In praise of Trace

706jim said:

From my signature you can see that I've used solar for quite some time. My original 180 watt system in 1994 was considered "large" at the time.
I just had to comment after reading the tribulations that others have experienced with equipment over time that my Trace components have performed flawlessly over a looooong time period. DR1524 inverter goes back to 1994 and C40 charge controller to 1996. While future system upgrades will include an MPPT controller and a pure sine inverter, how can anyone not be impressed with these old units that have never given me a problem.
In particular, my fridge requires that the inverter run for 6 months 24/7 and it hasn't let me down to date.
For those who appreciate fine quality American made equipment!

"In particular, my fridge requires that the inverter run for 6 months 24/7 and it hasn't let me down to date."  You run the fridge for six months/year then? Still an incredibly long lasting unit.

My Samsung fridge seems to be on too much lately. Need to check power consumption (not as easy as it should be) and put some foam insulation panels on the sides if the fridge is OK. I may be in the market for a new fridge.

Have not placed any additional insulation on it due to fears about interfering with normal operations. I'm not sure it is faulty. It has two smallish 300 watt compressors instead of one large one. My overnight battery voltage has been slipping and I keep looking at the fridge as a possible culprit. Could be the freezer. Could be colder batteries. Could be older batteries. Could be shorter days. Could be something else. Could be all of the above - but I do feel that the overnight voltage is slipping faster than it should be. 

Estragon said:

A kill-a-watt type device can be handy to narrow down the possibilities.

Of course - if I could get to the fridge plug more easily. I'd do it now but headed out tomorrow and I want a 24 hour sample. Hmmm - maybe a 72 hour would be better.

No because system voltage always drops when the fridge kicks on. Once again - electronics messing with me. 

icarus said:

Trace (no pun intended) the lineage from Trace to Outback, to Midnight...Good engineering and good customer service.  The common link?   Robin, BoB and Mary Gudgel.    You could even include Magnum the mix.  I still run an ancient C40 on one installation, as well as some Arco panels.  I think I bought my first PV to charge a radio battery and reading light in ~1989. 

tony

This may be the way you remember it, and there is some bit of accuracy, but NQR.
Trace was sold to Xantrex.
Xantrex was sold to Schneider Electric Solar division.

During the day, the story I heard was the Gudgel's went out the back door at Xantrex with others to form Outback.

I worked at HP in the late 70's and maintained a mountain top offgrid Earth Station for our TELNET  satellite connections. This went out to our divisions world wise.

Solar was ridiculously expensive. 

Had to reboot a flashlight earlier this week. It conked out while I was carrying supplies through an unpowered area and sought a lower flashlight power level. By reboot I mean that I had to remove the batteries and re-insert them. Then the light was as bright as new. 

A flashlight that needs rebooting. Welcome to 2019. While sitting on my high horse I must mention that I have been doing significant maintenance on several automobiles lately. Having taking a 40 year hiatus from twisting many wrenches.  This is my conclusion: engineers working in the automotive industry should be castrated so their gene pool ends - NOW.  The first guy who decided the fuel pump belongs inside the fuel tank? Vaporized - along with these pioneers:
1) Painted, plastic bumpers and door handles.
2) Plastic ends on radiators and plastic hose attachments.
3) Plastic blades on water pumps. 
4) Engine belts that power everything combined with valves that hole pistons when the belt quits. 
5) Using fewer head bolts so head gaskets blow out more frequently. 
6) Spark plugs that take specialty tools and divine guidance to replace. 

Lots of story of ancient Trace inverters still ticking away. 

I am stocking up on old cars - not dealing with miles of modern auto electronics. A mouse can total a $40,000 car. An $80,000 car? - even easier. Its been that way for awhile though. 

Yet these are the best days ever for solar power. Still can't believe how cheap panels have become. All we need is a major battery break through now. 

The next generation of engineers shows promise. Too bad about overlooking the brakes though.: 

Dave,

I am not sure what we are arguing about.  All I’m saying (in essence) is that Robin et al have been around the block with a lot of companies. Not meaning to imply that Robin etc al were the font of all the good that has come out of all those companies.

T

Dave Angelini said:

Maybe for Baja, but Trace had a SW5548 back in the day. I have one here if anyone wants to buy it. I use to keep it as a spare but the newer gear has all of the comms that are sorely lacking on this old vintage, but very dated equipment.

Can you tell us more?