Re: [RE-wrenches] RE-wrenches Digest, Vol 3, Issue 15

[Brian Lupo]

Hope I am replying as per protocall

Thanks so much for the input.  I got the butterfly feeling in my gut that
the inverter was fried, will know better about noon tomorrow.
One odd thing
Capacitor in the mid of three seperate mppt circuits was fried looking, ie,
 Plastic falling off.
Kind of an indicator.
Thank you for the input,  this is a community worth belonging to.

Peace

Brian Lupo

Will update tomorrow after tech support calls.

www.gosolar.com
www.ssolars.com



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[RE-wrenches] Outback FM80's connected to Hub

[benn kilburn]

Thanks for your comments.
Since there don't seem to be any down-sides, and a few up-sides, it does seem 
to make good sense to have the two controllers connected to the rest of the 
system via the Hub.
I'll get that done when i install the FlexNet.
Cheers,benn

DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. 
www.daystarsolar.cab...@daystarsolar.ca780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY






  
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Sharp Sunvista 3500

[Michael Gullo]

Hi Brian,

d-27 can be caused by a loose connector on the control board, IPM snubber 
board, IPD drive board or AC board. Check for loose connectors and then reset 
the error code by pressing power and display buttons simultaneously. Press and 
hold the power button for 3 seconds to start the inverter. If you continuously 
get d-27 error codes, then it's probably fatal. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Mike
Michael Gullo
Solar Solutions
Marlton, NJ

NABCEP Certified PV Installer T
  - Original Message - 
  From: Brian Lupo 
  To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 7:25 PM
  Subject: [RE-wrenches] Sharp Sunvista 3500


  Hello all,


  This is my first post to this list.  Many thanks for all the information 
available here, the archives are quite the resource.


  Here is my situation


  Sharp Sunvista 3500 power conditioner
  error message d-27 


  Voltage from the array is proper, roughly 252 vdc per string,
  grid 249 ac,
  No ground fault,
  No bad fuses in external DC disconnect.


  We have called tech support and while not elaborating on the exact nature of 
the problem, they promise a forthcoming call from the warranty dept. tomorrow.


  Is d-27 the death knell for this inverter?


  Thanks in advance,


  Brian 
  www.GoSolar.com
  www.ssolars.com








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Re: [RE-wrenches] Sharp Sunvista 3500

[Nick Soleil]

Aloha Brian:
   Good luck with Sunvista, if it is in warranty, Sharp will ask you to send it 
back to them, but they may take 4-8 weeks to return the repaired unit to you!  
This can be a big pain, and they often break again.  I just swapped one out for 
a new GT-3.3 this month, which was easy, but required reconfiguring the strings 
(from three strings of 7, 7, and 6 to two strings of 10.)
I don't know what that error code means, but it probably means the inverter 
is failed.

Nick Soleil
Project Manager
Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC
PO Box 657
Petaluma, CA 94953
Cell:   707-321-2937
Office: 707-789-9537
Fax:707-769-9037





From: Brian Lupo 
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Sent: Tue, January 5, 2010 4:25:28 PM
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Sharp Sunvista 3500

Hello all,

This is my first post to this list.  Many thanks for all the information 
available here, the archives are quite the resource.

Here is my situation

Sharp Sunvista 3500 power conditioner
error message d-27 

Voltage from the array is proper, roughly 252 vdc per string,
grid 249 ac,
No ground fault,
No bad fuses in external DC disconnect.

We have called tech support and while not elaborating on the exact nature of 
the problem, they promise a forthcoming call from the warranty dept. tomorrow.

Is d-27 the death knell for this inverter?

Thanks in advance,

Brian 
www.GoSolar.com
www.ssolars.com


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[RE-wrenches] Sharp Sunvista 3500

[Brian Lupo]

Hello all,

This is my first post to this list.  Many thanks for all the information
available here, the archives are quite the resource.

Here is my situation

Sharp Sunvista 3500 power conditioner
error message d-27

Voltage from the array is proper, roughly 252 vdc per string,
grid 249 ac,
No ground fault,
No bad fuses in external DC disconnect.

We have called tech support and while not elaborating on the exact nature of
the problem, they promise a forthcoming call from the warranty dept.
tomorrow.

