Howie,
I might be interested in taking the Envy off your hands. I haven't
made the move from Outback equipment but have joined the LFP world. I also
like to test
new products on my own off grid system and have 3 e-Flex batteries.
Contact me off list if interested.
John Blittersdorf
john.blittersd...@gmail.co
On Thu, Mar 28, 2024 at 12:30 AM Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> William,
>
> I am sure that I am not the only one on the list that appreciates your
> willingness to share your experience, well thought out analysis, and
> solutions. As always, thank you for your insights and ideas. And thanks
> for taking the time to highlight your positive interactions with Fortress.
>
> I too have had generally good experience with Fortress's support, which is
> no small part of why I've chosen to install many eVault Max cabinets,
> particularly for off grid systems. This is also, in part, why I chose to
> try their Envy inverter in my off-grid house that currently has an older
> 1300 ah lead acid battery bank (whenever I have the opportunity to try new
> to me equipment in my own place, I do so).
>
> I have used Sol-Ark in many installs, and have been generally pleased with
> them, but am growing weary of firmware updates that cause problems and
> errors between disparate brands. This issue has only grown more critical
> and troublesome with the advent of closed loop communications between
> hybrid inverters and Lithium BMSs.
>
> So I was anxious to try the Envy, which is promoted as working with many
> Lithium batteries in closed loop, as well as Lead acid, both on and off
> grid. I should have done more research before buying it for use in this
> setting.
>
> In short, in my opinion, the Envy is woefully inadequate for use with
> lead acid batteries. The programming and capabilities for use with a Lead
> Acid battery bank are on the verge of useless. And regrettably, in trying
> to understand how to set it up and dealing with what turned out to be
> serious shortcomings, talking with their support for many hours over
> several calls about this, was even more abysmal. I was basically told
> that I should not use the Envy with L-A batteries, it wasn't designed for
> such use, and if i did so, that was at my own peril (not their exact
> words). This inspite of their sales team and advertising saying otherwise.
> It was one of the worst support interactions I've had since talking with
> Xantrex (about issues with their TM500 meter interfering with the C40's
> functionality) 20 years ago. This was not the experience I was hoping for.
>
> I don't typically bad mouth a company here, especially one that I've
> enjoyed good results with. My preference is to highlight
> companies/equipment that have worked well for me. However, I have made
> multiple attempts to email their support team, their sales team and their
> higher level tech, with absolutely no response. Crickets. Now I am
> frustrated, hence this missive.
>
> I will be replacing the Envy with another more appropriately designed
> inverter. Hopefully, I will be able to do something useful with it.
>
> Howie Michaelson
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 10:14 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Friends:
>>
>>
>>
>> Some of you may remember the problems I am having integrating a set of
>> Fortress batteries with an off-grid Sunny Island/Sunny Boy ac-coupled
>> system. If not, here
>> <https://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/case_studies/36_SIFortress/36_SunnyIslandFortressIntegration.html>
>> is the case study.
>>
>>
>>
>> The problem has been in abeyance for the last few months because due to
>> short days and cloudy weather. There has not been enough sunshine to cause
>> a recurrence. Now that spring has sprung the problem is back.
>>
>>
>>
>> I did come up with a work-around: I installed a contactor to disconnect
>> the Sunny Boys whenever the SOC gets to 90%. This works but it does waste
>> some solar capability.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have been working with Fortress on the issue. They have been in touch
>> and have been very generous in offering support and spending time trying to
>> find a solution. Most important they have admitted the problem exists.
>>
>>
>>
>> To me this is very refreshing. This makes me want to use more Fortress
>> products and sing their praises. I think my fellow wrenches would want to
>> know about this great support when contemplating which battery products to
>> use, which is the reason for this post.
>>
>>
>>
>> Below is an excerpt from an email received today from Fortress.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi William,
>>
>>
>>
>> Apologies for the lapse in communication on this subject, we are still
>> actively working on this case to provide you with a solution.
>>
>>
>>
>> We have confirmed here in our Lab that the older firmware does not
>> resolve the issue as you have stated and the engineering and product teams
>> are in discussions to provide a solution to this battery/inverter
>> compatibility issue. We will provide updates on a solution as we receive
>> them. I unfortunately do not have a timeline to provide, but we will have
>> one soon.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you for your patience.
>>
>>
>>
>> Warm regards,
>>
>> Galen Gennaria
>>
>>
>>
>> I will update the case study when new developments occur.
>>
>>
>>
>> William
>>
>>
>>
>> Miller Solar
>>
>> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>>
>> 805-438-5600
>>
>> www.millersolar.com
>>
>> CA Lic. 773985
>>
>>
>>
>>
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