Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]

[Bruce Erickson]

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It's really interesting what varied experiences we've all had with  
inverters.

  In our case, we've installed 4 original Xantrex GT3.0's and 2  
failed and were replaced within the first month. The other two have  
been fine for a year or two. Of the ones that failed, one was a re- 
branded SunPower version for their positive-grounded system. SunPower  
replaced it, but then had to send techs twice to evaluate the  
replacement unit for unspecified "issues" that GT's were/are having.  
The other failed unit that was replaced after a month had another  
failure after a couple of months, and was replaced. That unit lasted  
almost another year and failed, at which point the customer called  
and said "I don't want another one of those inverters!" We forked out  
of our own pocket for a Sunny Boy 2500. Xantrex made noises about how  
it must be our installation, but eventually they came through with a  
cash reimbursement for the GT, plus $750 for the 3 service calls (6  
actually). Considering 2 of 4 originals failed, that's a 50% failure  
rate, but factoring in the 2 replacements that failed, that's 4 out  
of 7, or 57%. I realize that's an unscientific sample, but  
still . . . The other thing I discovered in this process is that the  
GT's are built in China. I'm not sure that any other top-brand grid- 
ties are made there. Needless to say I won't be using any more GT's.  
But I'm glad to hear other people have had better luck with them.

Mostly we've used Sunny Boys, and they've generally been flawless,  
except for the occasional lingering Eeprom error. We've never had a  
problem with the newer SB series.

Bruce Erickson
Mendocino Solar Service
707-937-1701
707-937-1741 fax
PO Box 1252
Mendocino, CA 95460

"Serving the Solar System"


On Feb 27, 2008, at 6:28 AM, August Goers wrote:

>
> What has been people's experiences with Xantrex over the past  
> couple of years? We've installed probably an equal number of  
> Fronius, Sunny Boy, and Xantrex units and have had the most  
> failures with our Fronius units. That might of just been a fluke.
>
> From my perspective, the natural convection cooling of the Xantrex  
> is a strong advantage, not to mention the fact that the wide MPP  
> voltage range makes it easy to string out a variety of module  
> configurations.
>
>
> August Goers
>
> Luminalt Energy Corporation
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Doug Pratt <dmpratt at sbcglobal.net>
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:41:09 PM
> Subject: RE: Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Fronius completely dips their power boards, with all components, so  
> they can
> tolerate spray. Most mfr's only coat one side.
>
> Fronius has been our most trouble-free brand historically. But if  
> we just
> look at shipments within the past year, it's a dead heat between  
> Fronius,
> SMA, and PV Powered. They're all producing flawless units. Much  
> improved
> over 5-6 years ago!
>
> Doug Pratt
> DC Power Systems
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carl Hansen [mailto:Solarwks at cybermesa.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 5:34 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> I've noticed the Fronius has excellent ventilation, in fact I was a  
> little
> surprised at just how "open" it was, looked to me like it couldn't  
> handle a
> serious driving rain and definitely not a kid with a hose. Has  
> anyone else
> noticed this? Its not sealed up tight like the Sunny Boy units
>
>   Carl Hansen
>
>
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