Sol-Ark 15K dropping PV (resolved)

[Quattrohead]

But Sol-Ark are perfect, everything about them is peachy

 

[Oldphile]

2 weeks ago I went back to monitoring my system using TIGO. I hadn't looked at it for quite some time. Data was grossly inaccurate showing daily generation in excess of anything that is possible. I submitted a new support ticket to TIGO. After a few days, they asked me to eliminate the 12 volt output of the Sol-Ark and the SSR from my RSD circuit. So, I just wired the N/C RSD switch in series with the TIGO power supply. This was 10 days ago and not a single PV dropout since then. For the last 3 days I've operated with TOU off and no PV dropout. I'm going to call this resolved and Sol-Ark is exonerated unless the 12 volt power supply was the problem. More than likely it was the Chinese SSR. @Carlos_Sol-Ark

 

[Carlos_Sol-Ark]

Glad to see the problem has been resolved. Many Tigo RSS products pull more amperage than the residential Sol-Arkl 12v Power Supply can give (100mA max). From what Ive seen Tigo and us recommend only using external power supplies powered by the inverter's LOAD terminals. This allows for PV production when utility power goes out, and results in the rapid shutdown initiation when the inverter emergency stop is pushed in.
It seems possible that the inverter's power supply on its own could not have been strong enough. This is just a video I noticed Tigo had put up on youtube.

tigo and sol-ark RSS - Google Search

 

[Quattrohead]

Glad to see the problem has been resolved. Many Tigo RSS products pull more amperage than the residential Sol-Arkl 12v Power Supply can give (100mA max). From what Ive seen Tigo and us recommend only using external power supplies powered by the inverter's LOAD terminals. This allows for PV production when utility power goes out, and results in the rapid shutdown initiation when the inverter emergency stop is pushed in.
It seems possible that the inverter's power supply on its own could not have been strong enough.

I thought this was well known, reading the spec's of both products would have made this obvious.
Glad it is sorted now.

 

[Oldphile]

Just to be clear, at no time was I powering the CCA with the Sol-Ark 12 volt. I was powering the SSR with the 12 volt. Input current for the SSR is 15 ma, well within the 100 ma capability of the Sol-Ark. Output rating for the SSR is 2A, well within the CCA current requirement. This setup is working fine on my neighbors system. As I said, it is likely a defective SSR.

 

[Quattrohead]

Ah OK

 

[newbie2024]

But Sol-Ark are perfect, everything about them is peachy

I used to think that until recently. I've been waiting for a week to get an update if a shipping box for my broken unit has been sent so I can send the broken unit to them, wait to have it repaired, then wait some more to receive it back, hopefully working. This after about 2 weeks of just redoing the same troubleshooting steps over and over again. Tech/Customer service was very knowledgeable and on point about 2 years ago. Now, based on my experience, I would go with another inverter which is much cheaper and buy 2 or 3 for the price of a sol-ark.

 

[Oldphile]

I used to think that until recently. I've been waiting for a week to get an update if a shipping box for my broken unit has been sent so I can send the broken unit to them, wait to have it repaired, then wait some more to receive it back, hopefully working. This after about 2 weeks of just redoing the same troubleshooting steps over and over again. Tech/Customer service was very knowledgeable and on point about 2 years ago. Now, based on my experience, I would go with another inverter which is much cheaper and buy 2 or 3 for the price of a sol-ark.

Same here. I requested and received a support ticket 12 days ago to which I've received no response. Click here to see the issue.
Edit; Tried phoning and after 5 minutes I was kicked off to leave a voice mail.

 

[newbie2024]

Same here. I requested and received a support ticket 12 days ago to which I've received no response. Click here to see the issue.
Edit; Tried phoning and after 5 minutes I was kicked off to leave a voice mail.

As to being kicked off the phone support line, that has happened to me several times. I had forgotten about that. Very frustrating. If you choose the "leave a message" option, someone will likely call you back the next day sometime - at least that has been my experience. I emailed them again about my RMA and tracking for the box - no answer yet.

 

[Sangfroid]

I found normal 100% SOC voltage for these batteries to be 56.7
If I turn off TOU, battery voltage will range from 56.8 to 57.1 when PV is producing.
The Sol-Ark wants to utilize the batteries like a shock absorber. With TOU turned off, this doesn't happen and PV production is curtailed. The only way to bring it back is to turn on TOU and set SOC to 99%. The battery then alternates charging and discharging with battery voltage varying between 56.3 and 56.8

The Sol-Ark should be able to function without utilizing TOU.
My other Sol-Ark 15K doesn't have this problem and doesn't even have a battery.

Thank you for sharing the solution here, I'm experiencing the same issue, which started after I turned off TOU (agreed it's stupid that we have to have it on). Hopefully this solves it for me too.

 

[Oldphile]

Thank you for sharing the solution here, I'm experiencing the same issue, which started after I turned off TOU (agreed it's stupid that we have to have it on). Hopefully this solves it for me too.

I was attempting to resolve some other issue and did a factory reset. I am now able to leave TOU OFF, no more PV dropout.