Enphase S280 troubleshooting

[andrewket]

I have 38 S280 enphase microinverters that have been running fine for about 7 weeks. Yesterday, 14 of them went off line. They're all on the same circuit. The enlighten app/web site sees the issue, but it doesn't give you any data other than "production problem". I emailed my installer and they checked their version of the app which provides more data, and it's showing "AC voltage out of range" errors. The recommended action is to do nothing, that it will correct itself. It's been two days.

I have recently installed some eGuage monitoring devices. I had no problem with the solar array for a week afterwards, so I don't think that's the issue. I've tried resetting the micros by toggling the breaker, and I've checked the wiring going into the breaker. (The one thing I didn't try is re-inserting the breaker in the panel).

Anyone have other ideas on how to troubleshoot or what the problem may be?

Andrew

[bcroe]

I have 38 S280 enphase microinverters that have been running fine for about 7 weeks. Yesterday, 14 of them went off line. They're all on the same circuit. The enlighten app/web site sees the issue, but it doesn't give you any data other than "production problem". I emailed my installer and they checked their version of the app which provides more data, and it's showing "AC voltage out of range" errors. The recommended action is to do nothing, that it will correct itself. It's been two days.

I have recently installed some eGuage monitoring devices. I had no problem with the solar array for a week afterwards, so I don't think that's the issue. I've tried resetting the micros by toggling the breaker, and I've checked the wiring going into the breaker. (The one thing I didn't try is re-inserting the breaker in the panel).
Andrew

The first thing to check, is your AC line voltage. If it gets too high or low, your micro inverters are programmed to shut off. Power output from
your micros will just make a high line higher, so it could cause some of yours to shut down. The fact that they are well grouped implies those
tripping may have excessive resistance and voltage drop in the feed.

If this is the problem, you can wait, or bug the PoCo to make corrections. good luck, Bruce Roe

[andrewket]

Line voltage for the past few days has been 121-124v on both legs; well within range. The other 24 micros are still running and they're on the same panel.

[bcroe]

Line voltage for the past few days has been 121-124v on both legs; well within range. The
other 24 micros are still running and they're on the same panel.

The voltage will be highest at the micro terminals, measure it close to there. It will start rising as the sun comes up, but drop
back if some of the micros drop out. If the problem goes away with lower line, you have located the issue. Bruce Roe

[andrewket]

Thanks for the tip. At the moment I can't get the 14 micros to go back online. They've been down for days. If anyone has suggestions on how to reset them I'm all ears. My installer has a ticket open with enphase, but they are slow to respond.

[huge]

Thanks for sharing your experience with enphase. Makes me think twice about it

[idnominal]

I find this disturbing too, as I am also presently committed to a new enphase S 280 system. However, there do not seem to be many of these types of failures posted so far (I do not see much by Google either), so maybe the problem is limited to a specific fault in this system?

Is there any chance that a connection was accidentally dislodged (maybe during the later installation of the monitoring system)? Could an intermittent or open connection (or, even a loose connector) cause this fault by causing an under voltage situation?

Are there any terminal blocks where a wire may have come out? Could a wire be inserted into a terminal block, breaker, etc., but not properly mechanically captured or very loose (causing an intermittent or an open electrical circuit condition)?

Were any wires/cables removed during the installation of the monitoring components (such as to add a CT) then reattached?

(Depending on your knowledge of electrical systems and safety, you may want to wait for the electricians! Removing some wires under power-on and/or load conditions can cause very hazardous situations)

[andrewket]

I've checked the wiring, breaker, etc. Enphase won't talk to me; they point me to my installer. The installer says they're waiting to hear back from enphase.

[idnominal]

I've checked the wiring, breaker, etc. Enphase won't talk to me; they point me to my installer. The installer says they're waiting to hear back from enphase.

I guess it can be tough on manufacturers, potential problems ranging from safety and experience concerns to inexperienced customers taking too much of their time, or damaging the system.

On the other hand, distributors advertise in part that enphase can be an easier install for DIY types.

I finally got through to a technical rep. at enphase with my EE type technical question pre-purchase. I definitely got the enphase message that enphase wants as little contact with actual customers as possible.

I had technical discussions with both SolarEdge and enphase before making my decision. SolarEdge was a lot easier to contact and talk too, although at times, their wait time was long (I suppose, the other side of the same coin).

I chose enphase in part, because of the excellent reputation of a local regional installer (enphase only). I want to like enphase. I hope that they can improve their public relations / customer relations programs.

[andrewket]

Funny, I too went with enphase solely because the installer I liked who spent a bunch of time with me is an enphase shop. I even asked them to price solar edge, and because they're not a preferred installer they were 15% more than a solar edge shop. I really wanted solar edge. In retrospect I was being too nice. Now I can't get them on the phone and my production is down 40%. I'm very technically inclined. Not being able to pull logs etc is extremely frustrating.

[philips]

FWIW, on the older Envoy's, you can bring up a webpage at the Envoy's IP address and view the event log for the micros, have you tried that on yours?

[andrewket]

No, but I will try that now. I read all the docs I could find and didn't see that as an option.

[andrewket]

Found the IP, and it does have a web server running. There is a diagnostics tools section, but it requires a user/pass that I don't have.

[ButchDeal]

Found the IP, and it does have a web server running. There is a diagnostics tools section, but it requires a user/pass that I don't have.

try admin / admin from this document : http://www2.enphase.com/global/files...ting_Guide.pdf

[andrewket]

I did. No dice. My installer is coming out Friday. I've asked him to please share the current error that enphase is reporting to help point me in the right direction.