[RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark arc fault issues

A general question for those who have installed Sol-Ark. We have a handful of systems that have consistently displayed arc-faults that, as best as we can determine, are false positives. Is this something others have experienced? We are trying to determine if this is a general problem with Sol-Ark o

Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum inverter/generator integration problems

Also check bonding and ground loops (e.g. genny neutral bonded and also bonded at main panel). This can cause voltage to bounce around and the inverter won't sync. *Eric Smiley,* Project Manager e...@vecoop.ca T: 250.703.6004 <+12507036004> T: 888.386.0116 <+18883860116> *VIRIDIANENERGY.CA

Re: [RE-wrenches] GT inverter for SWWP turbine

Skybox is discontinued and tech support is limited. There are still significant software issues with them that make them unreliable for battery back-up. We are in the process of replacing the 3 Skyboxes we wish we had never installed. *Eric Smiley,* Project Manager e...@vecoop.ca T: 250.703.6004

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Monitor for Li

I am having the same problem - same situation. I am going to tweak the efficiency value and see if it helps. *Eric Smiley,* Project Manager e...@vecoop.ca T: 250.703.6004 <+12507036004> T: 888.386.0116 <+18883860116> *VIRIDIANENERGY.CA * *

[RE-wrenches] Old Birdhouse systems

We have some older systems that used the MidNite Disco Combiners and Birdhouse. We have to install a new Rapid Shutdown system since these can't be replaced. My question is, can I quickly/easily disable the Rapid Shutdown in the Combiner and still use it as a combiner? What is the signal in the C

Re: [RE-wrenches] 3 phase off-grid UL listed

I've worked with a few larger 3-phase Conext XW systems - 3 inverters and 6 inverters. The inverters' output capabilities are slightly reduced since they have to be converted to 120 V, effectively doubling the output current. Also,they required an external transfer switch. Even with 3 inverters con

Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Coupling Standard?

Utilities have used and continue to use this method of control for their own generators, except they refer to it as Droop Control. In addition to Frequency/Watt response Voltage/VAR response is also used. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droop_speed_control Building inverters that mimic the behaviour

[RE-wrenches] XWPro produces noise at low (<50 W Power)

The inverter produces acceptable noise under no-load and at loads above 50 W or so. The noise (humming/buzzing) increases drastically at low power. So, essentially it makes a lot of noise at night. Has anyone else encountered this? We suspect it is the transformer vibrating - some kind of resonance

Re: [RE-wrenches] XWPro produces noise at low (<50 W Power)

LL factory defaults and reenter your grid code. > If you find this a bit confusing, Tech support IS QUITE supportive. > > On Dec 5, 2022, at 11:52 AM, Eric Smiley via RE-wrenches < > re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote: > > The inverter produces acceptable noise under

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lithium battery recommendation

Keep in mind the Fortress eVault is a 500 lb beast. Our installers complained about it and we've moved to smaller, rack-mount units and are currently testing the HomeGrid Stack'd in various configurations. *Eric Smiley,* Design Manager e...@vecoop.ca T: 250.703.6004 <+12507036004> T: 888.386.0116

Re: [RE-wrenches] Schneider XW+ Repair

Last time I had an AC relay go, I ordered a board from Mark Snyder. mseproje...@marksnyderelectric.com Eric Smiley Design Manager E: e...@vecoop.ca T: 1-888-386-0116 ext 702 (toll free) C: 250-703-6004 W: viridianenergy.ca On Tue., Aug. 1, 2023, 16:00 Andrew Perkins via RE-wrenches, < re-w

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fronius USA available 2023 & 2024 ?

Interesting. Fronius has a strong presence in Canada with good tech support. We also have a very low failure rate - can't remember the last time we replaced one. There were some supply issues earlier this year but we are receiving inverters and parts. They also have a good rep for low failure and g

Re: [RE-wrenches] Off Grid, Cloudy Days, Solar Tilt Question

It is difficult to quantify but this was pointed out to me years ago by a long-time off-grid installer, who also lives off grid on Vancouver Island where weeks of solid cloud isn't unusual. We never tilt to latitude + 10 to 15 for off-grid, as many textbooks recommend. Latitude works quite well. Wh

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid Tied Inverter back feed to Generator

We were called to repair a system where this happened. All the micro inverters were fried and so was the generator. It caused a voltage rise that the monitoring system recorded at 348 V before it went down, when the PV ran the generator as a motor. *Eric Smiley,* Design Manager e...@vecoop.ca T:

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress

The BMS in the eVault Classic has been a headache. Fortunately, we were able to convince Fortress to let us proactively replace the BMS in some of our systems - especially the remote off-grid systems. We are still having problems with weird SOC readings on many of the batteries. Apparently the SOC

[RE-wrenches] Huawei inverter tech support

We have a client with a Huawei 9KTL-USL0 who recently contacted us about his system. Does anyone know how to obtain tech support in NA for these products? *Eric Smiley,* Design Manager e...@vecoop.ca T: 250.703.6004 <+12507036004> T: 888.386.0116 <+18883860116> *VIRIDIANENERGY.CA

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15k solar panel frame grounding

SolArk arrays are ungrounded. However, because they are transformerless, when the inverter is operating, there is a reference to ground on the DC side via the AC side neutral bond to ground. So, a ground fault on the AC side will also cause a GF error. Many transformerless interactive inverters ar

Re: [RE-wrenches] AES RACK MOUNT

If you want UL9540, the AES rackmount has to be in the Slimline enclosure. Eric Smiley (he/him) - Design Manager 250.703.6004 e...@vecoop.ca 888.386.0116 3-4997 Polkey Rd, Duncan BC, V9L 6W3 viridiansolar.ca

Re: [RE-wrenches] All-In-Ones / Sol-Ark fail

Install stand-alone charge controllers. That is the only way to get redundancy. Eric Smiley (he/him) - Design Manager 250.703.6004 e...@vecoop.ca 888.386.0116 3-4997 Polkey Rd, Duncan BC, V9L 6W3 viridiansolar.ca

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lead acid batteries taking too much current

Our company does not pair any lead acid with a Sol-Ark. Our opinion is that the unit is designed for Li-Ion and that is what should be used. In much the same way that some legacy off-grid products don't play nicely with Li-Ion, we stick with combinations that don't require specialized programming w

Re: [RE-wrenches] AGM battery recommendations

The disparity in cycle life can sometimes be due to different test standards for cycle life evaluation. I'm familiar with three standards that are commonly used by manufacturers: 1. IEC 61427 2. IEC 60896-2 3. BCIS-06 The IEC 61427 standard is specifically for Solar PV applications. Eri