[RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

Fri Jul 24 12:30:53 PDT 2015

Hi Glenn and All –

Most of these old systems have module cables made out of USE-2. So, just
changing out the array USE-2 home runs won’t technically cut it.

Something should be written into the code to allow old systems to use TL
inverters for upgrades, especially since TL inverters are safer than their
transformer based (isolated) counterparts.

For now I guess we either make a decision to source transformer based
inverters for replacements or install TL inverters despite the code
violation.

It is definitely a bummer that SMA isn’t doing the refurbished program
anymore with their old units.

Best,

August

*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *Glenn Burt
*Sent:* Friday, July 24, 2015 11:14 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

How do you get around the code requirement for the use of PV wire with a TL
inverter on the existing array?

Sincerely,
Glenn Burt
Sent from my 'smart' phone so please excuse grammar and typos.
------------------------------

*From: *jerrysgarage01 <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com>
*Sent: *‎7/‎24/‎2015 12:57
*To: *RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
*Subject: *Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

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

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: Jason Szumlanski

Date:07/24/2015 4:25 AM (GMT-10:00)

To: RE-wrenches

Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

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

_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive:
http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive:
http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20150724/4c055f72/attachment-0002.html>