A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: qrper on January 09, 2023, 03:40:13 PM

Title: Just wondering
Post by: qrper on January 09, 2023, 03:40:13 PM
With too much idle time on my hands, and since there are quite a lot of Trace blood flowing in Midnite solar, I was wondering if Trace, back in its day,  private label their stuff?
There's some inverters on eBay that sure look like the Trace DR series.

Just wondering

Mike, wb8vge
Title: Re: Just wondering
Post by: boB on January 09, 2023, 04:21:33 PM
There were clones.   In fact, there was Exide who made batteries.  They had a clone (U2512) that copied everything including spelling errors etc on the silkscreen.  However, they forgot to use the correct FETs and some other components that made them blow up.

Can't remember a lot about private labelled units but there was something along those lines I seem to remember.

Also, did you know that at Disneyland, at least for a few years, they used SW inverters in the Main Street Electrical Parade floats.

boB

Title: Re: Just wondering
Post by: qrper on January 10, 2023, 10:17:27 AM
Quote from: boB on January 09, 2023, 04:21:33 PMThere were clones.  In fact, there was Exide who made batteries.  They had a clone (U2512) that copied everything including spelling errors etc on the silkscreen.  However, they forgot to use the correct FETs and some other components that made them blow up.

Can't remember a lot about private labelled units but there was something along those lines I seem to remember.

Also, did you know that at Disneyland, at least for a few years, they used SW inverters in the Main Street Electrical Parade floats.

boB


That's interesting. Did Exide get into hot water by cloning the Trace design? I was surprised to see that odd ball brand inverter on eBay that, well, if you changed the silkscreen, you'd never be able to tell the difference.

No, I didn't know about Disneyland and the SW inverters. That's cool!

And if Rosie has any of the Trace inverter DNA in her, she's going to be one tough broad!

mike
Title: Re: Just wondering
Post by: littleharbor2 on January 15, 2023, 09:01:55 AM
Is this what you are thinking of?

I am also curious as to the original Trace guys, what you guys know about this modern day rip off as it appears?

https://tiendaonline.traceinternational.com/products/inversor-cargador-3-0-kw-salida-120vac-entrada-24vdc-trace-us3024
Title: Re: Just wondering
Post by: boB on January 15, 2023, 03:51:28 PM
Quote from: littleharbor2 on January 15, 2023, 09:01:55 AMIs this what you are thinking of?

I am also curious as to the original Trace guys, what you guys know about this modern day rip off as it appears?

https://tiendaonline.traceinternational.com/products/inversor-cargador-3-0-kw-salida-120vac-entrada-24vdc-trace-us3024

Yes, Trace International in the Dominican Republic I believe was originally a partner of Trace Engineering and that name has been around for at least 20 years as I remember.

I can't remember the details exactly but I think I may know who that is.

I will ask a question tomorrow from someone that most likely knows.

There are a couple of possibilities on this one.

The DR had a LOT of power outages and the power outages got much better around election time BTW.

boB
 
Title: Re: Just wondering
Post by: boB on January 15, 2023, 03:52:37 PM
Quote from: qrper on January 10, 2023, 10:17:27 AM
Quote from: boB on January 09, 2023, 04:21:33 PMThere were clones.  In fact, there was Exide who made batteries.  They had a clone (U2512) that copied everything including spelling errors etc on the silkscreen.  However, they forgot to use the correct FETs and some other components that made them blow up.

Can't remember a lot about private labelled units but there was something along those lines I seem to remember.

Also, did you know that at Disneyland, at least for a few years, they used SW inverters in the Main Street Electrical Parade floats.

boB


That's interesting. Did Exide get into hot water by cloning the Trace design? I was surprised to see that odd ball brand inverter on eBay that, well, if you changed the silkscreen, you'd never be able to tell the difference.

No, I didn't know about Disneyland and the SW inverters. That's cool!

And if Rosie has any of the Trace inverter DNA in her, she's going to be one tough broad!

mike

Exide did not get into any hot water at that time.  They didn't work well enough.  Later on someone that had thousands of those asked us if we wanted them for just pennies on the dollar.  We said no.