Solarmax

[akaPABLO]

Hi all,

as you may be aware Solarmax parent company went into liquidation and all warranties and help sank with Sputnik.

Well, as luck would have it I have 250kW which is going into device fault. Anybody know anybody who may have an idea about repairing these or do I need to refit with another manufacturer?

I've found this earlier
hxxp://www.repairs-solar.com/
but haven't contacted them as its Sunday.

Just wondered if anyone has a solution?

regards

 

[Gavin A]

are you the installer or system owner?

250kW and they're all going into fault?

What's the actual fault code?

 

[akaPABLO]

Hi Gavin

the installer.

AC power confirmed and active to inverter
DC power confirmed, fault at max connect 12

error code: Device error 33 red light solid

solarmax 50kW with one max connect 12, max connect registers 0 amps on the 10 strings but tester reads volts

 

[Gavin A]

fuses?

 

[akaPABLO]

Tbh I've not even thought about checking the fuses as all 10 strings went down at the same time. But I will look this week as on site.

On on another note, my suspicion about the max connect is that the comms circuit board is faulty, I have 4 others on site and the digital display has stopped working on one even though the volts are still being transferred through to the inverter. I have another, third max connect which does have a fuse down but on the circuit board not the string which I'm looking into.

Im currently speaking with the tech team at ABB about the matter and they have requested some pictures of the max connect as this is made up of ABB components albeit Im not sure who built the circuit board but maybe they might have an idea?

i will look at the fuses though but find this highly unlikely..?

 

[akaPABLO]

Right. Been to site and it was the 315mA fuse and the 3V battery for two of them, nothing wrong with the 1000V fuse.

the third however will not display the lcd?? It has to be the comms board, you got any theories?

 

[Gavin A]

did the inverters have anything other than the varistors to protect against surges from nearby lightning strike?

If you've had these sorts of issues with multiple inverters going down at the same time on the same site my suspicion would be that this is a likely cause.

alternatively solarmax knew they were going bust and were banging out dodgy gear to use up old stocks etc. or a bit of both.

 

[akaPABLO]

Do you know I was thinking about a lightening strike but then it seems to be comms related. Another strange thing happened before they went was I received a phone call with them wanting to service all my Solarmax sites 4 in total. And since this the Maxconnect string boxes went down on one site. I think that's paranoia though.
Anyhow ordered a basket full of fuses and I'll see if this cures. I managed to get the inverter online yesterday so I'll see if it throws out another error this morning.

Ive got ABB looking into it as the boxes are made up of their internal kit, looking to see if I can use their string box as future replacement.

forgot to mention the website that accommodated all the spare fuses and battery in case anyone happens across this post

hXXp://uk.farnell.com/applications
^^ just replace the xx for tt

second edit
the fuse website could not provide the 1.2kV 315mA 4cm glass fuses, very specialised

 

[akaPABLO]

Well,

Device error 33 is back on the 50kW

why didn't Solarmax publish a more in depth fault address guide instead of "contact service line"

looking more ore like an equipment swap out which is going to be costly, not to mention a G59 upgrade and possible string adjustment.

Owner is going to be upset

 

[jason121]

Do you have a web site or pictures to show your installations of Mr Pablo

 

[akaPABLO]

Sorry server down on the webnet not enough bandwidth.

ive designed and project managed over 5MW of commercial rooftop and ground mount. I only touch domestic when I need to pay off a commercial director or finance manager of a company.

 

[jason121]

your company name ??

 

[akaPABLO]

Jason121: will this help my situation?

 

[Gavin A]

why didn't Solarmax publish a more in depth fault address guide instead of "contact service line"

I was wondering that.

On the plus side you might be able to pick up solar max for cheap from one of the suppliers who got lumbered with big stocks of them.

 

[jason121]

What's wrong with sharing your company details on here. Your bosting a lot regarding installations. Prove it

 

[akaPABLO]

Jason121: I don't need to soldier bouy

Gavin A: I was thinking that but the issue is I have no schematics of the inverter, I have no idea what I'm testing or looking for. I'm afraid it's a case of getting rid.

look at it this way, If I replace a string box that's 600 euros. I have no idea whether this would cure an issue. I've sent back the fuses that arrived today as I can't get the 1.2kV 315mA 4cm long glass fuse as its like a unicorn horn and I'm going to grab the owner on Thursday when I'm on site and tell him we need major surgery and dump the inverter.

For reference to all that pass this thread with solarmax issues this is the current conclusion

Ive contacted the uk service company for solarmax that they used when I had issues on my sites, they couldn't give a ---- and will not return my calls

ive contacted ABB who supplied the internal isolation parts and they cannot help

ive contacted light source head engineer and he has no answer even though they have an in-house O&M (operation and maintenance) team that could fix the issue - a case of not in their back yard

ive contacted solar century who laughed

I've contacted uk solarmax chief engineer via linked in - not interested

all that is left for you future readers is that the potential Chinese company buys into the solarmax service branch - I very much doubt this will happen though

the end result is to swap out the old and replace. That is my conclusion to a 2 week search and I am resigning to this fact no one can help

Its been emotional as I turn with a cold tear rolling down my face, maybe I'm not superman?

 

[Deltasierra]

Does anybody know where to get technical information on Solarmax inverters