Re: [pvusers] PV inverter reliability

[Sandfella1@cs.com]

I have a Trace Tiger TS 500SB inverter and have had it in service for three years.
It has not failed me yet. It is asked to start the electric gate motor 1/3 HP and has done so with no problem. It is also used to supply emergency power to overhead lights (4 each) and the cash register during our frequent power failures. I have found that the cheap fluorescent lights from Walmart work well with it but the conventional ballast types make too much noise. As for customer service from Trace, IT is nonexistent with Trace as far as I am concerned. I am installing a new Heart 2Kw load manager inverter at my cabin now.  I switched brands just because of the crummy customer service I have experienced from Trace. I also have a few of the smaller 150-600 watt inverters, I use them infrequently but they perform well. I hate that the fan runs all the time on the Porta watz.

Offgridman