January 27, 20197 yr So something odd happened today. Perfect sunny day, PV was pushing ~2kW/40A load was about 20% charging batteries and supplying load ... and next thing i know all PV input just dropped to 0 ...(yes it's still middle of the day clear and sunny ) I've checked all connection and cables to PV array, and am getting a reading of 100V on the terminals in the inverter. No errors reported and everything else seems to be working ok .. Any suggestions for troubleshooting such issues?
January 27, 20197 yr I can think of basically two things... 1. Have you tried turning it off and on again (and I mean everything). 2. Maybe you have a blown MPPT. It's less common than inverter failures though.
January 27, 20197 yr Author 1 hour ago, plonkster said: I can think of basically two things... 1. Have you tried turning it off and on again (and I mean everything). Like a classic “Windows reboot”, I think I did that, switched batteries off and turned off switch on the inverter. Waited few seconds and turned it back on. Is there any particular sequence or time delay or something else I missed ? 1 hour ago, plonkster said: 2. Maybe you have a blown MPPT. It's less common than inverter failures though. How to check if MPPT is blown, there was a bit of smell in the vicinity when I first had a look. I’ve opened up the coveres but could not see anything obviously burned or charred. Or smelling of burn for that matter.
January 28, 20197 yr 5 hours ago, Padwan said: Is there any particular sequence or time delay or something else I missed ? No, that should do it. As long as the LCD went dark for at least a second or two (and not due to timeout, obviously). 5 hours ago, Padwan said: How to check if MPPT is blown,. Unfortunately, yours is a textbook example of likely blown SCC/MPPT. If you had recently taken it apart, one of the classic gotchas is swapping the two white 4-pin JST cables (one goes to the SCC, the other to the LCD). But it sounds like yours failed while running. Quote there was a bit of smell in the vicinity when I first had a look. Yeah, mine does that too, despite a capacitor-and-MOSFET upgrade and fan rectification. I think something in there gets really hot, the transformer or a large inductor perhaps, and hot resin might trigger the faint "burned semiconductor" reaction. Mine has been running trouble free for almost three years now, and the smell might be from other electronics nearby. I have a 48-12 V DC-DC converter module nearby that runs close to maximum capacity, and runs very hot, which might be the source of the smell. So: it might mean nothing, but if you've never noticed it before, it's not a good sign.
January 28, 20197 yr Author thx @Coulomb 5 hours ago, Coulomb said: Unfortunately, yours is a textbook example of likely blown SCC/MPPT. If you had recently taken it apart, one of the classic gotchas is swapping the two white 4-pin JST cables (one goes to the SCC, the other to the LCD). But it sounds like yours failed while running. ;( Yes, failed whilst running only popped a lid afterwards o try to visually inspect and take few photos (to further our discussion on discovering genuine origins ) So how can one confirm this and fix? Ordering spare parts or does this need to go back for "professional" treatment? 5 hours ago, Coulomb said: Yeah, mine does that too, despite a capacitor-and-MOSFET upgrade and fan rectification. I think something in there gets really hot, the transformer or a large inductor perhaps, and hot resin might trigger the faint "burned semiconductor" reaction. Mine has been running trouble free for almost three years now, and the smell might be from other electronics nearby. I have a 48-12 V DC-DC converter module nearby that runs close to maximum capacity, and runs very hot, which might be the source of the smell. Yes, the faint smell was noticeable when it "works harder" in past. So I'll just make a mental note to not panic Edited January 28, 20197 yr by Padwan
January 28, 20197 yr Author So Iv'e been in touch with a supplier, its likely I will need to have sent over for checkup. I'm considering getting another one to always have "backup" as it does look that, as much fun as those Axeprets are, there are some issues that require tinkering and down time.... Or should one actually look at some of the other options on the market, and if so what would be next natural progression up the quality/price scale ... Your thoughts?
January 28, 20197 yr 31 minutes ago, Padwan said: So Iv'e been in touch with a supplier, its likely I will need to have sent over for checkup. I'm considering getting another one to always have "backup" as it does look that, as much fun as those Axeprets are, there are some issues that require tinkering and down time.... Yeah I always snigger a little when people start buying an extra unit to have a spare. Kinda defeats the whole "I can buy two of these for one of those" argument... but at least you're having fun, right? 😛
January 28, 20197 yr Author 3 minutes ago, plonkster said: Yeah I always snigger a little when people start buying an extra unit to have a spare. Kinda defeats the whole "I can buy two of these for one of those" argument... but at least you're having fun, right? 😛 LOL, I hear you. I'm certainly having fun its become my new "obsession". Having said that I do believe in buying and paying for good quality products that "Just Work TM". Thing is that I simply need more time to experiment and experience to define what is is that actually suits my needs. Rationale here is that system im playing with now is going to serve as auxiliary backup supply, once I start understanding what my actually needs are and what is the premium product that Just Works TM, buying spares seems like a reasonable thing to do. Until such time that I have option to have grid tied inverter [Currently not possible under Eskom, who is my provider, as i understand it] I figured I limit cost, play learn and have fun. Always open for guidance and experiences of others when it comes to their equipment and use cases.
January 28, 20197 yr Any news yet? You could always plug in your spare MPPT controller - and see if that works?
January 28, 20197 yr Author 4 minutes ago, mje said: Any news yet? You could always plug in your spare MPPT controller - and see if that works? Well other than those I’ve got confirmation from members here that my symptoms are classic blown MPPT, no. I’m in contact with supplier who asked few questions like what’s the SOC, Some details about PV array configuration and specific. And of course pointed out the obvious that there would be no wattage shown on inverter if there where clouds and or voltage from pv is below 60V. I guess one has to route all out. Other than that they suggested I would have to send the unint back to be checked. So I’ve ordered new unit, which seller has graciously offers to me at his cost price, so it will take few days for the new one to arrive. Till than I’m sitting thight as the unit still works as ups so will wait for second unit to arrive before I can do anything more re PV.
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