3. Installation
Warning
This product should be installed by a qualified electrician.
During installation ensure that the remote connector with wire bridge is removed (or switch off the remote on/off switch if installed) to be sure that the inverter cannot be switched on unexpectedly.
3.1. Physical installation
For a dimension drawing of the inverter, see the Appendix of this manual.
3.1.1. Location
To ensure a trouble free operation of the inverter, it must be used in locations that meet the following requirements:
Avoid any contact with water. Do not expose the inverter to rain or moisture.
Install the inverter in a dry and well-ventilated area.
For best operating results, the inverter should be mounted on a flat surface.
Mount as close as possible to the batteries. Try and keep the distance between the product and the battery to a minimum in order to minimize cable voltage losses.
There should be a clear space of at least 10cm around the appliance for cooling. Do not obstruct the airflow around the inverter. When the inverter is running too hot, it will shut down. When the inverter has reached a safe temperature level, the unit will automatically restart again.
Do not place the unit in direct sunlight. The ambient air temperature should be between -20°C and 40°C (humidity <95% non-condensing). Note that in extreme situations the inverter’s case temperature can exceed 70°C.
Warning
Excessive high ambient temperature will result in a reduced service life, reduced charge current, reduced peak power rating or shutdown of the inverter.
Never mount the inverter directly above the batteries.
For safety purposes, this product should be installed in a heat resistant environment if it is used with equipment where a substantial amount of power is to be converted. You should prevent the presence of e.g. chemicals, synthetic components, curtains or other textiles, etc., in the immediate vicinity.
3.1.2. Mounting
Mount the inverter against a sturdy wall or horizontally on a suitable ground surface.
Mount the inverter with four screws vertically up- or downwards or horizontally up- or downwards. See below table and figure for the best mounting options.
Mounting directions.
# | Mounting type | Recommended? | IP rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ceiling mounting (inverted). | No | n/a | |
2 | Base mounting | Yes | IP21 | |
3 | Vertical wall mounting, fan at the bottom. | Yes | IP20 | Be aware that potentially small objects or dust can fall into the inverter through the ventilation openings at the top. |
4 | Vertical mounting, fan on top. | No | n/a | |
5 | Horizontal wall mounting. | Yes | IP20 |
3.2. Electrical installation
For a connection overview drawing of the inverter, see appendix Connection overview.
3.2.1. Connection to the battery
In order to fully utilize the full capacity of the inverter, it is important to use batteries with sufficient capacity and battery cables with sufficient cross section.
The inverter is fitted with an internal DC fuse. If the battery cable length is more than 1.5m, an additional fuse or DC circuit breaker must be added to the battery cable, located close to the battery.
See below table for the recommended battery cable cross section, internal fuse information and the minimum recommended battery capacity for each inverter model.
Inverter model | Cable cross section 0-1.5m | Cable cross section 1.5-m | Internal fuse (Littlefuse) | Fuse replaceable? | Minimum battery capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12/250 | 4mm² | 6mm² | 2 x 30A, 32V, ATOF | No | 30Ah |
24/250 | 2.5mm² | 4mm² | 30A, 32V ATOF | No | 20Ah |
Sufficient cable thickness and appropriate sized batteries are an important factor. Please consult your supplier or see the relevant sections of our books: Energy Unlimited and Wiring Unlimited, both downloadable from our website.
Battery connection procedure
Warning
Use insulated tools in order to avoid shorting the battery terminals.
Avoid shorting the battery cables.
Proceed as follows to connect the battery cables:
Be aware that reverse polarity connection of the battery cables (+ to – and – to +) will cause damage to the inverter.
Connect the battery cables to the + (red) and the - (black) battery terminals.
Secure the battery connections tightly. A tight connection will reduce the contact resistance as much as possible.
3.2.2. Solar connection
Be aware that reverse polarity connection of the solar panel wires can cause damage to the inverter.
Connect the solar panel cables to the positive (red) and the negative (black) PV terminals.
Secure the PV connections tightly. A tight connection will reduce the contact resistance as much as possible.
Warning
Do not connect a battery or DC Power supply to the Solar connection. This will cause damage to the inverter.
3.2.3. AC output connection
The inverter is equipped with the following AC outlet:
IEC-320 (male plug included).
For a photo of the AC outlet type, see appendix AC outlet.
The inverter does not have a fuse in the AC output. The AC cabling is protected by a fast-acting current limiter in case of a short circuit and an overload detection mechanism which mimics the characteristics of a fuse (i.e. faster shutdown with larger overload). It is important to size your wiring properly, based on the inverter’s power rating.
Never connect the AC output of the inverter to another AC source, such as a household AC wall outlet or a generator.
Warning
The inverter has a floating ground. To ensure proper functioning of a GFCI (or RCCB, RCB or RCD) to be installed in the AC output circuit of the Inverter, an internal or external neutral to ground connection needs to be made. For more information see appendix Installation information neutral to ground connection.
