[RE-wrenches] Silent FM100

[Nick A Lucchese]

Greetings Mac,

If it’s a snowcat ride definitely don’t go up there without a new and tested controller. I had this happen on a large project last year and unfortunately it ended up with an undesirable outcome. The system was originally two of the early non AFCI versions that worked fine for 15 months and then the client had me double the array by maxing out a large garage structure so I therefore added two more of the newer AFCI versions. When I went for the final step to commission and closed all the breakers on the battery side all four controllers were stuck in Silent. I tried everything with no success. I was also getting a “Fault Input Active” error as if the RSI initiator had been hit but without any sort of real consistency that would go off sometimes. No idea why this happened, all I did was completely power down the system so that I can work safely in the GSLC’s. To disclose all details, the system did employ their ICS combiner solution however the RSI was back in the operational position. After I pulled two new FM100’s from my inventory and replaced half of his controllers they were convinced I wasn’t just huffed up on goofballs and replaced all of them for me. The bummer was the “new” units they sent me came from their warranty exchange stock and two of those were dead out of the box too! Last year I also had a FNDC that also died from being powered down so the unfortunate result to those experiences is that now I’m scared to power down the systems anymore! (Yes, I always power down array first before battery).

I can fairly say that I spend at least 40 hours a year swapping/boxing/shipping/labeling/waiting in line at UPS Store/diagnosing/holding for tech support for FM80’s. Not trying to dish on Outback, I love them (mostly) and after a couple decades of installing their controllers it only makes sense that they’re going to fail but I’ve had to learn to really keep up on my procedures to keep track of all the failed controllers in my inventory. It’s a constant loop of controllers in and out. Starting to see some more Classic failures as well however most of them are much older than the Outbacks and Midnite’s RMA process takes less than 1/4 of the time it takes to deal with Outback (though they are getting better it seems).

Best of luck with the effort Mac! Nick

> On Jan 25, 2022, at 4:41 AM, Mac Lewis <maclewis1 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello Wrenches,
> 
> I have a recently installed Outback system, (Radian, FM100, Mate 3s) that was humming along great for about a month but for some reason the FM 100 stopped charging.  It went through a full charge day, but has stayed in Silent state ever since.  No event was logged (via Optics at least) and we are well within its current and voltage bounds.  
> 
> I can see ~ 210 V on the PV input via Optics
> We are below rebulk and float thresholds.
> 
> I have tried to remotely trigger a bulk charge, an eq charge etc.  I have tried remotely rebooting the Mate.  Any other things I should try remotely?  I am trying to avoid a long snowcat ride!
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -- 
> 
> 
> 
> Mac Lewis
> 
> "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
> 
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