[RE-wrenches] Outback quad stack X240 breaker tripping

[Tump]

Have you turned the breaker on the t240 to the off position? One does NOT have to have that operational for the system to operate correctly.The old t240 has about the same parasitic draw as an inverter. Isolate, Isolate, Isolate. If the system functions correctly w/ the t240 off and the stacking is correct on this q stack disconnect it(the t240). Otherwise I would remove the inverter com cables and only connect 1 pair of inverters at a time, reset the mate with the correct com cables connected to P1& P2. Sometimes something so simple as disconnecting & reconnection the mate can have quite a benefit. Again I would, if you are really stuck on having the t240 operational, then try it with each inverter as a single unit then try the second set of inverters. Disconnect the #s1&2 inverters and do the same; connect #s 3&4 P1 & P2, to see exactly which component may be your problem.
You are more then happy to contact me off list if you choose. contact info below. Tump
On Mar 15, 2015, at 5:04 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote:

>  Wrenches
> OK if the X240 blows the fuse which is on the output of the inverter while the inverter is charging, excessive current must be passing through from one inverter and back to the output of another inverter ( a form of AC coupling gone bad). The time delay fits as the inverter ramps up, I would look at the contactors in each slave as one may be hanging or ther may be a bad board, easy way to test is to isolate each inverter and with a amp meter connected at the X240 see if current goes away in the X240 as it should not be doing much with light loads on the "House" side of the inverters. The X240 is 25 amps while the inverters are 50 amps. Sounds like a interesting one to diagnose.
> Jerry
> 
> On Wed, Mar 11, 2015 at 11:59 AM, Chris Worcester <chris at solarwindworks.com> wrote:
> Hi Kevin, 
> I have seen the  X240's  trip off like this when theyare over loaded. When this was happening to us the slave inverters had blown AC  boards and some times Control and FET boards too. We had a hard time diagnosing this as their  green lights were on.  Using a clamp on  amp meter on each inverter's AC IN conductor while charging with the gen set allowed us to compare their charging currents to each other. Typically the ones with blown  AC boards output would be close to zero amps. So the X240's were doing double duty and they will smoke too if the inverters aren't delta with. 
> 
> 
> Sincerely, 
> Chris Worcester
> 530-448-9692 
>  Sent from my Galaxy S®III
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Kevin Pegg
> Date:03/11/2015 1:19 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback quad stack X240 breaker tripping
> 
> Hello Wrenches, 
> 
> Customer in remote location has a strange situation come up on an existing system installed (by others) 6 or so years go. Quad stack VFX3648. 
> 
> Last night gen start was triggered by low voltage - a normal system operation. 
> 
> Approx 1h into charge, they lost 1/2 the circuits in house - L2 de-energized. Caretaker went to check power system and noticed the X240 breakers tripped. Tried to reset but it tripped out right away. So he left it as is and called me in the morning. 
> 
> Here's what I've been able to determine today: 
> 
> - The x240 is installed to bridge L1 & L2 on the load side. 
> - with master inverter on, 3 slaves off, both L1 and L2 energized so suggests x240 is working. 
> - within 10 seconds of generator on and charging, x240 breaker trips (and makes L2 go dark). 
> - loads are minor, ~1,000 w of misc lights and such, isn't all loaded up on one leg. 
> 
> Appreciate any thoughts to remedy. I'm not as familiar with this config as others. 
> 
> Kevin Pegg
> EA Energy Alternatives Ltd. 
> 37471 Hwy 16 E
> Telkwa, BC  V0J 2X2
> 250-846-9888
> Http://www.EnergyAlternatives.ca 
> 
> 
> 
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> Tump at swnl.net               www.SWNL.net
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