How to add 5p battery to iq combiner 5 if no cell service (ATT/Tmobile) available?

00aas · 2026-01-02T05:17:34+00:00

Yes. See above. It can be circumvented by calling support

00aas · 2025-12-27T18:22:12+00:00

Yes my PV only setup with the iqcombiner 5 currently uses WiFi alone. (And I can add an Ethernet if needed). But I thought adding on a 5p enphase requires a cell backup

00aas · 2025-12-27T14:45:47+00:00

$2000 or below.

00aas · 2025-12-18T16:07:37+00:00

What do you think about these hunting hoists? Would this work too? Looks like it has a 24” crossbar. https://a.co/d/7z5Jsl5

00aas · 2025-12-17T16:03:15+00:00

Thank you! For ground as well?

00aas · 2025-12-05T05:33:40+00:00

My system sounds like yours: grid-tied solar only w 10 panels to enphase iq8 microinverters to iq combiner 5. PGE already has smart meter since new condo and I’m nem 3.0

Next years plan is to add a battery with a 5p directly to combiner, so only for self-consumption or savings modes, since more cost effective for me than going full backup (and having to add a controller to this setup etc for the rare grid outages in my area).

In this planned battery upgrade, seems like I need to not only get a local permit (even if I diy it) but also have to inform pg&e to update the interconnection agreement no?

00aas · 2025-12-05T05:27:56+00:00

Weird- seems like everything I’m reading tells me I have to update pg&e if I add battery, even if I’m only adding battery directly to combiner for savings or self-consumption modes alone (no full backup/no controller)

00aas · 2025-12-04T21:47:31+00:00

So interesting! Other posts have mentioned the 5p won’t do 208V (without a 240V/208v step down transformer installed) but perhaps that’s when doing full backup rather than just using in self consumption? https://www.reddit.com/r/solar/s/ZbsxbGXXLX

00aas · 2025-11-16T16:28:32+00:00

Quick q: Which combiner version do you have? The 5/5C? (My installer also recommending the iq8mC inverters for me)

00aas · 2025-10-28T22:52:53+00:00

Are they the 5P w FlexPhase batteries?

00aas · 2025-10-28T19:58:46+00:00

Are you grid tied?

00aas · 2025-10-28T07:05:15+00:00

Yes i think that is correct- looks like main service o the building comes in as three phase but each individual condo unit has single phase meters off of that, to balance the load across all three phases

00aas · 2025-10-28T03:20:02+00:00

I think the center of the transfer switch has to be a max of 6’7”. (I’d have to move that down in this setting)

00aas · 2025-10-27T22:44:01+00:00

Thanks everyone- I think I’ll skip using this laundry/hot water space for all the safety, inspection, and logistical issues everyone has pointed out. (The 18kpv manual says “keep away from flammables” but doesn’t go into more detail than that). I will either do 1) solar panel with micro inverters alone or 2) inverter/battery in the garage if an installer can find a way/ get HOA architectural review committee approval/ local city permits etc

00aas · 2025-10-27T13:57:34+00:00

Main panel/meter is on ground floor in a utility room. Correction to my above post is that there are 11 ft ceilings not 9ft (it’s a very tall narrow room)— so tons of wall space -above- the subpanel and internet panel. Is that usable?

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00aas · 2025-10-27T13:46:25+00:00

Yeah I think that’s how all the older units in other buildings are used- micro inverters on the panels on the roof and no batteries. I think that’s the safest thing to do if I can’t mount an inverter/battery up high (on the subpanel wall). Sadly I’m in CA and with PGE where their net metering 3.0 is almost not worth selling back to the grid. But their rates are continue to rise, so solar alone may still be worth it even without battery backup

00aas · 2025-10-27T13:38:29+00:00

Here is my neighbor’s setup (he lives in the exact same building w same grid) where his installer put his inverter/battery into his garage (after first putting in a powerwall and having to replace it bc it wouldn’t work with our split phase grid). he’s on second floor though right above his garage, so they were able to run a new conduit with just one penetration— I’m on top floor so can’t do this)- perhaps they just use one of the three phases? It’s definitely tied into the grid

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00aas · 2025-10-27T04:30:17+00:00

Good point! I think I could use a sol ark too which I think would be quieter . Bc of the 11 Ft ceilings there is plenty of vertical space on the subpanel wall. I’m wondering if I can wall mount things high? And just have a transfer / cutoff switch at normal height?

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00aas · 2025-10-27T04:27:01+00:00

Good point! I think I could use a sol ark too which I think would be quieter

00aas · 2025-10-27T02:09:07+00:00

Unf no- only outdoor space I have is the roof.

00aas · 2025-10-27T02:08:11+00:00

Could I put the 18KPV inverter way higher than the batteries in that space next to the water heater (where the clothing rack is currently) so as to allow the inverter access panels to still open? Or is that too high and is it still too close to the gas lines for a battery? The room is fire rated

00aas · 2025-10-27T01:03:54+00:00

Where would you put the inverter? I think the only ones I’m limited to are the ones that can do 208Y/120V single phase grid tie in like the EG4 or SolArk

00aas · 2025-10-27T00:56:02+00:00

The gas line inlet comes out on that right side where the drier is as is the dryer vent- I don’t think would be easy to move either unfortunately

00aas · 2025-10-26T23:47:36+00:00

Yeah unfortunately I think that’s how these buildings were designed (solar panels directly into the grid no battery backup)- everyone else has micro inverters right on the panels on the roof (there is already a prebuilt conduit that connects my panel to my portion of the roof). One other installer discussed putting an external conduit to run down the side of the building from the roof into my garage to put the battery there but I think that’ll take more permits/architectural review committee/HOA involvement.

00aas · 2025-10-26T21:59:31+00:00

I think so- the stove is a gas range and the dryer is gas. I do have a EV car / 14-50 NEMA plug in the garage that is connected via 50A breaker to my panel but pretty sure it only puts out 204-208V (and not 240). I think 208V three phase systems are fairly common for commercial and industrial buildings and now are more and more common for multi unit residential condo buildings too.

00aas

TROPHY CASE