Monitoring 2 pv inverters

[dmrolyat]

I have a 2kW complete system fitted to one roof and an additional 2kW system fitted (at a later date) to a different roof.
The systems have 2 seperate Samil Solar River 2300TL inverters mounted close to each other in the attic. Both of these feed into a single SWA cable which runs to the consumer unit and generation meter.
I have an Elios4you monitor fitted at the CU which monitors total generation, import/export etc.
However, since having the 2nd system fitted, obviously I can't view the actual generation data from each individual system.
Does anyone know of a way to monitor the 2 inverters separately?

Thanks in advance.

[Shockah]

I have a 2kW complete system fitted to one roof and an additional 2kW system fitted (at a later date) to a different roof.
The systems have 2 seperate Samil Solar River 2300TL inverters mounted close to each other in the attic. Both of these feed into a single SWA cable which runs to the consumer unit and generation meter.
I have an Elios4you monitor fitted at the CU which monitors total generation, import/export etc.
However, since having the 2nd system fitted, obviously I can't view the actual generation data from each individual system.
Does anyone know of a way to monitor the 2 inverters separately?

Thanks in advance.

62203785.jpg

Something like this pops into mind... although more thought should be put into it.

[dmrolyat]

The inverters are mounted behind attic walls.
I need a way of remotely monitoring the generation from each inverter.i don't want to be switching each on/off individually.

[inetdog]

The inverters are mounted behind attic walls.
I need a way of remotely monitoring the generation from each inverter.i don't want to be switching each on/off individually.

Although it will not give you a theoretically perfect number, you could mount a current transformer in one AC line to each inverter and just look at the output current. Instead of interrupting the AC line you could use a two piece CT which clamps around the existing wire.

[Mike90250]

do the inverters have any remote data capability ? Any optional add-in board ?

[dmrolyat]

Although it will not give you a theoretically perfect number, you could mount a current transformer in one AC line to each inverter and just look at the output current. Instead of interrupting the AC line you could use a two piece CT which clamps around the existing wire.

What is a 'two piece CT'?

[dmrolyat]

do the inverters have any remote data capability ? Any optional add-in board ?

Not sure......
They seem to have rs232 and rs485 ports......
Does anyone know about the capability of these Samil Solar River 2300TL inverters?

[boostinsteve]

What is a 'two piece CT'?

It is considered a split core ct. It is usually flexible, and allows you to open the ring, and place it around the cable while the loads stay energized. In order to do this, the X1 X2 leads need to either be shorted, or hooked up to the monitor prior to placing on the line. If not, the CT is going to generate whatever voltage it needs to short the leads together.

I saw a guy lift a lead one time without shorting, and the arc was about a foot long before he got it back on the strip.

[Mike90250]

What is a 'two piece CT'?

CT=Current Transformer used to measure current in 1 AC wire.

[inetdog]

It is considered a split core ct. It is usually flexible, and allows you to open the ring, and place it around the cable while the loads stay energized. In order to do this, the X1 X2 leads need to either be shorted, or hooked up to the monitor prior to placing on the line. If not, the CT is going to generate whatever voltage it needs to short the leads together.

I saw a guy lift a lead one time without shorting, and the arc was about a foot long before he got it back on the strip.

Medium and high voltage CTs are very dangerous beasts.
But the CTs, especially split core, used for 120/240 volts are usually designed so that the core saturates, reducing the coupling between primary and secondary, well before a hazardous voltage is reached.
It is still a good practice to keep the secondary shorted though.

[Mike90250]

Not sure......
They seem to have rs232 and rs485 ports......
Does anyone know about the capability of these Samil Solar River 2300TL inverters?

Try asking the installer, or the Mfg ?

http://www.samilpower.com/product_detail.php?product_id=7

OPEN. INTERACTIVE.
-- Interface selection – Wi-Fi* and RS485 for more flexible configuration and system monitoring

Want me to do any more work for you on this subject, you need to set up a payment plan.

Contact the Mfg, or look on their website, and see if they have monitor software. (they have an android app.) http://www.samilpower.com/downloads.php

[boostinsteve]

Medium and high voltage CTs are very dangerous beasts.
But the CTs, especially split core, used for 120/240 volts are usually designed so that the core saturates, reducing the coupling between primary and secondary, well before a hazardous voltage is reached.
It is still a good practice to keep the secondary shorted though.

Lately, all I have been dealing with is 11.5kv and higher, so my mind draws to worst case scenario.