Batteryless inverter recommendation [RE-wrenches]
Joel Davidson
joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net
Thu Feb 28 19:52:04 PST 2008
<x-flowed>
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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