Wrenches,
Sorry, this started a month ago, I contacted Ryan at
Midnite during a wrench discussion about their AIO. I finally got
a go ahead about some of the issues Ray had concerning Midnite's
AIO and the time to post the response (in
Red) from Ryan, below. Hopefully this helps.
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
Bill Battagin, owner
4291 Nelson St. (Shipping)
5575 Genesee Rd. (USPS, UPS)
Taylorsville, CA 95983
530-284-7849, 258-1641(cell)
CA. C10 Lic # 874049
Solar Powered since 1982
Home of the Sunny Side Up
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Firmware updates of the Midnite AIO are Not via the app. You
have to get a special dongle thing from Midnite, and Yes use a
Windows based laptop to do it.
Not so, users can update
firmware through the app/portal no laptops etc needed. You
should do a factory restore and restart the machine after. We of
course only recommend updating if there is a feature/bug you
want or need to fix
2nd issue: you can not do any programming or change voltage
settings on the inverter itself, everything is through the phone
app. Correct, or over the portal etc
3rd issue: the App doesn't always work, and I had to download it
and delete it, redownload it 5 times, before I could finally
connect to the AIO. I was in Puerto Rico with very poor cell
service, so Frustration levels were very high. Have not had any complaints yet on this one, I
am assuming maybe it has something to do with the poor data
connection?
4th issue: if you turn on the AIO without doing the programming
setup, you can lock the inverter. Stupid me thought I could just
turn the inverter ON, and it would start inverting. It took
several hours to get it to work and take the programming. I was
literally about to Cry. I've been in offgrid solar since 1988,
and this was one of the worst experiences I've ever had. Luckily
Midnite support is excellent, and they hung in there until we
finally got it. Yes you need to go
through some basic programming, The most common issue I see is
people get inpatient and press a lot of buttons and the inverter
will hang up. If this happens power down for 15 minutes and then
power on with patience
5th issue: programming doesn't necessarily take the first time,
and I had to change settings sometimes 3 times, before it would
finally take. My confidence level that it will do what I thought
is low. Leaving it in a remote location, with no one local
knowledgeable to correct issues, is seriously troubling. This also is a first, I wonder if it is also
related to the poor data connection or if the unit was running
at the time. Like other inverters we need to be in standby for
settings to be saved
Once again, regardless of manufacturer, ALL AIOs are made in
China, designed in China, programmed in China, and are IMO, not
suitable for off grid remote applications. They are for DIY folks
and avg. grid tie solar companies that want to play around with
GTB. I've tried Solark, Midnite, Fortress, EG4, and all have not
instilled confidence, and/ or had major problems off grid. Fine
for GTB, but live full time on it? Stake your family's lives on
it? NO WAY.
I'm willing to try the Rosie for my next off grid job, because I
still trust Midnite, and because I just don't see any good
alternatives, now that Magnum and Outback are down. BTW, I still
have old Trace SWs inverting their hearts' out. Not ready to
replace them.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
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