Anern 12KW Hybrid Solar Inverter

1. Introduction

This manual provides essential information for the assembly, installation, and operation of the Anern 12KW Hybrid Solar Inverter (Model AN-FGI-S12000). This multifunctional solar inverter integrates an MPPT solar charge controller, a high-frequency pure sine wave inverter, and a UPS function module. It is designed for off-grid backup power and self-consumption applications and can operate with or without batteries.

The inverter features dual PV input and dual AC output, supporting 220V/230V/240Vac at 50Hz/60Hz. A built-in or plug-and-play WiFi module allows for remote monitoring of the PV system status via mobile phone or website.

Figure 1: Anern FGI-S12000 Hybrid Solar Inverter with key features.

Figure 2: Advanced internal chip technology.

System Architecture

The complete system requires additional components such as PV modules, a generator, or a utility grid. Consult with your system integrator for specific architectural needs.

Figure 3: Solar Energy Storage System overview and priority modes.

2. Safety Information

Please read and keep this manual for future reference. Adherence to these safety instructions is crucial for safe operation and to prevent injury or damage.

• WARNING! This chapter contains important safety and operating instructions.
• CAUTION! Do not disconnect under load!
• Danger: High Voltage! Danger: Electrical Hazard!
• Start maintaining the INVERTER at least 5 minutes after the INVERTER is disconnected from all external power supplies.
• Read instructions carefully before performing any operation on the INVERTER.
• Grounding: The system must be firmly grounded for operator safety.
• Ensure correct battery system selection (lithium or lead-acid) for normal operation.
• All operations and connections must be performed by professional electrical or mechanical engineers.
• All electrical installations must comply with local electrical safety standards.
• When installing PV modules during the daytime, cover them with opaque materials to avoid high terminal voltage.
• CAUTION: To reduce risk of injury, charge only deep-cycle lead-acid type rechargeable batteries and lithium batteries. Other battery types may burst.
• Do not disassemble the unit. Refer to a qualified service center for repairs.
• Disconnect all wiring before maintenance or cleaning. Turning off the unit alone is not sufficient.
• NEVER charge a frozen battery.
• Use appropriate cable sizes as specified for optimum operation.
• Exercise caution with metal tools near batteries to prevent short circuits or explosions.
• Strictly follow installation procedures for disconnecting AC or DC terminals.
• NEVER cause AC output and DC input short circuits. Do NOT connect to the mains when DC input short circuits.
• Ensure the inverter is completely assembled before operation.

3. Setup (Installation)

3.1 Unpacking and Inspection

Upon receiving the product, inspect the packaging for any damage. If damaged, contact your local distributor. Verify that all internal equipment is intact.

3.2 Installation Tools

The following tools are recommended for installation:

• Multi-meter
• Protective gloves
• Insulated anti-smashing shoes
• Safety glasses
• ESD wrist strap
• Hammer drill
• Electric screwdriver
• Cross screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Spirit level
• Wire cutter / stripper
• Terminal crimping tool

3.3 Mounting Unit

Mounting Considerations:

• Do not mount on flammable construction materials.
• Mount on a solid surface (concrete or other non-combustible surface only).
• Install at eye level for LCD readability.
• Ambient temperature should be between -10°C and 60°C.
• Adhere to the wall vertically.
• Ensure sufficient space (at least 30cm clearance on top, bottom, and sides) for heat dissipation and wiring.

Mounting Steps:

1. Drill two Φ8 holes on the mounting surface, 110mm apart. Insert M6 expansion screw tubes.
2. Align the inverter's top screw holes with the installed expansion screw tubes and fix it to the wall.
3. Before connecting wiring, remove the bottom cover by unscrewing four screws.

3.4 AC Input / Output Connection

CAUTION: Install a separate AC breaker (recommended 80A) between the inverter and the AC input power source. Do not mis-connect input and output connectors. Ensure correct polarity (L and N wires) to prevent utility short-circuits in parallel operation.

Recommended Cable Sizes:

• AC Input: 6 AWG (13.3 mm²)
• AC OUT1 (Max 70A): 6 AWG (13.3 mm²)
• AC OUT2 (Max 40A): 10 AWG (5.26 mm²)

Connection Steps:

1. Open the AC circuit breaker before making connections.
2. Remove 12mm insulation from cable ends, shorten conductor to 10mm, insert into tubular terminal, and crimp tightly.
3. Insert AC input cables into terminal blocks according to polarities (PE: yellow-green, L: brown/black, N: blue) and tighten screws. Connect PE protective cable first.
4. Ensure all cables are securely connected.

