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Knowlage Base Renewable, Off Grid, Hybrid

Internal Temp Sensors are used to monitor the internal temperatures on some OutBack equipment. A Temp Sensor Fault (ie. “Temp Sensor Bad”) indicates one or more of the internal temperature sensors within a piece of OutBack equipment has failed. For more information, on Temp Sensors please go to your product’s User Manual or Product Guide. Click Here for Inverter / Charger Reference Documentation
The RTS (Remote Temperature Sensor) should be located halfway down one of your batteries, preferably between 2 batteries and away from the side walls of a battery box. To learn about RTS operations and installation, view this tutorial video. For more information on your RTS, please review these application notes or review your product’s User Manual or Product Guide
RTS stands for “Remote Temperature Sensor”. The RTS senses battery temperature and allows OutBack equipment to adjust the charging voltage to compensate for hot/cold conditions, thereby considerably extending the life of the battery. To learn about RTS operations and installation, view this tutorial video or review these application notes. For more information on your RTS, review your product’s User Manual or Product Guide. Click Here for Charge Controller Reference Documentation Click Here for Energy Storage Reference Documentation
If your inverter is not connecting to its AC source, perform the following checks:
  1. Measure the inverter’s input AC voltage and check if your AC source meets requirements (compare to the Spec Sheet for your product). If it meets requirements but is irregular, change Program #03 (AC input voltage range) to “APL”.
  2. Check that the AC voltage between Neutral and Ground is close to 0. If not, most probably the Generator Neutral Bond is not installed or has been interrupted.
  1. Check the FAULT Status indicator. A Solid or Blinking red Light indicates the inverter is in Fault or Warning mode. Check the Code in the inverter display and the troubleshooting measures in the inverter’s manual.
For further information please consult your product’s User Manual. Click Here for SPC Reference Documentation
If your inverter is not connecting to its AC source, perform the following checks:
  1. Measure the inverter’s input AC voltage and check if your AC source meets requirements (compare to the Spec Sheet for your product). If it meets requirements but is irregular, change the input mode to “Generator”.
    • Radian-series (NA) only: Confirm nature of the AC Source. Check AC voltage between L and neutral on the inverter’s input test points. L1-neutral and L2-neutral should be 120 Vac. L1-L2 should be 240 Vac. Other voltage combinations are not accepted.
  2. Check that the AC voltage between Neutral and Ground is close to 0. If not, most probably the Generator Neutral Bond is not installed or has been interrupted.
  3. Check to see if the inverter disconnected due to an event and examine the Last AC Disconnect screen for reason of disconnection. If the unit never originally connected, check the Warning menu.
    • Radian-series only: On the MATE3, in the AC Input hot key select “Discon”.
  4. On the MATE3, check for conflicting programing. Check to see if more than one of these is enabled: Mini Grid, HBX, Grid Use Time, or Load Grid Transfer. Only one can be in use at a time.
    1. Unless changed manually, check AC Input hot key is set to mode “Use”.
    2. Check the Grid Use Time settings and clock settings in the System menu.
    3. Check AC Input hot key screen to see if HBX is in use, check the settings of HBX mode.
Please also refer to the Operator’s Manual and Spec Sheet for your inverter. Click Here for Inverter / Charger Reference Documentation Click Here for MATE3 Reference Documentation
Not all OutBack inverters can import energy back to the grid. If your inverter is not selling energy back to the AC source, perform the following steps:
  1. Check the Model number to confirm the ability to sell
  2. Ensure that AC input type is “Grid” (if a generator is selected, the inverter will not sell)
  3. Ensure AC input voltage is within acceptable range*
  4. Be certain the AC source has been accepted and input has been connected for 300 seconds
  5. Be certain the Sell function is enabled
  6. Ensure the battery has undergone a complete charge cycle is above the SellRe voltage set point
In addition, if there is a FLEXnet DC installed in your system and the Advanced Grid Tie mode is enabled, it will force the inverter to not sell until the battery bank has reached the programmed FLEXnet DC charge parameters. Please see your Mate or Mate3 documentation for details of this function. *If the utility voltage is too high sometimes changing the grid-tie authority from IEEE to USER will allow the inverter to sell. This should only be done if receiving permission from your local authority having jurisdiction. For further information, please consult your product’s Programming Guide or User Manual. Click Here for Inverter / Charger Reference Documentation Click Here for MATE3 Reference Documentation
All OutBack inverters are capable of charging a battery. If the inverter is not charging, it may be the case that:
  • The unit is not connected to a qualified AC source.
  • The PV voltage is insufficient. The SPC inverters require a minimum of 150Vdc Open Circuit voltage to start the solar charger.
  • The charger is disabled. If Program #16 (Charger source priority) is set to “OSO” Solar energy will be the only charger source no matter utility is available or not.
To troubleshoot, check that an AC source exists, the charger is enabled, and check the PV Voltage. For further information please consult your product’s User Manual.
All OutBack inverters are capable of charging a battery. If the inverter is not charging, it may be the case that:
  • The unit is not connected to a qualified AC source.
  • If a generator is present, it may not be running.
  • The unit is connected to an AC source but is in a mode or step (such as Silent) that does not use the charger.
  • The unit is connected to an AC source but the charger has been turned off.
To troubleshoot, check that an AC source exists, the charger is enabled, and examine the AC charging amps set point. For further information please consult Programming Guide or User Manual.
To troubleshoot an inverter that is not producing output voltage or supporting your critical loads:
  1. Measure DC voltage at the inverter terminals (directly on the inverter). See your product’s Spec Sheet to verify that this voltage is within the acceptable voltage window.
  2. See installation manual for the location of jumper J3. Confirm the jumper is present. If missing, replace the jumper or follow the installation manual instructions to install an external switch.
  3. On the MATE3 display, make sure that the inverter hot key is set to “On”.
Please also review the Operator’s Manual and Spec Sheet for your inverter.