How do you deal with Inverter heat?

[clokwise]

I installed a Deye 3-phase inverter and a couple batteries three months ago. All the gear is installed in the wedge shaped closet under the stairs.

 

I knew at that time that we'd have to eventually deal with the excess heat, and with summer rapidly approaching I need to do this real soon, it's getting quite hot in there already.

 

I'm curious how others have tackled this problem.

 

I currently have an extractor fan in the ceiling, however the draw of that fan in minimal. I have put a Hatari standalone fan in there as a temporary solution, and that has worked well, at least in the winter.

 

Options I'm considering:

 

I could construct a cover and pipe over the Inverter to funnel the heat directly up into the extractor fan

 

I could install a small wall mounted A/C unit

 

I could install a MUCH stronger fan in the extractor

 

?????

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Electronic components can handle high temperatures (i.e. like 50 degrees Celsius). What they should have is a constant air flow.

I think you should have a cabinet similar to this picture with fans and the top and bottom. Make sure they move a lot of air through the cabinet. 

And then obviously make sure the room itself is not too hot.

 

 

You can buy or maybe borrow IR heat cameras, some work with your phone. Then you can check how hot parts get in your box.

 

 

 

 

[UWEB]

1 hour ago, clokwise said:

I installed a Deye 3-phase inverter and a couple batteries three months ago. All the gear is installed in the wedge shaped closet under the stairs.

 

I knew at that time that we'd have to eventually deal with the excess heat, and with summer rapidly approaching I need to do this real soon, it's getting quite hot in there already.

 

I'm curious how others have tackled this problem.

 

I currently have an extractor fan in the ceiling, however the draw of that fan in minimal. I have put a Hatari standalone fan in there as a temporary solution, and that has worked well, at least in the winter.

 

Options I'm considering:

 

I could construct a cover and pipe over the Inverter to funnel the heat directly up into the extractor fan

 

I could install a small wall mounted A/C unit

 

I could install a MUCH stronger fan in the extractor

 

?????

 

 

I have two Deye 10kw Hybrids installed and 3 x 10 kw ESS, to keep them cool I have installed a 9000 BTU Aircon.

[Crossy]

Our 5kW Deye hybrids (3 of the beasts) are outdoors, under the shade of the car port.

 

Deye inverters are specced -40C to +60C ambient, but derate when >45C. Obviously, the cooler they run the better.

 

I have added some fans to help with the fanless cooling.

 

 

And a simple thermostat to control them. The sensor is bolted to the inverter heatsink.

 

 

 

[clokwise]

I keep a thermometer in the closet and it gets bloody hot in there, no need to thermal image anything 555

 

The exhaust fans along the top of the inverter are pushing out most of the heat right there, so I'll need to construct some sort of duct system to collect the heat and take it outside.

 

Has anyone used a portable A/C unit? They don't seem like a good option since they collect a lot of water which will need to be changed frequently, but are there any available (in Thailand) with a condenser to push steam outside? Or is that still not a good idea?

 

[carlyai]

@cokwise off topic, but, I'd like to pick your brain a bit about your 3 phase inverter installation.

I hope to install a 3 phase inverter ++ this year.

I will need some help and was hoping with help from this forum I could do it.

I don't see a place to PM you for some questions.

How can I contact you (that's if you don't mind).

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, clokwise said:

I keep a thermometer in the closet and it gets bloody hot in there, no need to thermal image anything 555

 

Obviously, you don't really need a thermal image.

But the health of that inverter depends on every single part. 

I.e. if one part get 80 degrees hot but it should be not more than 60 than that is a problem.

With an IR camera problems like that are easy to identify. I think I bought my one for about 5000B - I think it's a good investment. 

[Crossy]

3 hours ago, clokwise said:

I keep a thermometer in the closet and it gets bloody hot in there, no need to thermal image anything 555

 

The exhaust fans along the top of the inverter are pushing out most of the heat right there, so I'll need to construct some sort of duct system to collect the heat and take it outside.

 

Has anyone used a portable A/C unit? They don't seem like a good option since they collect a lot of water which will need to be changed frequently, but are there any available (in Thailand) with a condenser to push steam outside? Or is that still not a good idea?

 

 

The portables need looking after, water top-up etc. etc.

 

Small mini-split inverter A/C units (say 9,000BTU) are readily available and sip the energy when running relatively light. You don't need server-room cool, just keep things in the mid 20sC.

[clokwise]

16 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

The portables need looking after, water top-up etc. etc.

 

Small mini-split inverter A/C units (say 9,000BTU) are readily available and sip the energy when running relatively light. You don't need server-room cool, just keep things in the mid 20sC.

 

Yeah, that's probably what I'm gonna end up doing. I saw some portable units for sale on Amazon.com which send the steam outside to condense in the air, but haven't spotted any here, so a small wall-unit will definitely do the trick. I will try routing the heat via ducts first, as it is cheap and easy.