AC Output (OUT1/OUT2) Connection: Follow similar steps as AC input connection for L (LINE) and N (Neutral) cables.

CAUTION: Appliances like air conditioners require a 2-3 minute delay before restarting to balance refrigerant gas. Ensure your appliance has a time-delay function or the inverter may trigger an overload fault, potentially causing damage.

3.5 PV Connection

CAUTION: Install a separate DC circuit breaker between the inverter and PV modules. Do not ground positive or negative terminals of PV modules. Exposure to sunlight can generate lethal high voltages; follow safety precautions. Connect PV terminals to corresponding ports; reversing polarity can damage the inverter. All wiring must be performed by qualified personnel.

Recommended Cable Size: 10 AWG (5.26 mm²)

PV Module Selection Parameters:

• Max. PV Array Open Circuit Voltage: 500Vdc
• Start-up Voltage: 80Vdc
• PV Array MPPT Voltage Range: 60Vdc~450Vdc

Connection Steps:

1. Open the DC circuit breaker before making PV connections.
2. Prepare cables by removing 12mm insulation, shortening conductor to 10mm, inserting into tubular terminal, and crimping tightly.
3. Use a multi-meter to check polarities (PV+: red, PV-: black).
4. Insert PV cables into terminal blocks according to polarities and tighten screws.
5. Ensure cables are securely connected.
6. PV1 and PV2 can be connected to different panel strings. If connected to the same string, change setting 62 to enable PV parallel mode.

3.6 Battery Connection

3.6.1 Lead-acid Battery Connection

User can choose proper capacity lead acid battery with a nominal voltage at 48V. Also you need to choose battery type as 'AGM or FLD(flooded)'.

CAUTION: Install a separate DC over-current protector or disconnect device (recommended 250A) between the battery and inverter. All wiring must be performed by a qualified person. Ensure AC power is disconnected before connecting the battery.

Recommended Battery Cable and Terminal Size: 000 AWG (85 mm²)

Connection Steps:

1. Unscrew pre-fixed screws on battery poles. Prepare 2 DT terminals suitable for cables.
2. Remove 12mm insulation, shorten conductor to 10mm, insert into DT terminal, and crimp tightly.
3. Pass the battery cable through the battery installation hole on the bottom shell and tighten terminal screws. Ensure correct polarity (red to positive, black to negative) and that DT terminals are tightly screwed to battery terminals.
4. Connect all battery packs as required. It is suggested to connect at least 200Ah capacity battery.

WARNING! Shock Hazard: Installation must be performed with care due to high battery voltage in series.

CAUTION: Do not place anything between the flat part of the inverter terminal and the DT terminal to prevent overheating. Do not apply anti-oxidant substance on terminals before connecting. Ensure positive (+) is connected to positive (+) and negative (-) to negative (-) before final DC connection.

3.6.2 Lithium Battery Connection

If using a lithium battery, check protocol compatibility first. The lithium battery has two connectors: an RJ45 port for BMS and power cables.

Connection Steps:

1. Follow section 3.6.1 for power cable connection.
2. Connect the RJ45 terminal of the battery communication cable to the BMS communication port of the inverter. The communication protocol should be RS485 or CAN.
3. Insert the other end of the RJ45 (battery communication cable) to the battery communication port of the lithium battery.

Lithium Battery Communication and Setting:

• Set the battery type to 'Lib' or 'FEL' in Program 17 of the LCD settings.
• Ensure the lithium battery BMS port connects to the inverter is Pin to Pin.
• For parallel systems, connect the BMS communication cable between the battery and one inverter.

3.7 Meter Connection

The inverter can connect to an external meter at the grid side for accurate grid power and precise grid-tied function. The inverter's RS485A and RS485B in the BMS interface are used for the meter. CAN H/L can also be connected with BMS. Ensure the meter model supports the inverter's communication protocol.

3.8 Smart Communication Stick Connection (Optional)

The smart communication stick (WIFI) connects to the cloud platform. Insert the stick directly into the COM port. Some models have built-in WiFi monitoring; refer to the solar APP quick configuration guide.

3.9 Final Assembly

After all wiring is connected, reinstall the bottom cover by screwing in the four screws.

3.10 Visual Installation Guide

4. Operating

4.1 Power ON/OFF

Once the unit is properly installed and batteries are connected, press the ON/OFF switch (located on the bottom of the case) to turn on the unit.

4.2 Operation and Display Panel

The front panel features four indicators, four function keys, and an LCD display to show operating status and power information.

