Solar inverter problem? | Page 4 | on ElectriciansForums

Discuss Solar inverter problem? in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Poppymac

DIY
Joined
Jun 19, 2021
Messages
30
Reaction score
10
Location
Scotland
I'm hoping someone out there has come across this problem.
Just had -8 days ago- a 6k solar panel system plus 4.8k battery pack installed.
When the electrician left the batteries showed 20%full.
Next few days inverter showed producing 30kwh but batteries did not charge.
We normally use 8.5kwh per day, this was from readings taken off the grid meter over 30 days before installation. I also noticed that overnight, on the meter they installed next to the grid meter, it showed we were exported 0.2kwh to the grid when the solar was not produced.
Contacted the installer but they did not get back to us.
Eventually on the 5th day we had a video call and we noticed that the inverter showed our usage grew and waned in time with the production of solar, more produced more we used.
AHH I know what it is said the installation manager, turn the clamp on the red wire the other way round, it's because you've got an old style fuse box.
I did that and the battery started to fill =success I thought.
However, the battery fills but cannot be used.
If I turn the clamp back to its original position the battery discharges, but the same thing happens. My usage goes sky high and the battery discharges quickly.
I turned the clamp back after it dropped 30%, and that night the grid used 4kwh, the battery wĂ s full and it sent 3kwh back to the grid.

So now we have a full battery not using it, when the solaris not producing the inverter shows no usage.

We use IKwh from the grid overnight and send 0.2back to the grid overnight

Basically: inverter shows more solar more we use, even when we are only running the fridge and freezer
No solar no power used

Can charge the batteries but they can't he used
Using power from the grid not the batteries and sending to the grid overnight

Only asking here as the company are not getting back to me at all now

Thanks

I have photos but not sure I can upload them
 
I haven't had a chance to read this in depth, but the fact that the battery hits 80% and stops discharging could indicate that the depth of discharge setting is too high. Generally the installer sets the system so that 10-20% of the battery is not used, as even though lithium batteries can be discharged very low you buy quite a bit of extra life for them by allowing this buffer. The installer or Solis tech should be able to see the setting remotely. It could be as simple as they thought they were setting it to stop at 80% DoD and in fact were setting it to stop at 80% capacity.

Sometimes a factory reset and reconfigure can help.

Most likely something that has already been looked at, but thought I would mention it!
 
I haven't had a chance to read this in depth, but the fact that the battery hits 80% and stops discharging could indicate that the depth of discharge setting is too high. Generally the installer sets the system so that 10-20% of the battery is not used, as even though lithium batteries can be discharged very low you buy quite a bit of extra life for them by allowing this buffer. The installer or Solis tech should be able to see the setting remotely. It could be as simple as they thought they were setting it to stop at 80% DoD and in fact were setting it to stop at 80% capacity.

Sometimes a factory reset and reconfigure can help.

Most likely something that has already been looked at, but thought I would mention it!

Thanks both of you. I've got videos but I'm unable to attach them - only photos are showing when I try to attach.
With regards to the settings, it is strange.as before the new emeter was installed (before it gave up the ghost completely) for 12 days it was working perfectly. The system was installed on the 9th June.

I will try and take a photo tomorrow as the battery is at 83% at the moment and is powering the lights and fridges although I have to say that the power is jumping either to or from the grid constantly since we are using just battery power.


Can you take a pic of the display when it is in that state, i.e. your are clearly drawing power but the batteries are not contributing
 
Thanks both of you. I've got videos but I'm unable to attach them - only photos are showing when I try to attach.
With regards to the settings, it is strange.as before the new emeter was installed (before it gave up the ghost completely) for 12 days it was working perfectly. The system was installed on the 9th June.

I will try and take a photo tomorrow as the battery is at 83% at the moment and is powering the lights and fridges although I have to say that the power is jumping either to or from the grid constantly since we are using just battery power.
[ElectriciansForums.net] Solar inverter problem?
[ElectriciansForums.net] Solar inverter problem?
 
I see that the critical load is back (lightbulb), its got to be in the parameter settings as there is clearly a load for the batteries to contribute to, but it has decided it does not want to.
I would try and contact Solis again and see if they will dial in and go through the parameters.
 
I see that the critical load is back (lightbulb), its got to be in the parameter settings as there is clearly a load for the batteries to contribute to, but it has decided it does not want to.
I would try and contact Solis again and see if they will dial in and go through the parameters.
Yes thank you. The lightbulb is back as the installer asked me to do that last night as he said the reason the grid was jumping on and off was due to that, as the clamp couldn't pick up properly with the lightbulb off. Didn't make any difference whatsoever.

This morning both lightbulb and house are showing no usage. 1kwh -1.50kwh being produced by the solar. .84going to the battery, jumping from and to the grid .02 back and forward. So the solar power is being used by the house/bulb but is not showing on the screen.

Installer going to get in touch with Solis.

I did that last week but unfortunately the dongle isn't working. I didn't put the dongle on, the installers did. So Solis can't dial in.

Good fun eh
The system is great when it's working, just hoping this is the last hurdle
 

Reply to Solar inverter problem? in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

News and Offers from Sponsors

  • Article
Join us at electronica 2024 in Munich! Since 1964, electronica has been the premier event for technology enthusiasts and industry professionals...
    • Like
Replies
0
Views
228
  • Sticky
  • Article
Good to know thanks, one can never have enough places to source parts from!
Replies
4
Views
687
  • Article
OFFICIAL SPONSORS These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then...
Replies
0
Views
641

Similar threads

Thanks makes sense to me now. We had one of the installers come past and explain everything today and now I can see the woods for the trees ! He...
Replies
2
Views
298
  • Question
Issue is certain sizes of cable may theoretically be okay but upon the proper testing when it’s commissioned things like a thing may not test out...
Replies
8
Views
1K

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top