Topgas
Registered Users
Posts:64
 |
| 04/16/2008 8:48 PM |
|
| I'm going gridtied, which inverter seems to have the best reliability? I'm leaning towards a SMA "Sunny Boy" but the new Zantrex gridtied/battery backup looks interesting. I though someone long ago told me that Zantrex inverters weren't the most dependable units in the world. I'll starting out with a aprox. 4 KWH system. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Road Block
Registered Users
Posts:46
|
| 04/17/2008 7:15 AM |
|
I don't have my setup yet but I didn't find any significant issue with Xantrex, Outback or Sunnyboy inverters during my research. I found complaints about all the manufacturers, most of them seemed fairly petty items. The only significant complaint I found about any of the those three were about Outback not having as nice of information presentation ability of Xantrex, but then the price of outback seems lower for a little more capacity. Sunnyboy will be more expensive than either Xantrex or Outback since Sunnyboy is made in Germany so you have the exchange rate to contend with. When it comes time to order we will be ordering Outback. |
|
|
|
|
Brock
Registered Users
Posts:70
|
| 04/23/2008 12:24 PM |
|
One of the advantages to Xantrex over the Outback or Sunny boy, no moving parts. The Outabck and Sunny boy both have fans. Their cases are smaller since the Xantrex has large heat fins, the Xantrex also seems to stand up to heat better and with no fans less dust or dirt or bugs get inside the unit. |
|
Green Bay, WI. - geothermal heated indoor pool with a small solar setup |
|
|
bobd
Registered Users
Posts:9
|
| 05/01/2008 7:13 PM |
|
| The one issue I've heard over and over is the programming of the Outback inverter. Each installer I spoke with said it is very hard and they had to spend a lot of time learning it. |
|
|
|
|
Brock
Registered Users
Posts:70
|
| 05/01/2008 7:25 PM |
|
| Good point on the Outback inverters. On one hand it is neat you can change so many settings on them, on the other hand you have to know what the settings are and what is best to use for your situation. Also Outback needs a battery bank to work where the Xantrex and Sunny Boy only need the solar panels, the inverter and grid. The flip side of that if the power goes out you can have 4kw of solar panels with you sitting in the dark. Xantrex does also make a battery backup version, which is what I have a XW6048, 6000w at 240vac with a 48v battery bank (24kw in my case). |
|
Green Bay, WI. - geothermal heated indoor pool with a small solar setup |
|
|
bobd
Registered Users
Posts:9
|
| 05/01/2008 8:22 PM |
|
| Brock, you have the inverter I plan to purchase. Any problems with it? What kind of batteries are you using? |
|
|
|
|
Brock
Registered Users
Posts:70
|
| 05/01/2008 8:40 PM |
|
I had 2 SW2512's in my last setup, we are building right now and I sold the two SW2512s and bought the XW6048. I powered it up but that was it until after the electrical inspection next week. It seemed straight forward, but I knew the menu's from the SW inverters. I have eight DEKA 8A8D AGM's. I have had those for about 2 years now and really like them, no watering, no venting, way less idle loss, about 98% in and out, nice! I had Trojan T125's before that.
You might want to check out http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/index.php one of my other haunts, lots of RE solar stuff, between here and there everything is covered :) |
|
Green Bay, WI. - geothermal heated indoor pool with a small solar setup |
|
|
Brock
Registered Users
Posts:70
|
| 05/01/2008 8:47 PM |
|
Oh I should add I got my inverter from
http://sunelec.com/Distributors_/Trace/body_trace.html
You have to call and send a check (no cc) but I can rarely find a better price on equipment. |
|
Green Bay, WI. - geothermal heated indoor pool with a small solar setup |
|
|
bobd
Registered Users
Posts:9
|
| 05/01/2008 9:12 PM |
|
| Thanks for all the tips! |
|
|
|
|