[RE-wrenches] Load imbalance issues with SolArk?
Ray
ray at solarray.com
Thu Feb 4 00:26:06 EST 2021
I have concerns as well, because I too have been considering the SolArk
for upcoming larger designs. I regularly expect the builders to test
the system and expose any problems before the owners move in. It should
be able to run any properly operating 120 v equipment there is. Having
said that, I once had a contractor's air compressor not run on one of my
systems. It was an archaic monster belt drive thing, and when I checked
it, it had a missing starting cap, and a ground fault. So no, the
inverter should not have to operate faulty equipment either.
I have never had to use a balancing transformer before on any of my
systems. The Magnum 120/240 vac PAE inverters generally will run
everything 120 I've ever thrown at them, have full 240 in/out, but
they're rated at 1/3 the power of the Solark. So something is
definitely wrong; shutdowns are not acceptable. I hope Solark addresses
this immediately.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 2/3/21 10:47 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote:
> 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
> <mailto:larry at starlightsolar.com> <larry at starlightsolar.com
> <mailto: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
> <mailto: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
>> <mailto: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 <mailto: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
>>
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