What is your inverter operating temperature?

[HX_Guy]

Trying to figure if mine is operating normally or if something is wrong.
Inverter is a SolarEdge SE11400US model, mounted on a north facing roof (shade all day) and current outside ambient temperature is 68.9ºF.

The display on the inverter is showing 131ºF and both fans are running. Is that a normal temperature? It seems high to me, especially given the cool ambient temperature...I hate to image what it will say when it's 110º+ outside.

Haven't been able to find anything online about normal internal operating temperatures, only ambient temps. Thanks for the help.

[Ben25]

Operating temps are -13 - 140F. My Solaredge 10k has only gotten up to 110 so far, but it in my basement in Vermont in the winter...

[HX_Guy]

140ºF is ambient temperature, not internal temperature from what I'm understanding.

http://www.solaredge.com/files/pdfs/se-temperature-derating-note.pdf

[Ben25]

Good point. Disregard.

[dkahng]

If this helps: my SolarEdge SE10000A-US is currently running at 103.5 degrees. It is facing NW and in the shade right now; the current outdoor temperature is 71 degrees and it's sunny & breezy here in SoCal (Ventura county).

[HX_Guy]

If this helps: my SolarEdge SE10000A-US is currently running at 103.5 degrees. It is facing NW and in the shade right now; the current outdoor temperature is 71 degrees and it's sunny & breezy here in SoCal (Ventura county).

Was that at 3 o'clock-ish...what was the power output? I noticed on mine as the power production went down, the temp got lower (obviously).

[dkahng]

Was that at 3 o'clock-ish...what was the power output? I noticed on mine as the power production went down, the temp got lower (obviously).

Yes, around 3pm PST. Power output declining precipitously by that time of day...SE portal indicates ~1,600W to the inverter at that time. Peak output for my system was around noon but I don't know what the temperature was then. Perhaps you should call SE to check if the temperature you're seeing is normal.

[HX_Guy]

Yes, around 3pm PST. Power output declining precipitously by that time of day...SE portal indicates ~1,600W to the inverter at that time. Peak output for my system was around noon but I don't know what the temperature was then. Perhaps you should call SE to check if the temperature you're seeing is normal.

Ok that makes sense. Mine was producing right around 8,000W at the time the temp said 131ºF.

Talked to SolarEdge this morning and they said they don't have specs on the internet temperature, but if it was too high, the inverter would produce an error code. He also said temps in the 130s don't sound too high for the internal temp.

[SunEagle]

140ºF is ambient temperature, not internal temperature from what I'm understanding.

http://www.solaredge.com/files/pdfs/...ating-note.pdf

Interesting. The manual shows that you will get an Over temperature fault at the heat sink but does not provide you with the trip point for that fault. It also doesn't mention at what temperature the fans come on at.

Maybe getting in touch with SE tech is the next step.

[HX_Guy]

Spoke with SolarEdge and they don't have any specs on internal operating temperatures, but did say that the inverter would give an error if it was over it's temperature range. He also said 131ºF did not sound like something out of the ordinary.

Additionally, a friend of mine who lives close by and also has a SolarEdge inverter saw a temp of 122ºF, but with the 6k inverter. Mine being a bigger inverter and producing more power, it makes sense that the temp would be higher.

[SunEagle]

Spoke with SolarEdge and they don't have any specs on internal operating temperatures, but did say that the inverter would give an error if it was over it's temperature range. He also said 131ºF did not sound like something out of the ordinary.

Additionally, a friend of mine who lives close by and also has a SolarEdge inverter saw a temp of 122ºF, but with the 6k inverter. Mine being a bigger inverter and producing more power, it makes sense that the temp would be higher.

Good to know. At least you are aware of a "potential" heating (or lack of cooling) issue with your inverter and can take steps if the problem gets worse when the ambient temp goes up in the Summer.

[bcroe]

Spoke with SolarEdge and they don't have any specs on internal operating temperatures, but did say that the inverter would give an error if it was over it's temperature range. He also said 131ºF did not sound like something out of the ordinary.

Additionally, a friend of mine who lives close by and also has a SolarEdge inverter saw a temp of 122ºF, but with the 6k inverter. Mine being a bigger inverter and producing more power, it makes sense that the temp would be higher.

The components in a bigger inverter won't have a higher temp rating. Instead more
heat will mean bigger heat sinks and fans. Transistors may be rated up to 100 C
junction temp, but stuff coupling to the air must be much less. Generally, running
hotter means shorter life. Bruce Roe