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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Mick,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Are you sure that the neutral is isolated from the frame on that
“portable” generator? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>If so, it’s a strange generator indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Brian Teitelbaum<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>AEE Solar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Mick
Abraham<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, August 19, 2010 4:48 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] DR2424 inverters charging poorly: three units in
two days!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Greetings, Mechanics~ Please review my problem du semaine
and chime in if you are so inspired. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal>My prior experience with the DR series Trace inverters could
be summed up in two words: practically bombproof! <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>(There was one time...way back in the day...when a barely
broken in unit stopped charging with adequate amperage, and...thinking...there
was some screwy behavior on the LED indicators and maybe something else. That
issue was resolved under warranty and was declared by Trace tech support to
involve the "triacs".)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Last month I visited two customer sites right after one
another. Site #1 has a single DR2424, 120 volts from the <b><i>portable</i></b>
generator, transferred fine...no problems...but would only deliver a puny five
amps to the battery, regardless of tweaks to the "battery size" &
"charge rate" knobs.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Site #2...the very next day...has twin DR2424 units, similar
OK voltage from the<b><i> portable</i></b> genset, similar normal seeming
behavior, series stacking cable in place, but a similarly puny DC amperage
delivery to the battery. This pair was slightly higher on DC amperage...about 7
amps per unit. Tweaks had no effect. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>********************************************************<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>In fairness to Site #2, some weeks prior...the genset had been
newly purchased and would not maintain output AC when connected to the inverter
pair. I inherited a new set of customers when nobody else seemed to know what
to try. I ungrounded the generator plug connection and things took off...and
the charging amps were A-OK. Then...as a good safety minded technician...I
grounded from the metal ground lug on the frame of that generator to the
client's ground rod and the otherwise routine service call became much more
exciting. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>BANG-I fried something in the generator...voltage regulator,
maybe. Then I remembered why I try to never help out on equipment purchased
elsewhere. I broke my own rule...<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>After an intense conversation with the generator supplier,
the service guy agreed to fix the genny--"one time and never bring it
back". When it came time to re-connect the repaired generator, my new
customers wanted me to be there. I thought that would all be ho-hum so long as
we left the frame ungrounded but then I observed the low charger performance.
Now I suspect that something about the generator flame-out also blew important
items in the inverter pair. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>*****************************************************<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>I'm writing the Wrenches to ask:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Can anyone point to the likely problem on these three
machines?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>I probably can't fix this myself but perhaps could be
encouraged to try...somebody on Ebay is selling "FET boards" for the
DR2424 inverter. Inspiration, anyone.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Failing a local repair, does anyone remember the flat rates
for repairs by the authorized fix it shops?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>OR: if any List participants have a matching inverter in
inventory...or two...or three...perhaps they could contact me off list with
pricing, etc. Neither client is likely to have the cash for new TR-2424
inverters.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Oh, yes...if any could offer a Big Bang theory, that would
help with my education. The neutral on that portable generator is isolated from
ground, so the metal frame should be a non-participant in any electrical
activity on the AC side of things. The metal frame is...thinking...connected to
the negative of the 12v cranking battery so maybe that's a clue. The ground rod
to which I connected is also connected to the negative of the 24v house battery
and also is connected to AC neutral from the Trace Power Panel. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Thanks all around. The Wrench List is the Bomb, but with no
loud percussive effects!<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all>
Mick Abraham, Proprietor<br>
<a href="http://www.abrahamsolar.com">www.abrahamsolar.com</a><br>
<br>
Voice: 970-731-4675<o:p></o:p></p>
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