Dear Colleagues:
Here is a cautionary tale and a bit of a rant. I hope by relating this experience may help others avoid it. I have an off-grid installation that needed some updating. I first installed this system in about 1984 with three Heart Interface inverters stacked. Later on I converted to two 24 volt VFX inverters. The client has had some issues and the site is remote, so I thought remote monitoring would be helpful. I installed a Mate3 and a dedicated terrestrial internet service and we could monitor certain functions remotely, control the generator and initiate EQ cycles in advance so we did not have to wait for hours to complete an EQ before checking SG and watering. The inverters had version 59 and 60 firmware which is older and limited the feature set available for Optics monitoring. Still we were able to use vital functions. A few months later the Optics system stopped working for the most part. I contacted Outback and apparently Outback had updated the Optics system and the changes rendered the FX inverters unable to connect to Optics in any useful manner. This was embarrassing because I had sold the customers on the benefits of Optics. I am disappointed that Outback pulled the rug out from under an otherwise operating system. To upgrade the inverter firmware requires changing out the control boards. This was too much cost and work for older, 24 volt inverters. I convince the customer to upgrade to new inverters, and while at it to upgrade to 48 volts. I installed the new inverters and batteries and completed the job yesterday. Today I was checking Optics and got some strange response while trying to adjust some settings. In talking with tech support, apparently the new FXR inverters (version suffix A-01) are not compatible with the Mate3. I have to purchase a Mate3s. I bid this job, so the cost will come out of my pocket. I was told my vendor should know not to sell new FXR inverters without cautioning installers about the need for a new Mate3s. I do not believe inside sales-people will know nor should they be required to know this level of arcane detail. As of today the Outback web site indicates only a Mate3, not a Mate3s, is required. Outback, if you are listening, please try to maintain some backwards-compatibility with the pool of existing equipment out there. We can’t all run out and replace all of our hardware whenever you update your web service or product line. I feel like I am constantly beta testing your shipping products and that presents enough headaches without this added problem. Rant over. Again, I hope I can save someone else the unpleasant surprises I am experiencing. Sincerely. William Miller PS: All of the above is based on what I learned from tech support. If I misunderstand any of it I am open to correction. Wm [image: Gradient Cap_mini] Lic 773985 millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> 805-438-5600
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