SMA 4000tl start up woes
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 10:28 am
Gents, after a bit of help with my FIT system. Its having wobbles when starting up, throwing an 'Isolation Resistance' error and going into fault.
Been happening for a couple of weeks now, dry weather or wet.
System will not boot up automatically and start in the morning with both strings DC isolators on.
However, if i isolate one of the DC strings (labeled 3), as well as turn the AC feed off and back on, it will then start up ok using DC string (2) on its own.
If i miss out turning the AC feed off/on it wont start either way.
Same trouble this morning so i kept my eye on it for a while, after its initial failure to start. I turned off the DC string (3) only and left the AC feed on. The system wouldnt start as expected. I watched the display panel, and despite the DC(3) string being off it still showed a small voltage of 74volts on the display panel for that isolated DC string? Which i just dont understand, given it was isolated at the DC isolator. The other string (2), was showing 175v.
Having had a good explore as to why this is happening im coming to the conclusion that i have an 'iffy' joint (or panel) on the DC (3) string, and given the voltage im seeing on the invertors display is 74v, the 'iffy' bit is likely between panel 1 & 2 on that string.
Does that sound feasible, or am i barking up totally the wrong tree?
Annoyingly. If i isolate both DC isolators, as well as the AC for a few seconds, then turn the AC back on as well as the DC isolator on string (2) only everything boots up fine. Once running if i then turn the other DC isolator (3) on, it continues to work and doesnt trip anything at all, so it seems the 'isolation resistance' fault that im getting on initial start up 'disappears' once the invertors up and running already via string (2).
its a pita having to do this so looking to get it sorted if any of you guys could give me a pointer or two id appreciate it. Im guessing next step is to get myself a multimeter and test the strings, although ive worked out which is the iffy one.
Two strings of identical panels on each mpp. 4 x 50v VOC so both individually above invertor startup voltage.
Been happening for a couple of weeks now, dry weather or wet.
System will not boot up automatically and start in the morning with both strings DC isolators on.
However, if i isolate one of the DC strings (labeled 3), as well as turn the AC feed off and back on, it will then start up ok using DC string (2) on its own.
If i miss out turning the AC feed off/on it wont start either way.
Same trouble this morning so i kept my eye on it for a while, after its initial failure to start. I turned off the DC string (3) only and left the AC feed on. The system wouldnt start as expected. I watched the display panel, and despite the DC(3) string being off it still showed a small voltage of 74volts on the display panel for that isolated DC string? Which i just dont understand, given it was isolated at the DC isolator. The other string (2), was showing 175v.
Having had a good explore as to why this is happening im coming to the conclusion that i have an 'iffy' joint (or panel) on the DC (3) string, and given the voltage im seeing on the invertors display is 74v, the 'iffy' bit is likely between panel 1 & 2 on that string.
Does that sound feasible, or am i barking up totally the wrong tree?
Annoyingly. If i isolate both DC isolators, as well as the AC for a few seconds, then turn the AC back on as well as the DC isolator on string (2) only everything boots up fine. Once running if i then turn the other DC isolator (3) on, it continues to work and doesnt trip anything at all, so it seems the 'isolation resistance' fault that im getting on initial start up 'disappears' once the invertors up and running already via string (2).
its a pita having to do this so looking to get it sorted if any of you guys could give me a pointer or two id appreciate it. Im guessing next step is to get myself a multimeter and test the strings, although ive worked out which is the iffy one.
Two strings of identical panels on each mpp. 4 x 50v VOC so both individually above invertor startup voltage.