Useful Life SW 5548 & Inverter Replacement

Mangas
Mangas Solar Expert Posts: 547 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I've been considering replacing my four trusty 5548 SW Plus stacked inverters next year. They're going on 10 years. While I have a new 5th one as a spare, I don't know if I'm now at the point of pushing their reliability envelope. Five years ago, I replaced the two MX 60 Outback charge controllers with FM 80s'. I plan to keep them unless there are better higher capacity/quality CCs' out there.

Reliability is "job number one" on our ranch. So far have had only one inverter go down 3 years ago and a simple mother board replacement brought everything back on line.

I'm considering Schneider inverters again but Outback now makes a good unit too. As you know, we have a pretty large and well engineered system.

Don't know whether to leave everything as it is or plan to change them out and, if so, when. What do you guys think?
Ranch Off Grid System & Custom Home: 2 x pair stacked Schneider XW 5548+ Plus inverters (4), 2 x Schneider MPPT 80-600 Charge Controllers, 2 Xanbus AGS Generator Start and Air Extraction System Controllers, 64 Trojan L16 REB 6v 375 AH Flooded Cel Batteries w/Water Miser Caps, 44 x 185 Sharp Solar Panels, Cummins Onan RS20 KW Propane Water Cooled Genset, ICF Custom House Construction, all appliances, Central A/C, 2 x High Efficiency Variable Speed three ton Central A/C 220v compressors, 2 x Propane furnaces, 2 x Variable Speed Air Handlers, 2 x HD WiFi HVAC Zoned System Controllers
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  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Useful Life SW 5548 & Inverter Replacement

    Mangas, what do you feel the odds are of them all going down at the same time? Not too likely from my view. You also have a spare.
    I would decide on what you want from what is currently available, to replace with when you press the spare into service, then check to see f there have been anything better come on the market.
    A little research for now...

    hth
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Useful Life SW 5548 & Inverter Replacement

    Mangas,

    There are many Trace SW4024s, SW4048s and a few SW 5548s still in service in this general area. Many were installed around year 2000. One was hurt, and repaired about 8 years ago (lightning-caused). One had a problem with a built-in Thermal circuit breaker, IIRC.

    Knocking on wood, these have been very reliable, especially in off-gird service and without any wind (the wind turbine towers can add lightning risk)

    There may be an aspect of a Tax Credit in the replacement consideration, but, the inverters themselves are very, very robust.

    FWIW. YMMV, etc. Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
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  • Mangas
    Mangas Solar Expert Posts: 547 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Useful Life SW 5548 & Inverter Replacement

    You guys are probably right. Losing more than one save a big strike is probably unlikely. I just hate to part with these units.

    While the newer technology has a better wave, I don't know if they're tougher. We live in some pretty harsh desert mountain conditions. Summer rain and lightening time out here now.

    As you suggest will do some research along the line and mull it over.
    Ranch Off Grid System & Custom Home: 2 x pair stacked Schneider XW 5548+ Plus inverters (4), 2 x Schneider MPPT 80-600 Charge Controllers, 2 Xanbus AGS Generator Start and Air Extraction System Controllers, 64 Trojan L16 REB 6v 375 AH Flooded Cel Batteries w/Water Miser Caps, 44 x 185 Sharp Solar Panels, Cummins Onan RS20 KW Propane Water Cooled Genset, ICF Custom House Construction, all appliances, Central A/C, 2 x High Efficiency Variable Speed three ton Central A/C 220v compressors, 2 x Propane furnaces, 2 x Variable Speed Air Handlers, 2 x HD WiFi HVAC Zoned System Controllers
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