Title basically says it all. My inverter will experience random voltage drops. But today was something new. On top of cutting off power it had finally spat out a warning/fault code (61). Not much information in the manual on code 61 other than "External MPPT consistent warning". Anyone have any ideas what this could be.
Growatt 12k random voltage drops and fault/warning code 61. Anyone else?
- Thread starter Danny1987
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Update:
Another outage after about 2 hours of continuous uneventful powering/inverting. But this time the inverter completely shut off and all four EG4 batteries' red alarm LED was on. No green LED lights. Batteries SOC 90% when this happened.
@RichardfromEG4 any advice?
Another outage after about 2 hours of continuous uneventful powering/inverting. But this time the inverter completely shut off and all four EG4 batteries' red alarm LED was on. No green LED lights. Batteries SOC 90% when this happened.
@RichardfromEG4 any advice?
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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It could be a short, on the AC output.
Being intermittent, I would check things like refrigerator or freezer compressor.
Being intermittent, I would check things like refrigerator or freezer compressor.
timselectric
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Not if the BMS is faster at detection.
timselectric
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I had the same thing happen.
timselectric
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It would depend on the duration of the short. And how positive the connection was.
This is just one possibility.
How long has this issue been going on for?
And, has anything else changed, that coincides with it?
This is just one possibility.
How long has this issue been going on for?
And, has anything else changed, that coincides with it?
Solar Guy Richard
Solar Addict
Are you monitoring your system with the WiFi stick? @AlexFromSignatureSolar when you get a minute can you look at this one. I think Tim might be onto something with a Short - no error code seems odd. Any rhyme or reason you can think of to when this is happening?
First voltage drop happened within few days of installing and testing. I didn't think much of it until it happened few more times. This is around mid March. So I contacted SigSolar. Even the tech was perplexed on why the inverter is acting this way. After sending the tech all the voltage readings, wiring diagram and inverter settings. He suggested I remove the chassis ground wire as it might be creating a loop. And since removing the ground wire for about two weeks everything worked fine, at least in those four times the inverter was used. And it was used for about 8 hours a day. Fast forward to today and another voltage drop. Along with the battery alarm on top of that, which never happened before. No changes to the wiring or settings.
Thanks for responding Rich. Warning code 61 came up at first during today’s first malfunction. Then after powering down and restarting no more code.
RCinFLA
Solar Wizard
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If you can run without PV input for a while, check if inverter output AC is stable without PV input. MPPT warning may just be the result of unstable hybrid inverter AC output.
I think on the LF 12kVA inverter, the PV SSC is essentially a GT inverter in parallel with hybrid inverter AC output so if hybrid inverter output AC is unstable the SSC GT inverter will not like it.
I think on the LF 12kVA inverter, the PV SSC is essentially a GT inverter in parallel with hybrid inverter AC output so if hybrid inverter output AC is unstable the SSC GT inverter will not like it.
Solar Guy Richard
Solar Addict
Here is a post with this same issue - possibly your firmware is old?
diysolarforum.com
I'd start here. Otherwise @AlexFromSignatureSolar should be around soon to take a look.
Growatt warning 61 - multiple beeps on and off - fixed
from updated Growatt user manual spf-4-6k-dvm, no warning 61 in old manual Thought I would share this, haven't seen it posted anywhere. Upgraded SPF-6000T-DVM 6k all in one's control board firmware to get amps in and out to read in PV Keeper, then started getting warnings mainly in the morning...
diysolarforum.com
I have been working with signature for one inverter, growatt 12k. It will randomly do a quick restart it may go a couple weeks or a few days. It's so fast that sometimes the computer stays up. They have no idea as to the cause, and you can see it via solar assistant. The restart shows up in the voltage as a drop below the 230v. I have no pv input or ac on this inveter. We have monitored it for many months hoping to find a common restart based on appliances, etc but its very random.
Last edited:
Thanks for sharing, kromc5.
Same here, inverter’s been very random. I tried narrowing it down to a circuit breaker/run but cannot find a culprit. Even if every power hog appliance is running simultaneously the inverter does just fine handling the demand. But then at random it’ll just shut the power off even at low draw.
When you have a chance could you post which CPU and MPPT version you have installed.
Same here, inverter’s been very random. I tried narrowing it down to a circuit breaker/run but cannot find a culprit. Even if every power hog appliance is running simultaneously the inverter does just fine handling the demand. But then at random it’ll just shut the power off even at low draw.
When you have a chance could you post which CPU and MPPT version you have installed.
