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Forum Index : Solar : Grid Tie Inverters
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paul_mac1 Regular Member Joined: 17/05/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 74 |
Hi Guys, Has anyone had any experience with the inverters Hi_iq on Ebay sell? They look ok, here's the LINK. I have also been in touch with SWEA, they sell Australian Approved Grid Tie inverters, $300 +GST +Postage for a 250W one . I have tried to get a final figure from them including postage to Adelaide, but got no reply, I had to email SWEA in the Netherlands and they contacted LadderTech, who then emailed me, but they don't like answering questions, so I guess their support will be crap due to the lack of communication I have received. Who uses what inverter and where did you get it? My 300w PowerJack died and I need something to replace it asap Cheers Guys, Paul |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Paul Buy one in Australia as the postage is less and warranty is here I have seen some on ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270754680784?ssPageName=STRK:MEWA X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4860wt_952 This one you are looking at looks like it is made by Powerjack anyway it appears the same as their latest model. Bob Foolin Around |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Paul You could also use a approved high power GTI 1.5 KW 300 volt in by using a inverter to drive the unit mod sine wave inverter rectify to dc and feed the normal GTI. Bob Foolin Around |
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paul_mac1 Regular Member Joined: 17/05/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 74 |
Hi Bob, Thanks for the info. I'll have a look and see what is allegedly being sold from Aus I'll go for a higher wattage one, as the 300w one was getting pretty warm before it went pop, they give off a hell of a belt when they blow, hey? Thanks again matey. Best Regards, Paul |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Paul I have the 600 watt one as well and did the fan mod on it as they get too hot as well and they dont like sitting in a bucket of water. Sounds like you blew the input caps, they are prone to this on a wind turbine as the volts go to high before the thing can sync in on the mains and pop goes the weasel and the magic smoke leaves. Bob Foolin Around |
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paul_mac1 Regular Member Joined: 17/05/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 74 |
Hi Bob, I never had the turbine connected at the time just the panel and thought I would try it direct to the panel.......POP!!! There wasn't any smoke, just a pop and a jolt/tingly arm. I got in touch with the seller who are very good, he said send him $50USD and he will post a new circuit board out to me, but I think this might happen again with the 300w inverter. Cheers, Paul |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Paul What voltage panels are you using as if 24 volt they can go as high as 40 volts off load, mine do anyway and these inverters pop at about 33 volts input, not really worth repairing as they will not supply a circuit and in mine the components are sanitized. They are really only meant for a 12 volt panel that peaks at 20 volts. All the best Bob Foolin Around |
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paul_mac1 Regular Member Joined: 17/05/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 74 |
Hi Bob, Its a 20v nominal panel,and open circuit voltage is 30.3v Just bought THIS ONE off Ebay, hopefully it will last longer. Cheers, Paul |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi paul I hope it is better for you keep us in the loop as to how it performs. All the best Bob Foolin Around |
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paul_mac1 Regular Member Joined: 17/05/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 74 |
Hi Bob, I will do. Erm, Take a look at the specs Table: Grid-series models 500W Recommend use solar panels 620Wp DC Maximum Input Power 600W DC maximum voltage VpvDC30.2VDC DC voltage range Vpv 10.5V~28VDC Maximum output power factor 99% BUT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE IT SAYS THIS: Installation and connection DC Input limits: Operating Voltage range: 10.5V to 28V Maximum input Voltage: 28V Solar Panel: 30W minimum, only use PV panels with maximum power voltage at 17.5V. Can ONLY connect panels in parallel. DO NOT connect them in series! Wind Turbine: Rated output voltage 24VDC, Maximum voltage 28VDC What the?? What does this mean? How does the inverter know wether the voltage is from a PV or Wind Turbine? Cheers, Paul |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Paul The thing with wind turbines is that their voltage is a product of wind speed and loading, if a gust hits the mill and the voltage increases before the inverter can sync with the mains and load the mill it can go quite high and shut the inverter off on overvoltage lockout or blow its little brain in extreme cases, I have a 24 volt nominal system and last year when the main controller broke down the voltage went to 90 volts in gusty conditions blowing the inverter. Solar is a more or less fixed voltage due to the design so is much more regulated mine sits at 28 volts under load and open circuit it goes to 40 volts. What they are saying is to use 12 volt nominal voltage panel as they peak at 18 - 20 volts. I do not agree that this is the best solution as lower volts needs more amps and more resistive losses and more heat produced. I use large capacitance on the input to absorb the voltage peaks a bit and even the flow to the inverter a bit, not ideal but it helps. I would recommend a couple of batteries to act as a damper to the voltage that can swing wildly at times, this will clamp to battery voltage about 28 volts and reduce the amps input which is a good thing. Make up glenns little control circuit to switch the inverter off at 25 volts and on at 27.5 volts. Link from the projects on info page. All the best Bob Foolin Around |
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paul_mac1 Regular Member Joined: 17/05/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 74 |
Hi Bob, I have everything going into 4x12v batteries wired in series/parralell to 24v, and the inverter will be running through a LVD, this worked great, until I decided I could connect the panel directly to the inverter....KABOOM!! was the end result, and a tingly arm. So the new 500w inverter will be connected to the batteries and LVD. Cheers again Bob, Regards, Paul |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Paul All good fun but sometimes a bit expensive, keep up the good work Bob Foolin Around |
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paul_mac1 Regular Member Joined: 17/05/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 74 |
Hi Bob, Its ok, I sold some Toasted Oak Chips on ebay, and that covered the cost of this inverter. I'll let you know how I get on with it. Thanks, Paul |
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VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Paul I usually toast computer chips but haven't found a market for them yet, you should call your chips "Mackas Toasted Oak Chips" might be able to charge more with a good name. Bob Foolin Around |
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