But then there's the Xantrex GT.... Not your cold-weather friend. I know of a project in CO that had to replace approx 280 of them last winter. Word I got was that the actual low-temp was warmer than the spec. I recommended against using that inverter in that application, for this and other reasons that I won't go into here. The project engineers bought Xantrex's story that they would be fine. Guess they were for a month or so.... At least part of me hopes that Schneider will put a stop to the historical release of products and engineering by Xantrex that doesn't pass muster.... These practices aren't good for the bottom line, no matter what kind of beans you're counting. Sunshine Wishes, Matt L _____
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Palumbo Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:57 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Inverter temp spec for cold regions Same experience here as Tump's. We are located in Northern Vermont, get's down to -40F. James Worden of Solectria gave us the go ahead to mount his inverters outdoors. SMA also gave us their blessing, and Fronius said that the capacitors in their inverters were the same ones used in their welding equipment used in Siberia - so they too also told us no problem. Dave -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Tump Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:36 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Inverter temp spec for cold regions Here in Maine I guess we've got the stupid Caps cause they don't know enough to blow up when cold! My SMA inverter shouldn't work cause its been outside now for 3 years! & I guess that my SW4048s don't work anymore too. they lived outside since 1998.We DO have some low temps & the only thing I have seen is the LCD displays are not reliable. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:51 PM To: RE Wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Inverter temp spec for cold regions Wrenches, Inverter manufacturers have an ambient temperature range with a lowest temperature spec. For example, SMA has a spec of -13 to +113 degrees F. In our area of New Mexico, we have a record cold temperature well below the -13 degrees F. If we mounted the inverter on an outside wall or on a pole, this would expose the inverter. I called SMA and asked about this. They told me that the capacitor blows up if it goes below the coldest temperature. My question is does anybody have experience with this issue in the cold regions of the US like Colorado or Montana? Do you always mount the inverter inside in those cold regions? Thanks, Randy Sadewic Positive Energy
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