RCinFLA
Solar Wizard
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Assuming an hour is statistically long enough to show up the issue, then focus changes to SSC.
You can check PV input voltage when you see AC voltage fluctuation to see if you also see fluctuation in PV voltage. What are your typical Voc, Vmp, and Imp currents from PV when seeing AC output voltage fluctuation?
If you run PV panels Vmp too high in voltage, there may not be enough headroom to the 250 vdc max input limit to do a proper MPPT search. With Vmp typically between 0.81 to 0.85 x Voc and Voc max limit of 250vdc, Vmp max input limit is 200-212 vdc. The inverter spec of Vmp max of 245v is not possible with silicon PV panels and still keep maximum Voc less than 250vdc.
If you have too small a battery AH size or too small battery cabling gauge, the SSC power can pull the inverter AC output voltage. The unit should automatically back down PV power output to prevent this. Check inverter DC input voltage when you see the AC output voltage fluctuation.
AlexFromSignatureSolar
Solar Technician for Signature Solar
Good afternoon, this error can easily be fixed with our recalibration tool. If you reach out to our technical support email we can send you the information you will need to resolve this issue. Our email is tech@signaturesolar.com. If you have any other question, please let me know!
@Danny1987
@Danny1987
Much appreciate the input RC, I’m learning something new everyday! My battery bank is four EG4’s 48v 100ah. Wires from battery to bus bar are 2awg and from bus bar to inverter 4/0. They’ve always room temp.
Solar was added only recently. But even before solar was added, when I was still testing everything I noticed random shut offs while running only on battery power. That happened every few days.
Solar was added only recently. But even before solar was added, when I was still testing everything I noticed random shut offs while running only on battery power. That happened every few days.
Hi Alex, I sent an email to tech support yesterday.?
Jim Burrow
Solar Enthusiast
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This comment probably has nothing to do with you guys' problem with the 12K Growatts controller/inverter. I'm looking into getting one as my MPPT LV2424 just can't handle any load over 2k watts. But at times it would shutoff for about 45 seconds then restart. After a few weeks of hourly monitoring, I finally found three issues that was killing my lv 2424.
First my 2424 cannot handle more that 2kw although it supposed to be able to handle at least 3kw. To solve this program, I had to re-arrange my electric sub-panel which is connected to my 2424 to only have max loads less than 2k. I had to move all appliance to their own side of the sub panel that is only Utility power and isolated from the controller side of the panel.
Second, it would shut off every time when that battery current reached 22 amps in the evening. - I solved that problem by increasing the option at what battery voltage will discharge to before switching the Utility power. It was set at 24.0 volt and when doing the math respect to the house average load, the current was over 25 amps. But changing this option to 24.5 volts, the current now never gets over 18 amps.
The third problem with the controller shutting off was to overheat. It turns out that my controller does not like being hotter that 104 degrees F. I life in California, and during the summer months, we see lots of days with those temps and never under 98 degrees. Note that my controller is outside but covered from the rain. To solve the heating problem, I have to have a large fan blowing on it which does keep the controller just under 100 degrees.
Anyway, I have to rip my solar system down due to an inspection and of course I have to permits to instill one and how I wired the sub-panel is not legal or to code. So, when I do re-install solar, I want to use a hire capacity controller that can handle all my loads including the outside Air conditioner. And not have to miss with the house electrical sub-panel.
First my 2424 cannot handle more that 2kw although it supposed to be able to handle at least 3kw. To solve this program, I had to re-arrange my electric sub-panel which is connected to my 2424 to only have max loads less than 2k. I had to move all appliance to their own side of the sub panel that is only Utility power and isolated from the controller side of the panel.
Second, it would shut off every time when that battery current reached 22 amps in the evening. - I solved that problem by increasing the option at what battery voltage will discharge to before switching the Utility power. It was set at 24.0 volt and when doing the math respect to the house average load, the current was over 25 amps. But changing this option to 24.5 volts, the current now never gets over 18 amps.
The third problem with the controller shutting off was to overheat. It turns out that my controller does not like being hotter that 104 degrees F. I life in California, and during the summer months, we see lots of days with those temps and never under 98 degrees. Note that my controller is outside but covered from the rain. To solve the heating problem, I have to have a large fan blowing on it which does keep the controller just under 100 degrees.
Anyway, I have to rip my solar system down due to an inspection and of course I have to permits to instill one and how I wired the sub-panel is not legal or to code. So, when I do re-install solar, I want to use a hire capacity controller that can handle all my loads including the outside Air conditioner. And not have to miss with the house electrical sub-panel.
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