We have had the same issue with the SMA GFDI err. To fix the problem, before
commissioning we remove the fuse, squeeze the GFDI fuse holder a little tighter
and clean the contact ends of the fuse. Fires right up.
Wayne Irwin EE
Pure Energy Solar International Inc.
State Licensed Solar Contractor
License # CVC56695
wa...@pureenergysolar.com
http://pureenergysolar.com
352 377-6527 Office
352 336-3299 Fax
352 316-1637 Cell
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From: atru...@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 21:17:54 -0500
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Powered vs SMA
Last I used a PVP was in 2005 and we had multiple failures. I've never had an
SMA fail but there has been a disconcerting glitch on some units lately, where
the inverter displays a GFDI fuse error for about a 1/2 hour after
commissioning, and then kicks in. Still the best dependabilty and fit and
finish of any of the major inverters in my humble opinion.
To me its Ford vs. BMW. America makes some damn fine equipment but when it
comes
to precision engineering and lifetime performance I would argue that
the Germans have an edge on the rest of the world right now.
Andrew Truitt
Standard Solar Inc.
On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 9:29 AM, Drake Chamberlin
<drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org> wrote:
In the past I have seen a lot of issues with PVP inverters. There
was a period, when I was subcontracting, where a half dozen or more of
the units had to be replaced within a short time. Although I like
many features of PVP, I've avoided them since. Have others found
these units to be reliable or problematic?
At 07:30 PM 12/1/2009, you wrote:
Nice thread... inverter
pros/cons is something I spend a fair amount of time
pondering, since they are the weak link in the grid-direct
installation.
Overall, I like them both (PVP and SMA).
Performance: On page 44 of the Dec/Jan issue of SolarPro, there is a list
of
specifications for grid-direct inverters. Current PVP and SMA inverters
have
similar CEC weighted efficiency ratings. Some of the older PVP
inverter
models (1100, 2000, 2800, 3000) have slightly lower efficiency.
Reliability: I like that the PVP inverters have no moving parts, whereas
the
SMA inverters use a fan to assist with the cooling. PV Powered does a lot
of
marketing around their reliability efforts, for whatever that's
worth.
Customer Service: I have not needed to utilize PV Powered customer
service.
I've found SMA customer service techs to be easy to reach and
knowledgeable.
Other issues: I like that PV Powered inverters are made in the USA. I
also
find the hardware and manuals to be easier to work with, most likely
because
they're produced in the USA for our market. The PVP inverters ship with
a
full-size mounting template which comes in handy, especially when
planning
the rough-in wiring and support framing during new construction.
I have a preference for the PVP inverters, and use SMA occasionally if
it's
a better design fit. I agree with Wayne Irwin's comment about the
durability
of the inverters with the heavy transformer designs, as opposed to the
newer
"light-weight" designs (including the newest SMA products). I
just feel that
in the long run, lower counts for electronic components is a good thing.
I'm
not an expert on component reliability, but I know from my somewhat
limited
experience that capacitors dry up and transistors are susceptible to
a
variety of failure modes. The fewer of these things, the better. Also
from a
reliability standpoint, I prefer to put inverters inside in a well
ventilated area, if possible. My gut feeling is that over the long haul,
any
inverter will be better off in a location that is protected from
moisture
and large ambient temperature swings.
-Hans
________________________________
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[
mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith
Cronin
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:04 PM
To: RE-Wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] PV Powered vs SMA
Hi colleagues
Do any of you have a preference, PV Powered vs SMA in the residential
space-
2k-5k grid tie inverter zone?
Comments on performance/reliability/customer service etc?
Any feedback on their monitoring vs SMA's webbox?
Thanks
Keith
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Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO License 3773
NABCEP TM
Certified PV Installer
Office - 740-448-7328
Mobile - 740-856-9648
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--
"Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to
fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely
banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in
just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!"
~William McDonough
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