SMA Solar grid inverter SB1700

An inverter worth knowing about, robust. To support this channel please click on my name above and look under "about"

[@g7mks383]

Thanks Andy good demo and look around. Good idea to swop those expensive connectors.

[@TheInfoworks]

Not sure how much sun clix plugs are and I have collected several sets over the years. These SB inverters are grand units, cheers

[@randacnam7321]

@@TheInfoworks At least $20 a set before shipping based on a cursory search.

[@scarynix]

Thanks for the vid, how do I isolate the DC supply ? Mine needs a reboot after a power cut

[@TheInfoworks]

The black moulding at the bottom is the DC connect, are you sure AC is getting to the inverter, maybe a trip needs switching on, cheers

[@bootsowen]

It was the dc disconnect key that caught me out, A jumper of heavy wire will get you out if the big plastic disconnect key is missing to link the two contacts in the centre of where the key should be.

[@TheInfoworks]

Owen, I remember that video of yours and so when I got the chance created this one. I assume you still have that SB, cheers

[@randacnam7321]

My best guess for the 4 pin AC connector is to have a bigger clearance distance between hot and neutral, given that the hot and ground are in opposing connector positions. Could also be that they use the same connector for 3 phase 4 wire inverters (3 hots plus ground), but that carries the risk of plugging a replacement single phase inverter into the 3 phase connector and blowing it up. It would not be for inverter versions meant for the 120V/240V single phase 3 wire we use on this side of the pond as our inverters always have wired terminals instead of connectors.

[@TheInfoworks]

Yes, wired AC connections are so much better, re: Aurora and larger SMA, and growatt inverters, cheers

[@barney1941]

great channel a stihl 026 intake boot vid would be great

[@TheInfoworks]

Barney, see my 026 total rebuild series, there's a playlist, cheers

[@stevepr100]

Nice info Andy thanks Ive 3 sma units n want to add optimizer/s to a string of 5 panels, only 1 gets shaded... so i bought some solar edge optimizers but need bluetooth or WiFi....... any ideas. O knowledgeable 🙏 one

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, I'm lead to believe the solar edge optimizers only work with solar edge inverters. This Israel based company controls all the inverter networks, so it is difficult to use second hand equipment, cheers

[@stevepr100]

@@TheInfoworks feared as much😞 cheers for reply👍

[@koffibanan3099]

I think those two components are MOV's however instead of thermistors. At least on the SMA's I have seen, they had the big replaceable MOV's (overvoltage protection) and sold them separately.

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, thanks for this, I was always told the 3 legged units were thermistors. Yes they sit in sockets and were supposed to be wear parts, but only I suspect if you push the inverter with high volts, cheers

[@noakeswalker]

@@TheInfoworks Those do look like varistors (MOVs), I agree. I hadn't seen the 3 legged type before though - these seem to have a thermal fuse inside in series with a normal 2 legged MOV, and the thermal fuse blows if the MOV is taking sustained overload of voltage, thus heating it up. The idea is to stop the MOV exploding/catching fire. The third leg comes from the junction between fuse and MOV, and is used as a 'monitor' output to check if the fuse is still good or not - sometimes connected to an led, in this case it sounds like it is used to trip the inverter out maybe ? I've learnt something today Andy. Cheers Dave

[@TheInfoworks]

@@noakeswalker Dave, thanks for the info, from my understanding the voltage on the 3rd leg goes up as the heat rises caused by a high DC input voltage. This switches off the inverter. That's all I know and that the Aurora inverters have very similar 3 legged varistors (not thermistors). Cheers

[@STEVESL200]

Hi Andy. I have acquired to wind boy inverters which came from a wind turbine are they the same and compatible with solar PV thanks Steve

[@TheInfoworks]

Steve, I believe that the MPP tracking software is different, but an experiment whilst you have the opportunity would be interesting, cheers

[@kommando828]

Inside the boards are the same with the exception of the string board with DC fuse which is missing from the Windy's but if you are replacing a broken Sunny you can move it over. You do have to use a RS485 piggyback board and Sunny Data Control on a PC to change the Operating Mode parameter from Turbine to MPP-Operation: Maximum Power Point. Turn off and repower and you have a Sunny Boy. I have converted a WB2500 to a SB2500 doing exactly this. Just be aware that Windys relays operate a lot more than sunny's so the contacts wear out quicker but they can be replaced, error code needs resetting using RS485 piggyback and SDC on PC.

