APSmart also suggested the thermal camera but that assumes that the array/string is up and running. If you had a single device that was out and causing the problem that might help pinpoint it but in our case the entire string was offline because the failed RSD was the last module in the string.
With Kind Regards Carl Adams SunRock Solar 513.290.9072 On Mon, Jun 21, 2021, 5:45 PM [email protected] < [email protected]> wrote: > I’m going to try the thermal camera trick before resorting to lifting > modules. > > rick brown > SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC > Electrical & Solar Contracting Services > www.SolShineEnergy.com > Check, Virginia 24072 > O: 540.235.3095 > M: 540.808.9502 > > VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660 > VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762 > VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer > NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21 > > > > > > On Jun 21, 2021, at 5:42 PM, Jeremy Coxon <[email protected]> > wrote: > > We are going through a similar scenario right now with APSmart RSD’s and > a SMA 7.0 that will start up and run, then the next day no start up at > dawn. Perform a hard reset on inverter and array starts up, runs all day, > then the next morning we’re back to doing a hard reset to get array to > start up. > > Very simple system 2 strings of 12, voltages at inverter around 8V > (12x0.7=8.4V) - short run with oversized conductors means very small > voltage drop thankfully. SMA says we need to be on site to troubleshoot, > but without the little APS RSD Eye, I’m thinking they’re just going to say > it’s not their problem. APS’s troubleshooting guide basically says lift > each panel to find the problem. Not a happy camper! > > Jeremy Coxon NABCEP > Certified MWBE > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Jun 21, 2021, at 12:43 PM, "[email protected]" < > [email protected]> wrote: > > Carl, > That’s very helpful. We’ll check each module and report back. > > rick brown > SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC > Electrical & Solar Contracting Services > www.SolShineEnergy.com > Check, Virginia 24072 > O: 540.235.3095 > M: 540.808.9502 > > VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660 > VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762 > VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer > NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21 > > > > > > On Jun 21, 2021, at 12:15 PM, Carl Adams <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Rick, > I was recently troubleshooting a similar problem. Open circuit voltage on > all strings was as expected but under load one string was showing almost no > power. Tracked this down to a failed APSmart device which had clear signs > of thermal damage. Pictures 1.1 and 1.2. . > A second failed unit some months later had a thermal failure and this one > toasted the module. Picture 2.1. > > These devices can make it difficult to do any meaningful string level > testing. The devices output a nominal 0.7 volts in open circuit > conditions. That documentation says this voltage reading is *+* 25%, so > in theory you could have a number of devices which were not working and > your string voltage would not indicate that. > > APSmart does make a test device which can help you verify the > functionality. The device is called RSD-EYE+ Detector. You can contact > YI Kang , *APPLICATION & TECHNICAL SUPPORT MANAGER,* > *MLRSD *at APSmart for additional information. 737.218.8486 > <FailedAPSmart1.2.jpg> > > <FailedAPSmart2.1.jpg> > > <FailedAPSmart1.1.jpg> > > With Kind Regards > Carl Adams, President > SunRock Solar, LLC > 513.290.9072 (mobile) > 513.766.6025 (office) > > > > On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 11:55 AM Lloyd Hoffstatter < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Rick, >> I would check with SMA to make sure you have the latest firmware. >> >> Best regards, >> Lloyd >> >> Lloyd Hoffstatter >> Sunstruck Consulting >> >> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> on >> behalf of [email protected] <[email protected]> >> *Sent:* Monday, June 21, 2021 11:42:36 AM >> *To:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> >> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] RSD Troubleshooting Help >> >> Wrenches, >> >> I’m in need of some troubleshooting help on a newly installed system with >> rapid shutdown. System consists 2 SMA SB5.0-1 SP-US-41 (RSD version), RSD >> devices are APS RSD-S-PLC. Each SB is configured with two strings of 9. >> Modules are REC Alpha 360s. >> >> This system was fully functional for about 1 week before things went >> awry. Initial symptoms were that one of the two strings read 0V 0A on the >> display while the other read ~315V, 5A. The RSD devices output ~700mV each >> when in the off mode (a nice verification feature). I’m reading the correct >> voltage - 6.75V - on both strings when in off mode. Once the Sunny Boy >> comes on line I’m reading around 10V on the faulty string and the correct >> voltage - ~315V - on the other string. >> >> The above seems to indicate that each RSD is getting sufficient DC >> voltage from the module. Short of pulling each module and doing a visual >> check what else can I look at? How do you isolate a faulty RSD device? >> >> And as luck would have it, everything is functional at the moment. >> >> Thanks, >> >> rick brown >> SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC >> Electrical & Solar Contracting Services >> www.SolShineEnergy.com >> Check, Virginia 24072 >> O: 540.235.3095 >> M: 540.808.9502 >> >> VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660 >> VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762 >> VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer >> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21 >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the >> other: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the >> other: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > >
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