[RE-wrenches] Load imbalance issues with SolArk?

Wed Feb 3 22:47:22 EST 2021

Maybe its just me but if an off grid inverter can't start up a 120 vac
compressor l might want to look elsewhere. I have the old FX inverters
start up and run massive bandsaw while homes were being built. Radians
running everything from well pumps to sewer pumps all while off grid all
without additional transformers or soft start controllers. I have systems
in Honolulu that have 5 AC multi ton units all living just fine with two
Radians and no additional transformers. Its just a little concerning that
load imbalance was not considered with this inverter manufacture, and maybe
they did. KISS! not more complicated
Jerry
NABCEP PV inspector

On Wed, Feb 3, 2021, 1:10 PM larry at starlightsolar.com <
larry at starlightsolar.com> wrote:

> Amos,
>
> When using it in balancing mode, as seen in the attached image, the PSX
> will provide 120Vac from either leg and the inverter output should stay
> balanced. A 240Vac circuit from the main panel goes to the PSX then to a
> sub panel and any 240Vac loads stay on the main panel.
>
>
> Larry Crutcher
> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 3, 2021, at 1:49 PM, Amos Post <integrityenergy101 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> We have had this issue with a recent installation.  It’s a new off-grid
> house build, and so not many loads to speak of yet, except mainly power
> tools.  The Solark 12K will not start any of: portable air compressor,
> table saw, and sometimes struggles with a miter saw, which are each 16amps
> or less at 120V, but I have measured close to 50amps start up for the air
> compressor and table saw.  The air compressor and table saw are 1.5HP
> each.  What helps is if the motors are warmed up, or putting another load
> on the other leg to balance the inverter’s output.
>
> Was thinking we would install a couple of dedicated 120V outlets for
> “high-current” 120V loads with a PSX-240, stepping down the inverter's 240
> to 120.  My understanding is this will solve the issue for starting these
> loads, but not sure if we might run into issues with inbalance down the
> road...  Would be curious to know if there’s another way to balance all of
> the house loads using the PSX-240?..
> <IE LOGO 150x78.jpg>
>
>        Amos Post
>    Integrity Energy
>   W 802.763.7023
>    C 802.291.2188
>     ienergyVT.com <http://www.ienergyvt.com/>
>         Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/integrityenergyllp?ref=hl>
>
> On Feb 3, 2021, at 2:41 PM, larry at starlightsolar.com wrote:
>
> If it turns out to be true, could you simply add the Outback PSX-240 to
> balance the loads?
>
> Larry Crutcher
> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 3, 2021, at 10:52 AM, Nick A Lucchese <lucchesesolar at me.com> wrote:
>
> Good morning Wrenches,
>
> I’ve strongly been considering using the SolArk 12K unit for awhile but
> have heard from a few folks that there can be somewhat frequent issues with
> the inverter shutting down from line to line imbalance. As little as 1400
> watts? I could see where these instances would be minimized with attention
> to detail on balancing all the loads but if’s as little as a delta of 1400
> watts that might occur with something as innocent as a toaster oven. Seems
> like it would also be less of an issue in a grid back up or AC coupled
> scenario but for off grid I’d be bummed to be getting calls every couple
> weeks from an off grid client that trusted me to offer the right equipment.
>
> How much of an issue is this? Is it getting exaggerated? Those that have
> NOT had this happening was it on a full time off grid site?
>
> Has it happened less on sites using the "Limited to Home” mode? I have an
> upcoming project that was going to be setup with a couple Radians in HBX
> mode and my thought was perhaps it might be an ideal solution there but if
> the continuity of electrical service was going to be provided mainly
> through batteries and inverting and not through the pass through relays the
> majority of the time then the site might likely experience this issue with
> imbalance shutdowns.
>
> There are many attractive features of the SolArk and I really like the
> thought of taking advantage of the 185 amp DC charger versus the Radian’s
> 115 but I’m kind of thinking the risks may outweigh the benefits if these
> shutdowns occur even once every couple of months. Any of you have a long
> enough history with them to chime in with your observations? Are they most
> reliable for AC coupled with backup rather than off grid or the “Limited to
> Home” mode?
>
> Thanks for your time,
> Nick A Lucchese
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
> other:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
> other:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
> other:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches_lists.re-wrenches.org/attachments/20210203/21f39149/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Screen Shot 2021-02-03 at 2.00.39 PM.png
Type: image/png
Size: 120686 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches_lists.re-wrenches.org/attachments/20210203/21f39149/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Screen Shot 2021-02-03 at 2.00.39 PM.png
Type: image/png
Size: 120686 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches_lists.re-wrenches.org/attachments/20210203/21f39149/attachment-0001.png>