SMA solar not so bad after all

Trukinbear
Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
I take it back, they decided to honor my warranty after all.
SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
285-gallon diesel fuel tank
Off the grid on the PNW coast

Comments

  • New_Mexico_Will
    New_Mexico_Will Registered Users Posts: 107 ✭✭
    Didn't you just have a lengthy post about issues with MidNite?  I don't think your gripes are going to be solved here.  You should take it up with NAWS, because their customer service is top notch.  If you bought it elsewhere, you should consult with them.  Dropping posts that a whole product brand "sux" isn't productive.  Nobody here can help you.
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    edited October 2020 #3
    whatev
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    edited October 2020 #4
    good luck
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,433 admin
    edited October 2020 #5
    Unhappy--I get it... However, I am a bit confused. Going through some online documentation (just from the links--I know nothing about SMA and I am not in the Solar Biz at all):

    But it looks like there is a confusion between 48 Amps @ 240 VAC max AC charging input, vs 110/140 Amps @ 60 VDC charging output?

    Warranty Exclusions
    • Sunny Island and Sunny Boy Storage inverters that exceed 20,000 operating hours-at-full-load (hours-at-full-load defined as AC discharge and AC charge energy over the full operation time divided by the devices rated power)
    Which does limit the warranty to a bit over two years of charging at 100% of rated charging (or AC loading) Capacity.

    Max. battery charging current / DC rated charging current 130 A / 110 A (6048)
    Perhaps you are confusing AC max charging current (at 240 VAC?) vs max DC charging current at ~60 VDC?

    02 InvChrgCurMax Maximum AC charging current SI 6048‑US‑10 48 A

    For SI 4548: (note added by BB.)
    Battery Data 
    Battery voltage (range) UBat, nom 48 V (41 V … 63 V) 
    Maximum battery charging current  IBat, max 110 A
    Continuous charging current IBat, nom 85 A

    For Si6048: (note added by BB.)
    Battery Data 
    Battery voltage (range) UBat, nom 48 V (41 V … 63 V) 
    Maximum battery charging current IBat, max 140 A 
    Continuous charging current IBat, nom 110 A

    Not sure how Max vs Continuous current max is defined...????

    So, I see two issues... 1) is the 20,000 hours at maximum AC or DC current limit for warranty. And 2) how is Maximum vs Continuous charging current defined (I may have missed a quick scan of the manual)...

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    edited October 2020 #6
    ok
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,433 admin
    Don't know... I have asked NAWS and one of their engineers should be looking at this soon (I do not work for NAWS--I am just a volunteer here).

    They have the link to this thread--So I hope they are following your updates.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    A bit of confusion here - actually they were trying to tell me I don't have a warranty, not that I'd voided it. 
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,433 admin
    Trukinbear,

    Why are they saying you don't have a warranty? Because of where/how you purchased it or what?

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    Yes, one of the thousands of DC solar units that were dumped on the market. Everything else I bought via official channels, mostly NAWS but I just couldn't bring myself to pay $3500 for something that was so readily available 'new' for so much less. I should have bought a spare...
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    I do still think they suck, my original issue was due to poor (nonexistent) documentation on both their part and MidNite Solar's. Some lessons are expensive... I called MN last year and was told everything I needed to know was on the pamphlet that came with my MODBUS/Canbus adaptor that SMA contracted them to design and market... it wasn't. 

    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,433 admin
    I am very sorry for the confusion... Warranty issues can be a real pain. And with the issues of boom/bust of solar--There is a lot of equipment out there with less than clear lineage...

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    Was purchased at wholesale with a warranty for the end purchaser, no matter who that was. My lawyer will surely contend that covenant was not breached by the more convoluted supply chain on the way to me, the end-user. I am the first purchaser of this unit at retail, and California has very specific laws regarding the warranty of solar equipment. We'll see.
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    California even says that 10-year warranty on residential solar equipment is transferrable automatically to the next owner and that warranty coverage shall be continuous for a minimum of a period of 10 years. 


    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    Thank you, in an odd turn of events this morning I wake to an E-mail from SMA requesting my address to ship a replacement unit to me, so they can ship my old unit back to Germany for diagnosis - it had a third issue which I had not discussed in any forum, a klaxon like sound when charging from my generator at any rate above 70A (used to be ok at 100). Anyway, I've been unable to record the sound because it only happens when 'Eloise' my Cummins Onan 8HDKAK is at full song so my phone just clips out all the loud noises, including the klaxon, I greatly appreciate your help and support.
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast
  • Trukinbear
    Trukinbear Registered Users Posts: 77 ✭✭
    Well, I'm not so sure. They DID send me a replacement unit, one that not only appears to be a well-used unit that someone returned under warranty but like it was dropped and glued together with RTV too. I feel stupid after paying for helpers to help me swap this out and now this unit has more problems than my other ever did. 

    Worms! They come in cans apparently.
    SMA Solar Sunny Island SI6048
    JA Solar 330W 'Cypress series' 72 cell panels (18)
    MidNite Solar Classic 250 MPPT charge controllers (2)
    MidNite Solar MODBUS/Canbus communications adaptor for Sunny Island
    MidNite Solar SMA-OG E-panel
    MidNite Solar WhizBang Jr current sensor
    MidNite Solar MNSPD300V surge protection device (3)
    MidNite Solar MNSHUNT 50mv/500A DC shunt
    MidNite Solar MNSOB3R-4P PV array shut off box
    MidNite Solar Birdhouse 1 RSS initiator
    MidNite Solar Battery disconnect module
    MidNite Solar Disconnect PSB
    Atkinson GSCM mini-i generator start module
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-8000 8HDKAK diesel inverter generator
    Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel QD-3200 3.2HDZAA diesel cycloconverter generator
    24-125-11 Monterey Industrial 'Big Sur' 986Ah 48V battery
    285-gallon diesel fuel tank
    Off the grid on the PNW coast