[RE-wrenches] Arcing from inside Trace DR2412

[Steve Higgins]

Actually the arc is normal,  It just depends on where in the waveform is when the DR switches between Inverter to Generator and how dark the room...

If the Relay is failing direct power, Inverter sales and Service in Tenn, and Phantom Power Services (Craig Wilburn) should have spare parts.

Another trick you do is power down the inverter... And disconnect all cables
Take the top cover off
If it's the older relay without a plastic cover on it you can actually visually inspect the relay contacts.   If the contacts are severely burned then to prolong life you can use fine grit paper to sand the connections... but this is the beginning of the end... You better start planning on a replacement at that time.


Feel free to send me a pic of the connections and I can tell you have bad they are...

________________________________
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] on behalf of Allan Sindelar [allan at positiveenergysolar.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 5:34 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Arcing from inside Trace DR2412

Benn,
I recently addressed a similar issue on this list in regard to an old SW4024 that showed a visible arc when the generator was disconnected, and the general response was that the arcing didn't represent a failure, that it was fairly routine.

Ask him when he sees the spark. When the unit sees ac, it waits about 30 seconds, latches and then ramps up to its maximum current setting. If it doesn't latch or ramp up a control or relay board is likely bad. The DR is repairable, and some shops, such as Inverter Service Co., a part of Direct Power in Albuquerque, can repair it, but with shipping it's not worth fixing unless it's all he can afford. The repair will cost more than a working DR is worth, but still likely less than any new replacement.

Certainly there are far better inverters available. But the fact that the customer has continued to use the DR suggests that (a) he is probably satisfied with it otherwise, and (b) is on a tight budget. Therefore my advice would be to make sure there's a breaker on the AC input (this won't prevent the arcing but will allow shutoff in case of failure, and set aside the money to replace the DR if it fails. It may last for years like this.
Allan

Allan Sindelar
Allan at positiveenergysolar.com<mailto:Allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
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Founder, Positive Energy, Inc.
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Steve Higgins
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On 3/27/2014 4:36 PM, Benn Kilburn wrote:

Wrenches,
An off-gridded (system installed by others) called me yesterday with a concern.

His system is older and has had mods added over the years. It is up to 7x Siemens SP75 and 1x She'll SQ80P.

I believe the inverter is the original. It is a Trace DR2412, and where the concern stems from.
He says he has noticed an arc from inside the inverter about 3 of the last 8 times he has fired up his generator (remote start next to inverter). He described seeing the arc thru the vent fins on the top right of the inverter.

Is this internal arc typical when a generator connects to the inverter and he just hasn't noticed it before?

...or is his ol Trace toast?

Thanks,
benn
Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos.
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