SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

[snipersquad100]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone know how to trouble fault this SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500.
I know nothing about this unit, it was bought as spares or repair. I dont even know how to set it up, but this is what I've done so far. ( Not a Lot) lol
I plugged in a solar panel, Plugged in some kind of disconnect and supplied 240v ac and nothing is coming up on the display.
I've checked there is 240v going to the board, I don't know where it goes after that, I also cant see any fuses except the big fuse by the solar input which checks ok.
The unit is consuming 20 watts.

[stj]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

the display is backlit - but it's not!
so you probably have a missing voltage - start by checking for 5v.

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

I've been told that it needs 180vdc from solar string for it to operate.
Anyone know how I can test this as I dont have enough solar panels yet.

[R_J]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Is this any help? From page 11 "Activating the Backlight illumination, The background illumination is activated by knocking on the lid. Knocking once more displays the next message on the display"

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Yeh your right you need to knock it to wake it up as it got a knock symble on the front by the display, "So small i didn't see it lol" but nothing happened with just the mains supply in. I really need some way of putting 180vdc to 400vdc in the pv side to test it before i go purchase more pannels.
Does anyone know if i could put a bridge rectifier after the mains supply to give me high enough dc voltage and put that into the pv side?

[stj]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

i would have thought it should work anyway, what if you wanted to check it at night!

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Thats what I was thinking.

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Any ideas why it weighs a ton?

[R_J]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

I think this is a straight inverter that takes the dc from the panels and converts it to ac, check on the ac side and see if there is a small transformer that it would use as a stand by supply, I don't think you will find one.

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Oh well, I got another solar panel off my mate, Connected 3 panels in series and got 125v and it lit up, but that's all it did. I'm not sure if it needs more voltage or if it's busted. Has anybody trouble shot something like this?

[R_J]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

I take it all 3 leds are on and not flashing? a search on the internet does say this unit did have an eeprom corruption problem.
h++p://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/21956/need-repair-ideas-for-a-sma-sunnyboy-2500u

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Yes all 3 led's are lit not flashing. If it's an eeprom problem then I got an interesting tear down on my hands.lol

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

I just found this in the manual, looks like it's initialization mode, " whats that mean "

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Just found this in the manual, I need more panels. Thanks to the person who found this manual

[snipersquad100]

Re: SMA Sunny Boy SB 2500 fault finding

Long time waiting but I've bought some new solar panels and I'm getting 280vdc of solar into the unit, It looks a bit more promising as its doing it's checks then it sits there waiting to connect to the grid with the green led flashing. I thought this was normal but after half an hour it still waiting.
I'm not sure if I have to connect a pc and configer something.
I've found a video on youtube with the same problem but he dont explain the fix.
https://youtu.be/lIAKg3Wtwtg
Can someone help please, I really want this up and running.
Thanks