Apologies to all if my query has been answered previously - I am a newbie to PowerForum

I installed a Synapse 3.0+, 24V inverter with 2x 12V 100Ah lead acid batteries in mid 2019, and use it as a "UPS" for core ICT equipment (e.g. network router, switches, AP's, Cellular booster) on our guest farm.  All worked well up late last year with excessive load shedding.  First to fail was lead acid batteries which I replaced with 2x 12V 100Ah LifePO batteries.  Shortly after that the inverter started tripping with F08 error, which I understand to be due to over voltage scenario.  External power supply for the inverter is mains (ESKOM) only.  The trips occured after load shedding when ESKOM comes back on.  We already have surge protection installed on te DB feeding to the inverter and have recently also installed a "voltage comparison relay" with appropriate contactor on the ESKOM main incomer DB.  The Inverter now only works when on battery power and immediately defaults to F08 trip status when we switch on mains power feed.

We currently have another 3kW inverter installed (on loan from our electrician).

My question is if it is worth trying to repair the existing Synapse 3.0+ or to just replace it?

If repairing is an option is there anyone who can recommend a repair facility in the greater Cape Town area?

If repairing is NOT an option, is it worth installing a similar (Synapse/Axpert/Kodak) inverter again, or are there better alternatives?

Thank you in advance for any comments and assistance

Edited February 14, 20233 yr by RustyGate

You can repair it

 

Rubicon repaired one of mine that blew up through a surge R1600 for a new board and it was done in CT.

@BruceL I know you where happy to at least get your unit repaired, but I wish that repair centres would perform proper debugging and component level repairs rather than simply replacing PCBs.

@RustyGate If your inverter runs in battery mode, it means that the DC/DC boost converter as well as the DC/AC inverter are still working.  This is good news as there are many high current and high voltage MOSFETs in those two sections that would be rather expensive to replace.  These components can also be a challenge to source.

I predict mountains and mountains of dead and sometimes still alive equipment that will fill South African garbage sites in the not too distant future.  Simply because there are not enough people that can service this stuff.  Not to mention people that due to finger trouble, come to the wrong conclusion that the equipment is dead.  This will be especially true for the sub 2KVA cheaper entry level systems that often still use lead acid batteries.  The vultures at the disposal sites will hack out large inductors for a few cents worth of copper.  Leaving the true value to rot and poison the ground.  What a waste.

I would also hope that Shabier (is he still around?) from Communica or some of the other electronic component suppliers realise this situation and pre-emptively start to stock items such as MOSFETs, IGBTs and large electrolytic capacitors.  This would be a huge saving from always having to order through mail-order from overseas.  Communica has fantastic turn-around times on orders, often under 24 hours.  Sadly, they seem to have completely moved away from keeping a decent range of electronic components.

@BruceL and @Modina thanks for the comments and feedback.  

Edited April 19, 20233 yr by RustyGate

On 2023/04/06 at 8:02 PM, Modina said:

@BruceL I know you where happy to at least get your unit repaired, but I wish that repair centres would perform proper debugging and component level repairs rather than simply replacing PCBs.

@RustyGate If your inverter runs in battery mode, it means that the DC/DC boost converter as well as the DC/AC inverter are still working.  This is good news as there are many high current and high voltage MOSFETs in those two sections that would be rather expensive to replace.  These components can also be a challenge to source.

I predict mountains and mountains of dead and sometimes still alive equipment that will fill South African garbage sites in the not too distant future.  Simply because there are not enough people that can service this stuff.  Not to mention people that due to finger trouble, come to the wrong conclusion that the equipment is dead.  This will be especially true for the sub 2KVA cheaper entry level systems that often still use lead acid batteries.  The vultures at the disposal sites will hack out large inductors for a few cents worth of copper.  Leaving the true value to rot and poison the ground.  What a waste.

I would also hope that Shabier (is he still around?) from Communica or some of the other electronic component suppliers realise this situation and pre-emptively start to stock items such as MOSFETs, IGBTs and large electrolytic capacitors.  This would be a huge saving from always having to order through mail-order from overseas.  Communica has fantastic turn-around times on orders, often under 24 hours.  Sadly, they seem to have completely moved away from keeping a decent range of electronic components.

very true , the problem with Aperts is that the hardware is not modular , in fact the main board contains 80-90% of the machines value . It means sometimes that a R5000 main board is replaced on a 5kW machine when only a small capacitor or a few mosfets could have saved the day for England.

On 2023/02/14 at 2:53 PM, RustyGate said:

If repairing is NOT an option, is it worth installing a similar (Synapse/Axpert/Kodak) inverter again, or are there better alternatives?

@RustyGate  Did you have any luck yet with a repair?

If a repair fails, I would say definitely replace with another Axpert.  The many complaints regarding all sorts of issues on SunSynk inverters shows that expensive products do not buy peace of mind.

What you could consider is maybe paying a bit more and buying a Kodak for the simple reason that spare parts seem to be generally available from a number of SA suppliers.  I see Xenononline keeps a large selection of replacement PCBs and even Geewiz lists some.  @BritishRacingGreen have you purchased replacement PCBs from any of these?

Equipment should be repaired on the component level.  However, with high power electronics, you sometimes have catastrophic failures that burn PCB tracks or burn holes into boards.  Any repair will then forever be a butcher-job at best, making for unreliable system operation.  In such instances PCB replacement is the only way to go.   I am not sure how close the Axpert clones follow Voltronic designs and if there is any possibility to say, fit a Kodak replacement board in a Synapse,

 

@Modina 

Did not manage to have the faulty inverter repaired yet.  I contacted Rubicon today, but still waiting for their Technical/Support Dept to my call.  

I ended up replacing the faulty inverter with the latest version of the Synapse 3.0+ in January already due to operational requirements and not managing to have the other unit repaired.    

I would still like to see if I can have the faulty unit repaired as backup 

My Synapse 1000 inverter must be in the wrong mode because it switches on and off every couple of seconds? How do I change it?

4 hours ago, Jan Wesselo said:

must be in the wrong mode because it switches on and off every couple of seconds?

Welcome to the forum.

Actually, that's almost certainly not a mode or setting, but a hardware fault.

It's often capacitors, but I have a whole section on starting problems in the AEVA repair topic.

Hi all

Installed Synapse 3.0+ Jan 2025 and have a 03 red alarm error which is a battery overvoltage condition. (measured voltage on battery is 24.6V and alarm reading shows 34.1v )

My installer reset the settings: first in program step 05 to USER then in step 26 & 27 to 26.0v but eventually the 03 alarm condition returned. Now waiting in further

investigation.

Note previous dates of forum is 2023; Have i bought a "pup"

Ken @ Cavalry Hout Bay

On 2025/06/02 at 11:55 PM, ken hout bay said:

measured voltage on battery is 24.6V and alarm reading shows 34.1v

Measured by a multimeter, or reported by the inverter, perhaps in some sort of log?

If the displayed battery voltage is significantly different from that of a trusted multimeter when the loads are steady, then either the battery voltage calibration is off, or there is a hardware fault.

Edited June 8, 20251 yr by Coulomb