[RE-wrenches] SolArk and Tigo compatibility

Christopher Warfel cwarfel at entech-engineering.com
Fri Nov 18 08:12:13 PST 2022


Hi Lloyd, Did you tie into the 12VDC of the SolArk with the lock 
pushbutton switch?

On 11/18/2022 10:47 AM, Lloyd Hoffstatter wrote:
> Chris,
> For emergency shutoff switch i just used a lock pushbotton switch in a 
> clear front lockable box with an led to indicate status. We did use an 
> external power supply because we were using Tigo optimizers, CCA and TAP.
> Best regards,
> Lloyd
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on 
> behalf of Christopher Warfel via RE-wrenches 
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Sent:* Friday, November 18, 2022 10:14:52 AM
> *To:* Bradley Bassett <bbassett2 at gmail.com>; RE-wrenches 
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Cc:* Christopher Warfel <cwarfel at entech-engineering.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SolArk and Tigo compatibility
>
> Thanks everyone, the person I started with a SolArk asked me to call 
> them, so I've left a message.  I'll let everyone know what the 
> determination is.  Bradley raises a good point about shutting down the 
> back up loads panel. We would like to have an outdoor accessible 
> disconnect switch between the back up loads panel and the inverter so 
> that can happen more easily for first responders.  I have to go back 
> and understand a few more things and will let you know. Thanks again. 
> Chris
>
> On 11/16/2022 10:14 PM, Bradley Bassett wrote:
>> The issue as I see it is that the Tigo RSS Transmitter and the 
>> APsmart transmitter are both rated to draw up to 800ma. The 12VDC 
>> output of the Sol-Ark inverters is limited to 100ma. Since some have 
>> used this successfully I suppose that means that either these 
>> transmitters don't really use more than 100ma, or the 12VDC output of 
>> the Sol-Ark can actually handle more than that, or some combination 
>> of both. If I owned a Sol-Ark I'd test this to see what the answer 
>> is, but alas I do not. I design systems using a 48VDC to 12VDC power 
>> supply (Online Components has a Mean-Well device for a reasonable 
>> price, sorry no link from here) and a fairly rare IMO shutdown button 
>> (we have that) that has both NO and NC contacts. This is needed 
>> because to shut down the Sol-Ark inverter requires a NO contact that 
>> closes on initiation which is quite rare in RSD initiators. And you 
>> do still need to shut down the inverter as well as the RSD devices so 
>> that it does not continue to feed voltage back into the PV circuits 
>> (I think). This also shuts down the AC output of the Sol-Ark which 
>> tends to make the inspector happy. Since it also shuts down the 
>> inverter, that limits the battery to its own circuits, does this 
>> count as a battery disconnect also?? I'm seeing some inspectors 
>> calling out for battery disconnects which is much more problematic.
>>
>> Brad Bassett
>> AEE Solar
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 4:27 PM Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches 
>> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 
>> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>> wrote:
>>
>>     Wrenches, Christopher
>>     I have done quite a few and per solark have always connected in
>>     the inverter with no issues, Now with that connecting to the
>>     output side it would do much the same work until it did not then
>>     shut off the modules.
>>     Fun times
>>
>>     On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 6:33 AM Christopher Warfel via
>>     RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>     <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>> wrote:
>>
>>         Hi, We are doing our first system with these two devices. The
>>         inverter is SolArk 12P (mutimode) and the Tigo product for RS
>>         is the TS4F.  Tigo has me a little bit walking in circles.
>>
>>         I told them that SolArk says not to use the 12VDC RS output
>>         terminals for connecting the transmitter.  I gave them the
>>         attached drawing which they ask for, which shows the
>>         transmitter connected to a 120VAC/12VDC breaker which they
>>         supply.  They told me to wire the 120VAC source to the main
>>         service panel so the array would shut down on loss of power.
>>         I told them that is exactly NOTwhat I wanted to happen as
>>         that would stop the battery charging when there is a loss of
>>         utility power. I said I wanted the 120VAC source to be the
>>         back up loads panel. After about a week of calls and emails,
>>         I got an email back saying to use the SolArk 12VDC terminals
>>         for RS.  I just emailed them a screen shot of the SolArk
>>         manual that says not to do that.
>>
>>         At this point, I am asking anyone on the list to let me know
>>         how they wired the transmitter successfully. Thank you for
>>         any guidance, Chris Warfel
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>         -- 
>>         Christopher Warfel
>>                  ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
>>         PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
>>                     401-466-8978
>>         <http://entech-engineering.com>
>>
>>
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> -- 
>             Christopher Warfel
> ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
> PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
>                                     401-466-8978
> <http://entech-engineering.com>
>
>
-- 
             Christopher Warfel
                      ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
                                 401-466-8978
<http://entech-engineering.com>

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