Need help debugging Envoy gateway

[alano]

I have a 21 panel Enphase M215 system that's been working fine for two years. However I just noticed sometime is the last month the microinverters failed to report. All of them.

So here's what I've done so far to try and troubleshoot:

1. Originally the Envoy was placed about as far as possible from the main panel where the solar enters. I've tried two other locations. The Envoy is now as close to the panel as possible. Not a single microinverter has been detected.

2. I've tried shedding circuits by flipping breakers. Again, I could not detect a single microinverter.

3. The Envoy connects to Enphase (+Web), just no microinverters detected.

4. I haven't introduced any new RFI sources, but even if something went south, you think I would have been able to reestablish communications after shedding circuits.

5. Could I have lost the neutral wire? I understand communication occurs along this wire.

6. Has the Envoy module failed?


What would you guys recommend to continue debugging? Should I replace the Envoy module, call a solar installer, or is there something else I can try?

[alano]

Just took my Envoy to a neighbor's installation and tried it there. I selected Scan for modules and Comm test and waited at least 10 minutes, but my Envoy didn't detect a single module or display any bars indicating communication strength. Can I be certain that my Envoy has failed????

[sensij]

What happens if you borrow your neighbor's envoy and plug it into your system?

[alano]

I haven't tried that yet, for fear of changing his configuration. Can anyone confirm with me that if I take the neighbors Envoy and power it up, and scan for microinverters that it will no way alter his configuration?

[solarz]

Is your test good enough at neighbor place?
If you plug your neighbor envoy to your home, it will upload your panel serial numbers to his enlighten. As long as he does not do anything with them, there is no issue. The question is if he likes it or not.

[bru102]

I recently self-installed a 48 panel enphase ground array. I've seen the Envoy lose communication with inverters for a couple hours on two occasions. I suggest you hook up your neighbor's Envoy to your system.... but don't hook it up to the internet. You'll be able to quickly see if your inverters are reporting in, and how good the signal is. (I dont think it will mess up anything by hooking it to the internet... but it doesn't help you either).

Also, FYI...with your own Envoy hooked up, you can check "events" by typing the ip address (shown on the Envoy display) into any computer's browser (Chrome, IE, Safari, etc.) on the same local network. You can look "inside" the Envoy, and that will tell you if there is anything happening. I see all kinds of events, especially at morning startup and evening shutdown. Low DC voltage, Inverter not reporting, etc.... and for each inverter. At a minimum, you will see a power-on reset message for the Envoy itself if you plugged it in recently.... and that's probably all you'll see if there is no power line communication with the inverters.