<div dir="ltr">Allan,<div> I would replace with a VFX3524 and a Mate3 as long as the backup generator is big enough. FX's don't load share or gen support. I have had lousy luck with getting several magnums repaired. All have been switched to Outback. The Radian would be a nightmare to install compared to a single FX. I sell Radians primarily for grid tie backup systems and very high demand off grid. And to replace Magnums. I have had no trouble with Outback service and getting boards for on site repairs. Quality of boards OK. The Mate 3 is more intuitive than the Mate and has lots more information. Works fabulously with OpticsRE for monitoring. I have a remote mountaintop transmitter site that has been a nightmare for years and now we finally got all the pieces together at one time to make it work.. Good generator (EcoGen) new batteries, and 4000 watts of solar on top of pole racks (to self clear of snow) VFX3648 with IOTA 12v battery charger for the DC Loads, and the MATE3 hooked up to the internet and OpticsRE. All is now calm on the mountaintop.</div><div><br></div><div>John Blittersdorf</div><div>Central Vermont Solar & wind</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jan 30, 2015 at 8:02 PM, Allan Sindelar <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:allan@sindelarsolar.com" target="_blank">allan@sindelarsolar.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(0,0,0)" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
Esteemed Wrenches,<br>
This question is prompted by a specific customer's situation, and I
have a question related to this, but I'm mainly using the situation
to ask a broader question.<br>
<br>
The specific situation: A customer's Xantrex SW+2524 has been acting
erratically. Fixing the inverter is not the issue; the client is
quite remote, and costs of diagnosis, parts and labor for these
legacy units have gone up enough that the customer has already
decided to replace the unit with a current product. From my
perspective, the issues at hand revolve around how to safely and
cleanly install a modern inverter into a system structured around
old equipment. <br>
<br>
The specific question: Outback's FX series is the current product
that most readily replaces the SW/SW+ series: it's also 120V in/out,
and it has DC on the right and AC in/out on the left of a
horizontally-laid out unit. However, several times in recent years I
have heard disparaging comments, both here and in private
conversations, about the purported drop in quality of Outback's
inverters and controllers since Alpha bought them, but specifically
because units, or parts of units, are now made in China, rather than
in the U.S. What I want to know, please, are answers to two+
questions: 1) what's the real scoop? what is now made where? and 2)
what actual experiences, specifically product failures, have any of
you had that directly relate to changes directly attributable to
overseas production? In other words, how much of this is real and
how much is rumor?<br>
<br>
The bigger question (and this issue will come up frequently in the
coming years): the SW+, like the SW before it, operates at 120V AC
on both input and output. More and more modern battery-based
inverters input and output split-phase 120/240V AC. When should I
hesitate to replace a 120V legacy inverter with a 120/240V unit?<br>
<br>
Among larger whole-house single inverters, Outback's FX and VFX
units operate at 120V, but these are older models. SMA's Sunny
Island is 120V only, but this is generally considered a weakness in
typical SI installations, and these expensive units don't adapt as
well as replacements in older home systems. Magnum's MS4024 is
available in either configuration. Outback's Radian and Schneider's
XW and Conext SW are only available as 120-240 units.<br>
<br>
Here are the issues that I see: <br>
Don't do it if a backup generator is 120V AC-only. It will work, but
is hard on the inverters, as all charging current will come in on
one leg of the inverter's AC input. Fortunately, relatively few
generators are 120V-only; pretty much just the smaller
inverter-generators. Most cheaper gennies are 240V, and either run
through a step-down balancing transformer (which would be taken out
with the old 120V inverter) or run out of balance. Many better
portable generators have a 120/120-240 switch, making it necessary
to only replace a cable and plug to add a second hot conductor.<br>
<br>
Also, most older AC switchgear, such as QO403 inverter bypass
switches, are set up for single pole breakers, and would thus
require replacement, and reworking in general on the AC side to
handle two hot input and output conductors. <br>
<br>
But once the jumper between the two hot legs is removed in the AC
main panel, and two hots are connected, making the panel 120-240,
what are the concerns that I might not have anticipated? Are there
any hidden dangers, or situations where this change could cause
problems, especially in AC distribution? <br>
<br>
Thanks in advance. I hope that I don't regret posting this late on a
Friday...<span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><br>
Allan<br>
<div>-- <br>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Allan Sindelar</b><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:allan@sindelarsolar.com" target="_blank">allan@sindelarsolar.com</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 (Retired), <span>Positive
Energy,
Inc.</span><br>
<b><a href="tel:505%20780-2738" value="+15057802738" target="_blank">505 780-2738</a> cell</b><br>
<br>
<b><u></u><u></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
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