I have 11 Lorentz systems in the field. The biggest problems I had were
with the controller.
Infant mortality, failure within the first 3 months and the float switch
circuit failing were some of the issues.
I also ran into the rubber problem that Windy mentioned.
So I switched to Grundfos. 16 of those in the field now.
I've had a lot of trouble with the CU200 controller. The dreaded F4
fault is the worst.
The controller loses communication with the pump. I had a bad batch of
CU200s that had
faulty modems but got those replaced under warranty. I've had 2 pumps
with bad modems
as well. Sometimes the pump won't run at all with an F4 fault, but most
times it will. But the pump
is stuck on the setting it was in when the comm failed and performance
isn't usually very good.
Even with these problems, I still prefer the Grundfos system. I love the
flexible input voltage.
It gave me the flexibility to adapt the array when module availability
was hit or miss.
As for customer support....when Dankoff Solar was handling their version
of the Lorentz pump
known as the "ETA" pump (aka the Regretta pump!) the customer service
was phenomenal.
With Conergy, not so good.
I'm still underwhelmed by the Grundfos factory support. They would
rather have the pump distributors
handle all the warranty issues. When I need to contact Grundfos
directly, I get the distinct feeling that I'm
inconveniencing them.
I'm installing 5 more Grundfos systems this spring. Maybe all will be
goodness and light this time ;-)
And Windy.....really glad to see you back in the game for a bit. I've
missed you my friend!
Also very happy to have support for the many Dankoff pumps I have out
there. All running very well.
Roy Butler
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer®
NYSERDA eligible PV & wind installer
PA Sunshine Program Approved PV Installer
Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC
8902 Route 46
Arkport, NY 14807
607-324-9747
www.four-winds-energy.com
Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message,
a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
=====================================================================|
6th Annual Small Wind Conference |
A Gathering of Installers, Manufacturers, Dealers, and Distributors |
June 15 and 16, 2010 |
Stevens Point, Wisconsin |
i...@smallwindconference.com |
http://www.smallwindconference.com |
=====================================================================|
Windy Dankoff wrote:
Bob,
Warren is referring to problems with Lorentz that showed up 5-7 years
ago. There was a problem with rubber that occurred only in some kinds
of water. It took a long time to track down. It was solved and
reliability has been high ever since. That's what I've heard from
several sources.
I would consider both Lorentz and Grundfos -- look at total system
cost of both and make your choice from there. You'll also see that the
control options are different, so consider those too if the decision
is a close one.
Windy
Warren Lauzon wrote:
At one time Dankoff (the pre-Conergy Dankoff Solar) handled the the
Lorentz submersibles. They dropped them after about a year because of
failures.
Now, that was several years ago and Lorentz may have gotten their
problems fixed, but we have felt more comfortable with the Grundfos.
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
