Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]

Joel Davidson joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net
Thu Feb 28 19:52:04 PST 2008


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Wrenches exchanges often peter out without a conclusion probably because 
what we do is a work-in-progress so chime in if I am summarizing too soon.

It appears that Sunny Boy inverters are generally more reliable (many German 
integrators feel the same). On the other hand, it is pretty clear that 
inverter problems are a serious, ongoing cost that must be factored into our 
business. Onward through the fog.

Joel Davidson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bruce Erickson" <msolar at mcn.org>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 6:04 PM
Subject: Re: Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]


>
>
> 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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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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