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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Friends:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I have an existing service issue with a Sunny Island 4548 system shutting down unexpectedly. The system is off-grid with generator, two inverters, DC coupled charging. The batteries are a set of used Full River VRLA L-16s (3 strings of 8). We tested the at-rest battery voltages and they were good and consistent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The system was running fine and then experienced some generator failures. The inverters went into battery protect mode twice. We found and repaired the generator problem. A few days later, about 10 minutes after I assured the owner that all was well, the system shut down again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>We responded and found the generator was willing and able to start. The reason the system shut down is not apparent. Here is what I have been told:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The system reports the temp sensor lead has been unplugged. There is a temp sensor and it appears to be connected and in good condition. SMA repeatedly points to this as a contributory cause but I have trouble figuring out how lack of a temp sensor cable could cause other than inefficient charging. We will replace the temp sensor tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The system does not have a battery shunt. I am told this is also a serious lack because the inverter “does not know what is going on with the batteries”. I always thought the PV charge control and AC charge systems operated independently and the inverter responded solely to battery voltage. Maybe not so with the Sunny Island? Could the inverter shut down unexpectedly to protect batteries, even though voltage and SOC were at a reasonable level at the time? The system does report marginal SOH. We will install a shunt tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Does anyone have any experience resolving mysterious shut-downs of Sunny Island systems and have any insight they may provide?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>We download and read the SD data files in-house. We have developed some crude Excel macros that we use to paste the records into Excel and to hide and reveal selected columns. We find this tool to be very handy. I know that SMA uses an Excel tool as well. I have been meaning to ask if I may have a copy but keep forgetting. Do any of you analyze Sunny Island data files in-house? Do you have any tools or procedures that you could share or describe? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The Sunny Island line is significantly lacking in BOS equipment. They do not provide any AC or DC OPCD equipment nor do they provide any type of AC bypass. After we realized this we proceeded to provide an Outback FX1000 cabinet with every Sunny Island install, neatly mated to the system with gutter infrastructure. We provide Square D panel boards with custom interlock hardware for AC OPCD switching and bypassing. The SMA phone support technicians do not seem to understand the concepts behind this application and are automatically dismissive of the outboard gear and blame it for all problems. Below is a link to another system we had to work with SMA tech support on, and that we were never quite able to convince them that we knew what we were doing: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/MillerSolar/Portfolio/Commercial/RM/R_M.html">http://www.millersolar.com/MillerSolar/Portfolio/Commercial/RM/R_M.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>6.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I have had a difficult time working with most of the phone support technicians at SMA. From the very beginning most of them have presented an attitude of arrogance and condescension. I have had the quality of my work called into question without any evidence to support that position. I have experienced long delays in receiving replies. I have seen technicians present incomplete diagnoses. Fortunately Scoey Wildey of SMA was in town while we were rebuilding a commercial Sunny Boy system and he came and inspected our work and could vouch for it. I have found one highly professional, competent person at SMA who used to be in tech support who will take my calls. I’d like to give him credit but I don’t want to share him. Also, Steve Jefferson and Scoey Wildey have intervened on my behalf on a few occasions and I am grateful to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>7.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with SMA tech support. If it is not just me, maybe several of us could contact SMA management and ask that they augment the training of the phone support crew. I am sure they are capable of improving on their skills, both technical and interpersonal. We all know people in the industry that stand above the rest in professional demeanor, Rick Cullen, for example. I try to emulate his always-available, always-helpful, open-minded approach to dealing with people and challenges. We should expect this of all manufacturer’s representatives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Thanks to any of you who are willing to review my many questions and offer suggestions or comments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>William Miller<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>