Trace/Frig. [RE-wrenches]

[Richard Perez, Home Power magazine]

<x-flowed>Hello John

Cost has always been an issue with RE systems. I think a responsible 
installing dealer should warn their customers that there will be 
problems with modified sine wave power. Give them the information and 
let them make the choice, after all it's their money they are 
spending. Then when the customer complains about mod sine power 
problems, you can say that you warned them and suggest solutions.

The examples you chose for cost comparisons are all Trace inverters. 
How about the sine wave models made by both Statpower and Exeltech? 
The Exeltech XP1100 has a MSRP of around US$750, which is an 
outstanding deal and cheaper than some mod sine inverters. The 
Statpower products are not American and perhaps New Zealand treats 
them differently regarding import duties. Both the Statpower and 
Exeltech have cleaner sine wave outputs than the Trace, both are 
reliable, and both are less expensive. As you mentioned, the 
electricity prices in NZ are so cheap that utility interties makes no 
financial sense (which it doesn't in the USA either), hence you don't 
need the utility intertie capabilities of the Traces, but you pay for 
them anyway.

I was not saying that dealers should sell only sine wave inverters. 
What I meant that was dealers should attempt to sell sine wave 
inverters to their customers. Give them the straight info about mod 
sine problems, and explain the cost differences. The purchasing 
decision is obviously up to the customer.

Mod sine inverters still have their place in low cost systems which 
will tolerate their funky power. I used them for years here and sold 
them to my customers. I must say I don't miss the thrill of buying a 
new appliance, plugging it in, and seeing if it fries and dies. I 
worry about the long term effects of mod sine power on equipment. 
Even though the appliance operates, albeit at lower performance, what 
is the mod sine power doing to the longevity of the appliance? In my 
experience, mod sine power produces more waste heat in power supplies 
and motors. This extra heat will eventually shorten the life of the 
appliance. Where are the cost savings then?

I'm curious and since this is the Wrench list, I'm going to ask. How 
about it dealers, what percentage of the inverters you currently sell 
are mod sine and what percentage are sine wave?

Richard

>I must cede to a much higher authority on the subject; however I did not
>give you the full picture locally so its not fair to judge my suggestion
>on that basis.
>
>For those of you living within CONUS, it doesn't matter, but if you live
>outside those boundaries a different picture emerges.  Take my own
>example, for every $1 US, we have to pay $2 local currency. Thats good
>for you guys that visit here.......your money goes a long way indeed.
>But if you purchase Trace, lets see now, these are our current prices
>that we have to sell to our customers:
>
>		DR1524e			$2395.
>		DR2424e			$2850
>		SW3024e			$8100   WOW
>		SW3048E			ditto
>		SW4548E			$9200 gee whiz
>
>Now our basic pay is still about the same as yours, very roughlly about
>$25,000 to $30,000.  Thats per year, not per month unless you are the
>owner of a large international magazine. Heh, heh.
>
>And, the price for my daytime electricity is about 13 cents.......and
>overnight nite rate is 4.5 cents.   Converted to your price that is 6.5
>US cents for daytime and 2.25 US cents overnight !!!!!  How many Net
>Metering systems can you sell against those prices.
>
>The point I'm trying to make here is that how would any of you like to
>try to sell ONLY pure sine wave inverters under those conditions.  I'm
>not crying in my beer, or saying poor me,  just adding a bit of realism
>to why I suggested mixing mod sine & pure sine.
>
>Although I don't have a FMI to guage by, I have 25 CF running out of the
>over 60 lights in my house. Using a Trace DR2424e, which also runs our
>automatic dishwasher, which does grunt more than if it was on pure sine
>wave, but it still works well. We also use a device called a
>Toast-N-Grill, and the microwave and garbage disposal, and a elec jug
>(kettle) to heat water for a cuppa.
>
>Richard, I know that if it meant the difference between making a good
>install and mixing inverters or simply just using a mod sine, OR NOT
>getting another convert over to our way of independence.......I'm sure
>I'ld know what you'ld say. Especially when you consider what we are up
>against in pricing due to the exchange rate.
>
>Yours from across the water,
>
>	John Veix

------------------------------------
Richard Perez
Home Power
PO Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520  USA
Tele: 530-475-3179
FAX: 530-475-0836
Subscriptions: 800-707-6585
mailto:richard.perez at homepower.com
Web: http://www.homepower.com
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