Is d-27 the death knell for this inverter?

Thanks in advance,

Brian
www.GoSolar.com
www.ssolars.com
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Best angle - direct grid tie

[Carl Adams]

Drake,

Attached is a PDF which is the result of using PVWatts to perform an
analysis which may be helpful.

Assumption 1: No shading at the site and a due south facing array.
The module tilt is varied from 0 to 90 degrees and the array estimated
production leads you to select an optimum tilt.

Assumption 2:  Now that the optimum tilt is established evaluate the
effect of array azimuth at this tilt angle.

The solar radiation per time of day is evaluated to indicate the
potential adjustments which might be required based on shading at
various times of day but the Path Finder readings from the site should
be used for a more accurate assessment.

Cheers
Carl Adams
SunRock Solar, LLC



On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 6:08 PM, Ryan LeBlanc
 wrote:
> Drake,
>
> The SPA software is likely telling you 'close-to-the' optimum tilt for
> maximum total annual peak production, without telling you WHEN the most
> valuable power is produced.  That's for you to figure out based on the
> specific utility rate schedule, and is a critical factor.
>
> So, it kind of is geared towards off-grid systems, by default, but only
> because it doesn't have the Holy Grail database of utility rate schedules,
> (TOU, etc.) that we all wish was available.  Though, it may manually allow
> you some of these features.  I haven't looked at Assistant software in a
> little while, apologies.
>
> Solmetric has some resources you may be interested in,
> http://www.solmetric.com/annualinsolation-us.html.
>
> Also, perhaps you should play with PVsyst, for a large fixed ground mount,
> use the "Unlimited Sheds Option." This tool gives you some optimum
> suggestions as well, but I prefer to run a few production estimates to
> compare.
>
> Each site is specific, so be cautious if someone tells you there is an
> across-the-board answer to an optimum tilt for grid-tied applications.  For
> rooftops, you'll likely go with the orientation and tilt of the roof due to
> aesthetics and cost.  For ground mounts, we can play with it a little more
> to find our sweet spots.
>
> Ryan J. LeBlanc
> NABCEPT Certified Solar PV Installer
> Lead PV Consultant
> NATURAL ENERGY WORKS
> 2139 Westland Dr
> Santa Rosa CA 95407
> Cell: 707.591.1950
> Direct: 707.536.9839
> r...@naturalenergyworks.com
> http://www.NaturalEnergyWorks.com
>
>
>
>
>
> For your latitude, you see the same max. average yearly peak sun regardless
> of your fixed array tilted at latitude or latitude -15 degrees.
>
> See http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/pubs/redbook/PDFs/OH.PDF.
>
>
>
> Being taught old school we always used latitude, but now I use latitude - 5
> degrees for optimal fixed tilt.
>
>
>
>
>
> Kirk Herander
>
> Vermont Solar Engineering
>
> 802.863.1202
>
> NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer
>
> NYSERDA-eligible Installer
>
> VT Solar Incentive Program Partner
>
>  _
>
> From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake
> Chamberlin
> Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 8:30 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Best angle - direct grid tie
>
>
>
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> My Solar Pathfinder Assistant (SPA) claims that the optimum tilt angle for
> the solar modules is latitude.  I'm skeptical.  The system being designed is
> a direct grid tie, ground mount.
>
> It seems to me that an angle of latitude will give a balanced angle for both
> summer and winter charging.  Since there is far less energy available in the
> winter, is this balance really the best.  Also, a flatter angle in the
> summer should gain more hours of sun, since the sun goes N of the E-W axis.
>
>
> With ballasted systems, the 15 degree angle is supposed to work just fine,
> due to better summer charging.  Does anyone have an answer to what really is
> the optimum tilt angle for a direct grid tie system?  Is the SPA geared
> toward off grid systems, or is latitude really the best?
>
> Thank you and best wishes for the New Year,
>
>
>
> Drake Chamberlin
> Athens Electric
> OH License 44810
> CO License 3773
> NABCEP TM  Certified PV Installer
> Office - 740-448-7328
> Mobile - 740-856-9648
>
> -- next part --
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PVWatts Output as a function of Module Tilt and Azimuth.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback FM80's connected to Hub

[Darryl Thayer]

Is it possible to have FM80 coordination with just the hub? and not the mate 
connected? Set up using the Mate then operation with only the HUb? 

