Posted by Ron Rosenfeld on June 24, 2007, 6:40 am
My system, which includes a pair of series-stacked SW5548's, has been
running without difficulty for 6 1/2 years. But I find myself concerned
about dealing with inverter failure(s).
Does anyone here have data on how long these things might last?
Strategies to deal with failures in an off-grid system?
I could certainly run off the backup generator, but how long does it take
to get an SW5548 repaired or replaced? I live in Downeast Maine.
The only critical 240V item I have is the well pump.
--ron
Posted by George Ghio on June 24, 2007, 8:30 am
Ron Rosenfeld wrote:
> My system, which includes a pair of series-stacked SW5548's, has been
> running without difficulty for 6 1/2 years. But I find myself concerned
> about dealing with inverter failure(s).
>
> Does anyone here have data on how long these things might last?
> Strategies to deal with failures in an off-grid system?
>
> I could certainly run off the backup generator, but how long does it take
> to get an SW5548 repaired or replaced? I live in Downeast Maine.
>
> The only critical 240V item I have is the well pump.
> --ron
Ah yes. You could be in deep shit. It all depends on the design of your system.
Statistically the inverter is the most likely component in a system to fail. The
reasons for this
vary but main reason seems to center on saving money by undersizing the inverter
to a save a couple
of bucks.
A 1500 watt inverter run at close to or at 1500 watts all the time when a 2000
watt inverter would
have been the better choice.
To put it bluntly "Heat"
It's a lot like running your car close to or at red line all the time.
The question is how close to the max do you push them and for how long?
How long to get them repaired?
How far do you have to send them for service?
Can they go by post or do they need a shipping agent?
--
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Posted by Loren Amelang on June 24, 2007, 2:58 pm
On Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:30:25 +1000, George Ghio
>Ron Rosenfeld wrote:
>> My system, which includes a pair of series-stacked SW5548's, has been
>> running without difficulty for 6 1/2 years. But I find myself concerned
>> about dealing with inverter failure(s).
>>
>> Does anyone here have data on how long these things might last?
>> Strategies to deal with failures in an off-grid system?
In 27 years off-grid, counting only sudden and unexpected failures,
I've lost one inverter, one battery cell (the connector flag fractured
off the top), several PV panels (internal connections to the backs of
cells failed), and one house wiring circuit (the carpenters had put a
nail through the cable and it took about twelve years for it to
finally short). Also one well pump system, due to a hole in a pipe
fitting at the bottom of the well (probably electrogalvanic).
>> I could certainly run off the backup generator, but how long does it take
>> to get an SW5548 repaired or replaced? I live in Downeast Maine.
>>
>> The only critical 240V item I have is the well pump.
>> --ron
>Ah yes. You could be in deep shit. It all depends on the design of your system.
>Statistically the inverter is the most likely component in a system to fail.
The reasons for this
>vary but main reason seems to center on saving money by undersizing the
inverter to a save a couple
>of bucks.
My old Heart Interface H24-2500 was only running the little front-load
washer, maybe 350 watts, when it failed on an ordinary cool day.
Someone hit the timer knob to stop the washer while it was in the
middle of the spin cycle. Probably not the first time that had
happened, but this time there was a sudden horrendous buzz, and the
(DC) lights dimmed to about nothing. Luckily the electronic off switch
on the inverter worked.
Since that warning, I've added a 200 amp DC-rated disconnect switch
with 200K amp interrupting fuses ahead of the inverter. It's in a huge
metal box and makes quite a dramatic snap when you switch it, but
that's what it would take to turn off a shorted inverter if its off
switch didn't work. A switch rated to _carry_ 200 amps, like the
"battery selectors" often used in marine systems, wouldn't have a
chance.
>How long to get them repaired?
>How far do you have to send them for service?
>Can they go by post or do they need a shipping agent?
I took advantage of the event to upgrade to the SW4024 I'd been
wanting, and with a choice of dealers in nearby towns I was back
online in a couple of days. Once I got the Heart packed and shipped,
it took them less than a week to turn it around, but I didn't pay for
fast shipping since the pressure was off. It is still here as a spare
system.
My "survival strategy", aside from the spare inverter and two engine
generators, is a 3000 gallon water tank. There are ways around an
inverter failure, but if the deep well pump is out, they won't help
you. And I've had many more pump problems than power problems...
Loren
Posted by Ron Rosenfeld on June 24, 2007, 3:30 pm
wrote:
>On Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:30:25 +1000, George Ghio
>>Ron Rosenfeld wrote:
>>> My system, which includes a pair of series-stacked SW5548's, has been
>>> running without difficulty for 6 1/2 years. But I find myself concerned
>>> about dealing with inverter failure(s).
