[RE-wrenches] SMA US 40 & AC coupling

[William Miller]

Friends:



There were some changes made in the 40 series inverter that I don’t believe
are great ideas.  See:
http://www.millersolar.com/MillerSolar/case_studies/SMA_40_Series/Whats_wrong_with_40_Series.html



William





[image: Gradient Cap_mini]
Lic 773985
millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
805-438-5600



*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *Bradley Bassett
*Sent:* Friday, March 10, 2017 7:36 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA US 40 & AC coupling



I just checked with SMA and they do not have an RS485 card for the -40
inverters. What this means is that you can set them up to be permanently in
off grid mode where the SB will follow the frequency shift of the SI, ok
for an off grid system. But for grid tie with backup, the SB will not
communicate with the SI and will not change the SB to off grid mode. It
will still work like other generic AC coupled systems where the frequency
shift will cause the SB inverter to drop off line, but as far as I know no
throttling back will happen.

Brad



On Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 6:12 AM, Drake <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>
wrote:

I talked to SMA tech support. They said the 5.0 and 6.0 models were
compatible with AC coupling. AEE supplied the SI 485PB NR Piggyback card
with RJ 45 cable.


At 06:45 AM 3/10/2017, you wrote:

Well my supplier was not aware of any additional part# for this purpose.
Nor was their anything in their manual stating compatibility.
Part# PLEASE, It does seem short sighted of the company who pioneered AC
Coupling to no longer provide us w/ equipment for said ACC.

On Mar 9, 2017, at 8:47 AM, Drake < drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>
wrote:

I was told by SMA tech support that the new SMA US 40s were compatible with
AC coupling. I was provided with interface cards for the purpose.

At 04:21 PM 3/8/2017, William Miller wrote:

What are the limitations of the new SMA inverters?

Drake



Wrenches:
Â
As a caution:  The TL22 inverters have been discontinued.  The TL40s have
some limitations as compared to the TL22s, in my opinion.  You may still
find TL22s on the shelf.
Â
William
Â
Â
<28a7dc11.jpg>
Lic 773985
millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
805-438-5600 <(805)%20438-5600>
Â
*From:* RE-wrenches [ mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
<re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of *Tump
*Sent:* Wednesday, March 08, 2017 1:13 PM
*To:* findsolar at herzfeld.org; RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Aquion Batteries
Â
I have dual Sunny Islands & dual SB 4000TL22US Â w/ 20 stack on one and
another site w/ the *Aspen 48M* w/ Schneider. I will say this; cost per
amp hour of storage  sucks w/ the Aquion batteries. Both my client and I
feel, that the batteries, despite there size have very little capacity. The
“30†%DOD, that I have the SIs set to start the Gen set, charges the
stacks OK but one gets better performance from  charging w/slower solar
source. The Aspen48M is ~ 42X28X42†@563 AH of capacity, UnigyII 2000 Ah ~
42x40x6’ tall. Batteries are defiantly temperature sensitive, operating
should be ~ 60*. The set up w/ the SMA product, adds additional cost due to
the required  BM200 AND  the Sunny Island Interface Device, and the SM100
unless you are buying theAspen48M which comes pre wired. (




*Aspen 48M which comes thru w/ the sensing module installed).  It is quite
helpful, if this is an off grid install due to the fact that the BM200
needs and when things go south Aquion can toggle the unit off site and help
w/ configuration &Â upgrades, to be connected to the internet. This install
also needs the correct firmware to be installed on the SI which when  was
delivered, the firmware  would only load into the master then shut down
the system. Had to reconfigure as 2 separate units, load the firm ware
and then reconfigure for 2 phase. I have spoken to the manufacture re/
lack of capacity and was told that must be my loads…. NOT. >I would
suggest that despite their hype these are quite expensive and require quite
a bit more of labor IF you are wiring the un sensed stacks. And there isÂ
definitely a learning curve if you are using the SI.My own system and what
I prefer to push IS the SMA SI w/ the SMA SBs (make sure that you get the
TL22s as the newest SB is not compatible for “ AC coupling†in this
configuration) w/ the Unigy II/MK line. (same battery) These have buss
bars, stack vertically , the interlocking stacks is perfect for earthquake
locations. AND are totally recyclable.Pictures  of the SMA install &Â
insights of battery installation available, contact me off line.  TUMP Â
 *

On Mar 8, 2017, at 12:55 PM, Martin Herzfeld <findsolar at herzfeld.org >
wrote:

Â

Has anyone worked with them with a Sunny Island?  Space is not an issue
for this client.

Martin Herzfeld, IREC Certified Master Trainer ™ for PV Installation
Professional #IREC 10037

California Solaar Contractor License  #00833782  C46, D56, D31, C-7

Solar, Trenching, Pole Installation & Maintenance, Instrumentation

UL Certified PV Installer #17, OSHA 30

OSHA-Authorized Construction Trainer #C0068034

CompTIA Certified Technical Classroom Trainer (CTT+) #T3NSZCNBBKB4QTQG

Registered NABCEP Continuing Education (CE) Provider

   Â

Â

On Jul 20, 2016 2:00 PM, "Jerry Shafer" <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com > wrote:

We had a customer request them but once we found out how many it would
take, he decided on the deka unigee instead. l dont like running my OB's at
such a low voltage as they seem to get hotter due to the higher current.
Some of our other product lines don't even reccomend aquions due to that
low voltage, suggest asking your inverter manufacture too.

Â

On Jul 20, 2016 10:52 AM, "Drake" < drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>
wrote:

Hello Wrenches,

I have a client who is going to take the plunge and buy a set of Aquion
Batteries. They look pretty good on paper, but I'm not sure how well an
inverter would function at the 40 V minimum. Does anyone have experience to
recommend them or warn against using them?

Thanks,

Drake

Drake Chamberlin

Athens Electric LLC

OH License 44810

CO License 3773

NABCEP Certified Solar PV

740-448-7328

http://athens-electric.com/

Â

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                           Â

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               ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ********

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Installer"Â

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              ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ********

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Installer"

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*Tump at swnl.net <Tump at swnl.net>*                *www.SWNL.net*
<http://www.swnl.net/>
                Solarwinds Northernlights



*           Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern
California                         207-832-7574 <(207)%20832-7574>   Cl.
610-517-8401 <(610)%20517-8401>
                              Blair "TUMP" May*




*               ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ********
NABCEP    "Certified PV Installer"                  ********  MAINE'S
CHARTER ********                  Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer /
Installer"*



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