Problems with PowerOne inverters??

[and]

Been following the forum for a couple of weeks because I intend to have a 4kW system installed ... once I'm all genned up!

Just been told by one firm that " ... stay away from Power one, yes it switches on earlier in the morning but we have replaced 50% of the ones we fitted, so no longer offer them as you will lose more production due to break down than you gain from early switch on."

Is this true? ... I can find hardly any reference to PowerOne inverters having problems?

Or do they have a stock of SMA 3800 they wish to shift!

 

[Frank Amey]

I too was told by one installer that Power One were having problems but after reading this forum and listening to the more knowledgeable posters on the forum I'm happy it was the salesperson dictating that she preferred SMA. Wether it affected her commission I don't know.
I'm going for the Power One on my install as its recommended for my array.

 

[dansk]

Power one are good Italian inverters, fitted loads no problems, doing another tomorrow and the PVI Desktop is also good (little pricey) Everyone has good and bad about products - i once had a peugoet and its was a right bag of spanners, but my neighbour had one and it never went near a garage - see what i mean? Ive had no reason to complain about power one.

 

[Worcester]

The support team at Power-one in the UK are really helpful we've got one that we have to swap out - it's generating fine, just has a 'clock fail' notice on it which means it doesn't know today from yesterday!

It just got a peak last week - of 3287W (3.287kW) from a 12 x Sanyo HIT 240 = 2.88 kWp system - So it's performing OK! (Same one that you don't get for 8k! )

Called it in this morning after replacing the battery and memory chip that they sent promptly, and replacement shipped this pm for pre 10:30 tomorrow. So customer will have a new unit by lunchtime.

Yes, like all inverters some do go wrong, a bit annoying in this case, the prompt service is excellent, certainly won't stop us using them - we've got two more going in next week, along with a fronius and and SMA - it depends what will give the best output for the particular configuration.

IF your installer buys from the right place, your inverter should come with a 10 year warranty included at no extra cost to you

 

[Worcester]

p.s. If anyone knows of a good PC system to monitor it like Sunny Explorer, I'd be glad to hear..

 

[Noddy67]

Hi

firstly have fitted a few Powerones. No problems. their technical support is really good too in my opinion.

re the tracking I've got a smart-cookie client who is monitoring his Powerone using his own set up - think it cost about £15 in parts but he is a software bloke. this is what he sent me yesterdy which he downloads on an hourly basis.

"After a false start with wiring up my converter, it all seems to be happy! The converter I'm using was about £10 and came from HK, but seems to be ok. The connection on the PC end is highly dubious, but I'm sure I can find a solderable DB9 isntead.

Daily Energy = 5.604 kWh
Weekly Energy = 20.628 kWh
Monthly Energy = 55.046 kWh
Yearly Energy = 55.096 kWh
Total Energy = 54.835 kWh
Partial Energy = 0.000 kWh

Input 1 Voltage = 222.758041 V
Input 1 Current = 0.083782 A
Input 1 Power = 18.663204 W

Input 2 Voltage = 202.075607 V
Input 2 Current = 0.086199 A
Input 2 Power = 17.418756 W

Grid Voltage Reading = 244.847977 V
Grid Current Reading = 0.128296 A
Grid Power Reading = 13.696289 W
Frequency Reading = 49.963028 Hz.

DC/AC Coversion Efficiency = 38.0 %
Inverter Temperature = 32.530773 C
Booster Temperature = 32.030155 C
"
It can be done but I'm not sure I could do it.... I'll copy him on this thread in case he wants to offer a simple system. Danny???

 

[SolarCity]

Sounds like sales talk. Furthermore, the yield from a Power One 3.6/3600, I would strongly guess, would be much higher than that from a SB3800.

If you let me know what the two different setups suggested are, I'll run them through my software. Then you can ring up this sales guy and ask him why he is trying to sell you an inverter which doesn't perform as well as the Power One inverter.

 

[and]

Thanks BiggsSolar would be very grateful if you could run the following through your software:
4kW setup
Hyundai HIS‐S250MG 16x
Either the SMA 3800 or the PowerOne 3.6
Pitch = 35 degrees
Orientation = SSE
No shading
near Bristol

 

[BruceB]

The Power one 3.6 is a newer more efficient technolgy than the SB3800. It also has twin mppt, built in RS485 and USB. I doubt there is a good reason to use the SB. Hopefully Biggs' numbers will show that.
Regards
Bruce

 

[silverfox.mike]

Wanted to add that I have a 4kW PowerOne system and I'm really happy with it. a friend of mine has an SMA model and the only advantage I can see is that his system automatically uploads generation stats to a central website and he can check them off with his Android App from anywhere over the net.

To my mind this is a big failing in the Aurora desktop. When you get the marketing, you have no idea of the size of the unit, and the USB connectivity is misleading insofar as it makes you believe you can achieve similar publishing to the net.

To this end, it would be great to understand the solution out in place above. I would really like to try and duplicate it if possible

 

[Worcester]

Try the eco-eye (Eco-Eye Products and Online Store )

My system, which monitors the heck out of eveything is based on http://openenergymonitor.org , with 12 CT sensors, (measure current, power and volatge) 3 temperature sensors and live web links, currently working on integrating it all to pvoutput.org ..

 

[SibertSolar]

Or, if you also want some degree of control as well as having very accurate data, you could take a look at the Elios4You solution. Available on iOS/Android platforms, peer-to-peer tech allows use of the APP outside the home too (if the unit is installed on client's WLAN). Smart plugs and Smart switches, along with wireless proportional immersion controller, will be launched in Milan this week (alongside the 3-phase Elios4YouPRO system!).

 

[dandober]

Does anyone here know how to set the array mode ( parralel/ independent) on the Aurora 3600 inverter? My model is older type and does not have internal switch or external user buttons. The only info I can find says to use SW to set up the parralel mode, it is currently defaulted into Independent mode for string inputs 1 and 2.

 

[jason121]

All I can think of is you need to download the software from POWER0NE and will also need the Power-One Adapter for PC Interface RS485 to USB

 

[jonnyboy1]

if you live in a rural location check the incoming voltage is under 264volts which is the limit for power one inverters, had this problem once in Elgin, Scotland Not used power one inverters as much as the other but found them good kit