<div dir="ltr"><div><div>William,<br><br></div>I would ditto your comment about customers who are not adept at computer/network/web being left out by a decision to remove the built-in display. Wireless and networked systems always add a layer of complexity to the installation and commissioning of a system. Setting this stuff up is tedious and I'd argue that it provides limited value to the owner.<br><br>Less emphasis on WIFI connectivity and more emphasis on a useful built-in display would be my wish for not only SMA, but all inverter manufacturers. As an installer I greatly appreciate having a display that conveys information helpful to understanding the operation of the system.<br><br></div><div>SMA dropped the ball by not providing a User Manual with their 40 series. Try troubleshooting an error without the User Manual. Having all the info in hand and on a screen in front of you makes life in the field a lot easier. You definitely don't want to have to call SMA - that sucks up a lot of time.<br><br>I have a couple of customers with Xantrex SW series inverters. These older inverters have a built-in display with buttons that allow the installer or owner to check system information and to program variables. I sure like visiting these jobs and I've found that over-the-phone troubleshooting with customers is pretty smooth. Anyway, I'd trade all the web connectivity and wifi capability for a similar built-in display on today's inverters.<br></div><div><div><br></div><div>-Matt<br></div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Dec 15, 2016 at 2:39 PM, William Miller <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" target="_blank">william@millersolar.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US"><div class="m_6497218664527686635WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Howie:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">I have not tried the Wi-Fi capabilities, so I cannot comment on that aspect. What is relevant, however, is the news I received from a reliable source that the 40 series inverter will be the last residential inverter manufactured by SMA that will have an on-board display. As evidence of this, look in the manual for a 40 series or even a 22 series inverter- there is no description at all of the display functions. Odd and disappointing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">SMA should have a representative on this list. It may still be Steve Jefferson, who is a stand-up guy. SMA, what say you about these communications and display questions?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Wrenches, if you think having an on-board display is important, voice your opinion. If the Wi-Fi is problematic, this is not a good direction. A lot of my clients are elderly and they are not as adept at computer or device based operations. A display is essential in my opinion. SMA, please don’t kill the display.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">William Miller</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><img style="width:.6666in;height:.2916in" id="m_6497218664527686635Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D256C7.D7DA3C10" alt="Gradient Cap_mini" width="64" height="28"><br>Lic 773985<br><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/" target="_blank">millersolar.com</a><br><a href="tel:(805)%20438-5600" value="+18054385600" target="_blank">805-438-5600</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> RE-wrenches [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">re-wrenches-bounces@<wbr>lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Howie Michaelson<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, December 15, 2016 6:16 AM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">re-wrenches@lists.re-<wbr>wrenches.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] SB -40 Wifi</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><p class="MsoNormal">I am looking for comments on the viability of the Wi-Fi option of the new SB -40 inverters. I noticed some concern here about the poor performance of this option and am trying to decide whether to use it in the case of a long distance between the inverters and the router.</p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">I can place a repeater between the inverters and as well as purchase the external antenna option from SMA for the inverters, but would like to have an idea ahead of buying and installing the 2 antennas if this is likely to work. I do have the option of running an Ethernet cable, but it is a long (500' +) and difficult pull. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.</p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Howie<br>Howie Michaelson<br>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™<br><br>Sun Catcher<br>Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service<br>VT Solar Electric Incentive Partner<br><a href="tel:(802)%20272-0004" value="+18022720004" target="_blank">802-272-0004</a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br>______________________________<wbr>_________________<br>
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance<br>
<br>
List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.<wbr>org</a><br>
<br>
Change listserver email address & settings:<br>
<a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/<wbr>options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-<wbr>wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
List-Archive: <a href="http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.mail-archive.com/<wbr>re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.<wbr>org/maillist.html</a><br>
<br>
List rules & etiquette:<br>
<a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.<wbr>htm</a><br>
<br>
Check out or update participant bios:<br>
<a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.members.re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><div>Matt Sherald<br></div>PIMBY Energy, LLC<br></div><div>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer®<br></div><div>304-704-5943<br><br></div><span><a href="http://www.getpimby.blogspot.com" target="_blank">www.getpimby.blogspot.com</a><br></span><a href="http://www.getpimby.com" target="_blank">www.getpimby.com</a><br></div><br></div></div>
</div>