SMA Support?
- Thread starter OzSolar
- Start date
Nope, none of that.Well, I just bought uber-solar.com. I'll try the less offensive route first.
I'll setup an email today and try to register. Do they want some certificates? Like a proof that you are a licensed electrician?
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21,204
So is that why support is so slow for me?
I registered as an installer, but have yahoo email address.
I did name, and possibly documented, my qualifications when requesting grid-guard code.
With the great power that Grid Guard gives you comes great responsibility. Make sure you don't end up with an inverter backfeeding the grid but not implementing required UL-1741 (or similar) protection. You will have left your fingerprints at the crime scene.
I registered as an installer, but have yahoo email address.
I did name, and possibly documented, my qualifications when requesting grid-guard code.
With the great power that Grid Guard gives you comes great responsibility. Make sure you don't end up with an inverter backfeeding the grid but not implementing required UL-1741 (or similar) protection. You will have left your fingerprints at the crime scene.
SilverbackMP
Solar Addict
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2022
- Messages
- 978
Websites are easy peasy. Get hosting and install wordpress. Thousands of YouTube tutorials. Getting them ranked well in Google is a different story. And that's easier than it used to be as most of my old secret SEO sauce (that took me a long while to learn) is now out in YouTube videos, courses, and FB groups.
I totally agree with that!
It took 5 days for SMA to provide an answer to my non-installer account. They told me to register as an installer. This looks a bit ridiculous.
I hope they will manage to go over the two installer account requests, that I sent 2 and 3 days ago in the next couple of days.
I hope they will manage to go over the two installer account requests, that I sent 2 and 3 days ago in the next couple of days.
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21,204
Is this because inverter is configured for a different country? Or for some reason you're getting low grid voltage?
Grid Guard leaves a fingerprint identifying the qualified person who modified settings.
If you can make your inverters accessible to the internet, with AC and DC connected, SMA support or perhaps another individual could change settings remotely. Or if you visited an installer who can do it for you.
Hardware is usually easier, cheaper, more reliable than software. You might try a buck-boost transformer to adjust the voltage it sees.
What I've found when connecting an SMA inverter through transformer at full voltage was it tended to disconnect, but operating at a somewhat reduced voltage it is working. Keep that in mind and maybe don't boost all the way to nominal.
Did SMA decline to provide the code to you based on your reported qualifications? Useful info for other forum members ... some of us have the code based on our training or profession, but it is not clear exactly what requirements SMA imposes or how formal/firm the requirement is.
Grid Guard leaves a fingerprint identifying the qualified person who modified settings.
If you can make your inverters accessible to the internet, with AC and DC connected, SMA support or perhaps another individual could change settings remotely. Or if you visited an installer who can do it for you.
Hardware is usually easier, cheaper, more reliable than software. You might try a buck-boost transformer to adjust the voltage it sees.
What I've found when connecting an SMA inverter through transformer at full voltage was it tended to disconnect, but operating at a somewhat reduced voltage it is working. Keep that in mind and maybe don't boost all the way to nominal.
Did SMA decline to provide the code to you based on your reported qualifications? Useful info for other forum members ... some of us have the code based on our training or profession, but it is not clear exactly what requirements SMA imposes or how formal/firm the requirement is.
the inverter is configurated to disconnect from grid at 195volts.... i need to change it to 181v thats the min it can go... has i am an home user?!? they dont send that magic grid code, that said only installers can have it :|
Attachments
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21,204
I think your nominal voltage setting is something like 230V (half way between 195V an 265V), but your grid connection is dropping below 195V.
Do you know why? What voltage do you measure coming from grid?
Usually, grid is somewhere within range, in my area often running a bit high (so with load it drops a bit.) With my inverters producing, the push the voltage they see a bit higher.
Maybe your location is pulled low due to loads. If below spec, the utility might adjust that with transformer taps.
Check your voltage over time and see what range of voltages occurs.
Maybe the issue is 230V inverter setting and 200V nominal from utility?
Are you able to select other country standards? That might be changeable without code, but only for the first 10 operating hours of the inverter's life.
Do you know why? What voltage do you measure coming from grid?
Usually, grid is somewhere within range, in my area often running a bit high (so with load it drops a bit.) With my inverters producing, the push the voltage they see a bit higher.
Maybe your location is pulled low due to loads. If below spec, the utility might adjust that with transformer taps.
Check your voltage over time and see what range of voltages occurs.
Maybe the issue is 230V inverter setting and 200V nominal from utility?
Are you able to select other country standards? That might be changeable without code, but only for the first 10 operating hours of the inverter's life.
grid voltage goes up and down several times in the day... and when goes below 195 inverter needs about 6 minutes to get the 195+volt to get back to work...my inverter is working here for a few years... and i wasnt able to change those settings... its a pain seeing inverter at 14pm disconneted from grid....
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21,204
Since parameters aren't readily changeable, do you have a transformer you can use as buck-boost to raise line voltage a bit?
5000W/220V = 23A
If you had a 220V to 12V 25A transformer (300VA or higher), that might do the trick. Larger old heavy iron model battery charger?
You could test the concept with a smaller transformer if you reduced array size to a wattage it could handle.
5000W/220V = 23A
If you had a 220V to 12V 25A transformer (300VA or higher), that might do the trick. Larger old heavy iron model battery charger?
You could test the concept with a smaller transformer if you reduced array size to a wattage it could handle.
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21,204
Not even a 5A or 10A battery charger? Could test out with a smaller array.
It sounds like your grid voltage is running below spec. Even with your inverter backfeeding your wires, still to low.
The utility might be obligated to fix it, but wouldn't hold my breath.
Maybe you can find a local vendor or installer who would make the adjustment for you (at their place and time? Or yours?)
Here are a couple transformer listings (US eBay) that might work. Price not so attractive, but maybe you can find similar used ones.
It sounds like your grid voltage is running below spec. Even with your inverter backfeeding your wires, still to low.
The utility might be obligated to fix it, but wouldn't hold my breath.
Maybe you can find a local vendor or installer who would make the adjustment for you (at their place and time? Or yours?)
Here are a couple transformer listings (US eBay) that might work. Price not so attractive, but maybe you can find similar used ones.
500W Toroidal transformer 500VA 380V or 220V input 12V 24V 36V 48V 110V output | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 500W Toroidal transformer 500VA 380V or 220V input 12V 24V 36V 48V 110V output at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
ACME T-1-81051 500 VA BUCK BOOST TRANSFORMER 500 WATT | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ACME T-1-81051 500 VA BUCK BOOST TRANSFORMER 500 WATT at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
SMA upgraded my account to an installer one. I was able to get the GGC. The code is not per inverter, it is per account.
No documents were requested. I just had to confirm that I'm a qualified electrician. The process took 2-3 weeks. Now I have the "Request or View SMA Grid Guard Code button" in the "My Cases" section.
No documents were requested. I just had to confirm that I'm a qualified electrician. The process took 2-3 weeks. Now I have the "Request or View SMA Grid Guard Code button" in the "My Cases" section.
Attachments
SilverbackMP
Solar Addict
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2022
- Messages
- 978
They told me that they would only respond to an email address from a solar business - no gmail. I said fine, I'll register PorkysSolarSystems dot com and send you an email from that domain. They relented.
