ST problems [RE-wrenches]

[Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar]

Thanks William. You're right, this is sort of thing the Wrenches list is
for.  My experience regarding the ST and batteryless inverters in general is
zero (other than a Omnion about 6 or 7 years ago)... I have yet to install
one or even have a customer think seriously about installing one.  Cheap
electricity  combined with no tax credits or buy down program pretty much
guarantee that no one will take them seriously anywhere near me.  I would be
interested to know what sort of sales these inverters are having in areas
similar to mine.

Travis Creswell
Ozark Solar

----- Original Message -----
From: "William Miller" <wrmiller at slonet.org>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 11:52 PM
Subject: ST problems [RE-wrenches]


> Friends:
>
> I will continue to report on progress with all RE equipment I am exposed
to
> as that is one of the prime functions of a group such as this.  Below is
an
> e-mail message indicative of my experience working with ST inverters.  I'm
> sure you are all aware what a drag it is to continue to travel to a
> client's location after the job is done for repeated equipment problems.
> The engineers at Trace are great folks and dedicated, but in spite of
their
> efforts, the problems continue.
>
> Here is the score card:  Of the 8 ST inverters installed so far:
>
> 2 are working consistently, albeit with a lower efficiency than I might
> have expected.
> 1 has been replaced with a Sunny Boy at the clients insistence
> 1 is showing reduced output after replacing the firmware
> 1 produces a reduced power output before the required time out
> 1 was purchased by the customer over the internet and is now his problem,
> but it was shutting down consistently.
> 2 have "died" as per the message below after other problems (displays
> blanking, shutting down)
>
> I have enjoyed working with the SW equipment in spite of shortcomings.  I
> hope Trace improves reliability with the ST line.  I am willing to assist
> where I can, but the process is costing me time, money, and customer
> confidence.
>
> I have heard little from others on the ST performance, good or bad.  I
> would speculate that: not many are using them and/or others are not
> comfortable publishing their negative experiences for fear of straining
> relations with Trace.  I guess the latter may be an advantage to an
> installer not being a dealer.  I can't say I enjoy being the only one
> complaining about a product, but I feel compelled to assist my colleagues
> by providing accurate reports from the field.
>
> Stay tuned.
>
> ---Text of client message:
>
> Hi William,
>
> Sorry to say that both inverters "died" this afternoon.... R. called
> (supplier) earlier after we got your phone message since the right one
> was cycling way down again, and he asked that both of them be replaced
since
> the left one had started making a louder buzzing noise also. When I went
to
> check on them later today, both were making a repeating zap sound and the
> displays were blinking on and off in unison with the sound. As soon as
> they're reinstalled, I'll test as you asked.
>
> G.
>
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> William Miller
> SLO Communications: Communications and Power Systems Consulting
> PO Box 50, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
> Voice :805-438-5600 Fax: 805-438-4607 VMail: 805-546-4875
> email: wrmiller at slonet.org
> License No. C-10-773985
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