Favorite inverter? [RE-wrenches]

[Steve Willey, Backwoods Solar]

Steve Willey       steve at backwoodssolar.com
www.backwoodssolar.com
Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
A few years ago I went out to Olympic peninsula to check on a customer who
had called Trace to complain of interference to his ham radio from the
SW4024. Trace would not go out to check it, so he called me and we did make
the trip, taking a second 4024 and a Prosine to compare radio interference,
which results I reported on the wrench list. Everything was properly
grounded and was a quality installation with conduit etc. We tried a second
unit with no change, so he accepted it as the design limitations of SW
inverters and radio interference. He had a few more communications with
Trace and that was it... until today.

He called today to report that the inverter has burned up over the weekend.
It was in charge mode from a generator, nearly finished tapered down to 3
amps of charging last time he checked, when they heard a volley of popping
noises. The inverter was emitting quantities of smoke. No fuses or breakers
interrupted, so he manually shut off an
outside disconnect at the battery box, and cut the generator. The SW was
covered with black soot which he wiped off an the nremoved it from the
installation.

I had read about this happening years in the past, but never happened
to my customers. Warranty is expired by just 3 months (sold August 2000).  I
will contact
factory before telling him to send to a repair station, as they may be
interested in seeing what burned. Any suggestions?

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