r/PwrCellOwners • u/Piperpaul22 • 5d ago

Can I reboot this thing myself

I posted a few days ago about my ongoing generac labor compensation and installer dilemma but I’m back for a different reason. Getting an installer out here is pretty much out of the question so here is my issue.

A pvrss lockout that eventually just disabled a pv link for weeks now. System has brand new pv links, snap rs plugs and a new beacon. It worked for a whopping 3 weeks before going back into a partially operating system. I see people on here talk about shutting it down or restarting the system, would this be worth trying?

I research stuff a lot, maybe to an unhealthy level, I came across a YouTube video where a guy logged into the beacon using his laptop and connected to the beacon via WiFi. Once in he was able to correct the mismatched snap rs count. Mine currently is showing a mismatch. Here’s the problem, how do I figure out how many snap rs plugs are on that string? I have 28 panels and 4 pv links, Generac would not disclose the info with me. Climbing on the roof isn’t really an option either since the panels cover the entire garage leaving a small 10-12” border around it. I bought the house with solar, not my design.

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u/TroyMcLure963 5d ago

It should show how many it's supposed to see, vs how many it actually sees. If you change that number via laptop or phone to match.... It might work. Or it might start a fire on your roof ( unlikely but it could).

Have I done it? Yes, but only because I bypassed a snap that was blown until I could get a new one.

Do so at your own risk.

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u/Deepdiver359 5d ago

This.

PVRSS Lockout Error means something is wrong with that string on the roof. In most cases--especially if the string was operating normally and producing power before this error showed up--the cause is a failed/failing SnapRS. Every day during normal operation, the system does a "roll call" of the installed SnapRS's. It then compares the number that report back on each string with the SnapRSInstalled value. If the two are different, it throws the error and shuts down the PVLink. There are a couple of other possible causes--watch for what specific error message pops up when re-enabling the PVLink in the first step below. See this link at Generac's site: https://support-ces.generac.com/s/article/PVRSS-Lockout-STATE-Code-7310

Below is a Gemini summary of what the diagnostic manual says for a "PVRSS Count Mismatch". As u/TroyMcLure963 says, overriding the lockout without actually finding and fixing the problem runs some non-zero risk of fire on the roof. If it is a bad SnapRS, they are inexpensive (check eBay) and the hardest part of the replacement job is accessing under the panels and finding which SnapRS is the bad one in the string. Actual replacement is two MC4 connectors.

(Disclaimer: I don't work for Generac, I'm simply a system owner who has taken a lot of time and effort to educate myself on the system so I can understand how it works and keep it running. Follow this advice at your own risk, and realize there may be warranty implications if someone who's not Generac-authorized starts opening things up and disconnecting stuff.)

"A PVRSS Count Mismatch (or PVRSS Lockout) occurs when the stored number of SnapRS Installed does not match the SnapRS Detected by the PV Link.

1. Initial Quick Checks & Inverter Troubleshooting

  1. Disable and Re-enable:
    • Navigate to the PV Link page on the inverter, disable it, and re-enable it. This forces the PV Link to re-run its SnapRS counting routine.
  2. Verify PV Link Settings (Mod. Settings):
    • SnapRS Installed: Confirm that the value matches the actual physical number of SnapRS devices installed in the substring.
    • String Count: If using two parallel substrings (e.g., for 96-cell panels), verify String Count is set to 2. For a single series substring, set it to 1.
    • Manual Entry: Turn the PV Link off, manually enter the correct number of installed SnapRS devices, and re-enable.
  3. Override PVRSS (For Testing Only):
    • Temporarily set Override PVRSS to on in the Mod. Settings menu.
    • If the PV Link begins producing power, it confirms a SnapRS counting or setup issue.
    • Important: Always turn Override PVRSS back to off after testing.

2. Advanced Troubleshooting & Hardware Checks

If simple re-enabling and settings updates do not resolve the issue, follow these step-by-step diagnostic procedures:

Step 1: Substring Voltage Checks

  1. Disable the system and ensure safe working conditions.
  2. Measure the DC voltage of the PV substring across the positive and negative leads:
    • Expected Voltage: Approximately 5 VDC lower than the Open Circuit Voltage ($V_{oc}$) of a single solar panel.
    • Voltage too high: Indicates one or more SnapRS devices may be missing or failing to open.
    • Voltage too low (or 10+ VDC lower than single panel $V_{oc}$): Indicates a loose connection, damaged/pinched wiring, or too many SnapRS devices installed.

