There is no fixed standard for the replacement frequency of wind solar complementary controllers, which is influenced by various factors:
1、 Equipment quality factors
High quality product: If it is a high-quality wind solar complementary controller that uses advanced electronic components and stable circuit design, its service life may be very long. Under normal circumstances, it may run for 10-15 years or even longer before replacement is considered. For example, some well-known industrial grade controllers have undergone strict screening and quality testing of key components such as capacitors and chips, which can maintain good performance under complex environmental conditions and work stably for a long time without frequent replacement.
Poor quality products: On the contrary, controllers with poor quality may be prone to malfunctions due to the use of low-quality electronic components. For example, some controllers produced by small workshops may have capacitors on their circuit boards with insufficient withstand voltage, which can easily cause damage when there are slight voltage fluctuations. This type of controller may need to be replaced within 1-2 years or even shorter periods of use.
2、 Operating environment factors
Temperature environment: In extreme temperature environments, the frequency of controller replacement will increase. For example, in high-temperature environments (such as desert areas where summer temperatures often exceed 40 ℃), the electronic components inside the controller will accelerate aging. High temperature may cause problems such as drying up of capacitor electrolyte and decreased performance of semiconductor devices. In extremely cold environments (such as high-altitude cold regions with winter temperatures below -30 ℃), the charging characteristics of the battery will change, and if the controller cannot adapt well to these changes, it is also prone to malfunctions. In such harsh temperature environments, the controller may need to be replaced every 3-5 years.
Humidity environment: High humidity environment (such as coastal areas or areas with frequent rainstorm) will cause corrosion to the circuit board of the controller. When moisture in the air enters the interior of the controller, it may cause problems such as short circuits and component damage. If there are no good waterproof and moisture-proof measures, the controller may malfunction and need to be replaced within a few years.
Dust and environmental pollution: In areas with high levels of dust (such as some arid sandy areas), dust can easily enter the interior through gaps such as the controller’s heat dissipation holes and accumulate on the circuit board, which may lead to poor heat dissipation and short circuits between components. If there are many chemical pollutants in the surrounding environment (such as near factories), it can also cause corrosion to the outer shell and internal components of the controller, shorten the service life of the controller, and may need to be replaced in about 5-7 years.
3、 System load and usage
Overload operation: If the wind solar complementary power generation system frequently operates under overload, that is, the actual load power exceeds the rated power of the controller, the controller will be in a high load working state for a long time. For example, connecting too many high-power electrical devices can cause the power tubes, relays, and other components in the controller to withstand high currents for a long time, making them prone to overheating and damage. In this case, the controller may need to be replaced in 2-3 years.
Normal load operation: Under normal load conditions, when used reasonably according to the design parameters of the controller, its replacement frequency will be relatively low. For example, for a wind solar complementary system that supplies power to small households, the load mainly consists of lighting equipment and small household appliances, and the load power is within the rated power range of the controller. The controller can operate stably for a long time, and may only need to be replaced after 8-10 years.
4、 Maintenance and upkeep status
Regular maintenance: Regular maintenance of the wind solar complementary controller can extend its service life. For example, regularly cleaning the dust on the surface of the controller, checking the heat dissipation situation, tightening the connection lines, and other operations can promptly detect potential problems and handle them. If a comprehensive maintenance inspection can be conducted once a year, the replacement cycle of the controller can be appropriately extended, possibly from the normal 7-10 years to 10-12 years.
Lack of maintenance: If maintenance is not carried out for a long time, problems such as dust accumulation and loose connections will gradually accumulate, leading to an increased probability of controller failure. For example, if the dust on the heat sink is not cleaned for a long time, the heat dissipation effect of the controller will deteriorate, the internal temperature will rise, and the aging of components will accelerate, which may cause serious faults in the controller within 3-5 years and require replacement.