[RE-wrenches] Trace 2548 intermittent power problem

[Ray Walters]

While the problems seem related, I'm guessing the gen set issue is a low 
coolant or low oil condition. The generator has sensors that shut it 
down if they don't see fluid (coolant, or oil) after a few seconds.  The 
symptoms fit that.

For the inverter, it is either fried or has some programming set wrong,  
I'd try the replacement, since you've got it.
Are you sure its not going into search mode?  Might defeat the search 
mode, that cycling is what Trace inverters used to do when the loads 
were not quite enough to wake it up fully.

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 10/17/2013 10:41 AM, SunHarvest wrote:
> I have encountered a Trace 2548 in seemingly good working condition. I 
> was called out to troubleshoot a Grid-tied, battery back-up system 
> with the following problem:
> - Upon loss of grid power there is about a 5 second lapse (no power to 
> house) before the BB system engages. Power to the critical loads panel 
> from the Trace is restored after the 5 second lapse.
> - After another 5 seconds the Trace will disconnect power to the 
> loads. This on-off cycle continues until grid power is restored.
> After checking voltage & S.G. values, I determined that the 11 year 
> old batteries needed to be replaced and I assumed this was the cause 
> of the Trace on-off cycling.
> I also found that half of his PV array had bad BP modules. BP replaced 
> all of the modules under somewhat of a warranty. So, new modules, new 
> batteries, and a new Outback FM60 charge controller. After all 
> upgrades I ran through a simulated power outage again and the 
> intermittent power problem persists!
> He also has gen support enabled - connection to an Onan "RV Genset BGE 
> NHE (??) - and when I start the genny from the inverter, by selecting 
> "On" not "Auto", the genset fires right up but only stays on for about 
> 30 seconds before it too shuts off and enters a cycling between 
> auto-starting from the inverter and shutting down.
> This behavior is beyond me. So, I'm seeking help from the pros. Anyone 
> know what's going on here? The customer has another Trace 2548, 
> unused, sitting in a box. So, if I needed to I could swap out the 
> inverter and see if that makes a difference...?
> Eric
> SunHarvest
> (530)798-3738
>
>
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