To clarify, there IS closed loop comms between Sol-Ark and EG4, but the problem is the batteries mess up settings in the Sol-Ark that can cause erratic behavior. Sol-Ark recommends against implementing closed loop. It could plausibly work in some simple scenarios. But I don't physically connect it at all.
The nice thing about HomeGrid is it seems to simply feed it's SOC to Sol-Ark so the inverter can do it's thing. When you have EG4 and Sol-Ark open loop, just like other batteries, Sol-Ark requires several charge and discharge cycles to get SOC "accurate." In comparing the EG4 Communication Hub to the Sol-Ark SOC at any given state of discharge, the Sol-Ark seems to be pretty close, but only if the batteries regularly reach 100% charge. I wish EG4 would just feed SOC info to the Sol-Ark and not cause it to change other parameters. Otherwise, it seems to be a good pairing. Jason On Wed, Oct 9, 2024, 8:12 PM Jay <[email protected]> wrote: > Good to know they don’t closed loop communicate, definitely preferably but > not that big a deal in the end. > So is the sol ark building a SOC or reading the battery SOC but it’s not > able to use it for charging algorithm? > > I probably have either what I’ve sold or advised 200 x 5 kWh blocks or > some version. Their marketing is so good it’s hard to push people away. > > No real issues. > > > They do seem to be confused on how to recalibrate their BMS which I really > can’t figure out why they are. Weird. > > > > But their tech support is quick and I can get through in seconds or > minutes. > > If they ever pull off their Outback power redux? > > Jay > > > > > > > > On Oct 9, 2024, at 5:38 PM, Jason Szumlanski < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > Jay, > > I should mention I have a couple of customers with big EG4 LifePower > battery banks (i.e. 120kWh+, 80kWh, etc) and Sol-Arks. The clients > purchased the batteries directly, so I didn't have a choice. I will say > that the systems are performing flawlessly, but forget about closed loop > comms and SOC management. Everything is voltage based, which is suboptimal. > But we're making it work. The Sol-Ark app still reports their version of > SOC, which is handy for clients, but charge setpoints are done with > voltage. > > Signature Solar has provided pretty good support, but I didn't need much > help. > > I strongly suggest the Communication Hub to get SOC data from the battery > BMSs. It's pretty handy and very easy to install. > > With that said, I don't sell EG4 and don't necessarily recommend it, but > to be fair, I haven't had any problems and the capacity claims seem > legitimate. The value proposition can't be ignored. > > Jason Szumlanski > Florida Solar Design Group > > On Wed, Oct 9, 2024, 7:29 PM jay <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Thats all super helpful, appreciate the advice everyone. >> >> I’ve not used the sol ark 15 and just wanted to make sure I wasn’t >> missing anything about battery options. >> >> And specifically the ones that don’t seem to play well. >> >> Jay >> >> >> >> >> >> On Oct 9, 2024, at 2:56 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> HomeGrid works great with Sol-Ark. Closed loop comms reports battery SOC >> from BMS. Parallel stacks install easily. Customer support is competent and >> patient, in my experience. >> >> The best part is the ability to easily add batteries. On Sunday I had a >> client with two stacks of five batteries each call me in a panic ahead of >> Hurricane Milton. He wanted more capacity. We had them in stock. On Monday >> my team added three batteries to each stack on the fly since we couldn't do >> a roof install that day due to rain. We had it done in about 2 hours, and >> that included moving the stacks due to a height conflict with a piece of >> equipment. >> >> And now, 48 hours later, I'm looking out my home office window at the >> trees bent over. A tornado passed close by a few hours ago, debris pelting >> my windows, and a neighbor lost their lanai ceiling. Too close for comfort! >> But I have power, at least. :) >> >> Wish us luck. >> >> Jason Szumlanski >> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group >> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) >> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 >> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 >> >> >> On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 4:44 PM MDElectricSolar via RE-wrenches < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> We’ve been installing the Tesla power wall 3 and have had zero issues, a >>> very robust product, downside is no generator support. >>> >>> Michael D Nelson >>> MD Electric & Solar, Inc. >>> 707-684-0064 mobile >>> 707-884-1862 office >>> www.mdelectricsolar.com >>> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar >>> >>> >>> On Oct 9, 2024, at 1:24 PM, Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> 2 – Homegrid both required quite a bit of programming assistance not >>> everyone who answered the phone was knowledgeable enough to get the fixes >>> installed. >>> >>> 2 – Pytes fired up fine no issues. >>> >>> 2 – Solar Edge both required assistance, quick & simple fixes with Tech >>> staff. >>> >>> >>> >>> I have a client who has started off with “I want Tesla batteries” how >>> has Tesla batteries faired on installation? >>> >>> >>> >>> _________________________________________________________ >>> >>> Dana Orzel GREAT SOLAR WORKS! >>> >>> C – 208.721.7003 E – [email protected] >>> >>> W - www. greatsolarworks.com www.solarwork.com >>> >>> *“Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988!”* >>> >>> >>> <mime-attachment> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List Address: [email protected] >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try >>> the other: >>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List rules & etiquette: >>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>> >>> Check out or update participant bios: >>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List Address: [email protected] >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> There are two list archives for searching. 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