UK Solar inverter problem?

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

I'm hoping someone out there has come across this problem.
Just had -8 days ago- a 6k solar panel system plus 4.8k battery pack installed.
When the electrician left the batteries showed 20%full.
Next few days inverter showed producing 30kwh but batteries did not charge.
We normally use 8.5kwh per day, this was from readings taken off the grid meter over 30 days before installation. I also noticed that overnight, on the meter they installed next to the grid meter, it showed we were exported 0.2kwh to the grid when the solar was not produced.
Contacted the installer but they did not get back to us.
Eventually on the 5th day we had a video call and we noticed that the inverter showed our usage grew and waned in time with the production of solar, more produced more we used.
AHH I know what it is said the installation manager, turn the clamp on the red wire the other way round, it's because you've got an old style fuse box.
I did that and the battery started to fill =success I thought.
However, the battery fills but cannot be used.
If I turn the clamp back to its original position the battery discharges, but the same thing happens. My usage goes sky high and the battery discharges quickly.
I turned the clamp back after it dropped 30%, and that night the grid used 4kwh, the battery wàs full and it sent 3kwh back to the grid.

So now we have a full battery not using it, when the solaris not producing the inverter shows no usage.

We use IKwh from the grid overnight and send 0.2back to the grid overnight

Basically: inverter shows more solar more we use, even when we are only running the fridge and freezer
No solar no power used

Can charge the batteries but they can't he used
Using power from the grid not the batteries and sending to the grid overnight

Only asking here as the company are not getting back to me at all now

Thanks

I have photos but not sure I can upload them

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

Poppymac said:
Just found this on the Solid site, does this sound correct?

F6---4kW single phase Energy Storage Inverter。

Got it off here

Serial Number Naming Rule

2G Single inverter 34-----2.5kW single phase Grid-tie PV inverter 35-----3kW single phase Grid-tie PV inverter 36-----3.6kW single phase Grid-tie PV inverter 37-----4kW single phase Grid-tie PV inverter 38-----4.6kW single phase Grid-tie PV ...

usservice.ginlong.com

plugsandsparks · Jun 19, 2021

Yes but the devil is in the detail, so you need to know exactly what Solis product you have. Basically, the output of the solar needs confirming with a clamp meter and the load of the house ditto, against what the display is showing, only then will you know what is wrong. I cannot help until i know what product you have and access to the installation manual for CT locations against what has been installed and what settings have been put in the commissioning parameters of the invertor.
What you should see is:
1. PV output A/C correctly measured
2. House load correctly measured
3. If PV is greater than house, battery charges
4. If PV is less than house battery discharges until exhausted (like at night)

cheers
P&S

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
Yes but the devil is in the detail, so you need to know exactly what Solis product you have. Basically, the output of the solar needs confirming with a clamp meter and the load of the house ditto, against what the display is showing, only then will you know what is wrong. I cannot help until i know what product you have and access to the installation manual for CT locations against what has been installed and what settings have been put in the commissioning parameters of the invertor.
What you should see is:
1. PV output A/C correctly measured
2. House load correctly measured
3. If PV is greater than house, battery charges
4. If PV is less than house battery discharges until exhausted (like at night)

cheers
P&S

Thank you I understand. going to grab a torch to try and take a photo of the panel. I understood as you say, that the battery would kick in once solar produced is less than what is used, but as the usage rises when the solar rises and usage goes to zero when solar is not produced the battery never kicks in. ? Off to try

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

Poppymac said:
Thank you I understand. going to grab a torch to try and take a photo of the panel. I understood as you say, that the battery would kick in once solar produced is less than what is used, but as the usage rises when the solar rises and usage goes to zero when solar is not produced the battery never kicks in. ? Off to try

Is this enough for your needs?

[ElectriciansForums.net] Solar inverter problem?

plugsandsparks · Jun 20, 2021

Nice system !
Here is the manual RHI-3K-48ES-5G - https://www.ginlong.com/rhi_inverter1/1952.html

Your display indicates that the installer has made two connections to your fusebox, one for house and one for critical loads, hence the picture of a house and light bulb. There is only one CT which is measuring grid incoming/outgoing power.