[clokwise]

19 hours ago, carlyai said:

@cokwise off topic, but, I'd like to pick your brain a bit about your 3 phase inverter installation.

I hope to install a 3 phase inverter ++ this year.

I will need some help and was hoping with help from this forum I could do it.

I don't see a place to PM you for some questions.

How can I contact you (that's if you don't mind).

 

 

 

 

Although I'm a nerd about many kinds of electrical things, I chose to hire an installer just to ensure it was done quickly and safely. I'd recommend going that route unless you have prior experience installing solar inverters. My installer also offered a pretty good price for all the hardware needed, vs. me buying it all myself, so that saved a bunch.

 

 

[Fruit Trader]

1 hour ago, clokwise said:

I saw some portable units for sale on Amazon.com which send the steam outside to condense in the air, but haven't spotted any here

 

Both TCL and Hisense brand portable AC's have external vents and provision for external condensate drain line.

 

Hisense model AP-08CR

TCL model CPA/SL2
 

[carlyai]

2 hours ago, clokwise said:

 

Although I'm a nerd about many kinds of electrical things, I chose to hire an installer just to ensure it was done quickly and safely. I'd recommend going that route unless you have prior experience installing solar inverters. My installer also offered a pretty good price for all the hardware needed, vs. me buying it all myself, so that saved a bunch.

 

 

Thanks for the reply. 

I just wondered why you chose that brand inverter and why you didn't install 3 single phase inverters.

I have seen some reports of trouble with a combined 3 phase inverter if the phases are not balanced.

 

 

[lom]

4 hours ago, carlyai said:

Thanks for the reply. 

I just wondered why you chose that brand inverter and why you didn't install 3 single phase inverters.

I have seen some reports of trouble with a combined 3 phase inverter if the phases are not balanced.

 

I have a 12KW 3-hase Deye and sometimes regret that I didn't have the space for 3x10KW single phase inverter.

3 single phase inverters do require 3 separate battery strings and 3 separate pv strings though and that is not possible for me to have.

[carlyai]

42 minutes ago, lom said:

I have a 12KW 3-hase Deye and sometimes regret that I didn't have the space for 3x10KW single phase inverter.

3 single phase inverters do require 3 separate battery strings and 3 separate pv strings though and that is not possible for me to have.

Thanks. Why do you sometimes regret not having 3 single phase inverters?

Is it to do with the 3 phase inverter tripping if the phases are not balanced?

Thanks.

[lom]

4 hours ago, carlyai said:

Thanks. Why do you sometimes regret not having 3 single phase inverters?

Is it to do with the 3 phase inverter tripping if the phases are not balanced?

Thanks.

It is about tripping if a load is higher than inverter output rating on a single phase and the PEA grid is down.

It is not a huge nuisance but it has happened a few times during the last year that the bathroom lamp has switched off when using  hot water and then I instantly know that the grid is down. Only thing to do then is to turn off hot water, wait for inverter to reset and continue with a cold shower.. 😉

[Ben Zioner]

On 2/19/2025 at 5:54 PM, clokwise said:

I could install a small wall mounted A/C unit

Which would increase the heat produced by the inverter. Beware of thermal runaway. 

[carlyai]

3 minutes ago, lom said:

It is about tripping if a load is higher than inverter output rating on a single phase and the PEA grid is down.

It is not a huge nuisance but it has happened a few times during the last year that the bathroom lamp has switched off when using  hot water and then I instantly know that the grid is down. Only thing to do then is to turn off hot water, wait for inverter to reset and continue with a cold shower.. 😉

I see, so that would be a normal safety feature of the inverter. 

So the trick would be to never draw more from the inverter (on its own) that it is rated to deliver without the grid?

Do you like the brand of inverter you have?

[lom]

27 minutes ago, carlyai said:

I see, so that would be a normal safety feature of the inverter. 

So the trick would be to never draw more from the inverter (on its own) that it is rated to deliver without the grid?

Yes so in my case it might be enough to rewire so that there is no other consumers on the hot water heater phase, the heaters rating is actually right on the same spot as the inverters max short time rating for a single phase. As I said it is not a huge nuisance and I'm a bit lazy..

 

28 minutes ago, carlyai said:

Do you like the brand of inverter you have?

Yes, I'm very satisfied with it and I checked out many other inverters by downloading their users manuals before choosing Deye.

[carlyai]

4 hours ago, lom said:

Yes so in my case it might be enough to rewire so that there is no other consumers on the hot water heater phase, the heaters rating is actually right on the same spot as the inverters max short time rating for a single phase. As I said it is not a huge nuisance and I'm a bit lazy..

 

Yes, I'm very satisfied with it and I checked out many other inverters by downloading their users manuals before choosing Deye.

