Diehl inverters

[pjcomp]

I recently installed a Diehl 3800S inverter. Bit ugly, but otherwise all right. Hums quite a bit, though. Msot of the time it's no worse than a fridge in the background, but occasionally it develops quite a buzz. I suspect arcing.

Anyone any experience of Diehls? Is the hum normal? Other inverters I've put in (mostly SMA) don't make any noise.

I'm getting the runaround from the supplier and I'm looking for a bit of background.

PJ

 

[robbont]

you should have stuck to what you know and used SMA. Never heard of Diehls - take it that the cost was a factor?

 

[pjcomp]

Not significantly - it lined up against the competition and I wanted to see how different gear pans out. I'm not unhappy with the inverter, just trying to get useful info about it and, as I say, finding the supplier worse than useless.

PJ

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Stick with SMA, far superior bit of kit for the money. Bluetooth coms is an absolute bonus for seting up and logging. Only come accross one other customer (not my install) with a Deihl 3800 inverter and it does humm quite a bit. Was also wired into a 20ARCBO connected to the 30mA RCCB busbar!!!

 

[Markc]

We've fitted numerous 3800S and all hum, squeak or squeal! BUT I have heard far, far worse (Aero Sharp)

I have no problem using them as I do not buy into the myth that SMA are the best. We choose an inverter by system design rather than trade name. Yes SMA have their own merits but so do the others. We have used and will use SMA for the right installation but not all our designs bring a SMA to the same efficiency rating. Being able to offer a range of products I believe keeps us one step ahead.

Back to the Diehl, I would say there is nothing to worry about and it is perfectly normal. We have these fitted to Sharp, Sanyo and Schuco panels and the results are pleasing.

 

[pjcomp]

Thanks Mark, that's the sort of info I was looking for. I'm happy putting up with the hum if I know it's normal. But that supplier's getting the elbow from now on ....


PJ

 

[SolarCity]

We have used and will use SMA for the right installation but not all our designs bring a SMA to the same efficiency rating. Being able to offer a range of products I believe keeps us one step ahead.

Couldn't agree more.

This is exactly what we do. Matching the right inverter to the panel is one of the most important parts of system design. We regularly use five different inverter manufacturers.

 

[dansk]

Couldn't agree more.

This is exactly what we do. Matching the right inverter to the panel is one of the most important parts of system design. We regularly use five different inverter manufacturers.

I had it the other day, went to survey and the customer as usual already had 3 quotes, they all included SMA - i told the brand i proposed (ever-solar) and he went "who" so when i went into it and explained he was much happier - the point im trying to make is some installers just use SMA becuase they think its what the customer wants to hear. I told him they all quote on SMA because they didnt know any different.

 

[access_renew]

Diehl are a solid German brand - we distribute Eltek Valere THEIA S which shares the same platform and components as the Diehl Platinum S range - and comes with a 10 year manufacturer warranty.

SMA are very popular but not necessarily always right for the job...

 

[Graeme Harrold]

I try and push SMA esp on the 3-4kW as they have been more customer friendly, not to mention the multi-function relay built in. Until the others produce more accessable kit - standard network/bluetooth access then Ill use SMA and others with similar features.

 

[bradburts]

I try and push SMA esp on the 3-4kW as they have been more customer friendly, not to mention the multi-function relay built in. Until the others produce more accessable kit - standard network/bluetooth access then Ill use SMA and others with similar features.

Sorry to hijack this thread but it looks like you all have experience and I cannot find an answer....
Can you configure the multifunction relay using bluetooth? If so is there an application available?

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Sunny Explorer on the SMA website. Free to download