Look at Fig 4.8 /4.9 and see if this represents how your installation is wired. If you look under the Solis, there are two connections , one for Grid and one for critical loads, be interesting if both have been used. I suspect they will have to come back physically to check over the connections.
A photo of the CT would be useful just to see how it has been connected

plugsandsparks · Jun 20, 2021

Oh and this is a relatively new concept as its wants to power the critical loads "off grid" - this would require a bit of re-jigging of the fusebox / a second fusebox - so i am now curious how they did it

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
Oh and this is a relatively new concept as its wants to power the critical loads "off grid" - this would require a bit of re-jigging of the fusebox / a second fusebox - so i am now curious how they did it

Hi I'm glad it's a good system just a pity it doesn't work ?
We have a very old fuse box and i did ask them if it should be changed, but they said no they were just adding a small one just for the system. See photos. Then when the battery didn't charge, the instal manager said it was due to the old fusebox, had the same problem at his place, he said. Just turn the clamp. As I said, that worked to charge the batteries but did not stop the other problems not did it allow the batteries to be used.

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

Poppymac said:
View attachment 86948 View attachment 86949 View attachment 86950 View attachment 86951 View attachment 86952 View attachment 86953

Hi I'm glad it's a good system just a pity it doesn't work ?
We have a very old fuse box and i did ask them if it should be changed, but they said no they were just adding a small one just for the system. See photos. Then when the battery didn't charge, the instal manager said it was due to the old fusebox, had the same problem at his place, he said. Just turn the clamp. As I said, that worked to charge the batteries but did not stop the other problems not did it allow the batteries to be used.

plugsandsparks said:
Oh and this is a relatively new concept as its wants to power the critical loads "off grid" - this would require a bit of re-jigging of the fusebox / a second fusebox - so i am now curious how they did it

plugsandsparks · Jun 20, 2021

I think i can see the critical load connection, it is marked A/C Backup, there is also one labelled A/C Grid, be interesting to see where those cables from Solis actually go. They should go to separate "fuse boxes" and did they ask you what you wanted wrt stuff to keep on if there is a power cut, maybe lights ?

plugsandsparks · Jun 20, 2021

Definitely something wrong with the math on your display, lol

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
I think i can see the critical load connection, it is marked A/C Backup, there is also one labelled A/C Grid, be interesting to see where those cables from Solis actually go. They should go to separate "fuse boxes" and did they ask you what you wanted wrt stuff to keep on if there is a power cut, maybe lights ?

Hi thanks. The wires come down through the ceiling in a conduit (another gripe). No they did not ask. Electrician had loads of problems getting the wires down from the cupboard upstair to the meters in the hall. One new fuse box. I'll try and take a video when I get home, I took one but don't seem to be able to find it ?

plugsandsparks · Jun 20, 2021

Ok but i dont have knowledge of that model to help diagnose the problem but i can see its not right. It is either the CT is not giving an accurate account of the grid incoming / outgoing or the parameter settings on the solis are not right. I have had similar problems with batteries not either charging or discharging but it was a much more complicated system involving multi vendor. As this is all Solis, it should work almost out of the box. The installer needs to come to site preferably when he can call tech support for assistance. When he does come back you can ask him what loads are on backup...

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
Ok but i dont have knowledge of that model to help diagnose the problem but i can see its not right. It is either the CT is not giving an accurate account of the grid incoming / outgoing or the parameter settings on the solis are not right. I have had similar problems with batteries not either charging or discharging but it was a much more complicated system involving multi vendor. As this is all Solis, it should work almost out of the box. The installer needs to come to site preferably when he can call tech support for assistance. When he does come back you can ask him what loads are on backup...

Thank you IF they come back. They are not answering me now?

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

Poppymac said:
Thank you IF they come back. They are not answering me now?

Ok so I've taken more photos. The wires come down and into the new fusebox can't see wires going into the counter showing import and export, but it's right up against their fuse box.
Two grey wires come out of their fuse box into the two small boxes on top of our fuse box. Earth wire goes to the earth and a clamp with black and white wires clamps onto the red wire that goes into the fuse box.
Whilst I understand you cannot give me a solution, you have helped me know that the system is a new kind of inverter and you said it was 'nice', putting my mind at rest that isn't a bad system. As it is new type, I am assuming this is why they are having a few problems. I know what to say to them, thanks to you. I'll let you know what happens ?

plugsandsparks · Jun 20, 2021

Well solis are massive in the inverter market and an integrated single box solution for battery storage (now with off-grid working) is basically what has been needed in the market. FWIW Solar companies can be hit and miss with respect to service. When this system is working you will be impressed how the battery fills in the cloudy moments and extends the solar day. Hope it works out