[RE-wrenches] Fwd: SMA GFDI Err Tip was PV Powered vs SMA

Tue Dec 8 20:17:50 PST 2009

This is very common down here on the coast with the SMAs for us - two inverters we fired up yesterday took 20 and 27 minutes respectively to clear the GFDI error.  After that, no problems.... we use the time to eat lunch....
John
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ™
President
Key Power Services, Inc.
160 Tahiti Street
Naples, FL 34113
(239) 290-6040
(239) 389-5497 fax	
FL Lic. CVC56676

Begin forwarded message:

From: Dana Brandt <dana at ecotechenergy.com>
Date: December 4, 2009 1:51:56 PM EST
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA GFDI Err Tip was PV Powered vs SMA
Reply-To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

In my experience tightening the fuse holder and cleaning the contacts didn't help but a 30 minute burn in did the trick. No problems since. SMA tech support said this has be a common problem for them in humid environments. 

Dana

Dana Brandt
Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC
www.ecotechenergy.com
dana at ecotechenergy.com
360.510.0433

On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 7:28 AM, Wayne Irwin <wayne at pureenergysolar.com> wrote:
We have had the same issue with the SMA GFDI err. To fix the problem, before commissioning we remove the fuse, squeeze the GFDI fuse holder a little tighter and clean the contact ends of the fuse. Fires right up.

Wayne Irwin EE
Pure Energy Solar International Inc. 
State Licensed Solar Contractor
License # CVC56695 
Wayne at PureEnergySolar.com 
http://pureenergysolar.com 
352 377-6527 Office
352 336-3299 Fax
352 316-1637 Cell
The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use or distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message from your computer system. Thank you.

From: atruitt at gmail.com
Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 21:17:54 -0500
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Powered vs SMA

Last I used a PVP was in 2005 and we had multiple failures.  I've never had an SMA fail but there has been a disconcerting glitch on some units lately, where the inverter displays a GFDI fuse error for about a 1/2 hour after commissioning, and then kicks in.  Still the best dependabilty and fit and finish of any of the major inverters in my humble opinion.

To me its Ford vs. BMW.  America makes some damn fine equipment but when it comes to precision engineering and lifetime performance I would argue that the Germans have an edge on the rest of the world right now.  

Andrew Truitt
Standard Solar Inc.

On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 9:29 AM, Drake Chamberlin <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org> wrote:
In the past I have seen a lot of issues with PVP inverters.  There was a period, when I was subcontracting, where a half dozen or more of the units had to be replaced within a short time.  Although I like many features of PVP, I've avoided them since.  Have others found these units to be reliable or problematic?

At 07:30 PM 12/1/2009, you wrote:
Nice thread... inverter pros/cons is something I spend a fair amount of time
pondering, since they are the weak link in the grid-direct installation.

Overall, I like them both (PVP and SMA).

Performance: On page 44 of the Dec/Jan issue of SolarPro, there is a list of
specifications for grid-direct inverters. Current PVP and SMA inverters have
similar CEC weighted efficiency ratings. Some of the older PVP inverter
models (1100, 2000, 2800, 3000) have slightly lower efficiency.

Reliability: I like that the PVP inverters have no moving parts, whereas the
SMA inverters use a fan to assist with the cooling. PV Powered does a lot of
marketing around their reliability efforts, for whatever that's worth.

Customer Service: I have not needed to utilize PV Powered customer service.
I've found SMA customer service techs to be easy to reach and knowledgeable.

Other issues: I like that PV Powered inverters are made in the USA. I also
find the hardware and manuals to be easier to work with, most likely because
they're produced in the USA for our market. The PVP inverters ship with a
full-size mounting template which comes in handy, especially when planning
the rough-in wiring and support framing during new construction.

I have a preference for the PVP inverters, and use SMA occasionally if it's
a better design fit. I agree with Wayne Irwin's comment about the durability
of the inverters with the heavy transformer designs, as opposed to the newer
"light-weight" designs (including the newest SMA products). I just feel that
in the long run, lower counts for electronic components is a good thing. I'm
not an expert on component reliability, but I know from my somewhat limited
experience that capacitors dry up and transistors are susceptible to a
variety of failure modes. The fewer of these things, the better. Also from a
reliability standpoint, I prefer to put inverters inside in a well
ventilated area, if possible. My gut feeling is that over the long haul, any
inverter will be better off in a location that is protected from moisture
and large ambient temperature swings.

-Hans
________________________________

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[ mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith Cronin
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:04 PM
To: RE-Wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] PV Powered vs SMA

Hi colleagues

Do any of you have a preference, PV Powered vs SMA in the residential space-
2k-5k grid tie inverter zone?

Comments on performance/reliability/customer service etc?

Any feedback on their monitoring vs SMA's webbox?

Thanks

Keith

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Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO License 3773
NABCEP TM  Certified PV Installer 
Office - 740-448-7328
Mobile - 740-856-9648 

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