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

[Jason Lerner]

Larry,

Thanks for the info.  I also have had good luck with Morningstar Tri  
Star and Tri Star MPPT charge controllers. A few weeks ago I had a  
bunch of failures in the same week (on both models).  They sent me new  
ones promptly,  I went on vacation and now everything is fine...

Best,

Jason Lerner
Waldron Power and Light Co.


On Jan 23, 2011, at 7:58 AM, <larry at starlightsolar.com> <larry at starlightsolar.com 
 > wrote:

> 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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