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benn,<br>
Inverter life is a catch-22. There's really no predictable lifespan;
the unit may last another 30 years. It may fail tomorrow. That's
just how they are. If it fails, service may be problematic or
nonexistent.<br>
<br>
We have a few customers still running Traces and Hearts from the
late 1980s that have never failed. I haven't advised these customers
to replace units that are still working; just to keep some money put
away just in case. (One favorite customer is pushing 80; still uses
a Trace 1512 that Windy installed to run his home. That's not a
DR1512; it's the first series, even before the U-series black
units.)<br>
<br>
My advice: As part of this upgrade, put the DR on an E-Panel. Then
all disconnects are in place for a simple upgrade later. The DR is
upside-down to most other inverters, with the DC connections on the
left, so swapout later can get weird. Put it on the door of an
E-Panel and later replacement becomes an easier task - plus you
clean up the installation and add an IBS.<br>
<br>
Samlex inverters fit the same E-Panel chassis. Apollo inverters do
too, but the E-Panel for them is more expensive. I think that's
because the Apollo is split-phase 120/240, but it can be ordered or
set up as straight 120V output, which would probably allow it to fit
in place of the DR as well. Or, with a replacement front cover, an
FX Outback would be easy to swap out.<br>
<br>
Hope this helps!<br>
Allan<br>
<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="il"><b style="">Allan</b></span><b
style=""> Sindelar</b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br>
<a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"
target="_blank"><span class="il">Allan</span>@positiveenergysolar.com</a><br>
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer<br>
EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
<b style="">Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
3201 Calle Marie<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b style="">505 424-1112</b><br>
<a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target="_blank">www.positiveenergysolar.com</a></span></p>
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<br>
On 11/2/2010 11:31 AM, benn kilburn wrote:
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type="cite">
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G'day,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I am re-locating a PV array and doing some system upgrades
for a circa 2003 off-grid system that is using a Trace DR2424
(mfg 1stQ-2003). Just wondering what the expected lifespan of
this model would be. I want to let the owner know how much
longer they should reasonably expect this inverter/charger to
preform before needing to replace it. Judging from some past
comments on this list, repair isn't much of an option.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>thanks,</div>
<div>benn<br>
<br>
<span class="ecxecxecxecxEC_Apple-style-span" style="color:
rgb(0, 32, 96);"><font class="ecxApple-style-span"
face="'Franklin Gothic Medium'">DayStar Renewable Energy
Inc. </font></span>
<div>
<div><font class="ecxApple-style-span" face="'Franklin Gothic
Medium'"><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:benn@daystarsolar.ca">benn@daystarsolar.ca</a></font></div>
<div><font class="ecxApple-style-span" face="'Franklin Gothic
Medium'">780-906-7807 </font></div>
<div><font class="ecxApple-style-span" face="'Franklin Gothic
Medium'">HAVE A SUNNY DAY
</font></div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<br>
</div>
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