question

radek avatar image
radek asked

Overload after replacing broken solar panel

Hello.

After replacing the broken solar panel, we managed to go back from 4000 to 4500 power, but one of the inventers but the power due to overload.

We have 3 phase setup of three quattro 48/5000/70 connected with 19 X 12SOPzS2175 (5 of them decided to blow up due to pressure inside them and the company decided that it's our fault in order to save money from guarantee.

In full sun we have about 56 A / 48,5 V in mounted monitor (BMV 600S) with inventers off.

Starting inventers:

5 sec - overload start flashing on middle inventer

20 sec - 3 mins - power shutdown (the first and third flashing and middle one is stuck on overload led)

The installation itself is about ten (?) years old and we never had problems with inventers before or solar installation.

We are installed off the power grid and right now we are resulting in alternative, but costly emergency power generator.

MultiPlus Quattro Inverter Charger
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4 Answers
radek avatar image
radek answered ·

In the end:

  1. - Buy a couple of used batteries - Will work, but:
  2. 1) It's almost impossible to get used ones
  3. 2) New ones are pricy
  4. - Lower the output of Schneider:
  5. 1) doubt it is possible to set up custom voltage output
  6. 2) You need to buy a special device to configure it.

What I did now was:

  1. Switching off one of the eight DC circuit breakers - no more overload and it worked, but it must be a cloudy day now. I feel like weather decided to prima aprilis me...

  3. Well back to point of energy production with now not one segment not working, but turned off
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JohnC avatar image
JohnC answered ·

Hi @Radek

If I read this right, you have just 19 batteries left from a 24x string, giving you a string of a nominal 38V.

The Quattros are unlikely to work well with such, as you've found.

And it seems you're still using a nominal 48V charge profile? This will kill them if you persist with that, as you're overcharging them.

You really need to bring the string back to nominal 48V, maybe with some used units if you can find them.


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radek avatar image radek commented ·

Thank you for an answer.

Well, before the replaced solar panel (that broke about a year ago, but it was hard to find a willing person to replace it - hard access and small profit with a lot of solar power constructions quened for each company small and big) everything was working properly for last two months after batteries broke making us only able to use the solar energy for a day and complete power shutdown at night or cloudy day (not enough power and complete lack of power bank).


We need to hold for 2-3 months, before getting connected to the grid, so the most cost efficient or costless solution is preferable.

I was thinking about reducing the power incoming to the inventers by switching off part of the solar panels in order to match the previous state when it was all working.

Will it work, or is there any other solution?

I have some pictures that I will attach here. (In order of signals from on state to turn off)

img-20210331-140831.jpg

img-20210331-140855.jpg

(Overload blinking 5 sec after start)

img-20210331-140923.jpg

(Bulk - inventer on blinking)

img-20210331-141052.jpg

(Static)

(After an hour or more - static overload - low battery on middle and bulk on left and right)




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radek avatar image radek radek commented ·

Rest of hardware:

img-20210331-140736.jpg

img-20210331-140730.jpg

img-20210331-140711.jpgimg-20210331-140725.jpg

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JohnC avatar image JohnC ♦ radek commented ·

@Radek

There's not much point fiddling with the solar panels. If you haven't changed the settings in that Schneider then it's still trying to apply too much V. You're killing the batts you have left, and may actually be the cause of what you're seeing. If you can feel heat in individual batts, you haven't got much time left.

The Quattros will be linked, so if one is 'tripping' then the others will follow. If you can access their settings you could make sure the trip points are as low as they'll accept.

I don't think you've stated what Vbat is when they fail, but keeping that up with less load or a compensating solar charge might be the only way to reduce your generator reliance.

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michelg avatar image
michelg answered ·

Hi Radek, the plugs for each battery are missing, so the electrolyte is being contaminated by dust, sand, etc. First step is to order those plugs and replace the 5 dead batteries. Expect to have more damaged batteries if no steps to protect them arre taken. The plugs should look like those you can see in the picture below, and ONLY distilled water must be used to refill the batteries.

Your system wont last long if you run it with 5 removed cells (10VDC difference is HUGE for such system), and it is absolutely normal having issues and shutdowns on the multiplus units.

Michel

105493023-10219449540942465-7810082790974796828-n.jpg


105493023-10219449540942465-7810082790974796828-n.jpg (63.8 KiB)
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radek avatar image radek commented ·

The plugs were removed due to the pressure in the battery getting to big (blowing up batteries) during charging, or formatting (maintained by clear distilled water). It was decided that they will be scrapped in two-three months and we cannot afford another blow up. Problems started after getting more power into circuit and I will look into getting couple of used batteries, or lowering input power by turning off part of solar panels, but I am completely green in this...

Btw you have 12x2V (storage) + 4x6V (voltage) setup?

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michelg avatar image michelg radek commented ·

Hi Radek, the problem with this configuration is that the batteries are being destroyed by a too high voltage, and I doubt they will survive 2-3 months this way.

My setup is 12x2VDC + backup 4x6VDC., and I can change manually the batteries when needed. Usually I make them work alternatively every month. Right now, I have no idea in which state the red ones will be, as it does 6 months I am stucked far away from home, and still remaining one month abroad. The 12x2VDC are working fine, I can control them remotely with the CERBO GX.

The mppt will still provide the 48-56VDC to charge your batteries, you should lower it to 36VDC, and then you have a chance they will last 2-3 months.

Probably some members who have gone through such issues should be able to help you. I'll recommend you opening a thread asking on how to reduce the voltage sent to the battery bank.

Good luck, Michel.

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radek avatar image radek michelg commented ·

For Schneider (mppt) I don't have a control panel so I am unable to lower the voltage.

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michelg avatar image michelg radek commented ·

3 options : 1) install missing batteries, 2) buy the control panel for the schneider, or 3) toast your batteries within a few days.

https://www.altestore.com/static/datafiles/Others/Operation%20Guide.pdf

It seems it is only capable of working eithr on 24 or 48VDC.



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marekp avatar image
marekp answered ·

Batteries while overcharged produce hydrogen.

If you continue to overcharge those batteries, you are risking and explosion.

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