<div dir="ltr">Jeremy,<div>We have seen this with the APSmart devices. One melted and did not cause damage to the panel. The other destroyed the panel. </div><div><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>With Kind Regards<div>SunRock Solar</div><div>Carl Adams</div></div><br></div></div></div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Aug 26, 2021 at 11:40 AM Jeremy Coxon <<a href="mailto:jcoxon@sunwindpowerinc.com">jcoxon@sunwindpowerinc.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">Has anyone else had an APsmart RSD unit explode in the first few weeks of service? See attached pictures (hopefully you\u2019ll be able to see them). <div><br></div><div>This was a newly installed array with SMA 7.6. System started up fine, then the next morning would not operate unless inverter was power cycled. It would then start up and run fine until the next morning when the same thing would happen. We went over the array with fine tooth comb and verified 'turn on' signal at each unit using RSD Eye tool - no signs of anything wrong. Spent ~4 hrs on tech support with SMA who then sent replacement inverter. Upon install of new inverter same result. Then AP said we needed to install their 'outdoor unit' (external signal injector) which took weeks to arrive, further inflaming the customer. Upon installation of the outdoor unit the problem persisted. Then things got really weird - inverter would attempt to start up and went into \u201cunstable operation mode\u201d and then it finally threw an arc fault code (turned out to be a real one for a change). Went back up on roof and found charcoal on roof deck under a panel. Luckily this was on a brand new metal roof and not an asphalt shingle roof with leaves or squirrel nests under it! We spent a LOT of time on this problem, got both manufacturers on an email thread to help us diagnose and inform them etc, before finding the actual cause and received zero compensation from AP for our time, instead just lots of excuses and finger pointing.<div><br></div><div>We also lost the potential of a LOT of referral business due to total loss of confidence in our industry by this architect client. I have waited a few weeks before sending this note to let my blood stop boiling. A piece of SAFETY equipment intended for fire fighter safety should NOT be an ignition source. I have contacted Bill Brooks with this info in hopes that he can inform the Code making panel and that someone will end this madness. Module level RSD via external components that are essentially undiagnosable black boxes that double the number of connections in an array results in the opposite outcome of the problem that they are intended to solve - IMO. We will be opposing any AHJ who requires us to use these devices going forward. I welcome your comments and am interested to know if anyone else has had any similar experiences?<div><br><div><img id="gmail-m_1134205280396001207E87FE0C1-457D-46AB-AC85-11F60C441C5B" width="141" height="320" src="cid:17b8351a6095b206ef61"><img id="gmail-m_11342052803960012078B64E9E9-9CB2-462E-91B5-24B456ACF92D" width="240" height="290" src="cid:17b8351a60a5b2e86772"><br><div><br></div><div><br><div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br>Best Regards,<br>Jeremy Coxon NABCEP # 091308-21<br>MWBE Certified<br></div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;text-decoration:none"></span><br><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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