[RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

[jerrysgarage01]

SMA used to to do repairs but last I heard they no longer have replacement parts. I have used the new SMA TL-22 because of the low voltage dc input. If you added some additional modules to the "B" input it might qualify for the tax credit (I did say might)
Good luck
Jerry


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<div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Jason Szumlanski <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com> </div><div>Date:07/24/2015  4:25 AM  (GMT-10:00) </div><div>To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> </div><div>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power </div><div>
</div>Someone contacted me off list and said this company does out of warranty SMA repairs:

http://www.shop.solarcowboyzoutlet.com/Inverter-Repair-Service-Inverter-Repair-Service.htm

Looks like there is a risk in how big the repair is, but apparently they are willing to talk about the diagnostics before you send it in, and fix minor problems for a flat rate.

One bad part about these small systems is that labor to repair or replace failed units can easily turn into a cost equivalent to years of energy production, not to mention the hardware cost itself... I've only sold a few "tiny" systems over the years, and never really considered this. It makes much more financial sense for an owner to replace a failed 5kW inverter when the labor is basically the same as a 2kW.

Jason Szumlanski


On Fri, Jul 24, 2015 at 10:04 AM, Sky Sims <sky at ecologicalsystems.biz> wrote:
This is a known issue. I've come across a bunch of their inverters that have had this problem. In addition to seeing this issue on their 1800's I've seen it happen on their 2500's as well. Shows a solid green light but isn't putting out power. 
The first time I came across this issue they had a refurbishment program, where they would rebuild the inverter and send it back with a one year warranty for under $400. The refurbishment program was a great program that I hope they bring back someday.
The last few times I contacted SMA about one of these defective inverters, they said the product was not under warranty and they no longer supported it. Only option they gave was to buy a new unit. 

Sky Sims
Ecological Systems


On Jul 24, 2015, at 5:49 AM, Jason Szumlanski <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com> wrote:

I am looking at a 1800u from 2004 that has a green light and in mpp mode,  but Pac is zero. Grid and DC voltage are good.  No other indication of problems. I saw Pac tick up to 2W a couple of times,  but that's it. It's just not delivering AC power.

Any thoughts?

Sadly, it doesn't make much financial sense for the owner to replace it with a current model, as the replacement cost would take almost 10 years to recover with the small BIPV array connected to it. I'm hoping for a field repair option.

Jason Szumlanski

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