SB monitoring problems, was: Monitoring PV for public education [RE-wrenche

[Max Balchowsky]

William, I've got several SMA 2500's in operation here in the Desert
(mounted indoors) and so far no problems. What are the details of the system
(number of panels, dc input current & voltage, ac output current, etc). I'm
also waiting for a method to monitor these systems over the internet......


Max Balchowsky
SEE Systems
100 S. Sunrise Wy
Palm Springs, Ca 92262
760-403-6810


----- Original Message -----
From: "William Miller" <wrmiller at slonet.org>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 10:51 AM
Subject: SB monitoring problems, was: Monitoring PV for public education
[RE-wrenches]


> Pals:
>
>
> Forget web casting data, I am still waiting to be able to monitor SBs
locally:
>
> I have an elderly client with a Sunny Boy on a hill above their house.
The
> power return is run on the well power feeder.  These folks have no way of
> knowing if their system is running.  The system was sold on the premise
> that they would soon be able to use their PC  to monitor the system.  The
> equipment to do that is still not available.  This means that I have to
> visit the site every week to reassure them everything is working.  The AC
> fuse has blown twice.  Now the fuse holder is heat damaged and the
inverter
> had to be replaced.
>
> These problems reinforce the need for me to spend all of this wasted time.
> I'm on the hook to monitor the system.  I can not install a KWH meter at
> the house because we have no way of knowing the well consumption.  I'd
like
> to ask if other installers are in the same or similar predicament for lack
> of this product.  The web site seems to indicate it is available, but John
> Berdner says it is not.
>
> Also, I have had problems browsing the SMA website.   I've notified SMA
> with a detailed description of the multiple problems, and at least I can
> now view the pages.  My thanks to SMA.  I still can not download data
> sheets.  I get the message, "Falscher Parameter."  Anyone else have this
> problem?
>
> William Miller
>
>
>
> At 09:01 AM 9/30/02 -0700, you wrote:
> >Graham:
> >
> >We have lots of options for data monitoring and display (Some times I
> >think too many).
> >
> >For a 6KW system the most basic would be a couple RS 485 cards in the
> >inverters running directly to a PC with a RS 232 to RS 485 adaptor. The
> >down side of this approach is that the PC must be running the Sunny data
> >software (free for download) in order to collect data.  If the PC is
> >down, or not running Sunny data, then you are not storing the data.
> >
> >For off line storage of the data you need Sunny Boy Control Classic
> >(SBCC).  This will continuously monitor the inverter side of things but
> >does not pick up the Wind speed, irradiance, Ambient temp, Module temp,
> >etc. If you want to monitor the external sensors then go with the SBC
> >Plus.  The Plus has all the Classic stuff plus an 8 analog and 8 digital
> >channel data logger built in.  You should be able to find the plus for <
> >$2000 but you will still need sensors.  The sensors are a whole other
> >can o worms (quality versus cost).  We are trying to develop a sensor
> >package but it is taking longer than I had hoped.
> >
> >SMA DE has developed a Java web client but I have to admit I can't be
> >much help supporting it.  I think you will need to find a high school
> >level programmer ;-)  The guys in Germany are very good with Email if
> >you can tolerate the day lag between question and answer.  Robert
> >Broderick at SWTDI (works with John Wiles) is working on a kiosk type
> >thing for use with the Plus.  Not up and running yet.
> >
> >Please contact me off list and I can help you with additional
> >information.
> >
> >Best Regards,
> >
> >John Berdner
> >
> >SMA America, Inc.
> >20830 Red Dog Road
> >Grass Valley, CA  95945
> >530.273.4595 (voice)
> >530.274.7271 (fax)
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Graham Owen [mailto:graham at solarexpert.com]
> >Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 6:16 PM
> >To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> >Subject: RE: Monitoring PV for public education [RE-wrenches]
> >
> >Hey Guy's,
> >
> >The system that needs monitoring is only 6 kW and will be installed on
> >an Integrated Waste Management building owned by a medium sized city.
> >They have an educational center on site, with worms and composters,
> >recycling kiosks, etc. The building is open to the public and school
> >kids are frequently bussed in.  They want real-time monitoring on a CRT
> >or equivalent and even a means for kids to shade or disorient they array
> >to watch the fluctuations.  This will be a fun job.  The city is more
> >interested in the system monitoring capabilities than the energy
> >contribution to their municipally owned grid.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Graham Owen
> >GO Solar
> >
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