Problem with Stecagrid 500 Inverter on Standby

[steve14]

Hi,

I recently setup a grid tie solar system using 4x 100W Biard solar panels from eBay, I'm using a Stecagrid 500 inverter however after connecting it all up the inverters LED is flashing green, which according to the manual means its in Stand-by as there's not enough power coming in. I thought 400W would be enough for the inverter to work.

The panels are setup in series and I'm getting about 82V off them, the inverters manual says the minimum voltage is 75V so it should be working.

Is there something wrong with my setup?

 

[The Solar King]

Are you MCS registered? Almost certain mismatch between panel capacity and inverter.

 

[steve14]

Not MCS registered just following MCS PV Book, since posting I have changed the inverter to a Stecagrid 300 inverter and just waiting to see if that works then I will know if the problem is the panels not supplying enough power or something else.

 

[whinmoor]

Is the generation meter wired up correctly? It needs to go (left to right)

PV live
PV neutral
CU neutral
CU live

 

[steve14]

Thanks for the replies the problem has now been fixed.

I tried using the Stecagrid 300 but that wasn't working so I determined the problem was on the AC side. I managed to trace the problem to a fault or damage in the neutral wire coming off the gst18i3v AC connector so I replaced the cable and now both the Stecagrid 300 and 500 inverters are working.

 

[Gavin A]

Check polarity on the DC inputs, that's the most common mistake for first timers, as it's coutner intuitive to need to connect a + connector to the negative coming from the panels.

 

[CTDI-Steca]

Hello Steve,

My name is Daniel and I work for CTDI.

CTD are the Official UK Service Partner for Steca Elektronik GMBH.

We deal with any issues in the UK for any Steca Customers.

Here are our details if anymore further problems.


Daniel Todd
Operations ProgramManager
Official Steca UK Service Partner
CTDI Limited

Steca CallCentre: 0845 128 8900
Steca Email: [email protected]

 

[Worcester]

Are you MCS registered?

With wiring like that, I'd also hope he isn't a qualified electrician, even my apprentices would get fired for doing a job that ended up like that. Too many faults too mention.