Function Buttons:

• ESC: To exit setting mode.
• UP: To go to previous selection.
• DOWN: To go to next selection.
• ENTER: To confirm selection or enter setting mode.

LED Indicators:

4.3 LCD Settings

Press and hold the ENTER button for 2 seconds to enter setting mode. Use 'UP' or 'DOWN' to navigate, 'ENTER' to confirm, and 'ESC' to exit.

Key settings include:

• Program 01: Output voltage (220V, 230V, 240V)
• Program 02: Output frequency (50Hz, 60Hz)
• Program 03: Output source priority (Grid first, Solar first, MKS - Generator first)
• Program 04: Input mode (APP: Appliance, UPS, GEN)
• Program 05: Charger source priority (PV and Grid, Only PV, PV first)
• Program 06: Grid charging current (2A to 160A)
• Program 07: Maximum charging current (2A to 160A)
• Program 17: Battery type (AGM, Flooded, Lithium (Ternary), FEL (Lithium Iron), User-Defined)
• Program 44: BMS Communication Function (CVT, PYL, GRO, VOL, IRO, PAC protocols)
• Program 62: PV Parallel Mode (OFF: different PV strings, ON: same PV string)

4.4 Display Information

The LCD displays various information, cycling through screens by pressing 'UP' or 'DOWN'. If no operation for a long time, the daily PV power generation is displayed.

Displayed information includes:

• Battery icon and type (AGM, FLD, USER, Li-ion)
• Charging stages (CC, CV, FLOAT)
• Battery voltage, charging/discharging current
• AC input voltage and frequency
• PV input power, voltage, current (PV1 and PV2)
• AC output voltage, apparent power (VA/kVA), active power (W/kW), frequency
• Battery capacity and load capacity
• Second AC output voltage
• System information, function settings, fault/alarm status
• Daily and total solar power generation
• Lithium battery voltage, current, temperature, SOC, rated capacity, remaining capacity (if BMS is connected)
• Inverter firmware version

5. Maintenance (Battery Equalization)

Battery equalization helps reverse negative chemical effects like stratification and remove sulfate crystals in lead-acid batteries, extending battery life. Note: Do not activate this mode when using lithium batteries.

How to Apply Equalization Function:

You can enable battery equalization in LCD setting Program 32 by setting a time, or choose immediate equalization on Program 35. Then, apply this function by:

1. Setting equalization voltage point on Program 31.
2. Setting equalization charging time on Program 32.
3. Setting equalization delay time on Program 33.
4. Setting equalization interval time on Program 34.
5. Setting immediate equalization mode activation on Program 35.

When to Equalize:

In the float stage, when the set equalization interval is reached, or if immediate equalization is active, the controller will enter the Equalize stage.

Equalize Charging Time and Timeout:

During the Equalize stage, the controller charges the battery until it reaches the equalization voltage. Constant-voltage regulation maintains this voltage. The battery remains in this stage until the set equalization time is reached.

If the equalization time expires and the battery voltage hasn't reached the equalization voltage point, the charge controller extends the equalization time. If the battery voltage is still below the equalization voltage after the extended timeout, the charge controller stops equalization and returns to the float stage.

6. Troubleshooting

This section provides guidance on identifying and resolving common issues, including fault codes, alarm codes, and general troubleshooting steps.

6.1 Fault Reference Code

When a fault occurs, the fault indicator is always on, and the buzzer sounds for 10 seconds before stopping. The system attempts to restart automatically. If the machine fails to work after six restarts, it will remain in fault status. Power off the machine completely or wait 15 minutes to restart. The LCD displays a fault code.

Fault: Inverter enters fault mode, with a constant red LED light and LCD displaying a fault code.

Example Fault Display: ALA 52

6.2 Alarm Reference Code

When an alarm occurs, the inverter does not enter fault mode; the LED red light flashes, and the LCD displays the alarm code.

6.3 General Troubleshooting Guide

7. Specifications

Notes: Updates to the content and version of this manual will not be notified separately.

8. User Tips

• This inverter is versatile and can operate effectively both with and without a battery, and can function independently of the grid. This flexibility allows for various solar energy system configurations.
• For optimal performance and longevity, ensure all wiring connections are secure and use the recommended cable gauges as specified in the manual. Loose connections can lead to inefficiencies or system faults.
• Regularly monitor the inverter's display panel for any fault or alarm codes. Addressing these promptly can prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems.

9. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please contact your authorized dealer or the manufacturer directly. Keep your purchase receipt and product serial number handy for faster service.

A PDF version of the user manual is available for download for detailed instructions and diagrams. Download User Manual (PDF)