Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

[Andrew]

I second that from Bruce, I also do a ton of VFX repairs and been getting them 
at http://photonelectricllc.com they are usually in stock and ship out very 
fast.

 

 

Andrew Perkins

Greenwired

P: 707-923-2001

F: 707-923-2077

1150 #1 Evergreen Rd

Redway, CA 95560

www.greenwired.com

Description: signature

 

 

 

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Bruce Erickson
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2019 8:59 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

 

I just bought a replacement VFX FET board from Photon Electric, at the 
recommendation of the Outback tech (cheaper than OB he said).

http://photonelectricllc.com 574-642-3731. They’re in Indiana.

 

Bruce Erickson

Mendocino Solar Service

PO Box 1252

Mendocino, CA 95460

707-937-1701

707-937-1741 fax

br...@mendocinosolar.com

 

Connecting Mendocino County to Solar Since 1994

 

 

 

 





 

On Apr 13, 2019, at 10:45 AM, Greg  wrote:

 

Friends,  
I have a customer who's ready to upgrade to a larger system.  He has 6 - 
VFX3648 inverters that are 10 years old.  They're only used in the summer 
months but still going strong.  He needs to increase his system size to about 
28kW.  
My understanding is that Outback no longer supports the old VFX inverters.  I'm 
wondering if anyone knows if we can still get parts?
  
I did see an email from Tump that mentioned someone who repairs boards but I 
was wondering if I could get boards, maybe I could just install them in any 
outback inverter and make it into a VFX 3648 (if it had the vent /fan mount in 
it).

Next I'm wondering if the MATE ever died if I could either get a replacement 
MATE or if a MATE 3 would be compatible?  Same question for the HUB10?

The VFXs are certainly proven technology.  Hate to replace them if I don't have 
to.
Thanks again,
 
Greg Egan
Remote Power Inc.

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

[Bruce Erickson]

I just bought a replacement VFX FET board from Photon Electric, at the 
recommendation of the Outback tech (cheaper than OB he said).
http://photonelectricllc.com  574-642-3731. 
They’re in Indiana.

Bruce Erickson
Mendocino Solar Service
PO Box 1252
Mendocino, CA 95460
707-937-1701
707-937-1741 fax
br...@mendocinosolar.com

Connecting Mendocino County to Solar Since 1994







> On Apr 13, 2019, at 10:45 AM, Greg  wrote:
> 
> Friends,  
> I have a customer who's ready to upgrade to a larger system.  He has 6 - 
> VFX3648 inverters that are 10 years old.  They're only used in the summer 
> months but still going strong.  He needs to increase his system size to about 
> 28kW.  
> My understanding is that Outback no longer supports the old VFX inverters.  
> I'm wondering if anyone knows if we can still get parts?
>   
> I did see an email from Tump that mentioned someone who repairs boards but I 
> was wondering if I could get boards, maybe I could just install them in 
> any outback inverter and make it into a VFX 3648 (if it had the vent /fan 
> mount in it).
> 
> Next I'm wondering if the MATE ever died if I could either get a replacement 
> MATE or if a MATE 3 would be compatible?  Same question for the HUB10?
> 
> The VFXs are certainly proven technology.  Hate to replace them if I don't 
> have to.
> Thanks again,
>  
> Greg Egan
> Remote Power Inc.
> 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

[Lones Tuss]

Hi Greg
Yes boards are available for the VFX3648. I would suggest calling into OutBack 
Tech support. To get those repaired or replacement PCB’s sent to you.
Below is a link to the OutBack Website.
Technical support contact information is there.
http://www.outbackpower.com/about-outback/contact/contact-us

Thanks and Take Care



From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of Greg
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2019 10:46 AM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

** [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - Please report any suspicious attachments, links, or 
requests for sensitive information to the Help Desk. **

Friends,
I have a customer who's ready to upgrade to a larger system.  He has 6 - 
VFX3648 inverters that are 10 years old.  They're only used in the summer 
months but still going strong.  He needs to increase his system size to about 
28kW.
My understanding is that Outback no longer supports the old VFX inverters.  I'm 
wondering if anyone knows if we can still get parts?

I did see an email from Tump that mentioned someone who repairs boards but I 
was wondering if I could get boards, maybe I could just install them in any 
outback inverter and make it into a VFX 3648 (if it had the vent /fan mount in 
it).

Next I'm wondering if the MATE ever died if I could either get a replacement 
MATE or if a MATE 3 would be compatible?  Same question for the HUB10?

