8000TL 0 amps

[Cider]

Hi. Been a while since posting but after some advise please.

Installed an SB tripower 8000TL last december and its not playing ball all of a sudden. When the front came off there was water inside from a leak in the roof. Its been left until today with the front off but when it was switched back on its reading healthy string voltage but 0 amps despite the sun shining. Its not going to fault code just seems to do nothing (yes display works, but it does not show grid voltage either).
Yet to do to test string STC as I didnt have my clamp meter but seems unlikely all 3 strings are down.

Thoughts please

 

[Gavin A]

how has it got water inside? It's supposed to be IP rated for outdoor use.

how dry was it when you switched it back on?

 

[Cider]

not sure how water got in. its correctly mounted on a flat sound wall in a dry store but driving rain may have got down the wall behind it. could it just be condensation ? it was dry as a chip when it went back on.

 

[JulianC]

May sound obvious, but is grid voltage present at the inverter input? Sounds like the healthy string voltage but zero current is a function of the inverter not firing up due to it either not seeing the grid, or the grid not being there.

 

[edexlab]

Be worth checking the events log as fault codes will be recorded

 

[Cider]

Fault code is an internal inverter fault. Contacted technical and new unit on its way !
Water must have been condensation ?!

 

[SolarCity]

Condensation on the inside? I wouldn't have thought so.

 

[Gavin A]

this has me a bit worried about an external mounted 10000TL we installed a year ago....

 

[Worcester]

We've got loads mounted externally and even had one install where the roof leaked (not our fault) and literally poured water over the inverters for 3 days continuosly, I got the client to switch the inverters off for safety reasons at the main isolator, they fixed the leak, fired them up - no problems Remember though the the STP's aren't fully IP65 rated because they have vents in the side for the fans, it's only the lower part where the connections go that achieves the IP65 rating..

 

[Gavin A]

I thought the fans only blew air across the external heat fins, so the main unit is fully IP65 rated, with only the fan potentially being in danger of getting wet through the vents in driving rain.

It's been a little while since we used one though as we've mostly been using the Power-One offerings recently.

 

[edexlab]

When we went to SMA they said the fans could be submersed in water with no problems, I haven't looked at the actual IP rating on the fan label though, not doing any solar at the moment perhaps someone else can check?

 

[Gavin A]

I've got to go and check one at some point so will take a look. IIRC though the fan unit themselves probably is water proof, but I doubt the connector for the power cable is, though I've not looked that closely at it.