Power-One PVI-3.6 Error Code E005

[invictagunner]

We have a Power-One PVI-3.6 Inverter on a 16 panel 3.85 system with 2 strings of 8 panels. The firmware release shows as C.0.2.2. Inverter was manufactured 38/11.

I have tried to contact Power-One by phone and also once by email but have never had a response. Is this normal - I thought they were a large reputable company?

There are two specific problems:-

1) Occasionally the inverter fails to start up and shows Error E005 with a continuous yellow alarm LED. This is documented as This is an internal error with the machine: the causes are generally of HW and it becomes necessary to replace the inverter. ​Is anyone familiar with this error and should Power-One be doing anything about it. I get round the problem by closing the system and then restarting. This always appears to work. I do not know if there are occasions when I have missed it and the machine has cleared the problem as part of its overnight shut down. Does anyone know if this is what would happen.

2) Occasionally the inverter shows a much higher (totally unrealistic) output than that shown on the generation meter. Is this a known glitch in the operation of this inverter. The cumulative over 18 months shows 140kw over that recorded on the generation meter.

Any advice gratefully received. Thank you.

 

[Gavin A]

1 - Error E005 is listed as a communications error, so I don't see why it would impact on generation. Have you got any coms devices installed? There is a known error between some of this model of inverter and the remote display device.

2 - The yield is calculated not measured, so differences will occur, and that's just the way it is, it has no bearing on the functioning of the kit.

 

[invictagunner]

Thanks very much for the reply. Just to clarify, whilst the inverter is in an alarm state with error E005 there is no generation taking place until the system is manually restarted. Therefore I am concerned to get to the bottom of the problem. I do not know if the fault will clear itself automatically overnight (having lost a full days generation first!).

Point 2) is just a minor irritation but possibly indicates that the system would benefit from a firmware upgrade - assuming the problem has been solved.

Thanks.

 

[Gavin A]

your installer is your first port of call here, not power-one IMO. Unless they've gone bust or something.

 

[invictagunner]

Yes, the installer has stopped trading. Pity since I did try to use an outfit that seemed professional and competent.

The Power-One documentation and trouble-shooting does seem to point to an internal fault with the inverter (their words not mine for Error E005).

Certainly, closing the system and restarting always seems to do the trick - so the panels do appear to be behaving correctly. Be very interested to hear from anyone who has seen this error. It appears to occur during the start up phase when power starts to appear from the panels. A Google search does not seem to find any hits - so I don't think it is very common.

Thanks again.

 

[liquidity]

I think your 2nd issue has two facets.

The first is that the cumulative lifetime total in the inverter reads a bit higher than the generation meter. In my PVI-3.6-OUTD install the generation meter reads about 98.2% of the inverter's reading.

The second is that reported daily outputs can be wildly out - the inverter starts the day with a non-zero amount having been generated and then adds the day's generation. See this thread and this thread - you are not alone. But there doesn't appear to be a fix.

 

[davidjacobs]

We have a Power-One PVI-3.6 Inverter on a 16 panel 3.85 system with 2 strings of 8 panels. The firmware release shows as C.0.2.2. Inverter was manufactured 38/11.

I have tried to contact Power-One by phone and also once by email but have never had a response. Is this normal - I thought they were a large reputable company?

There are two specific problems:-

1) Occasionally the inverter fails to start up and shows Error E005 with a continuous yellow alarm LED. This is documented as This is an internal error with the machine: the causes are generally of HW and it becomes necessary to replace the inverter. ​Is anyone familiar with this error and should Power-One be doing anything about it. I get round the problem by closing the system and then restarting. This always appears to work. I do not know if there are occasions when I have missed it and the machine has cleared the problem as part of its overnight shut down. Does anyone know if this is what would happen.

2) Occasionally the inverter shows a much higher (totally unrealistic) output than that shown on the generation meter. Is this a known glitch in the operation of this inverter. The cumulative over 18 months shows 140kw over that recorded on the generation meter.

Any advice gratefully received. Thank you.

Have you tried calling the Power One technical support number? 01903 823323

 

[liquidity]

Umm, I think the OP has done that as per the 2nd paragraph of his post that you quoted?

 

[davidjacobs]

Umm, I think the OP has done that as per the 2nd paragraph of his post that you quoted?

Sorry I missed that part. Try calling again on that number, and let me know if you don't get through.

 

[invictagunner]

Thanks very much for your reply and the link to the two threads. They seem to confirm what I have already begun to suspect - Power-One do not do customer service. Unfortunately, my main problem (the E005 error) is more than a minor irritation when it happens, since generation and money are both lost. I will have another go at the UK support operation and if this does not get any response, start on the head office in Italy.

 

[Gavin A]

much easier to explain it in an email.

Power-One tech support is ok once you get through to the right person, I suspect that whoever you spoke with didn't realise that this issue was actually affecting production, something that's much easier to get across in an email.

 

[BruceB]

I would agree with that. An email to the right address gets a prompt automated response giving a case number which the last time I used it did get followed up with a response from a human.

If it all turns to worms then having a clear unemotional email trail is helpful....

 

[SibertSolar]

How about we try to work something out for this guy? Do we know where the install is? Is there an installer on here in the whereabouts? If yes, I can help to liaise with P1 and the installer to see if we can accommodate a fix, or at least a response from P1 on what needs/can be done?

 

[invictagunner]

Thanks very much for the willingness to try and help. The responses have been very useful and I feel much more able to tackle Power-One in a sensible way with the backing of some knowledge. Will be sending another email reporting the problems later tonight. I will report progress on this thread and hope the process and eventual outcome is helpful to the rest of the community.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[SibertSolar]

Ok good luck with it, copy me Andy.oleary@sibert dot co dot uk on the email if you want and I'll try to assist if I can.