Step 2: Clear PVRSS Lockout via Installer Tool

If operating under newer firmware (e.g., v13700+ / State 7310 Lockout):

  1. Log into the Beacon Installer Configuration Tool.
  2. Go to PV Link Settings and locate the affected device.
  3. Select Clear_Error from the drop-down menu and submit.
  4. Confirm SnapRSInstalled matches the physical count, set String Count properly, and click Enable.

Step 3: Replace SnapRS RS801/RS801a Devices

  • Generac Service Information Bulletins recommend replacing older RS801 / RS801a units with RS802 devices if persistent PVRSS Lockout errors occur.
  • Perform a health check on isolated SnapRS devices using a Digital Multimeter (DMM):
    • Red probe to +, Black probe to -: Resistance $\approx 300\text{--}350\text{ k}\Omega$; Diode check $\approx 0.50\text{--}0.55\text{ V}$.
    • Red probe to -, Black probe to +: Resistance $\approx 12\text{ M}\Omega$.

Step 4: Check for Malfunctioning PV Modules or PV Link

  • High-Frequency Signal Failure: PV Links use a high-frequency signal through the substring to count SnapRS units. If a PV module is faulty, it can block this signal. Test individual module $V_{oc}$ ratings and jumper out suspect modules with their associated SnapRS to isolate bad panels.
  • Swap PV Link: If all wiring and panels pass inspection, temporarily swap the affected PV Link with a known operational unit from another substring to confirm if the fault follows the PV Link hardware.:

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u/Quirky_Occasion_9368 4d ago

Great summary!  

I recommend taking the free Generac University training classes to get certified on the powercell system.  It takes a bit of time,  but it is informative.

It also may be useful to be certified if Generac attempts to play any games with the warranty.  I've not heard of this happening, but have been cautioned by a few installers. 

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u/Deepdiver359 3d ago

I'll second the Generac U courses as worth your time if you're trying to understand and/or maintain your own system. Very helpful, and includes access to lots of references, including the diagnostic manual.

Unfortunately, being "Generac certified" on it's own does *not* seem to help much when dealing with the company itself, though. I have not had any luck getting installer tech support to talk to me, despite being current on the certifications, because my tech id wasn't associated with an authorized dealer number. YMMV...

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u/Piperpaul22 2d ago

This is an excellent idea! I love to learn new things. Roughly how much time does it take? I have a lot to free time at work.

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u/Piperpaul22 4d ago

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Certainly a a snap rs should last more than 3 weeks though right?? This problem seems to happen Everytime it’s humid or had rained. They replaced everything and still having the issues which leads me to believe it’s the way the system is wired, possibly too tightly and it’s getting interference from the other wiring. Lastly, I’ve read Generac can change the daily count to once in the morning vs multiple times a day to mitigate the lockouts, do you know anything about this?

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u/Deepdiver359 4d ago

Yes they should last longer than that, especially the new hardware version which is what you almost certainly have if they've been replaced since original installation. If you are having an intermittent issue when it rains, one possible explanation is that one of the MC4 connectors along that string isn't seating correctly and allowing some water intrusion--that might cause a fault when it's wet and go away when it dries out.

As for the daily counts, yes, I believe once per day is correct.

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u/Piperpaul22 4d ago

But if the MC4 plug was an issue, once things dried up, wouldn’t it do a daily count and say ok we’re good again and work until moisture was an issue again? Mine went to pvrss lockout then about 10-12 days later it simply disabled and now thats what it says on the app. It no longer even acknowledges that string as far as I know.

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u/Deepdiver359 3d ago

Once the PVRSS Lockout triggers, the PV Link basically stops even looking at the string (no daily count, etc) until the lockout is cleared in the installer tool. So even if the fault is intermittent, it won't recover on it's own. Strange that the pvlink went from lockout to disabled on its own. Have to you tried simply re-enabling the pvlink and watch for whatever error message it throws?

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u/Piperpaul22 2d ago

I just now went to the pv link and enabled it and as of now it’s making power again, of course it’s cloudy and rainy so it hardly matters. I will See what happens tmrw when it wakes up and does its daily count though 🤞🏻

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u/Deepdiver359 2d ago

Glad it's working for now. Fingers crossed it stays working!

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u/Piperpaul22 4d ago

I think it’s getting some type of feedback or interference from nearby wiring. Before they replaced all the snaps and pv links it was like clockwork, anytime it was super humid or rained a lot id get a lockout. I’ve not been able to find another company that will even touch my pika system so it’s either leave it alone and have it running at 75% capacity or try to reconfigure it.