[RE-wrenches] Growatt 5k inverter w/ transformer, more China junk?

Fri Jan 8 14:51:38 EST 2021

G'Day All,

Just wanted to update you on what has transpired. So the inverter is indeed
NOT UL listed. I did look at other inverters on their (GroWatt) website and
did find some US models that stated they did carry UL 1741. The internet
company was Signature Solar out of TX and after my phone call with them,
once they realized that they were talking with an actual installer they
have since decided to take back the inverter equipment. The client only has
to pay for the shipping.

The client did state what they wanted in equipment. To begin with they have
two frig's and two freezers on top of the rest of the home's electrical
equipment to be powered at the time of a utility outage, yet they only
received two 100Ah batteries w/ 80% DoD. Hmm? They consist of two G4LL,
100Ah lithium batteries. Now this ties into a recent wrenches post about
where to find UL listings. Apparently the battery that comes in a rack
style mounting form has no UL listing. However the cells themselves carry
some kind of UL lettering is the best way to describe it. I've attached the
document for your reference. So they sold this unsuspecting client two
batteries with no cabinet or jumpers to connect them, unlike a Blue Ion or
Fortress system. I sent the documentation off to my local AHJ for their
opinion but I'm confident they'll tell me to pass on these batteries. I've
since provided a quote to install the PV modules they purchased (REC315's)
along with a UL listed inverter and battery obviously at a much higher
cost. Thanks for all your inputs.

Stay safe and healthy,
Christopher

On Tue, Jan 5, 2021 at 10:39 AM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar <
offgridsolar at sti.net> wrote:

> We want to see the certificate of compliance for UL and all the good
> paperwork for power system electronics, especially offgrid.
>
> Most in the Sierra can't get fire insurance so we build even better
> redundant systems with that in mind. I do not care so much where the
> equipmens origin is as much as the company behind it. I like it when a
> company diversifies it's manufacturing to many countries.
>
> This plays really well right now in the times of C19 and supply lines
> being strained. Trying also to keep an open mind about the Chinese
> government. Weird how certain items have back-logs also these days.
>
>
>
> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
> http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ <http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/>
> e-mail  offgridsolar at sti.net <offgridsolar at sti.net>
> text 209 813 0060*
>
> On Tue, 5 Jan 2021 08:56:16 -0500, Chris Sparadeo <
> sparadeo.chris at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I totally get that most off-grid jobs won't be inspected, however isn't it
> still a good idea for components to carry a UL listing in the event of a
> fire? It seems like an easy thing for a fire investigator/insurance company
> to pick out, even if it was not the origin of the fire. That's been a
> (perhaps self made) deterrent for me over the years. Any thoughts?
>
> On Tue, Jan 5, 2021 at 8:38 AM Chris Mason <cometenergysystems at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> The Growatt inverters are top quality, they ship a huge amount of
>> inverters. They make US models in split phase. What happened here is the
>> client ordered something he knew nothing about from a vendor that also
>> knew nothing. I run into this all the time. That's what we get the big
>> bucks for.
>> We buy a lot of chinese inverters for different islands. If we want 230V
>> 2 wire to suit the island, that's what we order. In some cases we order
>> 120V, some are 240V split phase, and some are 230V.
>> If it's off-grid, will there be a requirement for UL listing? I would not
>> worry about the quality of the inverter, they are excellent. I would worry
>> about the design. If you are not confident, walk away. You will be expected
>> to make it work or keep trying, and the damage to your reputation if it all
>> fails will be hard to counter. The client is never wrong.
>>
>> On Mon, Jan 4, 2021 at 7:33 PM Chris Schaefer <chris at solarandwindfx.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> G'Day and Happy New Year's All,
>>>
>>> Just wanted to share this with you all. A potential client purchased a
>>> somewhat complete system off the internet and is now seeking an installer.
>>> I know, same old story. The package came with two Growatt SPF-5000 ES
>>> inverters with two Huawei HW-TX-5000 transformers.  The twist to the story
>>> is apparently the inverters put out 230vac on a single leg and the
>>> transformers are required to split the 240vac into two legs of 120. I've
>>> never come across an inverter like this. As an off gridder the first thing
>>> I think of is the inefficiencies of the additional transformers to do
>>> something like this when we have plenty of manufacturers that don't require
>>> this. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this setup and possible experiences
>>> and pitfalls to beware of.
>>>
>>> PS the client is kicking themselves in the butt, lol.
>>>
>>> Gratefully,
>>> Christopher--
>>>
>>> Chris Schaefer's
>>> <http:www.solarandwindfx.com>
>>>
>>> *Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870 *
>>> *5115 South Hill Road
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/5115%0D%0ASouth+Hill+Road?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>> ~ Canandaigua New York 14424**www.solarandwindfx.com
>>> <http://www.solarandwindfx.com> ~ E-mail: chris at solarandwindfx.com
>>> <chris at solarandwindfx.com>*
>>>
>>>
>>> Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said,
>>> "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are
>>> willing to work and give to those who would not."
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Chris Mason
>> Solar systems designer
>> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>>
>> Comet Systems Ltd DBA Comet Solar
>> Anguilla Cell  264.235.5670
>> WhatsApp 264.235.5670
>> Skype: netconcepts
>> www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com/>
>> _______________________________________________
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> --
> Chris Sparadeo
>
>
> C_802-369-4458
> H_802-728-3059
>
>
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-- 

Chris Schaefer’s
<http:www.solarandwindfx.com>

*Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870 *
*5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424**www.solarandwindfx.com
<http://www.solarandwindfx.com> ~ E-mail: chris at solarandwindfx.com
<chris at solarandwindfx.com>*

Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said,
"democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are
willing to work and give to those who would not."
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