Split it [RE-wrenches]

[R. Sparks Scott]

	Carl;

	I'll venture a reply here, since no one else has yet.

	Splitting an SW into two chassis is impractical for the following reason:
	Most of the weight of these inverters is the three transformers inside,
heavy iron-core copper-wound monsters that could survive most anything, and
probably have a failure rate of zero in practical terms. The AC side of
these transformers are simply wired in series, and that's your AC in/out.
The DC side is where the MOSFET devices connect. There are multiple
connections between the MOSFET's and the transformers, something like 18 if
I remember right. All of these connections would need to be run through a
connector to split the chassis. This connector would be a major weak point,
as it would add mechanical strain and electrical resistance in the very
worst place imaginable, the high-current, low-voltage circuit of the
inverter. Additional conductors for transformer temperature, etc would also
be required.
	A more practical solution has already been discussed in part, which would
be to have Trace Factory Certified techs (like yourself) who could swap out
the defective MOSFET devices (as a unit on the PC board), without having to
ship out the entire box. Of course, this might require an installer who
wanted to do the certification program to know a lot more about how the
inverters work, how to enter and manipulate the 'tech menu' at the end of
the setup menus, etc, but overall, it would be more efficient to just send
the defective board back to Trace for evaluation/repair/replacement instead
of the whole cabinet. Having a spare MOSFET board on hand might be a bit
expensive for the average installer, but Trace could offer an exchange
program and/or 24 hour turn-around repair for boards in or out of warranty
(charges may apply). This is how it works in broadcast. Most manufacturers
have programs in place to get you back on the air as quickly as possible,
without having to send your entire transmitting plant into the factory.
	So, splitting the chassis isn't a practical solution, but since an
inverter is only a bit more complicated than a modern washing machine,
there are other, well-established routines for taking care of failures in
an expedient manner.

	-S

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