[RE-wrenches] Sunny Island: Reliability / Error Codes

[Matt Partymiller]

William,

In general I have found the SI to be more reliable than other similar
products.  My one grievance is the 'tap' error you mention.  We have units
from more than 5 years ago where this method of failure is the norm in
grid-tie battery backup mode.  Basically, the power goes out, the SI relay
fails and the house is in the dark.  SMA should really recall those
products.

My contact at SMA for their SI can be reached at 916-316-7170.  He may be
far more helpful.

Matt


On Mon, August 25, 2014 2:48 pm, William Miller wrote:
> Friends:
>
>
>
>
> It was only recently that I started working on Sunny Island systems.  I
> have inherited two systems from installers that have flaked out and/or
> could not resolve problems.   Both systems are operating unreliably for a
> number of reasons.
>
>
>
> Both systems suffered from chronic generator starting issues.  We have
> been able to separate out those issues and what remains is some serious
> questions about the inherent reliability of these inverters.
>
>
>
> What is equally troubling is the response I have received from SMA tech
> support.  It started with being questioned on the quality of my
> workmanship without any evidence to support the claims.  SMA does not
> provide any BOS components so in addition to it being difficult to
> integrate these systems, tech support has no experience with bypass
> options and DC OCPD components manufactured by others.
>
>
>
> We have experienced unexplained outages, some with cryptic error codes,
> some without any error indications, just AC output voltage disappearing or
> going very low (60 to 80 volts).
>
>
>
> It is my impression that SMA tech support is now guessing at what is
> going on.  I have been told to "check connections"  and wiggle things in
> order to diagnose an anti-islanding error in an off-grid installation.  I
> have also been told that a generator shut down that occurred 6.5 minutes
> prior to the problem caused the ant-islanding problem.  I receive
> responses that just don't appear to be well thought out.  Anyone else
> experience any of these problems?
>
>
>
> We have also been told that the transfer relay is prone to "sticking" and
> we have to power the units down and "tap" on the relays.
>
>
>
> Have any of you experienced similar inexplicable problems?
>
>
>
>
> I have gained some expertise in analyzing the card data.  One can easily
> open event and failure files. The log files are trickier.  There is a new
> record created every minute with about 130 fields.  You can import them
> into a spreadsheet and browse around for trends and deviations from the
> norm.  I am writing macros to reveal and hide columns as needed and to
> generator graphs.
>
>
>
> Below is a list of some of the error codes we have experienced that no
> one will explain to us.  I am hoping someone can tell me what they mean
> and what may cause them.  Both systems are off-grid with Sunny Boy
> mini-grid systems and generators.
>
>
>
>
>
> E110   Error Shutdown  Shutting down due to error (Probably due to error
> described in prior code)
>
>
>
> F117   AC Current Limit (short circuit control active for too long)
>
>
>
>
> E118 Autostart (I guess tries to start but can't due to persistent error)
>
>
>
>
> F141   Inverter Voltage Low (why?)
>
>
>
>
> W159  Voltage on Output AC1 Slave (we were told this is the sticky
> transfer relay)
>
>
>
> W315  External Voltage Low
>
>
>
>
> W331  Grid/generator disconnected due to anti-islanding
>
>
>
>
> W351  Disconnected from external source due to extended short circuit
> (short
> circuit in what?  How long?  Corrective action?)
>
>
>
> F710   Autostart meter elapses
>
>
>
>
> W738  Gen Sync Loss
>
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
>
> William Miller
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Gradient Cap_mini
> Lic 773985
> millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> 805-438-5600
>
>
>
>
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Matthew Partymiller
Solar Energy Solutions LLC
(877) 312-7456
matt at solar-energy-solutions.com