Aims Global LF Series

Hi, We have some Ames Global LF 10kw inverters. This morning one was alarming for low input voltage of 180 volts. I tested the input breaker and lines and it tested 212 volts, the input terminals test 212 volts, but the unit still says 180 and won't charge the batteries. Any suggestions as to what I should test. We're in The Philippines no dealers here.
Comments
I would double check all the battery to inverter cables and their connections (tight, no corrosion, nothing getting warm/hot, battery voltage (if 48 volt bus, typically somewhere between 42 VDC to 60 VDC). Check battery bank/battery voltages (no low or high battery voltages, no "hot" batteries, if flooded cell check electrolyte levels, etc.).
I don't know of any general source for AC inverter schematics--Most mfgs treat that as company proprietary information and don't let that out.
-Bill
The voltage at the utility input terminals of the inverter are 212VAC, the screen says 108VAC input this morning, last night the voltage at the terminals was 212VAC and 180VAC on the screen, the utility is not charging through the AC charger since the readings are below the 184 VAC utility input required, all connections are tight. The batteries shut down the inverter last night at 47VDC at 10 PM, this morning at 6:55 AM when I checked it again the solar had charged the batteries back to 54.6 VDC and I now have the system back running completely on solar as of 7:10 AM, no problem, the batteries are back to 56VDC from the solar charge. We run three 48 volt 60 amp MPPT chargers for this unit. All battery banks test the same at 56 VDC. The input voltage from the utility still tests 212VAC at the terminals and the screen now reads 155VAC The output voltage was 210 last night just before it shut down, this morning the output voltage is 219. I was just hoping someone had run across this, Ames was only interested in communication when I was buying from them, but all questions since, they have remained unresponsive or responded with "check the troubleshooting guide", if the lazy individual answering had ever read their guide they would have known my questions are never listed in it. Since it will cost more to ship this back to the US to be repaired under warranty than a new one would cost, and all the "experts" I've run across where I am know less than me, I'll look it over myself. Do inverters have capacitors or anything else that stores high current that I should watch out for? Also are there fuses or breakers inside for the utility feed lines on some inverters? I was thinking an input line from the utility input terminals may be loose. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated. the dog
I am sure you know--But just to confirm... If flooded cell lead acid batteries, they typically "want" 59.0 VDC (aka 14.75 volts for a 12 volt bank) held for 2-6 hours (more hours the deeper the discharge). Float should be around 54.4 volts after the batteries are fully charged (around 13.6 volts max float voltage for a 12 volt bank). And the batteries typically begin to discharge below 51.2 volts (12.8 volts).
If flooded cell batteries, are you monitoring them with a hydrometer of some sort for specific gravity... When you have lots of variable loads and charging sources, just monitoring battery bank voltage is a bit more difficult (with spot checks):
https://www.solar-electric.com/search/?q=hydrometer
You do have several ways to proceed (excluding help from your inverter supplier)... One is see if you can find an AC voltage regulator (basically a multi-tap transformer with electronic control):
https://www.amazon.com/SEVENSTAR-AR-Reglator-Stabilizer-Transformer/dp/B007YK55OA (know nothing about product or vendor--just an example).
Another method is to find a wide input range power factor corrected battery charger:
http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/battery-chargers/truecharge-2-24v.aspx
Xantrex makes 12 and 24 volt wide range AC input (true PF corrected AC input power supplies like the above can take any voltage from 90-265 VAC and 50/60 Hz +/- and charge your battery banks... Depending on the Amp/Voltage rating, I think you should be able to find 48 VAC PFC chargers too.
It is possible that you can find 220 VAC inverter-chargers too with PFC input that might work for you... For example the Contex (Schneider) XW+ with Power Factor Corrected charging (PFC) can take:
https://www.solar-electric.com/lib/wind-sun/DS_ConextXW%2BNA.pdf
L-N: 78 - 140 V (120 V nominal); L-L: 160 - 270 V (240 V nominal)
AC input frequency range (bypass/charge mode) 55 – 65 Hz (default) 52 – 68 Hz (allowable)
Supplies that have PFC front ends are frequently very wide input voltage range (the above TC2 charger 90-265 VAC, the inverter-charger above, 160-270 VAC for 2xx volt input).
I am certainly not knowledgeable enough to make any firm suggestions on what you should get, or what is even available--But the above shows you what is possible today. And hopefully, you can find a local supplier that can help, if not practical to get from USA/North America.
Looking for PFC (Power Factor Corrected) AC input is usually the "magic words" to find a wide input range power supply/charger. Of course, you have to be careful, at 90 VAC, the charger/power supply will take (240 VAC nominal/90 VAC low voltage) ~2.7x more current vs running at a "nominal" 240 VAC (design circuits/breakers appropriately).
It is also possible that many of these devices may not cost effective for (shipping to Philippines, etc.). But they are out there if you can find the right mfg and supplier.
-Bill
Wow--That is a good size system (100-150 kWH per day)... One house/business--Or are you making a "micro grid" for a community?
-Bill
I took the inverter that's giving trouble apart and the input feeds to a breaker inside, with the breaker off, the feed current drops to 0, it's all a very tight fit so I have to figure out how to insulate everything so I can test the terminals inside the unit, I also noticed that as the solar starts to power everything, the reading for the utility input goes back up to about 212VAC and as the solar decreases, so does the utility input..... Strange! the dog
> goes back up to about 212VAC and as the solar decreases, so does the utility input....
That's the symptom of a high resistance connection from your house to the transformer on the Grid.
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
the dog
the dog