ST XR series, anyone tried on yet? [RE-wrenches]

[Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection]

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William,

>Also, it sounds like you are assuming the shut-downs are caused by grid
>problems.  Do you have evidence of that?  (After watching the original ST
>inverters shut down hundreds of times, I am convinced it was because the
>MPPT algorithm was too aggressive and, after loading the panels too much,
>the voltage collapsed.  You could see the PV volts cave just before the
>shutdown.)

I'm pretty sure it's some of both, but I was told by someone in 
Xantrex (I forget who) that a MPPT crash won't trigger a 5 minute 
disconnect in the XR, which shouldn't show up as a "V" error fault. 
This particular installation is way out in farming country. I'm 
betting that every time a big irrigation pump kicks on in the 
neighborhood, the grid sags. I've seen it before.

>
>I did a  back-to-back comparison between the original ST2500 and the SB2500
>and found the ST to be about 10% less efficient than the SB.  Sounds like
>we may be in the same ballpark.  This comparison was relevant for the
>periods of time that the ST was running.  Frequent shut-downs and the
>subsequent time-outs could reduce the efficiency significantly.
>
>This was actually a trick question as I installed two XRs yesterday, but
>wanted to reserve judgement until I heard from others.  One of my two
>inverters had a missing lower line on the display.  This was also
>disappointing as I have many of display failures in the original STs.

I had that missing line thing in one of mine too. No doubt the lowest 
bidder got the contract....

>
>I'm looking for a reason to use STs rather than Sunny Boys and I haven't
>found one yet.  With the SB1800s now shipping (they are shipping, aren't
>they?) the 1500 no longer fills any kind of gap in the product line.

Actually, they aren't shipping just yet. I'm looking to have stock in 
mid-July at best.
I'm probably one of the last to find this out, but in case you didn't 
know, the SB1800 is a 120vac machine. It needs about 140VDC in and 
quits at 400Voc. Might make a bit of a difference in your designs.
I think there is still a place for the STXR 1000. The GC-1000 doesn't 
seem to be any more or less impressive.
Best, bob-O
-- 
Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection
PO Box 203, Hornbrook, CA 96044
800.945.7587 or 530.475.3402
fax 530-475-3401
www.electronconnection.com

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