Failed Solar Edge optimser

methley

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #1

Hi All,

It looks like I have a failed SE optimiser (showing zero voltage on monitoring portal). The system was installed in November 2011.

My installation company appears to have been dissolved. What are my options for getting it replaced?

We are in SN14, near Bath.

Thanks,

Andy

 

whinmoor

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #2

1) If your installer arranged an insurance-backed warranty, contact the insurer.

2) Solar Edge technical support might be able to help: 0800 028 1183.

 

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BruceB

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #3

Contact solar edge direct as the warranty is 25 years. They will send out a new one. However they may want you to have an installer stood by to fit it. They will also want to look at the optimiser over the internet to confirm the diagnosis.

 

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methley

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #4

Thanks, I raised a trouble ticket with SE yesterday. How quickly do they normally reply?

 

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BruceB

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #5

I have replaced 4 optimisers in the last year and SE have always responded promptly, say within 24 hours. Do not forget sunday is a working day for them but not saturday.

 

Leesparkykent

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #6

Do they cover the cost of scaffold out of interest?

 

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BruceB

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #7

They have fixed rate for inverters/optimisers etc, but you have to be known to them to be eligible. Last time I did an optimiser it was £105. Peanuts. The 2 good things were I could see which one was broken online and I was able to walk out onto the roof to replace it in minutes few. I did it for the reputation of being able to fix things rather than the money! The UK office will email you the procedure.

 

Leesparkykent

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #8

BruceB said:

They have fixed rate for inverters/optimisers etc, but you have to be known to them to be eligible. Last time I did an optimiser it was £105. Peanuts. The 2 good things were I could see which one was broken online and I was able to walk out onto the roof to replace it in minutes few. I did it for the reputation of being able to fix things rather than the money! The UK office will email you the procedure.

Click to expand...

The last SE system I done the optimisers were part of the panel rather than the separate unit. Is that the norm now?

 

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BruceB

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #9

It is a cost and time efficient way of doing an install. If an optimiser fails then a link can be broken and a stand-alone one put in to replace it.

 

whinmoor

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• Feb 16, 2016

• #10

SE technical support might be able to re-pair the optimiser remotely without a site visit from anyone.

However, the most likely result is that the faulty optimiser needs replacing. SE have some "service partners" around the country who they might send to complete the replacement for you.

I've always found their service to be pretty good.

 

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methley

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• Feb 18, 2016

• #11

So far not impressed by SE support responsiveness. Trouble ticket raised on the 15th remains dormant. I called them yesterday to be kept on hold for ages at position 1 in the queue. Selected call-back option and, guess what, no call back!

The failed optimiser seems to communicate every morning and reports the module voltage so is still partly working. Interestingly, there are no alerts raised on the system. For anyone interested here's some more info. On the chart, red line is module voltage, green is optimiser output.

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2016

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methley

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• Feb 18, 2016

• #12

Update: Sent SE a message on Facebook and was contacted by their UK support. New Optimiser required. They will arrange a service partner to come and fit it at no charge. My faith is restored!

 

whinmoor

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• Feb 18, 2016

• #13

methley said:

Update: Sent SE a message on Facebook and was contacted by their UK support. New Optimiser required. They will arrange a service partner to come and fit it at no charge. My faith is restored!

Click to expand...

Yes, that was always the most likely scenario although I've not tried the Facebook route. You need to ensure that the new optimiser gets paired to the inverter and then the new optimiser's serial number needs registering on the portal to replace the one that gets removed.