[RE-wrenches] Inverter temp spec for cold regions

[Matt Lafferty]

But then there's the Xantrex GT.... Not your cold-weather friend.  I know of
a project in CO that had to replace approx 280 of them last winter.  Word I
got was that the actual low-temp was warmer than the spec.
 
I recommended against using that inverter in that application, for this and
other reasons that I won't go into here.  The project engineers bought
Xantrex's story that they would be fine.  Guess they were for a month or
so....  At least part of me hopes that Schneider will put a stop to the
historical release of products and engineering by Xantrex that doesn't pass
muster....  These practices aren't good for the bottom line, no matter what
kind of beans you're counting.
 
Sunshine Wishes,
 
Matt L
 
  _____  

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of David
Palumbo
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:57 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Inverter temp spec for cold regions


Same experience here as Tump's. We are located in Northern Vermont,  get's
down to -40F. 
 
James Worden of Solectria gave us the go ahead to mount his inverters
outdoors. SMA also gave us their blessing, and Fronius said that the
capacitors in their inverters were the same ones used in their welding
equipment used in Siberia - so they too also told us no problem. 
 
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]On Behalf Of Tump
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:36 AM
To: allan at positiveenergysolar.com; 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Inverter temp spec for cold regions


Here in Maine I guess we've got the stupid Caps cause they don't know enough
to blow up when cold! My SMA inverter shouldn't work cause its been outside
now for 3 years! &  I guess that my SW4048s don't work anymore too. they
lived outside since 1998.We DO have some low temps & the only thing I have
seen is the LCD displays are not reliable.
-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan
Sindelar
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:51 PM
To: RE Wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Inverter temp spec for cold regions


Wrenches,
Inverter manufacturers have an ambient temperature range with a lowest
temperature spec. For example, SMA has a spec of -13 to +113 degrees F.  In
our area of New Mexico, we have a record cold temperature well below the -13
degrees F. If we mounted the inverter on an outside wall or on a pole, this
would expose the inverter.  
 
I called SMA and asked about this.  They told me that the capacitor blows up
if it goes below the coldest temperature. 
 
My question is does anybody have experience with this issue in the cold
regions of the US like Colorado or Montana?  Do you always mount the
inverter inside in those cold regions?  
 
Thanks,
Randy Sadewic
Positive Energy
 
 
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