[@danielmcarthur6200]

Great vid any chance you would know anything about SB 1600TL-10 ?

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, they are part of this robust series, some have a high start voltage so do not match with modern high wattage panels. Check that the DC is getting to the board through the DC isolator plug , cheers.

[@danielmcarthur6200]

@TheInfoworks what amount of volts input would you recommend to switch on the system ? Currently got 20 volt coming into the dc side where the panels plug into screen not on and nothing at ac side. This unit only has + and - plugs for panels and the ac plug no other plugs

[@TheInfoworks]

@@danielmcarthur6200 Hi, at 1:30 on the video it shows the DC disconnect plug, also on the label what is the value shown for Vdc mppt? cheers

[@danielmcarthur6200]

@TheInfoworks do you have an email could send some pic's if thats easier

[@TheInfoworks]

@@danielmcarthur6200 All the info is in this video, otherwise put up a video on your channel, cheers

[@Gecko2007]

Mine stopped working after a powercut. How do i reboot the sunny boy 1700? Thx!

[@TheInfoworks]

I think maybe the power breaker has dropped out, sounds like you have no mains power to you inverter. Time to get the multimeter out, cheers

[@RobertFrame-u2m]

HI Andy ,I have a system with sunny boy inverters ,one of which has stopped working I have found someone to repair for me(I live in France)but i am unsure of how to safely disconnect and then reconnect once repaired.Could you help me with this ? thanks

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, always AC off first and AC on last. This avoids switching high current DC, cheers

[@RobertFrame-u2m]

thanks for reply@@TheInfoworks

[@anrays]

I drilled holes for a regular MC-4 and replaced them. I crimped the connectors themselves and soldered them inside the connectors. I also had to trick the grounding, since the differential circuit breaker turned off the electricity, since it registered a leak through the inverter when energy was generated in the power grid. I read that you can turn off the grounding check, but there are no interfaces to do this. Maybe someone knows how to turn off the grounding check in it?

[@TheInfoworks]

Earth leak can be a problem, commonly it's in the panel wiring but I've not had any success when the leak is in the inverter, cheers

[@anrays]

@@TheInfoworks how to disable earth leak checks?

[@TheInfoworks]

@@anrays Never had any success, check that the fault is not in the array, otherwise change the inverter for a second hand unit, cheers

[@anrays]

@@TheInfoworks I managed to disable the check with an additional wire, but it is not very correct. According to the instructions, the check can be disabled in the application, but for this i need to connect it to the computer. I do not know how to connect.

[@TheInfoworks]

@@anrays Yes trying to use factory software with SMA is very difficult. I believe you need to be a registered engineer. It would be wonderful if you uploaded a video to show what you have done and I will share it, cheers

[@koffibanan3099]

Still have one of these, albeit a 2 kW unit up in the attic producing all our solar for more than ten years now :) Upgrading is not really an option since we'd be losing our overgenerous government subsidies that were handed out at the time (€450 per 1000kWh produced). Crazy politicians...

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, yes no need to change it, but it's getting to that age where I would add an external fan run through a plug in timer. See my video on extending inverter life. It's in the grid inverter playlist, cheers

[@TheInfoworks]

Who's to know if you have changed it, unless you tell them? cheers

[@koffibanan3099]

@@TheInfoworks Hi! I would only upgrade it if would add more panels at the same time. As you said, these are solid inverters and I expect it to keep going for a while (hope I didn't jinx it). If you suddenly start injecting much more power than usual, apparently the energy company would come knocking on your door. Probably immediately installing a digital meter at the same time, which I want to avoid for as long as possible... Kind regards from Belgium, i'll check out that playlist!

[@TheInfoworks]

@@koffibanan3099 perfect sense, keep that head below the radar, cheers