3.2.4. Chassis to ground connection
Wire size for connecting the inverter chassis to ground:
The earth conductor from the earth lug on the chassis to ground should have at least half the cross-section of the conductors used for the battery connection.
The maximum conductor size that fits the earth lug is 25 mm². Use the table below to find the correct cross-section for the earth conductor.
Battery cable | Ground cable |
|---|---|
1.5 mm² | ≥ 0.75 mm² |
2.5 mm² | ≥ 1.5 mm² |
4 mm² | ≥ 2.5 mm² |
6 mm² | ≥ 4 mm² |
3.2.5. Remote connector
Remote on/off control of the inverter can be achieved with a simple on/off switch connected to the inverter remote connector.
The inverter will switch on when it has been switched to ON via the ON/OFF/CHARGER-ONLY swicht and when:
Contact is made between the remote connector H (left) terminal and L (right) terminal, for example via the wire bridge, a switch or the Inverter control panel.
Contact is made between the remote connector H (left) terminal and battery positive.
Contact is made between the remote connector L (right) terminal and battery negative.
Some usage examples of the remote connector are:
If the inverter is situated in a vehicle and is only allowed to operate when the engine is running. Connect the remote connector H (right) terminal to the vehicle ignition switch.
If the inverter is connected to a lithium battery the inverter can be controlled by the lithium battery BMS.
Warning
For safety purposes, the inverter can be turned off completely by removing the remote connector. Do this by pulling the remote connector out of its socket. This ensures that the inverter cannot be turned on anymore via its switch or Bluetooth. The user can now be certain that the inverter is definitely turned off and it cannot be accidentally turned back on by another user.
Inverter control panel
If a Phoenix Inverter Control VE.Direct panel is used, it needs to be connected to the inverter remote connector as is indicated in below image. Note that the connection is polarity dependent for proper operation.
Connecting to a BMS
The remote connector can be used to control the inverter and its solar charger from a lithium battery BMS (Battery Management system) in the following way:
If both the H (left) and L (right) terminal are floating or pulled to ground (0V) the inverter and solar charger are off.
If the H (left) terminal is pulled high (battery voltage), the battery is allowed to be discharged and the inverter is on.
If the L (right) terminal is pulled high (battery voltage), the battery is allowed to be charged and the solar charger is on.
If both the H (left) terminal and L (right) terminal are pulled high (battery voltage), the battery is allowed to be charged and discharged and both the solar charger and inverter are on.
If the H (left) and L (right) terminal are interconnected (wire loop) normal condition, the inverter and solar charger are on.
Note
Note that the BMS function overrules the ON/OFF/CHARGE switch as well as switching the unit via the VictronConnect app.
 |
REMOTE connector - location H and L terminal.
Battery temperature sensor
Battery temperature information can be used by the SUN inverter to do the following:
In case of lead-acid batteries, to facilitate temperature compensated charging. The charge voltage is reduced when the batteries are hot and the charge voltage is increased when the batteries are cold.
In case of lithium batteries, to stop battery charging at very low temperatures (generally below 5°C).
Battery temperature can be obtained in two ways:
From a VE.Smart Networking, for more information on this see the VE.Smart Networking chapter.
From an external temperature sensor, the Temperature sensor QUA PMP GX Device.
Note that the above temperature sensors are not included with the SUN inverter.
If battery temperature is available via both the VE.Smart Networking and the external temperature sensor, the battery temperature from the VE.Smart Networking will prevail.
If an external battery sensor is used, connect the temperature sensor in the following way:
Connect the M10 cable lug part of the temperature sensor to one of the battery terminals.
Remove the wire loop from the REMOTE connector.
Connect the negative (black) wire to the H (left) terminal of the REMOTE connector.
Connect the positive (red) wire to the L (right) terminal of the REMOTE connector.
 |
Connecting a battery temperature sensor to the REMOTE connector.
3.2.6. VE.Direct connection
The VE.Direct connection can be used for monitoring of the inverter via a GX device, or to connect to the VictronConnect app.
The following items can be connected:
A GX device or GlobalLink 520 using a VE.Direct cable.
A GX device using a VE.Direct to USB interface.
A computer running the VictronConnect app using the VE.Direct to USB interface.
A phone or tablet running the VictronConnect app using the VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle.
3.2.7. SUN Inverter system example
ID | Item and notes |
|---|---|
| |
| Solar array consisting of a single or multiple solar panels. |
| AC system. |
| Phoenix Inverter Control VE.Direct for on/off control of the inverter. |
| SUN inverter 12V 250VA |
| Bluetooth communication, use with the VictronConnect app for monitoring, configuration and inter-product communication (VE.Smart Networking). |
| VictronConnect app to monitor and configure all Bluetooth enabled Victron "Smart" products. |
| Positive (red) and negative (black) DC wiring. For more information on wiring see the Wiring Unlimited book. |
| AC wiring. |
| DC fuse. A wide range of DC fuses and fuse holders are available from Victron Energy. For fuse ratings see the product manuals or the Wiring Unlimited book. |
| Circuit breaker (MCB) and residual current device (RCD). |
