charging current
Options in 1 K/1.2KVA model:
0A/5A/10A/15A/20A(default) Options in
2K/2.2KVA model: OA/5A/10A/15A
(default)
8
Auto restart when
overload occurs
Restart disable (default): When unit is
overloaded, unit will release overload
alarm. then turn off output & release fault
alarm, unit won't restart again until
end-user reduce load & press unit's on/off
power switch.
.