[RE-wrenches] RSD Troubleshooting Help

Mon Jun 21 12:43:15 EDT 2021

Carl,
That’s very helpful. We’ll check each module and report back. 

rick brown
SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
www.SolShineEnergy.com
Check, Virginia 24072
O: 540.235.3095
M: 540.808.9502

VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer  
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21

> On Jun 21, 2021, at 12:15 PM, Carl Adams <cadams at sunrocksolar.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Rick,
> I was recently troubleshooting a similar problem.  Open circuit voltage on all strings was as expected but under load one string was showing almost no power.  Tracked this down to a failed APSmart device which had clear signs of thermal damage.  Pictures 1.1 and 1.2.  .
> A second failed unit some months later had a thermal failure and this one toasted the module.  Picture 2.1.
> 
> These devices can make it difficult to do any meaningful string level testing.  The devices output a nominal 0.7 volts in open circuit conditions.  That documentation says this voltage reading is + 25%, so in theory you could have a number of devices which were not working and your string voltage would not indicate that.
> 
> APSmart does make a test device which can help you verify the functionality.  The device is called  RSD-EYE+ Detector.  You can contact YI Kang , APPLICATION & TECHNICAL SUPPORT MANAGER,
> MLRSD at APSmart for additional information.    737.218.8486
> <FailedAPSmart1.2.jpg>
> 
> <FailedAPSmart2.1.jpg>
> 
> <FailedAPSmart1.1.jpg>
> 
> With Kind Regards
> Carl Adams, President
> SunRock Solar, LLC
> 513.290.9072 (mobile)
> 513.766.6025 (office)
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 11:55 AM Lloyd Hoffstatter <lloyd at sunstruckconsulting.com> wrote:
>> Rick,
>> I would check with SMA to make sure you have the latest firmware.
>> 
>> Best regards,
>> Lloyd
>> 
>> Lloyd Hoffstatter
>> Sunstruck Consulting
>> 
>> Get Outlook for iOS
>> From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of rick at solshineenergy.com <rick at solshineenergy.com>
>> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2021 11:42:36 AM
>> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>> Subject: [RE-wrenches] RSD Troubleshooting Help
>>  
>> Wrenches,
>> 
>> I’m in need of some troubleshooting help on a newly installed system with rapid shutdown. System consists 2 SMA SB5.0-1 SP-US-41 (RSD version), RSD devices are APS RSD-S-PLC. Each SB is configured with two strings of 9. Modules are REC Alpha 360s. 
>> 
>> This system was fully functional for about 1 week before things went awry. Initial symptoms were that one of the two strings read 0V 0A on the display while the other read ~315V, 5A. The RSD devices output ~700mV each when in the off mode (a nice verification feature). I’m reading the correct voltage - 6.75V - on both strings when in off mode. Once the Sunny Boy comes on line I’m reading around 10V on the faulty string and the correct voltage - ~315V - on the other string. 
>> 
>> The above seems to indicate that each RSD is getting sufficient DC voltage from the module. Short of pulling each module and doing a visual check what else can I look at? How do you isolate a faulty RSD device?
>> 
>> And as luck would have it, everything is functional at the moment. 
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> rick brown
>> SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
>> Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
>> www.SolShineEnergy.com
>> Check, Virginia 24072
>> O: 540.235.3095
>> M: 540.808.9502
>> 
>> VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
>> VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
>> VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer  
>> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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