[RE-wrenches] Dark Starting Simpliphi PHI3.5 batteries

[Wallace Stahle]

Hold off on that 48 volt charger Howie,

I was called a while back with the same issue on a set of five of the same model battery. All shut off internally.   Had the same inverter and CC too.   I called Simpliphi which I recommend you do also and was told to turn off all inputs and outputs to battery, close the breaker on each unit individually and read the open circuit voltage.  If 24 v or above simply close the 3 breakers before engaging the inverter breaker as the capacitor inrush can fool the BMS of the battery and shut it off which I found  out when I first shop charged the new batteries individually. If battery shuts down upon inverter connection then toggling the battery breaker again the inverter will connect and you charge with generator as the inverter can now function with the small amount of reserve power present. And/or the solar as conditions dictate.

In my case one of the batteries was 23.7 V but still accepted a charge and have apparently functioned well for the customer. Job was installed by others.

I hope that helps. 
Wallace Stahle
Future Electric Energy Co
PO Box 236
Willits, CA 95490
707-459-0474
Lic.#C10-762093
future at pacific.net

> On Jul 27, 2022, at 6:58 PM, Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> I was called into a job of a previously off-grid system that new owners had an electrician bring the grid to, but the batteries ( a pair of Simpliphi 3.5, which I have no experience with) have been dead for an unknown period of time previously. I am trying to figure out the easiest way to restart the system which has a VFX 3648 and FM60. I'm thinking the easiest way is to bring in a 48volt charger to get the battery voltage up high enough to start the FM60 and/or VFX, but that means purchasing a 48 volt charger, since I don't have any Iotas sitting around any more.  If anyone has an easier way to restart the batteries I'd love to hear it.
> Thanks,
> Howie 
> Howie Michaelson
> Sun Catcher
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
> 
> Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service
> 802-272-0004
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