Then what even was your point of suggesting a lawsuit?
[SOLVED] 18kpv loud bang on day 3 of operation
- Thread starter Deere103
- Start date
Take a chill pill. Having spent 25 years as an engineer in product development I am very well versed in the significance of infant failures.
well friends, the verdict is in and it's a random reason. Turns out, a moth flew into the unit somehow and landed in just the right spot on the main board and direct short/fried some of the control units. Explains the burning smell and loud popping.
This is comforting as it wasn't a manufacturing defect but sure is random, even more so bc my unit is mounted inside. Anyway, be safe out there if you have bugs flying around or your unit is an outside unit. This seems like a very rare one off that's just my luck, but we can all maintain confidence in eg4 for now. I appreciate Signature Solar and EG4 for making it right and getting me back going. Also thanks to everyone for the troubleshooting and idea along the way. guess @Will Prowse will have to add the moth torture test to his reviews! haha
This is comforting as it wasn't a manufacturing defect but sure is random, even more so bc my unit is mounted inside. Anyway, be safe out there if you have bugs flying around or your unit is an outside unit. This seems like a very rare one off that's just my luck, but we can all maintain confidence in eg4 for now. I appreciate Signature Solar and EG4 for making it right and getting me back going. Also thanks to everyone for the troubleshooting and idea along the way. guess @Will Prowse will have to add the moth torture test to his reviews! haha
ricardocello
Watching and Learning
You truly had a bug in the system!
That is a great answer, and I'm glad they told you. The suspense was killing me.
Maybe a mesh screen upgrade for the openings is in order.
Thanks for letting us all know.
Brucey
Velcro Man
Midnite has "dauber proof" screens on its vents, keeps the mud wasps and other critters out:You truly had a bug in the system!
That is a great answer, and I'm glad they told you. The suspense was killing me.
Maybe a mesh screen upgrade for the openings is in order.
Thanks for letting us all know.
One of those things just not thought of in the design process I guess!
Reminds me of years ago a friend lost power to his shed. Found a mouse with its tail wrapped around the ground wire and jaws on the black wire, all spazzed out like you'd see in a cartoon and a bit on the fried side of things.
Reminds me of years ago a friend lost power to his shed. Found a mouse with its tail wrapped around the ground wire and jaws on the black wire, all spazzed out like you'd see in a cartoon and a bit on the fried side of things.
windsurfer
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2022
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So it wasn't firmware, it was a hardware bug.
Wild!!
Solar Guppy
Red Cobra Guppy
The Solis S6's are sealed units, no screens needed and similar power ratings. I will never purchase fan cooled products being I'm a retired engineer that at one point designed RE products and my efforts had no fans / convection cooled.
Brucey
Velcro Man
Add some mouse traps and sticky paper traps.
robby
Electronic Engineer
- Joined
- May 1, 2021
- Messages
- 5,330
That is not supposed to happen. Is this Inverter not outdoor rated?
Mine has the Heatsink fins at the back and the fans are on the the side next to them. Not even water can get into the unit much less a bug.
Worst case scenario is that the fans get damaged.
Mine has the Heatsink fins at the back and the fans are on the the side next to them. Not even water can get into the unit much less a bug.
Worst case scenario is that the fans get damaged.
Maybe when the wire box access door was open? The cooling is provided by tunnel cooling which Is totally separate. But, if the "front door" is open, yep bugs might be able to get up through the wire termination section.
from YT tear down:
short look inside the SolArk 15K
from YT tear down:
short look inside the SolArk 15K
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Quattrohead
Emperor Of Solar
Yes it is outdoor rated IP65 and has a very similar heat sink and fan arrangement as the Solark. However an oversight during installation could lead to access via the battery and wire way boxes if all of the plugs are not installed.
I suppose a moth or some other critter could seek out the heat and fancy their chances.. boom
I don't think the SolArk 15 has any huge difference in the wire pass through area to the upper control section. it also seems to be somewhat open.Yes it is outdoor rated IP65 and has a very similar heat sink and fan arrangement as the Solark. However an oversight during installation could lead to access via the battery and wire way boxes if all of the plugs are not installed.
I suppose a moth or some other critter could seek out the heat and fancy their chances.. boom
SolArk has a fan over the main relay block which will circulate air from the wire connection area through the upper section that is separated from the main tunnel cooling. Should make for Cooler running relays, but more spreading whatever is in the air that gets into the wirebox it would appear. Both designs do seem to use the preferred method of mounting circuit boards vertically, which does reduce dust accumulation over time.
In a flood both would be full of water like probably any other non marine unit without a full waterproof design . Both seem plenty good for a home owner.
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SignatureSolarJess
Customer Experience Excellence Ambassador
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2022
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Thank you for sharing this update! RIP moth. I'm glad we could get you sorted
I edited the title of the thread to add "[SOLVED]". If the OP objects, reply here.
Caddy shack! 50 cal and thermite should cover it…
Hmmm, seems putting a conformal coating on the boards would help that...
jorby
Solar Addict
What, no picture? 
What, no picture?
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