William, I would ditto your comment about customers who are not adept at computer/network/web being left out by a decision to remove the built-in display. Wireless and networked systems always add a layer of complexity to the installation and commissioning of a system. Setting this stuff up is tedious and I'd argue that it provides limited value to the owner.
Less emphasis on WIFI connectivity and more emphasis on a useful built-in display would be my wish for not only SMA, but all inverter manufacturers. As an installer I greatly appreciate having a display that conveys information helpful to understanding the operation of the system. SMA dropped the ball by not providing a User Manual with their 40 series. Try troubleshooting an error without the User Manual. Having all the info in hand and on a screen in front of you makes life in the field a lot easier. You definitely don't want to have to call SMA - that sucks up a lot of time. I have a couple of customers with Xantrex SW series inverters. These older inverters have a built-in display with buttons that allow the installer or owner to check system information and to program variables. I sure like visiting these jobs and I've found that over-the-phone troubleshooting with customers is pretty smooth. Anyway, I'd trade all the web connectivity and wifi capability for a similar built-in display on today's inverters. -Matt On Thu, Dec 15, 2016 at 2:39 PM, William Miller <will...@millersolar.com> wrote: > Howie: > > > > I have not tried the Wi-Fi capabilities, so I cannot comment on that > aspect. What is relevant, however, is the news I received from a reliable > source that the 40 series inverter will be the last residential inverter > manufactured by SMA that will have an on-board display. As evidence of > this, look in the manual for a 40 series or even a 22 series inverter- > there is no description at all of the display functions. Odd and > disappointing. > > > > SMA should have a representative on this list. It may still be Steve > Jefferson, who is a stand-up guy. SMA, what say you about these > communications and display questions? > > > > Wrenches, if you think having an on-board display is important, voice your > opinion. If the Wi-Fi is problematic, this is not a good direction. A lot > of my clients are elderly and they are not as adept at computer or device > based operations. A display is essential in my opinion. SMA, please don’t > kill the display. > > > > William Miller > > > > > > [image: Gradient Cap_mini] > Lic 773985 > millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> > 805-438-5600 <(805)%20438-5600> > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On > Behalf Of *Howie Michaelson > *Sent:* Thursday, December 15, 2016 6:16 AM > *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] SB -40 Wifi > > > > I am looking for comments on the viability of the Wi-Fi option of the new > SB -40 inverters. I noticed some concern here about the poor performance of > this option and am trying to decide whether to use it in the case of a long > distance between the inverters and the router. > > I can place a repeater between the inverters and as well as purchase the > external antenna option from SMA for the inverters, but would like to have > an idea ahead of buying and installing the 2 antennas if this is likely to > work. I do have the option of running an Ethernet cable, but it is a long > (500' +) and difficult pull. Any comments or suggestions would be > appreciated. > > Thanks, > > Howie > Howie Michaelson > NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ > > Sun Catcher > Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service > VT Solar Electric Incentive Partner > 802-272-0004 <(802)%20272-0004> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches. > org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > -- Matt Sherald PIMBY Energy, LLC NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer® 304-704-5943 www.getpimby.blogspot.com www.getpimby.com
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
