Kodak OG7.2 display fault 32. No comms via rs232 or wifi

[Ian]

Hi

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction...

After a particularly hectic thunderstorm, I lost comms with the inverter...

The display had the 32 fault msg, and I also discovered the rs232 converter in the cable connecting to my ESP32 was fried. So ATM I have no way of knowing what's going on in my system, other than the battery indicator on the batteries themselves.

Does this type of fault usually require the inverter to be sent in for service, or is there a comms module I can remove that might be repaired?

Thanks in advance.

Ian

 

PS. Just realised that the battery-inverter comms is also probably down.  Seeing wierd charging behavior:( Or lack thereof...

 

Edited March 23, 2024 by Ian

[Coulomb]

I find that for whatever reason opto couplers seem to fail more than other parts after lightning. 

But since all your comms seems to be failing, it's more likely that it's a power supply issue inside the removable display. Unfortunately, it's often the transformer. Often if the transformer fails, the damage is visible. 

Though if the LC Display is working, it's possibly not the power supply, unless it's only one half that is faulty. 

[Ian]

Thanks Coulomb.

Is it possible to source a replacement display? I'm an elec eng (retired!), so I could also look at fixing it I suppose...

But a replacement seems first choice

Ian

[ShaunH]

Heya @Ian

 

I had exactly the same problem this last August on my 7.2. I do not remember any lightning around the time, but my display got stuck at:

 

 

What I noticed was 52.4V between pins 1 and 2 of the display cable. So, it seemed like a short.

 

I bought mine in May. So, it was still under warranty, and sent the unit in for repair. The only information I got about the repair was:
> control board and remote was replaced, then tested working fine.

[Ian]

I've looked at my HA logs, and it looks like the unit went down before the thunderstorm, but I only noticed it later and assumed it was the lightning. Which makes sense as there was no other electronics affected. The Kodak is also not connected to any PV, which would be a lightning entry point.

Looks like it'll have to go in.

Thanks for the feedback

Ian

[Coulomb]

21 hours ago, Ian said:

Is it possible to source a replacement display?

Yes, I believe so. Best to get it from your inverter supplier, and tell them exactly what model you have. Hopefully then you can just plug it in and it should work.

You may also be able to buy from Ebay, Ali Express or the like and reflash the firmware, but be aware that the firmware in the removable displays only works on two model series (e.g. King 1 and VM III), and I'm pretty sure that you can't even get the "wrong ones" to reflash at all with the reflash tool for your model.

Repair might end up being easier and less hassle than the Ebay / Ali Express route.

And of course, it could be the control board end, or the board between these two (called a comms board, but very different to the comm boards of earlier models).

[Ian]

For the record, they replaced the display unit, and all's well

Ian