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Wrenches, A bit over a year ago I built a mini-system for a customer: One 135W module, SunSaver-10, 104 A/hr Concorde VRLA, Tri-Metric monitor and an Exeltech XP125 inverter. All but the module were installed in a plastic picnic cooler. The customer was totally satisfied with the system for this weekend getaway cabin system and used it well within its bounds - a couple of lights, mostly. Last week she called because the inverter had failed. I called Exeltech tech support and was told that the XP125 lacks protection against AC overload! There's no circuit breaker or internal shutoff protection, and an internal fuse on the circuit board is included only to protect against reverse polarity. And because the inverter has been in operation for 15 months, this apparent failure isn't covered under the one-year warranty. Send it in, under $50 to repair. I wrote the customer about the load size and her (edited) answer is below. Apparently it wasn't even an overload, just a failure, possibly related to poor power factor in the cordless drill charger. But I still have never heard of an inverter without some form of overload protection, and it seems to me that a unit this small especially needs it, given how easily its capacity can be exceeded. I have long respected Exeltech, one of few domestic electronics products left. But this incident is giving me pause. Morningstar's SureSine claims extensive protection: "The SureSine has extensive electronic protections that will automatically protect against faults and user mistakes such as short circuit, overload, high temperature and low voltage disconnect. Recovery from most faults is automatic." It's looking better all the time. Has anyone else experienced a similar failure? Thank you, Allan -- Allan Sindelar [email protected] NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Positive Energy, Inc. 3201 Calle Marie Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 www.positiveenergysolar.com -------- Original Message --------
Hi Allan, i just got your message. I have a 7.2 volt
craftsman cordless drill and I used the 1 hour charger. As soon
as I plugged it in, the inverter made a funny sound and
everything went off. the battery was operating 100% - it was
in the morning and nothing else was turned on. On the bottom of
the charger it says: dual charge rate
input: 120V AC 60 Hz 65 watts
output: 7.2-24V DC 1.6A Battery Charger
Yes, it's a little upsetting that this happened. I remember
asking you if I could overload it - one of my concerns and you
advised me that wouldn't happen. I appreciate your taking care
of this. Thanks, Joann
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