Anyone running a SawStop on an off-grid solar inverter
I just bought a 3HP Sawstop professional and discovered that it will not operate on my inverters (two stacked Outback VFX3524’s, giving 240V). Even though the inverters supply enough starting current for other tools with similar starting loads, the voltage sag (170V for 100ms or so) is enough for the Sawstop logic to decide it’s an error condition and shut down. (In fact, the first time I tried, it actually triggered the brake! In by-pass mode the contactor slaps in and out.)
I was planning an upgrade to my system and now the saw adds new requirements. Can anyone point to an inverter that will allow the Sawstop to operate?
It’s not enough to just look at the specs, as my limited experience suggests they don’t provide enough detail to determine if the Sawstop will actually function.
Replies
Call Sawstop directly. They àre helpful folks..
Definitely call Saw Stop. Their service department is excellent. I have a Saw Stop and solar power and have had no difficulties with the power. I'm not off the grid, however. Solar supplies about half my power.
I have had a number of discussions with tech support folks at Sawstop. They are indeed quite knowledgeable and helpful. They are aware that their saws have proven to be incompatible with off-grid systems as well as with generators (unless they are pretty substantially sized.) Disappointingly, there don't seem to be any cautions about this on their website or in the manual.
While they are aware generically of problems, they don't have information on compatibility with specific brands of inverters. This is not surprising - nobody is going to call them and say "hey, it works with my inverter". Why would you call if you're not having a problem and are unaware that others are having a problem? So that's why I'm asking here if anyone is successfully running a Sawstop on an off-grid inverter.
Grid-tied doesn't help answer the question, as the grid side of the system prevents the voltage sag that is the root of the problem.
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