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.

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A red Event light accompanied by a Low Battery V (voltage) error indicates that your inverter is not producing output voltage or the grid is being used when it should not be. More specifically, the DC voltage has dropped to the inverter’s LBCO (Low Battery Cut Out) set point. To fix the error, charge the battery. The inverter recovers from LBCO after charging to Cut-In Voltage for 10 minutes, at which point the error clears itself and the inverter automatically resumes functioning. For more information on Event lights, review your inverter’s Operator’s Manual and the Mate/Mate3 Programming Guide or Overview Guide.

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If your charge controller shows “EX-Absorb,” this indicates that there is an additional external source holding the batteries above the charge controller’s absorb voltage. See your charge controller’s Owner’s Manual for information on EX-Absorb.

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SOC stands for “State Of Charge” and is an indication of the amount of charge in a battery, ranging from 100% full to empty. The Mate displays the SOC value that is derived from the FLEXnet DC (FN-DC) battery monitor. The FN-DC gathers its data from the DC shunts that are installed between the DC loads. Typical reasons for incorrect SOC readings include mis-wired shunts or wrong programming set-points in the FN-DC setup. For more information about the SOC, view the FN-DC battery monitor User Guide and Application Notes. To learn more about the FN-DC, view Part 1 and Part 2 tutorial videos on how to install the product or learn how to program the advanced controls in this tutorial.

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Event lights (red) indicate a change in the system status. A flashing Event light indicates a system warning; a solid Event light indicates a system error. View the Event History screen for a log of all events to aid in troubleshooting. For more information on Event lights or Event History, refer to your Mate/Mate3 Programming Manual or Overview Guide.

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A tripped GFDI breaker is an indication of a ground fault or over current issue between the solar charge controller and your batteries. The most common cause for a tripped GFDI is an over current condition. For more information on your GFDI, please refer to this document on how to avoid nuisance tripping or go to your Owner’s Manual.

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.

“AGS” stands for “Advanced Generator Start” and is a programming feature available on Mate/Mate3. It allows an OutBack system to control the start/stop conditions of a generator. To learn about AGS basic, please refer to these tech notes or view this tutorial video. For further information, review your product’s Programming Guide or Overview Guide.

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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.

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Optics is a monitoring and control program available with OutBack systems. For more information, view these tutorial videos on how to install OpticsRE and how to share your OpticsRE profile.

Firmware updates for OutBack equipment are available here. For more information, view this tutorial video on how to update the Mate3.

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.

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If your inverter is not connecting to its AC source, perform the following checks:

1. Measure the inverter’s input AC voltage (refer to diagram below) 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 only: Confirm nature of the AC Source. Check AC voltage between L1, L2, 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 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”.
3. 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.

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If your charge controller shows “Snooze”, that means it is not charging the batteries and there is no solar production. This is because there is likely because there is not enough light to allow charging. This is normal in the morning, evening, or in heavy clouds (low light). In other cases, it may be that your VMP is too low (see manual). The threshold for Snooze mode is configurable. See your charge controller’s Owner’s Manual for information on Snooze.

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If your charge controller shows “Sleeping”, it is not charging your batteries and there is no solar production. This normally appears at night, when no PV energy is available. Abnormal periods of sleeping could result from the PV voltage input being is less than the battery voltage or controller failure.

To troubleshoot:

• Examine the main screen and verify the “IN” voltage is higher than the “OUT” voltage
• Verify that there is enough power available for the controller to operate (clear skies)

For further troubleshooting, see your charge controller’s Owner’s Manual for more information on Sleeping.

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Stacking is the method that OutBack uses to allow the inverters to act as a single system and work together to charge batteries and provide power loads. For further specifications on how and what can be stacked, refer to these tech notes or this tutorial video on stacking FXR and Radian inverters. For more information specific to your set-up, refer to your inverter’s Operator’s Manual, Installation Manual, or Quick Start Guide.

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GFDI stands for “Ground Fault Detector Interrupter”. The GFDI exists between the solar charge controller and the batteries and indicates when either a ground fault condition or an overcurrent condition occurs. For more information on your GFDI, please refer to this document on how to avoid nuisance tripping or go to your Owner’s Manual.

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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.

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“AUX” stands for “auxiliary”. On Outback equipment, the AUX port is a low-current, 12-volt supply or relay used to perform various tasks. It can be (but is not always) used to control an external device such as a vent fan or external relay. When considering AUX applications, plan for both connection requirements and programming with the Mate/Mate3 system display. For more information on your AUX port, review your product’s Programming Guide and Overview Guide.

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“HBX” stands for “High Battery Transfer” and is a programming feature available on the Mate/Mate3. If enabled, it allows an OutBack system to utilize charged batteries and transfer to the grid when the batteries become depleted. HBX mode has similar priorities to the Mini Grid input mode contained within the FXR inverter. Either mode may achieve similar results, but they are not identical. View this tutorial video to learn more about HBX and how to program it. For more information, review the Mate/Mate3 User Manual (the Operator’s Manual for your inverter should also briefly describe HBX).

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Many OutBack devices are equipped with an internal fan which aids in air circulation and cooling. A failure indicates a faulty cooling fan. For an Internal Fan Failure, please contact an OutBack Service department.

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The Optics login page can be accessed here. For more information about Optics, view these tutorial videos on how to install OpticsRE and how to share your OpticsRE profile.

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.

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Yes, the Radian 8048A inverter can be stacked in parallel with the Radian 4048A inverter. For more information on stacking, review the Operator’s Manual for your product (page 36).

Click Here for Radian Series GS4048A/8048A Reference Documentation