Vanner RE-4500 [RE-wrenches]

Fri Nov 22 13:06:00 PST 2002

Bob,

I'll keep my message brief and to the point.

1. The initial traunch of first RE systems to the field were beta tested
prior to release.
2. When I prior stated mis-applied, I would clarify there were multiple
installations incorporating inter-operation with sub standard gen-sets. (I
know for a fact that this is an issue not exclusive to Vanner).
3. I'd appreciate a personal call on any outstanding issues you have, and
relating to upgrades etc. .
4. The latest version of firmware really was just housekeeping work and
there were lots of minor tweaks to deal with our experiences to date. The
SLX variants have been helpful in nailing anomalies.
5. Thanks for the comments regarding commitment. The team here appreciates
them.

The last thing I'd like to say is that with any new product ( even beta
tested to the ends of the earth ), there is always the unexpected. I would
point out that all manufacturers go through market inception difficulties,
just some manage to hide them better. We can attest that our recent policy
of 100% burn-in of all Vanner products pays dividends not only for us but
for installers and end-users alike.

I look forward to talking with you.

Phil Irwin
Director of Marketing - Vanner Incorporated

4282 Reynolds Drive, Hilliard, Ohio, USA, 43026
Tel +1 614 771 2718
Fax +1 614 771 4904
Web http://www.vanner.com
e-mail phili at vanner.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Maynard, Energy Outfitters [mailto:bob at energyoutfitters.com]
> Sent: Friday, November 22, 2002 2:30 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Vanner RE-4500 [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Phil,
> Thank you for your your post.  My comments and questions follow
> in your text
> below.
>
> Regards,
> Bob Maynard
> Energy Outfitters
> 800-467-6527
>
>
> >Though I am bound by the forum rules to keep Vanner's input to
> installation
> advice limited to a >strictly technical nature. It would be appropriate to
> present an equal position from us, the    >manufacturer.
>
> Thank you for sharing Vanner's position in an open forum.
>
> >As with all new electronic products during their inception, some
> aspects of
> operation are only  >learnt and developed from real field trials and real
> applications.
>
> The RE-4500 was represented to our company as a finished product
> ready to go
> to customers in off grid and grid tie environments.  We applied
> your product
> as represented to real world customer applications.  Each unit we sold has
> not performed as advertised, most have been replaced with "updated" units
> and problems still exist.  We have less than satisfied end users
> and dealers
> who have long since lost any profit from their sale due to hours and hours
> spent returning to the jobsites.  Had the RE-4500 been
> represented as "ready
> for field trial", we would have placed them as beta units in controlled
> situations.
>
> >You are all probably aware that Vanner is a comparitive 'newbie'
> to the RE
> market. We do however >have a wealth of experience in inverter
> manufacturing
> in other markets. Indeed many of our early >efforts were frought with
> problems because of mis-applied projects, not design. However, we
>     >would
> say however that we have gained a huge amount of data with our partners
> co-operation, and >release v3.0 of our software is a direct result of our
> trials (and tribulations) we have learnt >from over the last few years.
>
> My experience is Vanner builds excellent and reliable inverters for the
> mobile market.  A real committment on Vanner's part to the RE market could
> provide Vanner with increased market share.  Could you share more about
> v3.0, what problems this has cleared up in off grid and grid tie
> installations of RE-4500?  How do we get it?  Is it field
> installable?  What
> problems have been found, if any, now that v3.0 is in the field?
>
> >Vanner on Monday presented to the National Wind Energy
> Conference in Dublin
> OH, its first wind  >application site at Glacier Ridge Metro
> Park. This is a
> 10KW Bergey with 2//40xFNC206L Hoppecke >NiCd batteries, the PWM fornt-end
> consists of a Vanner RE48-DCM, RE48-ACM split by a v3.0 RE48- >4500
> inverter. I was personally involved with this trouble free project, and it
> took 45 seconds >to commission the Vanner equipment. It is functioning
> beyond expectations. The feedback to      >Vanner from the conference was
> extremely positive and in fact the features we demonstrated of
> >our latest
> iteration software were more than encouraging.
>
> Congratulations are in order.
>
> >I do not wish to use the forum as a podium for corporate
> benefit, but hope
> the wrenches         >moderator will see fit to provide a balanced view.
>
> >I passionately believe that a high end, feature filled, US built product
> has its place in the RE >market. Moreover, it is a fact that we believe in
> the market. I am more than willing to converse >and show sites,
> where using
> controlled applications the product surpasses most customer
> >expectations.
>
> I couldn't agree more that a Vanner inverter could hold a
> significant place
> in the RE Market.  The fact that you believe in this market is an
> indicator
> that perhaps we can re-visit the existing installations that have
> problems,
> work to rectify the problems, and compensate the dealers for their time
> spent.
>
> I hope readers will appreciate the need to provide a balanced view of our
> approach, and thank our installers for their continuing support.
>
> Thanks
>
> Phil Irwin
>
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