I suspect our performance issues are software related as well. Obviously Outback didn't optimize performance of their inverters for such a large battery. It would be nice to be able to understand and adjust some of those back door parameters, though. We've learned more about the problem: it appears to be cold temp related, batteries are in an unheated room of the house, and it seems to occur with snow on the modules, when their output is diminished. Apparently there is enough power to seriously charge the batteries, but not reach full charge parameters. I think it could be a combined effect of several issues mentioned here. (software, temp sensing in cold weather, Utility transformer,...)
R. Walters [email protected] Solar Engineer On Mar 31, 2010, at 12:45 PM, Randy Brooks wrote: > Ray, > > The only fault warning we got was the batteries (a 48v, 1,000 amp hr HuP) > were boiling and using a lot of water, and expected power production was > down. OutBack said this problem was corrected with new software. The system > was installed in 11/2005 and the inverters replaced in spring 2006. If your > inverters are newer, it should not be a problem, but it might be worth > discussing with OutBack. > > Good luck, > > Randy Brooks > Brooks Solar, Inc. > Solar Power for People > 140 Columbia View > Chelan, WA 98816 > 509-682-9646 > [email protected] > www.BrooksSolar.com > > On Mar 31, 2010, at 10:48 AM, R Ray Walters wrote: > >> Ventilated, but small enclosure. Definitely a possibility to consider. What >> fault warnings were you getting? >> >> Thanks, >> >> R. Walters >> [email protected] >> Solar Engineer >> >> >> >> >> On Mar 30, 2010, at 5:58 PM, Randy Brooks wrote: >> >>> Ray, >>> >>> Is the inverter in a ventilated space? We had a similar problem with older >>> OutBacks in an unventilated shed. OutBack sent us upgraded inverters and >>> we vented the shed and have had no problems since. >>> >>> Good luck, >>> >>> Randy Brooks >>> Brooks Solar, Inc. >>> Solar Power for People >>> 140 Columbia View >>> Chelan, WA 98816 >>> 509-682-9646 >>> [email protected] >>> www.BrooksSolar.com >>> >>> On Mar 30, 2010, at 11:54 AM, R Ray Walters wrote: >>> >>>> I considered that there could be something happening due to the grid, as >>>> this guy is way out on the end of the line going into his own utility >>>> transformer. >>>> But then the inverter should show a fault light, and it should try back >>>> again, once the grid voltage drops. >>>> Instead it initiates a full charge cycle and will not connect till the >>>> next day. >>>> >>>> R. Walters >>>> [email protected] >>>> Solar Engineer >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Mar 30, 2010, at 10:57 AM, Brian Teitelbaum wrote: >>>> >>>>> HI Ray, >>>>> >>>>> Have you checked the grid voltage to see if there is variation during the >>>>> day which would be enough to kick the inverters out of connection? >>>>> >>>>> Brian Teitelbaum >>>>> AEE Solar >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: [email protected] >>>>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of R Ray >>>>> Walters >>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:43 AM >>>>> To: RE-wrenches >>>>> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback Grid Problems >>>>> >>>>> We currently have a Grid Tie system with a pair of Outback inverters that >>>>> are regularly dropping out of sell mode, and letting the arrays spend all >>>>> day charging the battery bank. >>>>> It seems to do this several times a week, and the customer is losing >>>>> substantial production, and gassing the batteries too much. >>>>> It will reset itself the next day, or the customer resets it by turning >>>>> off the inverters manually. >>>>> The system is 24 v, with an old array of 1800 watts running through 2 >>>>> FM60s, and a new array of 2800 watts running through another pair of >>>>> FM60s. >>>>> The battery bank is HUP about 4100 Ah @ 24 v (3 strings of 1375 Ah each) >>>>> Big battery, I know, but the customer is an electrical engineer, who >>>>> wanted maximum storage capacity. >>>>> >>>>> Outback tech support has not resolved the issue, and this has turned into >>>>> several service calls, and customer frustration. >>>>> We've tried running the controllers through the HUB, and also >>>>> independently, and that doesn't make a difference. >>>>> I have numerous Outback GT installs dating back to 2003, and have never >>>>> had a problem like this. >>>>> Any help or advice would as always be greatly appreciated. >>>>> >>>>> Thank you in advance fellow Wrenches, >>>>> >>>>> R. Walters >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> Solar Engineer >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >>>>> >>>>> List Address: [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> Options & settings: >>>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> List-Archive: >>>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> List rules & etiquette: >>>>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>>>> >>>>> Check out participant bios: >>>>> www.members.re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >>>>> >>>>> List Address: [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> Options & settings: >>>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> List-Archive: >>>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> List rules & etiquette: >>>>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>>>> >>>>> Check out participant bios: >>>>> www.members.re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >>>> >>>> List Address: [email protected] >>>> >>>> Options & settings: >>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>> >>>> List-Archive: >>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>> >>>> List rules & etiquette: >>>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>>> >>>> Check out participant bios: >>>> www.members.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >>> >>> List Address: [email protected] >>> >>> Options & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List-Archive: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List rules & etiquette: >>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>> >>> Check out participant bios: >>> www.members.re-wrenches.org >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Options & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: [email protected] > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org >
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