Since the Mate and the FM80 look alike it is possible to have small system  set 
up done by the FM80? would Outback consider making such a change?

Darryl


  
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback FM80's connected to Hub

[darren]

Benn,

When the FM80 are connected to the HUB the following are possible

Sharing battery temp sensor value from the FX for temp comp.

Float mode coordination, i.e. when one FM80 transitions to Float charging the 
other
will be commanded by MATE to float mode.

The FlexNet DC can terminate a bulk/absorb charge via the MATE when FlexNet DC 
determines the batteries have received a full charge for the day.


Cheers

Darren



Wrenches,
I have just set up an off grid system for a client and am now weighing out the 
pros and cons of connecting the two FM80's to the Hub or leaving them charging 
the battery independently.  
The system consists of an FW1000 with two stacked VFX3648's.  The two FM80's 
are mounted under the inverters and each is connected to it's own array. One is 
3.4kW on a roof and the other is 3.6kW on two poles.Outback has commented on 
this and has offered no convincing reasons for connecting them to the Hub.
Any comments or experiences?
Cheers,benn
DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. 
www.daystarsolar.cab...@daystarsolar.ca780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY



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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate remote programming

[Wayne Irwin]

Kirk,

We usually walk the customer through the programming steps with them on the 
phone while were both at our mates. 
This has proven to be the most successful way for them to learn, and it saves 
us a trip (make sure mate software versions are the same or similar).

Wayne Irwin EE

Pure Energy Solar International Inc. 
State Licensed Solar Contractor

License # CVC56695 

wa...@pureenergysolar.com 

http://pureenergysolar.com 

352 377-6527 Office
352 336-3299 Fax
352 316-1637 Cell
The
content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are not the 
intended
recipient and have received this message in error, any use or distribution is
prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail and delete this
message from your computer system. Thank you.



 





Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 17:25:59 -0500
From: r...@four-winds-energy.com
To: k...@vtsolar.com; re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate remote programming






  
  


Kirk,



It's as you suspect, that the programming resides in the FX computer
board.

The only programming that resides in the Mate is for the AGS and HBX.

How about making him a "cheat sheet" and give him a live "how to" demo
at your shop.

He's gotta provide the beer though

Roy Butler
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer®
NYSERDA eligible PV & wind installer
PA Sunshine Program Approved PV Installer
Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC
8902 Route 46
Arkport, NY 14807
607-324-9747

www.four-winds-energy.com

Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, 
a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.






Kirk Herander, VSE wrote:

  
  
  
  


  
  
  
  Hello Group,
   
  I have a customer who
wants to bring their Mate to my shop
for programming. I have a GVFX3524 in my shop. His inverter is a
VFX2812. Will
I be able to plug his Mate into my inverter, program it for his
inverter, and
then have him take it home and plug it into his inverter and have the
parameters
transfer somehow to his inverter? I suspect the answer is no, but
thought I’d
check. I assume that the FX parameters are not stored in the Mate but
in the FX
itself, hence “you can’t get there from here”, as the old
saying goes.
   
  
  

  
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate remote programming

[Darren]

Outback equipment store their own configuration settings, the MATE is just an 
input and display device. The MATE only can program the devices it's connected 
to.

Cheers

Darren

"Kirk Herander, VSE"  wrote:

>Hello Group,
>
> 
>
>I have a customer who wants to bring their Mate to my shop for programming.
>I have a GVFX3524 in my shop. His inverter is a VFX2812. Will I be able to
>plug his Mate into my inverter, program it for his inverter, and then have
>him take it home and plug it into his inverter and have the parameters
>transfer somehow to his inverter? I suspect the answer is no, but thought
>I'd check. I assume that the FX parameters are not stored in the Mate but in
>the FX itself, hence "you can't get there from here", as the old saying
>goes.
>
> 
>
>Kirk Herander
>
>Vermont Solar Engineering
>
>802.863.1202
>
>NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer
>
>NYSERDA-eligible Installer
>
>VT Solar Incentive Program Partner
>
> 
>
>
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