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Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: GabYoung92 on April 07, 2014, 09:08:02 am

Title: Growatt grid connect inverter into island mode?
Post by: GabYoung92 on April 07, 2014, 09:08:02 am
I have a Growatt 1500 grid connect inverter.
It works but has to sense an AC voltage on the output to 'sync' to. Ive put it in parallel with another inverter and the unit begins to produce power.

I've tried to communicate with it using the rs232 port to see if i can get a menu system, but it won't respond.


What I want to know, can these units be put into an "Island Mode" where it will act just as a standard inverter, or is there some way to "jump start" it?
Title: Re: Growatt grid connect inverter into island mode?
Post by: VK5RC on April 07, 2014, 10:09:27 am
Sorry I can't be more definite but I was talking to a work (both not EE) friend today about exactly the same topic, 'he said' the inverters are set to avoid this to reduce electrical hazards to linesmen in the event of grid failure and they are working on supposedly not live wiring.
Title: Re: Growatt grid connect inverter into island mode?
Post by: NiHaoMike on April 07, 2014, 01:31:44 pm
There's really no point as a grid tie inverter is much more expensive than a conventional inverter. Also, grid tie inverters are current output while conventional inverters are voltage output.
Title: Re: Growatt grid connect inverter into island mode?
Post by: GabYoung92 on April 07, 2014, 10:31:54 pm
There's really no point as a grid tie inverter is much more expensive than a conventional inverter. Also, grid tie inverters are current output while conventional inverters are voltage output.

I have about 15 of these units ranging from 1.5kw to 4.7kw already so I was trying to make use of them

So I'm pretty much at a dead end with these?
Title: Re: Growatt grid connect inverter into island mode?
Post by: NiHaoMike on April 08, 2014, 12:07:02 am
You'll do better selling them and then buying the regular kind.

Here are some reviews to look at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/knurlgnar24/videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/knurlgnar24/videos)