drafts:performing_system_check
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| Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
| drafts:performing_system_check [2018-11-01 23:45] – guy_stewart | drafts:performing_system_check [2019-03-10 07:16] – [Basic Observations] guy_stewart | ||
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| It is a good idea to wear gloves if you are working on wet-cell batteries - and to wear eye protection. It’s also a good idea to remove metal jewellery. | It is a good idea to wear gloves if you are working on wet-cell batteries - and to wear eye protection. It’s also a good idea to remove metal jewellery. | ||
| - | Basic Observations | + | ===== Basic Observations |
| The first thing to do is a basic observation. | The first thing to do is a basic observation. | ||
| Line 24: | Line 25: | ||
| Make the wiring between components visible if you can, by carefully removing covers. | Make the wiring between components visible if you can, by carefully removing covers. | ||
| - | Only go as far as you feel safe. Never work on AC voltages unless you are qualified. DC systems of up to 48V are generally safe to work with if you take sensible | + | Only go as far as you feel safe. Never work on AC voltages unless you are qualified. DC systems of up to 48V are generally safe to work with if you take sensible |
| - | Looking at the system: Are there any lights on? What colour are they; are they blinking or solid? Note them all down - particularly if you don’t know what they mean! | + | Looking at the system: |
| - | Does anything look damaged, burned, melted, loose or broken? Did you notice any smells - or signs of insects or rodents? | + | * Are there any lights on? |
| + | * What colour are they; are they blinking or solid? | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note them all down - particularly if you don’t know what they mean! | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Does anything look damaged, burned, melted, loose or broken? | ||
| + | * Did you notice any smells - or signs of insects or rodents? | ||
| Are there any sounds - buzzing or ticking that you haven’t noticed before ...or silence where there used to be sound? | Are there any sounds - buzzing or ticking that you haven’t noticed before ...or silence where there used to be sound? | ||
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| The safe way to shutdown a system is to first begin at the termini and work toward the batteries: | The safe way to shutdown a system is to first begin at the termini and work toward the batteries: | ||
| - | + | * Turn off all loads at their switches. | |
| - | Turn off all loads at their switches. | + | |
| - | Turn off the inverter if there is one ...then turn off the solar panel supply. | + | |
| - | Turn off all the remaining switches, | + | |
| Now you should be able to safely tug on all the system wiring connections to make sure they are firmly in place and making a good connection. | Now you should be able to safely tug on all the system wiring connections to make sure they are firmly in place and making a good connection. | ||
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| If a wire does come loose, inspect it closely: Does it have damage to the copper strands? If so, use some pliers to remove the damage, peeling back some of the insulation. | If a wire does come loose, inspect it closely: Does it have damage to the copper strands? If so, use some pliers to remove the damage, peeling back some of the insulation. | ||
| - | Wherever there are plugs and sockets, or lugs and bolts, check their connections. We want to make sure that all connections are good. | + | Wherever there are plugs and sockets, or lugs and bolts, check their connections. We want to make sure that all connections are good. Also look for any signs of corrosion, usually seen as a white/ |
| + | |||
| + | ==== Firmware ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Before asking a question on an existing installation, | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | See https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== System Design ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | You should always direct system design questions (for example "which MPPT should I use with panels such and such") to a [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another example: "I want to design system such and such, what should I buy?", also contact a dealer or installer. They are trained and can provide you with information and support. | ||
| - | ....multimeter testing | + | ===== Future Topics ===== |
| + | ==== Multimeter testing ==== | ||
| - | Battery cell voltages, | + | ==== Battery cell voltages |
| - | Battery interconnection and takeoff corrosion | + | ==== Battery interconnection and takeoff corrosion |
| - | PV voltage, PV Polarity, | + | ==== PV voltage, PV Polarity, |
| - | .... exporting | + | ==== Exporting |
| - | ... more | ||