Hi Jay and All,
So I jumped the gun a bit on the auto-former - My experience thus far is
mostly with multiple inverter systems (3 systems of 2 & 3 units) and so
I have not had any single leg issues on those systems. And the few
single inverter systems I do have out there (2 systems) I haven't had
any problem - so I was just suggesting that could be a way to deal with
it if you were having that issue - I should be more careful to speak
only from experience!
As for field repair I do know that some early Sol-Arks had issues with
sharing the load while paralleling and there is an MC board ("Master
Control" I assume) that they offer for those instances that is field
installable. I have not had that problem.
I've had customer calls twice on those 5 systems in a years time - both
times a simple reboot solved the problem and other issues I've had were
simply my learning curve with settings as they are a lot of options
-especially if using the Time-of-use interface. The one system I have
that is a single inverter that is in GTBB mode (on grid as sell-back 99%
of time with battery there for outages) has not burped once in a year's
time so that's simple. The Off-Grid systems work like a charm though
high loads did cause a reboot once.
It's true what Eric says that there are settings on the PowerView
interface that are not covered in the Manual - the control software is
more powerful than most inverters but it does take some time to get to
the bottom of all of them and it seams even Sol-Ark tech support is
learning. The control is highly customizable and that has come in super
handy with a customer that is on-grid but really likes to be off grid as
much as possible - so during the seasons in New England she changes her
Time-of-Use settings to match the seasons and that has worked out super
well (it's just changing the SOC levels that we let the batteries come
to at different times of day) - can't imagine doing what she's doing
with any other inverter.
In talking with tech support one tech did mention that sometimes some
data gets into the "wrong ledger" or some such and that's why a simple
reboot works and they say they are refining that in subsequent
firmware. A deeper level reboot is sometimes required he says by doing
a factory reset rather than just a restart but then you have to reset
settings but he says that is a rare need. They have had multiple (like
4 or 5?) firmware upgrades over the year but none seemed to be that
critical.
So that's my fuller report. I consider the Sol-Ark my replacement for
the Sunny Island (that sadly simply isn't evolving with the times except
perhaps the European model) - Robust - stackable and much easier to
install with DC coupling option and included switchgear. Yes you do
need to learn the software interface but I find it clearly no more
complicated than say the Outback or Schneider XW interface once you are
use to it and once you do you have much more control and easy remote
programming both on laptops and phones and the customer has the same
access if you want to programmables.
I've never been put on hold for Sol Ark tech support and they spend as
much time as it needs while looking at the same data you are looking at
through PowerView - super helpful.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Jeff
Jay <mailto:[email protected]>
January 7, 2022 at 5:55 AM
Hi Jeff
Thanks for the info.
As to out of balance 120v.
How are you configuring for that? Just putting potential problem
loads on the xformer or ?
Which transformer are you using with a 9kw inverter? Most I’ve seen
are only 5-6kw.
And as many people are using the sol ark, a question about repairing.
Is it possible to repair in the field? Has anyone actually done it?
If not field repairable, how quickly/easily is the repair/warranty
process working
Thanks
Jay
Jeff Clearwater <mailto:[email protected]>
January 6, 2022 at 8:04 PM
We just ordered a 3 Sol-Ark system with 16 Storz Power batteries I'll
let you know this Spring once I have it up and running. Yes they are
closed loop will be UL9540 soon.
We have several Sol-Arks in the field - all working great - yes a few
minor issues that have required software updates - but tech support is
great and they push the updates for me. I love the monitoring and
ability to remote program every parameter. Conversion efficiency in
all modes is high (though slightly under what they claim but still great)
Surge is fine per leg with multiple inverters or a balancing
transformer. Gen support could use an upgrade for sure but they are
working on it.
The Time-of -use features and interface we love as you can really
fine tune daily cycles - optimizing solar and battery and grid and
generator inputs - Especially great for grid-tie with strong off-grid
capability as opposed to most lightweight GTTB systems. In pure
Off-grid I find them robust and reliable so far.
Enjoy!
Jeff Clearwater
Village Power Design
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