The VFXs are certainly proven technology.  Hate to replace them if I don't have 
to.
Thanks again,

Greg Egan
Remote Power Inc.
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

[Greg]

All, thanks for the intel.  If I can find 2 more VFX3648s I may suggest 
they just stick with the old inverters, buy some replacement boards and 
go with an 8 stack.  If not I'll go with 4 XW+6848's or Radians.  I want 
to keep it a simple as possible so I'll stick with 1 inverter system 
feeding 1 MDP.  If it was my place I'd have no problem having multiple 
panels fed by different inverters/systems.  For this customer, simple 
and reliable is best.

Many thanks,
Greg Egan
Remote Power Inc.


Ray 
 
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 15:10:18 -0700 
 



If there is a way to split your AC outputs to different sub panels,  you 
might be able to keep the legacy system operational to support one 
subpanel, and then have a multi Radian system (or other manu) power the 
other loads.  It can work, and also means that a failure in one inverter 
will not take the entire system off line.  I have a property with a 
mixture of Outback inverters and 4 old Trace SW series inverters, and 
its been online for almost 20 years.  We added the Outbacks when they 
added a new building, but they all operate off the same Large battery 
bank. We just changed the original batteries out about a year ago, so 
its been fairly successful overall.  The shop welder and power tools are 
isolated from the house, so a power tool start doesn't dim the lights or 
reset the computer in the house.   Building a single totally integrated 
system that incorporates the old VFX gear is not feasible anymore though 
as others have mentioned.


Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 4/13/19 1:40 PM, jay wrote:

HI Greg,

You can still get FX/VFX boards.

Outback doesn’t make the FX series,  only the V/FXR models now, they are 
not compatible


Mate 3s works on newer and older units
Mate 1 doesn’t work on newer R or Radian versions

kris Stone mailto:stkri...@yahoo.com>> for parts.

Kris will know but last time I checked you can get reconditioned/short 
warranty boards or new with full warranty for FX/VFX.


As to 28kw, I’d go with the 4 Radian vs 8 stack FXR.

jay
peltz power







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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

[Wayne Irwin]

Outback still repairs heritage gear.

From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of Greg 

Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2019 1:45:47 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

Friends,
I have a customer who's ready to upgrade to a larger system.  He has 6 - 
VFX3648 inverters that are 10 years old.  They're only used in the summer 
months but still going strong.  He needs to increase his system size to about 
28kW.
My understanding is that Outback no longer supports the old VFX inverters.  I'm 
wondering if anyone knows if we can still get parts?

I did see an email from Tump that mentioned someone who repairs boards but I 
was wondering if I could get boards, maybe I could just install them in any 
outback inverter and make it into a VFX 3648 (if it had the vent /fan mount in 
it).

Next I'm wondering if the MATE ever died if I could either get a replacement 
MATE or if a MATE 3 would be compatible?  Same question for the HUB10?

The VFXs are certainly proven technology.  Hate to replace them if I don't have 
to.
Thanks again,

Greg Egan
Remote Power Inc.

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

[Jerry Shafer]

Outback has a repair facility that have fixed out of warranty inverters and
charge controllers
Jerry

On Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 11:02 AM Greg  wrote:

> Friends,
> I have a customer who's ready to upgrade to a larger system.  He has 6 -
> VFX3648 inverters that are 10 years old.  They're only used in the summer
> months but still going strong.  He needs to increase his system size to
> about 28kW.
> My understanding is that Outback no longer supports the old VFX
> inverters.  I'm wondering if anyone knows if we can still get parts?
>
> I did see an email from Tump that mentioned someone who repairs boards but
> I was wondering if I could get boards, maybe I could just install them in
> any outback inverter and make it into a VFX 3648 (if it had the vent /fan
> mount in it).
>
> Next I'm wondering if the MATE ever died if I could either get a
> replacement MATE or if a MATE 3 would be compatible?  Same question for the
> HUB10?
>
> The VFXs are certainly proven technology.  Hate to replace them if I don't
> have to.
> Thanks again,
>
> Greg Egan
> Remote Power Inc.
>
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>
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[RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 3648 tech support and parts

[Greg]

Friends,
I have a customer who's ready to upgrade to a larger system.  He has 6 - 
VFX3648 inverters that are 10 years old.  They're only used in the 
summer months but still going strong.  He needs to increase his system 
size to about 28kW.
My understanding is that Outback no longer supports the old VFX 
inverters.  I'm wondering if anyone knows if we can still get parts?


I did see an email from Tump that mentioned someone who repairs boards 
but I was wondering if I could get boards, maybe I could just install 
them in any outback inverter and make it into a VFX 3648 (if it had the 
vent /fan mount in it).


Next I'm wondering if the MATE ever died if I could either get a 
replacement MATE or if a MATE 3 would be compatible?  Same question for 
the HUB10?


The VFXs are certainly proven technology.  Hate to replace them if I 
don't have to.

Thanks again,

Greg Egan
Remote Power Inc.

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