[RE-wrenches] SunSaver failures; MPPT controller reliability (1A Charge/Load controller)

[Darryl Thayer]

Thanks Larry for all the good info, I have not had any problem with SSMPPT but 
my volume is 2, a few years back I had trouble with a Morningstar product, and 
they were very fast and complete in the replace ment service.  Also if they know 
of a problem they are very through ingetting to the source and will make product 
changes (as they did for the priduct that I used) to prevent it in the future.  
You by getting this back to them have probibly caused an evaluation and maybe a 
change in design.  I have been most happy with them. I use their sunlight and 
similar small controllers.  

Darryl




________________________________
From: "larry at starlightsolar.com" <larry at starlightsolar.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Sun, January 23, 2011 9:58:46 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SunSaver failures; MPPT controller reliability (1A 
Charge/Load controller)

Jason,
Not much to elaborate on. A single 200 watt Sanyo module, about 25' of 8 gauge 
wire, lowest temperature 20 degrees. When the SunSaver controllers fail, they 
cause a short circuit at the battery terminals. Morningstar handled the warranty 
as they do all SunSaver warranty's, quickly sending replacements with return 
postage for the defective unit. We have had 4 SunSaver failures since November 
1.

I sell 150+ charge controllers at our retail store each season (Nov. ~ Dec.), 
most of which are MPPT. Reliability is critical to me and I pay very close 
attention to failures. Most of my customers are mobile and not able to return to 
our store if a product fails. I have tested and sold many MPPT models. The 
Phocos MPPT controller I was evaluating failed and we have had our share of 
Outback and BZ controller failures. Blue Sky Energy has had a few bad 
controllers but compared to the volume of BSE products we sell (over 1100) they 
have been the most reliable. I have not yet tested Steca, TriStar, or Xantrex 
MPPT controllers.

Larry 
Starlight Solar Power Systems
-------- Original Message --------
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] 10A Charge / load controller
>From: Jason Lerner <wapalco at rockisland.com>
>Date: Sat, January 22, 2011 11:56 am
>To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>
>Hi Larry, 
>
>
>I am curious about the failures you have had,  could you elaborate?
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>Jason Lerner
>Waldron Power and Light Co.
>
>
>
>
>On Jan 21, 2011, at 5:37 PM, Starlight Solar, Larry Crutcher wrote:
>
>I have had failures with the Sunsaver MPPT. I have used them with a single Sanyo 
>module in small battery systems. Perhaps they just can't handle the 50.9 Voc.
>> 
>>Larry
>>Starlight Solar Power Systems
>


      
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