[RE-wrenches] Trace Replacement?

[Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar]

I just use Outback and Schneider because their systems have web portals
that I can monitor, troubleshoot, and advise on. I have never seen anything
decent monitor wise from Magnum. Until 5 years ago they did not have a
charge controller. If I am wrong about Magnum please post a link as I do
not want to post false information. Thx.

Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
e-mail offgridsolar at sti.net
text 209 813 0060

On Sun, 7 Oct 2018 19:02:15 -0600, Ray <ray at solarray.com> wrote:
> Greetings Esteemed Wrenches;
> 
> I have yet another customer whose 20+ yr old Trace SW inverter has flown

> off to inverter Nirvana.  I have replaced a few over the years and never

> quite solved the quandary of whether to replace the entire power board, 
> or to retrofit a Magnum/ Outback in place of the SW, and keep the old 
> Trace DC enclosure.  In this particular case, he has a pair of SW 4024s 
> on an old Ananda power center. I'm considering taking the system to 48 v

> as well, since this will let us use the Magnum 4.4 kW inverters.  This 
> however will also involve rewiring 20 yr old arrays of 50 and 75 watt 
> modules......
> What is the consensus on the best replacement practices on these legacy 
> systems?  I have several out there with the clock ticking down.  My 
> current idea is to just keep the Ananda and use Magnum's extension boxes

> to connect up the new MS 4448 inverters.  Its a tough call: I've 
> replaced a few single SW installs and reused the Trace DC enclosure, and

> cursed working in those tiny boxes.  In other cases, I've put up a whole

> new system, but wondered if that was over kill too.  It seems to be a 
> case of more field installation hours vs more equipment costs.
> 
> Sure be handy, if someone made an SW replacement kit, there are still a 
> bunch of them out there.
> 
> As always, thanks for all your comments and ideas,

-- 
Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
e-mail offgridsolar at sti.net
text 209 813 0060