[RE-wrenches] TR Inverter Problems

[Kent Osterberg]

Ray,

I've got a customer that has the same problem with a dual TR inverter 
system. When we first complained, Xantrex promised they were working on 
a fix. That never materialized and now the TR is out of production. It's 
a lousy product and customer service has been the same. A few months 
ago, I was asked to participate in a survey regarding Xantrex products 
and service. My responses must have got someone's attention because I 
got a follow-up call about the survey. There never has been a follow-up 
to correct this customer's problem inverter.

Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar, Inc.
www.bluemountainsolar.com
t: 541-568-4882

On 4/30/2013 3:19 PM, Ray Walters wrote:
> Hi Folks:
>
> I just finished up another ugly rewire project for a customer that had 
> another"installer" put in a Xantrex TR inverter.
> We fixed numerous wiring issues, including neutral bonded to ground in 
> 7 different places!
> The issue we're having now though, is that the TR inverter output 
> voltage fluctuates when running CF lighting, and the refrigerator.
> You can literally see the lights cycling brighter and dimmer, and hear 
> the compressor on the fridge running up and down in frequency. 
> Xantrex/ Schneider Tech support said that:
> A) The TR doesn't do well with CF lighting, and that we should switch 
> to all incandescent........ hmmmm.
> B)  We should set the search watts to zero (which I already did)
> C) We need to increase the loads on the TR, as it doesn't regulate 
> output voltage and frequency very well at lower loads........ 2nd big 
> hmmmmm.
>
> I knew there was a reason I quit installing Xantrex inverters about 5 
> years ago, but I couldn't recall the details.  Now its all coming back 
> to my feeble, aging brain.  So aside from switching out the inverter , 
> (which I just installed on a beautiful Midnite E-Panel) does anybody 
> have any cures for our ills?  How would LED lighting behave?  Should I 
> throw a capacitor across the output? or perhaps I should just retire 
> early and sail around the Caribbean? (I can afford a canoe/ no 
> sail......)
>
> As always, thanks in advance for this wonderful technical (and 
> emotional) support group,
>