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martin W
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« on: December 31, 2011, 01:01:46 PM » |
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Hi all,
I was working on my heating system in the attic and noticed the Solar PV Inverter clicking on and off. The displayed message was grid out of limits (or such). So I got my trusty power meter out and plugged it in to a socket (couldn't be bother to get the fluke out) and found that my mains is dropping as low as 200 volts. The mains seems to be nominally around 225-230v but has spent a lot of time down around 210v today.
The Aurora Inverter has its grid parameter set at 220v min. I would like to set this lower so I assume it can be done in the service menu. Does anyone know the password for this service menu as I've finally got Aurora communicator working (RS485) and the warnings log showed that the inverter lost grid connection over 20 times yesterday alone.
I have also contacted my electricity supplier to get them to investigate the low voltage situation also but I don't expect anything to happen fast with them, so I need to get the inverter parameters changed ASAP.
IIRC shouldn't the grid be at 216.2 - 253Volts (230v+10% / -6%), so why is the inverter set at 220volts? (I also seem to remember it was going to be 230vą10% so 207 - 253v - but I can't find definitive answer if this limit was actually introduced here in old Blighty)
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Woodstove Newbie since Feb 2011  (yes it's finally off the pallet) Solar Water Heating since 17th March 2009 Chicken Owner - Self sufficient in chicken c*@p, boy watch those tomatoes grow. Now an allotment wannabie |
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Iain
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« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2011, 01:08:40 PM » |
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1.98kWp PV (11 x Sharp 180 and SB1700)
20 x 65mm Thermal and 180ltr unvented
6000ltr rainwater storage
Plymouth
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martin W
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« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2011, 01:29:06 PM » |
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Iain, thanks for the reply,
just to add I have also emailed Power One, but I am hoping that someone knows how to get the password quicker as I don't expect any response until late next week (say 5 days time).
As for DNO reponse and fixing the problem, I expect the time scale to be in months if not years!
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Woodstove Newbie since Feb 2011 (yes it's finally off the pallet) Solar Water Heating since 17th March 2009 Chicken Owner - Self sufficient in chicken c*@p, boy watch those tomatoes grow. Now an allotment wannabie |
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GavinA
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« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2011, 01:36:28 PM » |
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you can only legally change these settings with advanced permission from your DNO.
also, IME the DNO's can act fairly swiftly to sort these problems out - usually having an engineer out within a few days, voltage monitor fitted, then return for analysis in 2 weeks, and then tapping adjusted either same day or in a few days time.
not always the case, but that's my experience.
eta - key thing you can do to help your case is to keep as detailed a record as you can of these under voltage periods, dates, times, voltage readings etc. so you've got some evidence to show the engineer if he happens to turn up in a period where the voltage is higher (which under the law of sod, is inevitable)
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« Last Edit: December 31, 2011, 01:42:19 PM by GavinA »
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at home | 80 tubes, 2 tanks direct PV powered SWH + 5 x Yingli 185Wp solar PV panels.
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martin W
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« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2012, 09:42:58 AM » |
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hmm...
what should the minmuim grid connection voltage be then, as it is currently set to 220v in the inverter. I owuld think it should be either 216.2, or 207 volts if that is what the grid is allowed to be.
I'll also contact western power on Tuesday about an engineer coming out to fit a monitor to the incoming supply
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« Last Edit: January 01, 2012, 09:46:09 AM by martin W »
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Woodstove Newbie since Feb 2011 (yes it's finally off the pallet) Solar Water Heating since 17th March 2009 Chicken Owner - Self sufficient in chicken c*@p, boy watch those tomatoes grow. Now an allotment wannabie |
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martin W
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« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2012, 11:15:34 AM » |
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Anony999 thanks for the link,
so reading that my inverter has been incorrectly set at 220v instead of 207 volts. Which is why I was asking for the service password.
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Woodstove Newbie since Feb 2011 (yes it's finally off the pallet) Solar Water Heating since 17th March 2009 Chicken Owner - Self sufficient in chicken c*@p, boy watch those tomatoes grow. Now an allotment wannabie |
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baker
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« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2012, 12:11:52 PM » |
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Hi
on the normal voltage box in the installer window what is the voltage ? it should be 230
the inverter works 207 + 10% 230
261 - 12% 230
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martin W
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« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2012, 12:34:56 PM » |
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Baker you've completely lost me on that question...
do you mean the Aurora installer program? or on the inverter.
I can't currently get into the inverter menus as the grid voltag eis below 220v and it keeps trying to connect and doesn't seem to want to let me into any menus.
I connected to the inverter via Aurora communicator progam, and Aurora installer program (extended mode) and can't see a 'normal voltage' box in either program.
It does say UK G83 under grid standard in Aurora Installer program.
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Woodstove Newbie since Feb 2011 (yes it's finally off the pallet) Solar Water Heating since 17th March 2009 Chicken Owner - Self sufficient in chicken c*@p, boy watch those tomatoes grow. Now an allotment wannabie |
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baker
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« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2012, 01:48:14 PM » |
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Hi
it should be in the installer program menu
first window ,configure settings
if its not their then the g83 is selected instead /
i would not try to change the settings via the inveter control panel, could
end up sending it back/ laptpop better
i would hold out for a few more days
if the grid is that low when demand comes on next week they will have to up it/
is the grid under 209v now /
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martin W
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« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2012, 04:00:25 AM » |
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It looks like a phone call to Power one tommorrow is the only option.
The grid spend most of yesterday around 210v or so, I think I manages to make about 200watt hours of electricity total for the day. I think I had better speak to Power One before Western Power.
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Woodstove Newbie since Feb 2011 (yes it's finally off the pallet) Solar Water Heating since 17th March 2009 Chicken Owner - Self sufficient in chicken c*@p, boy watch those tomatoes grow. Now an allotment wannabie |
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bxman
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Posts: 35
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« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2012, 09:42:40 PM » |
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Hope you manage to get things sorted OK if you have the time I would be interested know the rest of the saga?
But also and possibly selfishly, I noted that you" had finally got the Aurora communicator working with its (RS485) ".
I,and I suspect several others would be grateful to have your advise and recommendations as to where to economically source a cable if possible to hear what procedures to follow and/or which ones to avoid!
best wishes Patrick
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