Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches]

Does the Avalon system have the ability to monitor an AC 400 amp service?
I know the Envy does not. I ran into this in one of my installs, the envy
does not support paralleling CTs to monitor paralleled main feeds.
And besides, you can’t, at least several months ago even monitor a single
feed 400 amp service using their CTs.

I would have much more confidence in Fortress generally speaking if they
would finally come out with some of these upgrades they’ve been promising
for a while.

*Kirk Herander / **kirkh@vermont.solar *

*Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC*

*Celebrating our 33st Anniversary 1991-2024!!*

dba Vermont Solar Engineering

802.559.1225


On Wed, May 15, 2024 at 2:17 PM Michael Welch via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hi gang. Dave Tedeyan is having troubles with his ISP and asked me to
> forward this message to the list:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I installed an Avalon system in March. The SEP (smart energy panel) is a
> nice idea. As Jay mentioned, getting the main and load breakers wired is
> difficult. I was using standard 4/0 AL XHHW-2. It was doable, but I had to
> remove the display screen in order to get things wired, and I was afraid
> that I might break off one of the load relays if the wire slipped, but it
> was doable. I'll attach a photo of the install in progress, you can see it
> is not easy to get those wires into the main breaker. Fortress is aware of
> this issue and presumably will be doing something about it. I like the
> integrated relays though and how you can easily incorporate load shedding.
>
> In general, the product does not yet have its full capacity. They just got
> the AC coupling software available right before I installed this, which is
> good, since this is an AC coupled system. They still do not have the
> software for generator integration, so I will have to come back this fall
> to move the generator feed once that is available. I am not sure whether
> you can have multiple inverters yet either. Plus, the installer app is only
> in beta testing. So, right now, I have to have to share a login with the
> homeowner. The homeowner app seems to be similar to the Guardian app in
> that there is very little info there, and no historical info. All this will
> be coming with the release of their installer app.
>
> The commissioning process almost went very smoothly, until at the last
> screen it gave me an error sending the info to Fortress. I think in the end
> it would have been fine, but I ended up on the phone for a while with tech
> support to know for sure that it was OK. I am not sure whether that was a
> random issue, but it seems that they are still working out some bugs. Not
> surprising, considering that it is a brand new system. I gather that there
> are not too many of these in the field yet, since one of their main sales
> reps, Walt, randomly reached out to me to ask for feedback. I was happy to
> have the opportunity to talk about it.
>
> Also, note, when I was testing the system and I shut off the main breaker,
> it took about a second or two for power to switch over. It was not
> instantaneous. So, yes, clocks reset, although it at least lets the
> homeowner know that there was a power outage. With some other systems, the
> homeowner may not even know that the power is out so they don't know to
> adjust their power usage. (I know, the benefits of having a paired down
> backup loads panel, but sometimes it just makes more sense to back up
> everything).
>
> But, in general, I think that when this system has its full functionality,
> I think it will be a really solid system at a good price.
>
> Cheers,
> Dave
>
> --
> Dave Tedeyan, P.E.
> Owner | Sungineer Solar
> p: he | him | his
> a: 1653 Slaterville Rd. | Ithaca, NY 14850
> 
> w: www.sungineersolar.com
> c: (607) 270-0370
>
>
> Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches wrote at 05:28 PM 5/14/2024:
>
>
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would
> like to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen them
> work in the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches]

Hey Darryl,

I got involved with the Schneider Home all in one (same thing as 
Fortress Avalon) Before that I was involved with another Schneider HV 
all in one long before Solark. Omnia failed to get to market. I get the 
hee bee jeebies with that kind of voltage offgrid. The numerous various 
failures of the LG hi voltage batteries.


There is no way to replace the battery without waiting for Fortress to 
help. With 48v, I can go to Costco or Walmart and build a temporary 48v 
bank in 3 hours. Pretty simple requirement that I have. Especially in 
this world!


Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
   [1]https://offgridsolar1.com/ [2]  [1]
e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net
text 209 813 0060

On 2024-05-14 6:33 pm, Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches wrote:

I am looking at going high voltage as opposed to 48 volts. This is my 
largest battery system, I have a large distance between battery and 
inverter, 40 feet, the cost of wire, 50 kW, at 50 volts is 1000 amps.  
I am thinking this is too big for me.


On Tue, May 14, 2024, 7:29 PM Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:



Hello Wrenches,

I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would 
like to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen 
them work in the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are 
appreciated.


Thanks! ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

It’s an interesting design. I went to a seminar on it. Wiring the main power distribution center, is a bit tricky with how they designed or not wire room. Probably want to use cobra wire.  The battery voltage design is unusual in that more batteries increases the voltage, not bad just different. Web management looks good I presume you’re installing 5 of the 11kw units for 50kw or did you mean 50 kWh with 1 inverter?As to the high battery volts, I’m old enough to remember the push back against 48v. Or when GT solar was 48, and when SMA came out at 600v, it was way too high. Makes a lot of sense to go higher battery volts because with lithium it’s possible vs with lead it isn’t really. Hopefully there becomes a new common high voltage the OEM’s agree on.  New times. JayOn May 14, 2024, at 7:33 PM, Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches  wrote:I am looking at going high voltage as opposed to 48 volts. This is my largest battery system, I have a large distance between battery and inverter, 40 feet, the cost of wire, 50 kW, at 50 volts is 1000 amps.  I am thinking this is too big for me.  On Tue, May 14, 2024, 7:29 PM Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches  wrote:Hello Wrenches,I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would like to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen them work in the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are appreciated.Thanks!

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches]

I am looking at going high voltage as opposed to 48 volts. This is my
largest battery system, I have a large distance between battery and
inverter, 40 feet, the cost of wire, 50 kW, at 50 volts is 1000 amps.  I am
thinking this is too big for me.

On Tue, May 14, 2024, 7:29 PM Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hello Wrenches,
>
> I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would like
> to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen them work in
> the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[Chris Sparadeo via RE-wrenches]

Dave,

Just to play devils advocate, what are your reasons as to why high voltage
isn’t worthy of OG?

I say this being firmly stuck in 48VDC off-grid systems.

Kindly,

Chris


On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 8:42 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Dave:
>
> Have you actually used the product?
>
> William Miller
> Miller Solar.com
> 805-438-5600
> www.millersolar.com
>
>
> On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 5:38 PM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via
> RE-wrenches  wrote:
>
>> Huge mistake to me to use high voltage battery.  I am biased for offgrid.
>>
>>
>>
>> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
>> "we go where powerlines don't"
>>https://offgridsolar1.com/ 
>>   
>> e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net 
>> text 209 813 0060*
>>
>>
>> On 2024-05-14 5:28 pm, Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches wrote:
>>
>> Hello Wrenches,
>>
>> I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would
>> like to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen them
>> work in the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[William Miller via RE-wrenches]

Dave:

Have you actually used the product?

William Miller
Miller Solar.com
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com


On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 5:38 PM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches
 wrote:

> Huge mistake to me to use high voltage battery.  I am biased for offgrid.
>
>
>
> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
>https://offgridsolar1.com/ 
>   
> e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net 
> text 209 813 0060*
>
>
> On 2024-05-14 5:28 pm, Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would like
> to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen them work in
> the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches]

Huge mistake to me to use high voltage battery.  I am biased for 
offgrid.


Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
   [1]https://offgridsolar1.com/ [2]  [1]
e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net
text 209 813 0060

On 2024-05-14 5:28 pm, Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches wrote:


Hello Wrenches,

I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would 
like to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen them 
work in the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are appreciated.


Thanks!
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[RE-wrenches] Fortress Avalon

[Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches]

Hello Wrenches,

I am looking closely at offering the Fortress Avalon system.  I would like
to hear from anyone that has installed, commissioned and seen them work in
the field. Pros and cons, all of your thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks!
___
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