I think that is going to be a problem for me also as I have 2 3 phase multi-point water heaters. From memory I think one draws 11 A / phase when on the 'hot' setting. That would be 22A per phase if both units are on plus anything else.

Maybe best to route the heaters wiring only from the grid, but for my place, a difficult wiring modification.

Can I contact you to find out more about your inverter as this is someone else's thread?

[mateusz1945]

i added extra exhaust to the  outside . 3 pc fans automatically controlled by dedicated pcb. Room gets ventilation and inverter stays cool. since installed internal DC temperature never allowed to reach 70 C

[Crossy]

20 hours ago, mateusz1945 said:

i added extra exhaust to the  outside . 3 pc fans automatically controlled by dedicated pcb. Room gets ventilation and inverter stays cool. since installed internal DC temperature never allowed to reach 70 C

 

Are you monitoring the temperature of the room or the inverter heatsink with your PCB?

 

We're using a similar device but with the sensor attached to the heatsink, fans start when the heatsink reaches 43C.

 

[clokwise]

On 2/21/2025 at 10:15 AM, Fruit Trader said:

 

Both TCL and Hisense brand portable AC's have external vents and provision for external condensate drain line.

 

Hisense model AP-08CR

TCL model CPA/SL2
 

Thank you!

[Yellowtail]

If you want to air-condition a room or area without external walls, be sure to use a condensate pump. 

 

Why put equipment that generates a lot of heat indoors?

 

 

[KhunLA]

Our SS is in the entrance foyer, so live in AC comfort with us.  A bit noisy at times, but cool as can be.

 

Something to consider if going solar.  If inside, and room / area not AC'd, things heat up fast here.  

 

Our storage rooms gets way too hot during the day.  So much so, I park the ebike outside, under the carport at times.  Though keep the doors open to the storage area, so cool air from main house flows 'down' to it, since  few steps lower, at ground level.  Rest of house is half meter off the ground.

[clokwise]

On 2/21/2025 at 11:23 AM, carlyai said:

Thanks for the reply. 

I just wondered why you chose that brand inverter and why you didn't install 3 single phase inverters.

I have seen some reports of trouble with a combined 3 phase inverter if the phases are not balanced.

 

I just took the word of my installer on that topic. I didn't care for being locked into the Xiaomi ecosystem, and it's more expensive than Deye. Initially I was advised to remove certain devices, motors and heaters from the inverter and keep them grid-only, however one of the reasons we went with battery/solar is because in our area the grid goes off frequently (it's off right now in fact) and I've already had to replace countless pump motors destroyed by power cuts. So keeping them on the battery was a necessity. Ultimately I chose to put everything under the Inverter. And at least so far, no issues with phase imbalances. I also use the Solarman Home Assistant integration to alert me of any serious issues with the grid or inverter, just in case.

[clokwise]

22 hours ago, mateusz1945 said:

i added extra exhaust to the  outside . 3 pc fans automatically controlled by dedicated pcb. Room gets ventilation and inverter stays cool. since installed internal DC temperature never allowed to reach 70 C

 

Very cool. I will likely to this too. At least to start with. If things still gets too hot I'll have to install an A/C in there though.

 

The dedicated PCB and thermostat seems overkill, although I'm sure it works great. I will be using Home Assistant, a bluetooth thermometer in the room, plus I'll tap into the Inverter's own thermometers via Solarman, and a wifi smart switch for controlling the fans.

[mateusz1945]

4 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Are you monitoring the temperature of the room or the inverter heatsink with your PCB?

 

We're using a similar device but with the sensor attached to the heatsink, fans start when the heatsink reaches 43C.

 

temp sensor connected to heatsink also. fans starting to speed up above 39C. with this pcb fans idle always (1.3w) i thought it was strange but room could benefit from ventilation.
monitoring internal temperatures with home assistant.

[mateusz1945]

2 hours ago, clokwise said:

 

Very cool. I will likely to this too. At least to start with. If things still gets too hot I'll have to install an A/C in there though.

 

The dedicated PCB and thermostat seems overkill, although I'm sure it works great. I will be using Home Assistant, a bluetooth thermometer in the room, plus I'll tap into the Inverter's own thermometers via Solarman, and a wifi smart switch for controlling the fans.

that pcb is a controller and a thermostat and cost like 2$. (PWM smooth control)  For me overkill is involving software and programing but you still need switch for the fans.
also using home assistant for collecting data from solarman. Used it to calibrate termostat to desired temp. After that you can forget it.

[carlyai]

Can you give me the PCB and thermostar order details please?

Also the details of the installed fans please.

[Yellowtail]

If I could, I would just hook the fans up to the DC from the panels.

 

No electricity from the panels and they are on.

 

No electricity from the panels and they're off, but there's no real heat anyways.