[RE-wrenches] BP HI / Namaka with Sol-ark inverters

Fri Jan 7 12:06:43 EST 2022

Hi Jay and All,

So I jumped the gun a bit on the auto-former - My experience thus far is 
mostly with multiple inverter systems (3 systems of 2 & 3 units) and so 
I have not had any single leg issues on those systems.  And the few 
single inverter systems I do have out there (2 systems) I haven't had 
any problem - so I was just suggesting that could be a way to deal with 
it if you were having  that issue - I should be more careful to speak 
only from experience!

As for field repair I do know that some early Sol-Arks had issues with 
sharing the load while paralleling and there is an MC board ("Master 
Control" I assume)  that they offer for those instances that is field 
installable.  I have not had that problem.

I've had customer calls twice on those 5 systems in a years time - both 
times a simple reboot solved the problem and other issues I've had were 
simply my learning curve with settings as they are a lot of options 
-especially if using the Time-of-use interface.   The one system I have 
that is a single inverter that is in GTBB mode (on grid as sell-back 99% 
of time with battery there for outages) has not burped once in a year's 
time so that's simple.  The Off-Grid systems work like a charm though 
high loads did cause a reboot once.

It's true what  Eric says that there are settings on the PowerView 
interface that are not covered in the Manual - the control software is 
more powerful than most inverters but it does take some time to get to 
the bottom of all of them and it seams even Sol-Ark tech support is 
learning.  The control is highly customizable and that has come in super 
handy with a customer that is on-grid but really likes to be off grid as 
much as possible - so during the seasons in New England she changes her 
Time-of-Use settings to match the seasons and that has worked out super 
well (it's just changing the SOC levels that we let the batteries come 
to at different times of day)  - can't imagine doing what she's doing 
with any other inverter.

In talking with tech support one tech did mention that sometimes some 
data gets into the "wrong ledger" or some such and that's why a simple 
reboot works and they say they are refining that in subsequent 
firmware.  A deeper level reboot is sometimes required he says by doing 
a factory reset rather than just a restart but then you have to reset 
settings but he says that is a rare need.  They have had multiple (like 
4 or 5?) firmware upgrades over the year but none seemed to be that 
critical.

So that's my fuller report.  I consider the Sol-Ark my replacement for 
the Sunny Island (that sadly simply isn't evolving with the times except 
perhaps the European model)  - Robust - stackable and much easier to 
install with DC coupling option and included switchgear.  Yes you do 
need to learn the software interface but I find it clearly no more 
complicated than say the Outback or Schneider XW interface once you are 
use to it and once you do you have much more control and easy remote 
programming both on laptops and phones and the customer has the same 
access if you want to programmables.

I've never been put on hold for Sol Ark tech support and they spend as 
much time as it needs while looking at the same data you are looking at 
through PowerView - super helpful.

Hope that helps!

Best,

Jeff

> Jay <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>
> January 7, 2022 at 5:55 AM
> Hi Jeff
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> As to out of balance 120v.
>
> How are you configuring for that?  Just putting potential problem 
> loads on the xformer or ?
>
> Which transformer are you using with a 9kw inverter?  Most I’ve seen 
> are only 5-6kw.
>
> And as many people are using the sol ark, a question about repairing. 
> Is it possible to repair in the field?  Has anyone actually done it? 
>  If not field repairable, how quickly/easily is the repair/warranty 
> process working
>
> Thanks
> Jay
>
>
>
> Jeff Clearwater <mailto:jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>
> January 6, 2022 at 8:04 PM
> We just ordered a 3 Sol-Ark system with 16 Storz Power batteries I'll 
> let you know this Spring once I have it up and running.  Yes they are 
> closed loop will be UL9540 soon.
>
> We have several Sol-Arks in the field - all working great - yes a few 
> minor issues that have required software updates - but tech support is 
> great and they push the updates for me.  I love the monitoring and 
> ability to remote program every parameter.  Conversion efficiency in 
> all modes is high (though slightly under what they claim but still great)
>
> Surge is fine per leg with multiple inverters or a balancing 
> transformer.  Gen support could use an upgrade  for sure but they are 
> working on it.
>
> The  Time-of -use  features and interface we love as you can really 
> fine tune daily cycles - optimizing solar and battery and grid and 
> generator inputs - Especially great for grid-tie with strong off-grid 
> capability as opposed to most  lightweight GTTB systems.  In pure 
> Off-grid I find them robust and reliable so far.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> Jeff Clearwater
> Village Power Design
>
>
>
>
>
>
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