>>>
>>> Does anyone here have data on how long these things might last?
>>> Strategies to deal with failures in an off-grid system?
>In 27 years off-grid, counting only sudden and unexpected failures,
>I've lost one inverter, one battery cell (the connector flag fractured
>off the top), several PV panels (internal connections to the backs of
>cells failed), and one house wiring circuit (the carpenters had put a
>nail through the cable and it took about twelve years for it to
>finally short). Also one well pump system, due to a hole in a pipe
>fitting at the bottom of the well (probably electrogalvanic).
>>> I could certainly run off the backup generator, but how long does it take
>>> to get an SW5548 repaired or replaced? I live in Downeast Maine.
>>>
>>> The only critical 240V item I have is the well pump.
>>> --ron
>>
>>Ah yes. You could be in deep shit. It all depends on the design of your system.
>>
>>Statistically the inverter is the most likely component in a system to fail.
The reasons for this
>>vary but main reason seems to center on saving money by undersizing the
inverter to a save a couple
>>of bucks.
>My old Heart Interface H24-2500 was only running the little front-load
>washer, maybe 350 watts, when it failed on an ordinary cool day.
>Someone hit the timer knob to stop the washer while it was in the
>middle of the spin cycle. Probably not the first time that had
>happened, but this time there was a sudden horrendous buzz, and the
>(DC) lights dimmed to about nothing. Luckily the electronic off switch
>on the inverter worked.
>Since that warning, I've added a 200 amp DC-rated disconnect switch
>with 200K amp interrupting fuses ahead of the inverter. It's in a huge
>metal box and makes quite a dramatic snap when you switch it, but
>that's what it would take to turn off a shorted inverter if its off
>switch didn't work. A switch rated to _carry_ 200 amps, like the
>"battery selectors" often used in marine systems, wouldn't have a
>chance.
>>How long to get them repaired?
>>
>>How far do you have to send them for service?
>>
>>Can they go by post or do they need a shipping agent?
>I took advantage of the event to upgrade to the SW4024 I'd been
>wanting, and with a choice of dealers in nearby towns I was back
>online in a couple of days. Once I got the Heart packed and shipped,
>it took them less than a week to turn it around, but I didn't pay for
>fast shipping since the pressure was off. It is still here as a spare
>system.
>My "survival strategy", aside from the spare inverter and two engine
>generators, is a 3000 gallon water tank. There are ways around an
>inverter failure, but if the deep well pump is out, they won't help
>you. And I've had many more pump problems than power problems...
>Loren
Thanks for that information.
Since I have two inverters, I could run 1/2 the house and fire up the
generator when I need the well pump. I also have a spare SW5548, but it's
been sitting in unheated space since mid 2000 and I have no idea if it'll
work, or not. One of these days, when I get a round tuit, I need to hook
it up and check.
Sounds as if you've had a good experience with your equipment.
Thanks for the info.
--ron
Posted by Ron Rosenfeld on June 24, 2007, 3:26 pm
wrote:
>Ron Rosenfeld wrote:
>> My system, which includes a pair of series-stacked SW5548's, has been
>> running without difficulty for 6 1/2 years. But I find myself concerned
>> about dealing with inverter failure(s).
>>
>> Does anyone here have data on how long these things might last?
>> Strategies to deal with failures in an off-grid system?
>>
>> I could certainly run off the backup generator, but how long does it take
>> to get an SW5548 repaired or replaced? I live in Downeast Maine.
>>
>> The only critical 240V item I have is the well pump.
>> --ron
>Ah yes. You could be in deep shit. It all depends on the design of your system.
>Statistically the inverter is the most likely component in a system to fail.
The reasons for this
>vary but main reason seems to center on saving money by undersizing the
inverter to a save a couple
>of bucks.
>A 1500 watt inverter run at close to or at 1500 watts all the time when a 2000
watt inverter would
>have been the better choice.
>To put it bluntly "Heat"
>It's a lot like running your car close to or at red line all the time.
>The question is how close to the max do you push them and for how long?
Most of the time, they are loafing -- around 10% capacity. During periods
when I have been monitoring and recording continuously, I don't believe
I've ever seen them at more than 70% capacity, and that for only two or
three minutes.
>How long to get them repaired?
I don't know. I'm looking for experience of others with this brand.
--ron
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> running without difficulty for 6 1/2 years. But I find myself concerned
> about dealing with inverter failure(s).
>
> Does anyone here have data on how long these things might last?
> Strategies to deal with failures in an off-grid system?
>
> I could certainly run off the backup generator, but how long does it take
> to get an SW5548 repaired or replaced? I live in Downeast Maine.
>
> The only critical 240V item I have is the well pump.
> --ron