"Inlet High" Voltage on Inverter

GreenPowerManiac
GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
Been getting this message a lot lately.    

New batteries  July last year.  10 x 12v @ 100ah each.  Inverts to 120 AC

Can't seem to regulate the voltage coming down the line.   Gets up to 16.6 volts and shuts down.   Have to start up again with bench grinder to draw it down.   
I've added a few loads and still have cloudy days where it does this.   

Is there a way to make or buy a voltage regulator coming from the battery bank ?
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Comments

  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Is the charge controller in an equalize cycle?

    Are the batteries cold, and is there a remote temperature sensor attached to the bank?

    Is the charge controller connected to the bank at the same place as the inverter?

    Was the charge controller booted with battery power only? If it saw pv voltage at boot, it may think the bank is 24v?

    10 parallel connections is a lot, and running large 120v loads is >10× the ac current coming off the bank. 15aac load becomes 150+acd, so you need heavy dc wire to handle.

    The charge controller should be regulating voltage.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    In order of ??'s asked:
    No
    No 
    Yes
    No Problems with charge controller.   Diversion load works.
    Running from battery bank (wiring) 4/0 +/- to Inverter.  Plenty of poop.  

    Charge controller only controls the current/volts coming into battery bank, and uses diversion for excess. 

    Think I've found the issue........The voltage on the Inverter (Sunforce 2500) Pure Sine is showing nearly a volt more than battery bank.   Some older units could be adjusted by a small dial adjustment on the circuit board.   Not sure if this unit still supports that.   If so, can adjust the true voltage pretty close.   

    Anyone have some intel on Sunforce Inverters in this aspect?


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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭

    Hi G P M,

    What brand and model number for your Charge Controller?

    Thanks,   Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    edited March 2018 #5
    Morningstar TS-60
    With diversion load and digital display
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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks G P M,

    Out of curiosity,   what is your Diversion Load for the CC?

    Ten parallel strings of batteries CAN cause problems.

    Am not familiar with your Inverter brand,   cannot help.

    Thanks for the info,    Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    edited April 2018 #7
    Two 600 watt DC heating elements in 55 gallon drum and a DC Geo Pump for radiant floor heat in chicken coop.
    Using RV coolant for year round freeze protection.

    Used to have 15 in parallel.   No issues with them.   
    I'll have to call SunForce to see if they can tell me how to adjust this.   In the mean time.  I've set up a car charger to direct more current into re-charging the battery bank it's drawing from.   

    All my relays, batteries, and charge controllers say same voltage.   Just the display says 1 volt higher than any of them. 

    Update:  
    Seen a video on dialing the potentiometer into spec.  Going to try this.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If the charge controller is reading a volt higher, it's often a poor connection between the controller and battery
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

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  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
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  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    Just had the worst April Fools joke on myself.   The Trimmer Potentiometer shorted out on a screw bracket taking a peek inside.  What a POS Sunforce is.   Now can't find a board at all anywhere.  Did find a Pot though, just don't know if it'll do the trick.    Any suggestions for a Fools day victim ??
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