[RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

[Jerry Shafer]

>From what I was told from SMA the board level components are no longer
available from there lower level manufactures.
Jerry
On Jul 24, 2015 9:30 AM, "August Goers" <august at luminalt.com> wrote:

> 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
>
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