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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Benn,<br>
I recently addressed a similar issue on this list in regard to an
old SW4024 that showed a visible arc when the generator was
disconnected, and the general response was that the arcing didn't
represent a failure, that it was fairly routine.<br>
<br>
Ask him when he sees the spark. When the unit sees ac, it waits
about 30 seconds, latches and then ramps up to its maximum current
setting. If it doesn't latch or ramp up a control or relay board
is likely bad. The DR is repairable, and some shops, such as
Inverter Service Co., a part of Direct Power in Albuquerque, can
repair it, but with shipping it's not worth fixing unless it's all
he can afford. The repair will cost more than a working DR is
worth, but still likely less than any new replacement.<br>
<br>
Certainly there are far better inverters available. But the fact
that the customer has continued to use the DR suggests that (a) he
is probably satisfied with it otherwise, and (b) is on a tight
budget. Therefore my advice would be to make sure there's a
breaker on the AC input (this won't prevent the arcing but will
allow shutoff in case of failure, and set aside the money to
replace the DR if it fails. It may last for years like this.<br>
Allan<br>
<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Allan <span class="SpellE">Sindelar</span></b><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a
href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><u><span
style="color:#000099">Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</span></u></a></span><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt">NABCEP Certified PV
Installation Professional<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
Founder, <b>Positive Energy, Inc.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">A
Certified B <span class="SpellE">Corporation<sup><span
style="font-size:7.5pt">TM</span></sup></span><br>
<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">3209
Richards Lane</st1:street><br>
<st1:city w:st="on">Santa Fe</st1:city>, <st1:state
w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:state> <st1:postalcode
w:st="on">87507</st1:postalcode></st1:address><br>
<b>505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell</b><br>
<a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target="_blank"><u>www.positiveenergysolar.com</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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On 3/27/2014 4:36 PM, Benn Kilburn wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:207BAD80-3517-4177-AC44-27FFB74BB12B@skyfireenergy.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">
Wrenches,
An off-gridded (system installed by others) called me yesterday with a concern.
His system is older and has had mods added over the years. It is up to 7x Siemens SP75 and 1x She'll SQ80P.
I believe the inverter is the original. It is a Trace DR2412, and where the concern stems from.
He says he has noticed an arc from inside the inverter about 3 of the last 8 times he has fired up his generator (remote start next to inverter). He described seeing the arc thru the vent fins on the top right of the inverter.
Is this internal arc typical when a generator connects to the inverter and he just hasn't noticed it before?
...or is his ol Trace toast?
Thanks,
benn
Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos.
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