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

telectrix · Jun 19, 2021

put photo/s on desktop. go back into forum, click on attach files, then double click each image.

telectrix · Jun 19, 2021

like this:

littlespark · Jun 19, 2021

First move, get the company back on site…. Second, trading standards…..third, don’t pay them a penny! You can go to your bank and try and cancel payments.
Any fault should be covered by the company’s warranty

region of Scotland? There might be a local member that knows pv that could assist.

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

littlespark said:
First move, get the company back on site…. Second, trading standards…..third, don’t pay them a penny! You can go to your bank and try and cancel payments.
Any fault should be covered by the company’s warranty

region of Scotland? There might be a local member that knows pv that could assist.

Thank you. We paid a deposit then a part payment after installation. We held back an amount. We are near Perth in Scotland. Thank you

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

Poppymac said:
Thank you. We paid a deposit then a part payment after installation. We held back an amount. We are near Perth in Scotland. Thank you

Trying to show you what happens when I put on the oven. The display shows that the export to the grid goes up. Problem seems to be that the power usage always corresponds to the solar produced therefore the batteries never kick in

Poppymac said:
Thank you. We paid a deposit then a part payment after installation. We held back an amount. We are near Perth in Scotland. Thank you

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

Poppymac said:
Trying to show you what happens when I put on the oven. The display shows that the export to the grid goes up. Problem seems to be that the power usage always corresponds to the solar produced therefore the batteries never kick in
View attachment 86922 View attachment 86923

The sun is shining so producing more energy. No appliances being used only fridge freezer same as the first photo. See how our power usage soars in line with the solar produced

plugsandsparks · Jun 19, 2021

What make is the invertor and what make is the battery system. There are a number of ways to manage the solar output and battery charge and discharge BUT the arrangement of the clamp meters need to be correct and the battery / invertor system needs to be configured correctly to the arrangement of your clamp meters. I strongly suspect this is not set up correctly.

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
What make is the invertor and what make is the battery system. There are a number of ways to manage the solar output and battery charge and discharge BUT the arrangement of the clamp meters need to be correct and the battery / invertor system needs to be configured correctly to the arrangement of your clamp meters. I strongly suspect this is not set up correctly.

Thank you. The inverter is a Solis and the batteries are Pylontech US2000.
When I did eventually get a phone call, he had me turn the clamp around

plugsandsparks · Jun 19, 2021

Looks like the solis is in control here, assume that the display is from the solis. What is the model no of the solis?

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
Looks like the solis is in control here, assume that the display is from the solis. What is the model no of the solis?

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

Mmm not sure. I can see the serial number on the info and it says Model number F6 software version 330023

plugsandsparks · Jun 19, 2021

There should be a data plate, probably on the side of the invertor casing, just take a pic

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
There should be a data plate, probably on the side of the invertor casing, just take a pic

Ok thank you. There is a plate but my phone won't let me take a pic as the cupboard is too dark. I'll try tomorrow and get some light on it. Thank you

Poppymac · Jun 19, 2021

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

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

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?

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

Poppymac · Jun 20, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
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

Thank you ?

Poppymac · Jun 26, 2021

Poppymac said:
Thank you ?

You were completely correct.
After corresponding with you, I contacted Solis in the UK outlining the problem. I received a very quick reply from their engineer, who also happened to be the UK manager and he said straight away it seemed the installer had had problems.
Cut a long story short, the installer came out on Tuesday, reluctantly as they thought nothing was wrong. However after about an hour of trying the clamp in different places and unplugging the fridge freezers, he could see , hooray, there was a problem. So he tried to contact the engineers but was unsuccessful. I emailed the engineer and he spoke to the installer. He went into the system over the internet, got back to the installer, told him what to do and bingo it's working. Still the readout is a little strange at times, but as you say, even today the batteries have been charged quickly even though it is cloudy. Best thing is, we've only used 1kwh from the grid since Tuesday and that will be due to the kettle and oven being used later in the evening
Need to get a slower kettle to maximise the solar . At the moment very pleased with it ?

plugsandsparks · Jun 26, 2021

Glad its sorted, batteries must discharge overnight if they do not you may be charging from the grid.
Here is a pic of the one i had issues with

Poppymac · Jun 26, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
Glad its sorted, batteries must discharge overnight if they do not you may be charging from the grid.
Here is a pic of the one i had issues with

Hi yours looks a similar problem, it just doesn't make sense.
The batteries are discharging overnight now, and in fact they supplement the power a tad in the day if needed and charge back up with the solar.
I can change the time the batteries charge, but for now I'm leaving well alone. Once the new supplier is in place I'll look at the battery charge times.
I'm keeping a close eye on things, but thanks for pointing me in the right direction ?

plugsandsparks · Jun 26, 2021

Nooooooo, that is what it should look like, ?

Poppymac · Jun 26, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
Nooooooo, that is what it should look like, ?

Poppymac · Jun 26, 2021

Poppymac · Jul 17, 2021

Ok update. After 12 days of the system working (although still had problem with the usage showing zero in the evening) the system reverted back to the original problem. Eventually after much back and forth with the Solaris people and the installer, the installer decided it was the emeter at fault, it was loose. I tightened screws to find something was amiss, it was ok one second next it wasn't. Then after a few days the emeter stopped working. Eventually it was changed, but now the battery does not run the fridges and freezers overnight - the grid does. Installer says the batteries only kick in if we use .30 to .50kwh, so we will use the grid. Why have batteries if they won't kick in? They did when the system worked for 12 days. Used 1kwh every 4/5 days. Now using 2kwh overnight . ?. The inverter readout still does not add up either.

plugsandsparks · Jul 17, 2021

My posts 26 and 27 enquired about what is connected to the critical loads circuit, Is this the fridge , freezer you refer to. Without knowing this you will never be able to figure out what is what.

Can you take a pic of the display again

Poppymac · Jul 17, 2021

plugsandsparks said:
My posts 26 and 27 enquired about what is connected to the critical loads circuit, Is this the fridge , freezer you refer to. Without knowing this you will never be able to figure out what is what.

Can you take a pic of the display again

H yes I can.

It has been changed though so that the only one it goes through is the house not the backup light symbol.

This was done previously and it worked well for twelve days

Then when the emeter was changed, the installer changed it to show the house and the backup.

That's when the usage overnight was 2-3 kWh for the fridge and freezer

I asked to change it back to how it was when it worked for 12 days ie house.

I have just changed it back.

See photo.