[RE-wrenches] Trace 2548 intermittent power problem...55 not 25

Thu Oct 17 14:07:54 PDT 2013

Hi Eric,
Sounds like a bad control board. 
Swap the inverter and you should be back in business.

Rgds,

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Eric Bentsen  |   Schneider Electric   |  Solar Business  |   UNITED 
STATES  |   Technical Support Representative 
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From:
"SunHarvest" <eric at harvesthesun.com>
To:
"RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Date:
10/17/2013 11:28 AM
Subject:
[RE-wrenches] Trace 2548 intermittent power problem...55 not 25
Sent by:
re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org

I was looking at a scratch pad note where I wrote 25 instead of 55...Yes, 
it is a SW5548. Definitely not set to "Search"...it's in "On" mode. I've 
checked error codes. No "Yes" messages. I am wondering about a firmware 
upgrade although I have serious doubt that will clear up the problem.

I guess I will try the swap and see if that does the trick.

On the genny, I try to stay away from genset service but I can definitely 
check some of the more simple items like check oil & coolant.

Thanks guys.

 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: Allan Sindelar 
To: RE-wrenches 
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2013 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trace 2548 intermittent power problem

Eric,
A Trace 2548 with automatic generator start? I don't believe there ever 
was such a thing. I suspect that you're referring to either a SW4048 or 
SW5548. If so, your first step is to check the error codes, some of which 
are found in Menu Heading 2 (for generator-related issues) and the rest in 
Heading 5. Any "Yes" message as you scroll through them is a good hint. 

This inverter is at least 13 years in service, likely more. Sounds like a 
pre-GTI Y2K system. The units are remarkably robust and reliable, but it 
may well have a glitch in the firmware or voltage/frequency sensors. The 
extra inverter is your ace in the hole, once you determine what the issue 
is.
Allan

Allan Sindelar
Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder, Positive Energy, Inc.
A Certified B CorporationTM
3209 Richards Lane
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell
www.positiveenergysolar.com

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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