FW: Outback MX60 question [RE-wrenches]

[John McNicholas]

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Is your computer freezing up or slowing down?
Repair corrupt files and harmful errors - protect your PC
Take a 2-minute PC health check-up at no charge!
http://click.topica.com/caaegt3bz8Qcsbz9JC9a/PC PowerScan
-------------------------------------------------------------------


Allen/Kelly,
I have gone through similar pain with MX60s on 72v array to 48v batteries;
on one system, two died in the #4100 series, then a third, #7454 (note that
number) also died. The last one I rebuilt on site with the new firmware and
has worked since 8/05. Since then its cooling fan died which I replaced. (It
sure would be nice if they recognized loss of cooling; I only found it,
before it burned up, when I leaned on it.) Also on that same system, two
FX2548s died, #4700 series. And just last week the HUB10 stopped polling
intermittently. Each time the Outback staff was quick to support me. And it
is still surely easier fixing a unit on site than sending it out. But since
my clients are on an island, it has been a major time loss for me for each
occurrence, which I can't recoup from the owner on a system less than a year
old. I have other Outback systems that have performed flawlessly. I
certainly hope they are past the 'growing' pains and have the quality
control issue mastered. 
John

John McNicholas
Key Power Services, Inc.
160 Tahiti St.
Naples, FL 34113
FL Solar Contractor
License - CVC56676
(239) 290-6040
 
keypowerservices at comcast.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Keilwitz [mailto:kelly at whidbeysunwind.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 12:39 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Outback MX60 question [RE-wrenches]

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Is your computer freezing up or slowing down?
Repair corrupt files and harmful errors - protect your PC
Take a 2-minute PC health check-up at no charge!
http://click.topica.com/caaegt3bz8QcsbdXcrQa/PC PowerScan
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Allen,
We've had an MX-60 in a 72V to 24V system go bad - twice - for this problem,
early this Spring. The system was a 6-hr RT from our office. The first
replacement took two of those trips - a full work day each way (one to
diagnose and remove and one to replace). The second time Outback sent the
controller directly to the customer and I talked them through the
replacement on the phone.
Outback was very responsive with the replacements and explained that the fix
on the second go-round . But, we had to cover the time and travel.
-Kelly
 Kelly Keilwitz, P.E.
Whidbey Sun & Wind
Renewable Energy Systems
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
987 Wanamaker Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239
Ph & Fax: 360.678.7131
sunwind at whidbeysunwind.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Allan Sindelar" <allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
To: "New wrenches posting" <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 2:28 PM
Subject: Outback MX60 question [RE-wrenches]


>
> Wrenches,
> We recently had an in-warranty MX60 failure, and given the explanation
from
> Outback, I'm posting here to find out if this is a common enough failure
for
> us to plan some pre-emptive replacement of a few other MX60s.
>
> An MX60 in a PS2 offgrid application (1900W 72V array into 48V battery)
> failed and was reported by the customer. He saw blank screen and no
output;
> a reboot caused it to actually charge partially. We determined the
> MPPT/voltage conversion had failed, but the straight-through partial
> charging carried the customer along for 5 days until I could get out with
a
> replacement. Sent the unit in for repair and got the unit back repaired
and
> upgraded.
>
> A call afterwards requesting explanation of what happened taught me this:
> Outback found a "glitch in the silicone in the Atmel processor". The flaw
> would sometimes short the FETs momentarily when the unit turned on. It
also
> in the process welds the relay contacts closed (which is what allowed it
to
> charge some even though it had failed).
>
> I was told that Outback found a firmware reprogram that worked around the
> glitch, and applied it to all controllers after serial #7385 (I think
> they're somewhere around #11,000 now). They also recalled some distributor
> stock to do this repair before they went into the field.
>
> Who else has had a similar failure? Anyone had more than one? This was an
> expensive callback that was fully on our nickel. Anyone at Outback wish to
> clarify what I have written here? Anybody at Outback wish to offer a
recall
> program for MX60s in a certain range, with a reimbursement for the service
> call to do a replacement? (Dream on, solar bozo...)
>
> Thanks for any responses here.
> Allan at Positive Energy
>
> Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Save up to $1,500 on your phone bill with Packet8
> Free Activation, Free Equipment & First Month Free!
> 30-day money back guarantee. 1-877-868-1135
> http://click.topica.com/caaegt4bz8Qcsa95IoOf/ TMONE
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages:
http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read
>
> List rules & how to change your email address:
www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
>
>

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
New AppleR iPodR nano. As Thin as a No. 2 Pencil. Stores up to 3 
Days of Songs! Get it Here FREE*!
http://click.topica.com/caaeg03bz8QcsbdXcrQf/Superb Rewards 
-------------------------------------------------------------------

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address:
www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you need to borrow money, up to $1500? YES! Payday can help 
you with your needs. Get the cash you need now, click the 
following link:
http://click.topica.com/caaeg01bz8Qcsbz9JC9f/YESPayday
-------------------------------------------------------------------

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------