Mac
> On Feb 12, 2015, at 4:45 AM, Mac Lewis <maclew...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi William, > > I want to talk directly to your problem at hand. I think installing the > shunt and properly calibrating it, will fix this system . In a DC coupled > system with a Sunny Island, it is imperative that you use a shunt, unless you > are using the Midnite charge controllers with the communications to > accurately report all charging (or the non-UL listed SMA charge controllers). > There are so many functions and calculations that the Sunny Island performs > that needs accurate SOC calculations. All of the shutdowns that you are > seeing are resulting from faulty SOC measurements. I wouldn't believe the > reported state of health either, because it is using the faulty SOC > measurements. Don't believe state of health until you have a couple of > months of operation with the shunt. > > Right now, with the system as is, it isn't accounting for the charge coming > from the charge controller(s). It is shutting down because its only > accounting for AC power processed through the Sunny Island. I once had a > Sunny Island system with an improperly calibrated shunt and it acted just as > you describe, strange shutdowns, bad SOC output etc. After I got it > calibrated, it has worked flawlessly. > > Take your time when you are calibrating the shunt. Follow the (odd) > directions perfectly and it should work. Verify Sunny Island readings match > your DC clamp meter and you should be good. > > As far as SMA not having a BOS solution, its true, and you can tell that it > is not in their expertise. I like the Midnite cabinets that are made for the > Sunny Island. They are pricey but look sharp and are functional. > > And yes, the Sunny Island documentation is very strange and incomplete and > could use a serious revision. Some of the information must be lost in > translation. > > Good Luck! > >> On Wed, Feb 11, 2015 at 9:40 PM, Ray Walters <r...@solarray.com> wrote: >> Hi William; >> >> Yes I'm getting too old to let manufacturers off the hook anymore. They >> just don't pay me enough (wink, maybe if I ever was compensated for service >> calls?) >> Unfortunately I have had the exact same experience with SMA's phone tech >> support. I was having setup issues that were not covered in the manual and >> they acted like I was an idiot. They walked me through it and I got it >> working , and then after I asked "where does it say that in the manual?" I >> then recited several verses from their manual that bolstered my faulty >> reasoning. He finally mellowed out a bit, realized I was somewhat >> knowledgable, and admitted it wasn't in the manual, and that they needed to >> update it. (hmmm...) >> Ultimately, I can deal with the attitude as long as they answer the phone >> and can fix the problem; it's better than someone being super nice but just >> wasting your time. Of course both fixing the problem and being friendly >> would be even better. >> >> Attention SMA tech support: William, I, and many on this list were >> installing off grid systems when you were still fudging in your diapers. >> We read the manual first, and only call when we still can't figure it out. >> We're the ones out there in the woods trying to make SMA equipment work >> while the nervous customer looks over our shoulder. >> Respect. >> >> Thanks, >> R.Ray Walters >> CTO, Solarray, Inc >> Nabcep Certified PV Installer, >> Licensed Master Electrician >> Solar Design Engineer >> 303 505-8760 >> On 2/11/2015 5:44 PM, will...@millersolar.com wrote: >>> Friends: >>> >>> 6. I have had a difficult time working with most of the phone support >>> technicians at SMA. From the very beginning most of them have presented an >>> attitude of arrogance and condescension. I have had the quality of my work >>> called into question without any evidence to support that position. I have >>> experienced long delays in receiving replies. I have seen technicians >>> present incomplete diagnoses. Fortunately Scoey Wildey of SMA was in town >>> while we were rebuilding a commercial Sunny Boy system and he came and >>> inspected our work and could vouch for it. I have found one highly >>> professional, competent person at SMA who used to be in tech support who >>> will take my calls. I’d like to give him credit but I don’t want to share >>> him. Also, Steve Jefferson and Scoey Wildey have intervened on my behalf >>> on a few occasions and I am grateful to them. >>> >>> 7. I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with SMA >>> tech support. If it is not just me, maybe several of us could contact SMA >>> management and ask that they augment the training of the phone support >>> crew. I am sure they are capable of improving on their skills, both >>> technical and interpersonal. We all know people in the industry that stand >>> above the rest in professional demeanor, Rick Cullen, for example. I try >>> to emulate his always-available, always-helpful, open-minded approach to >>> dealing with people and challenges. We should expect this of all >>> manufacturer’s representatives. >>> >>> >>> >>> Thanks to any of you who are willing to review my many questions and offer >>> suggestions or comments. >>> >>> >>> >>> Sincerely, >>> >>> >>> >>> William Miller >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List-Archive: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html >>> >>> List rules & etiquette: >>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>> >>> Check out or update participant bios: >>> www.members.re-wrenches.org >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > > -- > > > > Mac Lewis > > "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org >
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