Vanner vanities [RE-wrenches]

Sun Jan 21 21:23:57 PST 2001

mmangelsdorf at hei.com wrote:

> Anyone out there have any experience with the relatively new Vanner "IT" and
> True-Sine inverters?

Aloha Marco,

In October of 2000 I installed a Vanner TSC24-4500D for a customer off grid
with various outbuildings and some 240 volt loads I wanted to be able to
operate without a transformer.  The TSC fit the bill.  It is not a  grid
tieable unit. It is working fine.
The remote control is the only programing access and is a bit convoluted to get
a hang of.  Actually, it sucks.

Since then, I was invited to try out the new RE-4500-D in it's place.  It is
designed as a grid tieable unit and has some nice features such as the top DC
and bottom AC  wiring channel which is accessed from left or right side.  It
too uses the same remote format with a somewhat more user friendly logic flow
and programing.  It is a gidtie designed unit and has great promise once they
work out the bugs.  Unfortunately it would not charge when I fired up the
generator and had to temp the TSC back in untill I could talk to their
programer on another day due to the time difference.  To make a long story
tolerable, I reinstalledt the TSC  permanently while they are still working out
the kinks for hybrid use. During the troublshooting phase  I had to go into
factory access to change some default perameters so that it would accept the
generator specs which were fine for a generator and normal.

I'll cut to the chase.  They are working out bugs and plan to visit a few field
installs  in Feb. to get in touch with reality. I have volunteered to reinstall
the RE 4500 on another job that is in progress that will facilitate my keeping
the customers current 4024/gen/batt system functioning while I build up the
array and new power shed and try out the RE4500 without cutting juice to the
customer. More phone time is in the schedule for sure.   I am learning in the
process, though it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it pays to use what
you know works.  But then there wouldn't be a Trace engineering if someone
didn't think it could be done better.

Analysis:  Take my advice, I'm not using it.    Give Vanner some more time to
find their way through the maze.  Our industry can only benefit if their is
more than one great inverter on the market.  I've talked to 4-5 folks there and
they are committed to their work like we are.  It is hopefully just a matter of
time.

Disclaimer:  I am a relatively green dealer/installer  (2 years RE, 20+ years
electrician) and am not a seasoned veteran like many on this list.  Therefore
my perspective is best seasoned with a pinch of salt.

I don't know about CA certification but they are grid tied in the "lab" and all
is well there in Ohio.   Today Ohio, Tomorrow the world.

Take care amigos,   Wally Stahle

>

> explicit mention of whether their TSC 24-4500 True-Sine inverter was for
> utility intertie as well as stand-alone applications.  I talked to Vanner
> months ago and thought that they were going to have their new grid-tie
> inverter available very soon.  Does anyone know anything about this or
> whether they've submitted their units for testing by, say, the CA. Energy
> Commission (Endecon) for inclusion in the CEC renewables buy-down program?
>
> aloha from the islands,
> marco
>
> Marco Mangelsdorf, Ph.D.

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