Solar Panel Problems.

outofmoney

We have just moved to a new house with solar panels. Our Humax DTRs which had worked fine before are now going beserk. They switch on and off all day (But stop around 7pm) and channels change with volume going up and down. Watching TV during the day is not an option.

We have tried everything, and as a last resort tried switching the solar panels off. Hey presto - no problem.

How can we stop the interference as I don't think we are meant to have the panels switched off (Social Housing)

Strider590

Solar systems can generate RF interference and power inverters do produce a poor quality mains power, these could cause poor signal, but the only thing that going to cause channel changes and volume changes is if someone was messing with the remote control or the generation of infra-red interference.

agrinnall

As it's social housing your first stop should be your landlord to ask for the installation to be checked. My own solar panels don't cause any such problems (or indeed any problems at all) but there may be a fault in yours that is causing some of your issues.

Discodave

this can happen especially if aerial is in loft

outofmoney

Strider590 wrote: »

Solar systems can generate RF interference and power inverters do produce a poor quality mains power, these could cause poor signal, but the only thing that going to cause channel changes and volume changes is if someone was messing with the remote control or the generation of infra-red interference.

Nope. No one is touching the remotes. It is happening on two machines.

bod1467

Discodave wrote: »

this can happen especially if aerial is in loft

Volume and channel changes on a Humax DTR can be caused by siting an aerial close to a solar power unit? Really? I somewhat have my doubts.

What's more likely is that the inverter has a fault and is spewing noise into the mains supply in the house. It is this noise that is causing the issues. One (intermediate) solution could be to fit a noise suppressor between the mains socket and the DTR, and likewise for the TV. The full solution would be to get the solar system looked at and any fault fixed.

Discodave

bod1467 wrote: »

Volume and channel changes on a Humax DTR can be caused by siting an aerial close to a solar power unit? Really? I somewhat have my doubts.

What's more likely is that the inverter has a fault and is spewing noise into the mains supply in the house. It is this noise that is causing the issues. One (intermediate) solution could be to fit a noise suppressor between the mains socket and the DTR, and likewise for the TV. The full solution would be to get the solar system looked at and any fault fixed.

Im not doubting what you say there, but that option was from the a friend who runs Solar Panel Company

outofmoney

Turned the solar panels back on this morning and within ten minutes the problem has re started. So they are definitely the cause.
Will get in to the HO to see what they say.

Bod1467 - I have read similar and so think you are right. We have two DTRs though so not sure how we would fix it.

bod1467

Something like this on each mains-powered item (DTR, TV):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maintrab-6A-mains-filter-Transient-RFI-protection-Audio-Computer-OM1148-/251282145765

Or something like this for multiple items at the same location:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tacima-Conditioner-Frequency-Interference-Filter/dp/B000PS5700

That's the probable intermediate/temporary fix.

Ainsley1

I am with bod on this. (And am professionally qualified in electronic engineering)
The inverter is the most likely cause (but not necessarily) and there are standards that need to be met regarding interference generated so the HO should be the first port of call to get the problem resolved. They need to call in an expert to diagnose and fault find or just change the system components. The HO. have an obligation to meet EU standards.

outofmoney

Sadly the HO sent the builder round (only came a couple of days ago) who stood at the front door and stated that the Panels were correctly installed so the issue was ours. No check or anything!

Have tried Ferrite Beads and sadly they did not work.