Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar 
Many even had the numbers to Xantrex and before that Trace where it mostly
began. Still have a Trace in the storage bin from 1982.
--Dave


Dave dan@foxfire-energy.comDave
> And to think there was once a time when many of us
> had Chris and Robin's cell phone
> numbers.Dan BrownFoxfire
> Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564 href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com";>www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP
> #092907-44
> 
> 
> ---- Original Message ----
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
> From: William Miller < href="mailto:will...@millersolar.com";>will...@millersolar.com>
> Date: Thu, September 21, 2017 12:52 pm
> To: RE-wrenches < href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org";>re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
> 
> 
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>  style="font-size:12pt;"> style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Dan: class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;"> style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">  class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;"> style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">I
> have not yet used the 3S.  I have installed a number of Mate3s with
> and without FN-DC units.  I have experienced a fair number of
> glitches and problems with the Mate3 and Optics.  I have a list of
> incidents in a spreadsheet and I am intending to publish them to a web
> site.  It is my general belief that the Outback Mate3 and the Optics
> system are not as reliable as they should be and were released
> prematurely.  It seems every time they release a new version a new
> set of problems emerges.   style="font-size:12pt;"> style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">  class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:12pt;"> style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Here
> is but one example that illustrates the frustration: I was encouraged by a
> top level engineer to use firmware version 003.315.003.  Apparently
> that version was Beta and never released  I experienced problems with
> the display of KW being consumed and was instructed to upgrade to
> .005.  Afterword I noticed the Mate3 was rebooting frequently. 
> Then it was revealed that an auto-reboot function that I had been urged to
> enable in previous versions never really worked until version .005. 
> I understood the reboot would only occur if the system was locked up but
> apparently it reboots every 4 hours (or period it is set to) and sends a
> notification.  Why would one want to reboot equipment every 4 hours
> unless it was locked up?  I request a lot of notices from my Optics
> systems (because it is unreliable) and I don’t need more.  Also, it
> is quite lame, IMHO, to recommend using a function that does not
> work.  Argh!!!  (Then I learned that .005 does not solve the
> incorrect display of kw consumed…Waiting for that to be
> resolv

Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread dan 
And to think there was once a time when many of us had Chris and Robin's cell phone numbers.Dan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44


 Original Message 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
From: William Miller <will...@millersolar.com>
Date: Thu, September 21, 2017 12:52 pm
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>

Dan: I have not yet used the 3S.  I have installed a number of Mate3s with and without FN-DC units.  I have experienced a fair number of glitches and problems with the Mate3 and Optics.  I have a list of incidents in a spreadsheet and I am intending to publish them to a web site.  It is my general belief that the Outback Mate3 and the Optics system are not as reliable as they should be and were released prematurely.  It seems every time they release a new version a new set of problems emerges.   Here is but one example that illustrates the frustration: I was encouraged by a top level engineer to use firmware version 003.315.003.  Apparently that version was Beta and never released  I experienced problems with the display of KW being consumed and was instructed to upgrade to .005.  Afterword I noticed the Mate3 was rebooting frequently.  Then it was revealed that an auto-reboot function that I had been urged to enable in previous versions never really worked until version .005.  I understood the reboot would only occur if the system was locked up but apparently it reboots every 4 hours (or period it is set to) and sends a notification.  Why would one want to reboot equipment every 4 hours unless it was locked up?  I request a lot of notices from my Optics systems (because it is unreliable) and I don’t need more.  Also, it is quite lame, IMHO, to recommend using a function that does not work.  Argh!!!  (Then I learned that .005 does not solve the incorrect display of kw consumed…Waiting for that to be resolved.) I have been guilty of not reading the release notes.  Read them carefully! I will say I have not had any problems interfacing the FN-DC with a Mate3.   In spite of the problems with the Optics and Mate3 systems, I am desperately in need of the functionality these systems promise.  We have more and more remote sites, more pressure to provide reliable power and better access to broadband internet.  The remote reporting and monitoring is essential.  I am sticking with Outback for the foreseeable future but I am in constant communications with them to encourage them to fix the many problems.  We are all invested in them succeeding. I hope this information is what you were hoping for. William   Lic 773985millersolar.com805-438-5600 From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of d...@foxfire-energy.comSent: Thursday, September 21, 2017 9:24 AMTo: offgridso...@sti.net; RE-wrenchesSubject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade Umm, anyone? anyone? Dan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44 ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread dan 
Here HereDan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44


 Original Message 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
From: William Miller <will...@millersolar.com>
Date: Thu, September 21, 2017 12:52 pm
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>

Dan: I have not yet used the 3S.  I have installed a number of Mate3s with and without FN-DC units.  I have experienced a fair number of glitches and problems with the Mate3 and Optics.  I have a list of incidents in a spreadsheet and I am intending to publish them to a web site.  It is my general belief that the Outback Mate3 and the Optics system are not as reliable as they should be and were released prematurely.  It seems every time they release a new version a new set of problems emerges.   Here is but one example that illustrates the frustration: I was encouraged by a top level engineer to use firmware version 003.315.003.  Apparently that version was Beta and never released  I experienced problems with the display of KW being consumed and was instructed to upgrade to .005.  Afterword I noticed the Mate3 was rebooting frequently.  Then it was revealed that an auto-reboot function that I had been urged to enable in previous versions never really worked until version .005.  I understood the reboot would only occur if the system was locked up but apparently it reboots every 4 hours (or period it is set to) and sends a notification.  Why would one want to reboot equipment every 4 hours unless it was locked up?  I request a lot of notices from my Optics systems (because it is unreliable) and I don’t need more.  Also, it is quite lame, IMHO, to recommend using a function that does not work.  Argh!!!  (Then I learned that .005 does not solve the incorrect display of kw consumed…Waiting for that to be resolved.) I have been guilty of not reading the release notes.  Read them carefully! I will say I have not had any problems interfacing the FN-DC with a Mate3.   In spite of the problems with the Optics and Mate3 systems, I am desperately in need of the functionality these systems promise.  We have more and more remote sites, more pressure to provide reliable power and better access to broadband internet.  The remote reporting and monitoring is essential.  I am sticking with Outback for the foreseeable future but I am in constant communications with them to encourage them to fix the many problems.  We are all invested in them succeeding. I hope this information is what you were hoping for. William   Lic 773985millersolar.com805-438-5600 From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of d...@foxfire-energy.comSent: Thursday, September 21, 2017 9:24 AMTo: offgridso...@sti.net; RE-wrenchesSubject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade Umm, anyone? anyone? Dan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44 ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread William Miller 
Dan:



I have not yet used the 3S.  I have installed a number of Mate3s with and
without FN-DC units.  I have experienced a fair number of glitches and
problems with the Mate3 and Optics.  I have a list of incidents in a
spreadsheet and I am intending to publish them to a web site.  It is my
general belief that the Outback Mate3 and the Optics system are not as
reliable as they should be and were released prematurely.  It seems every
time they release a new version a new set of problems emerges.



Here is but one example that illustrates the frustration: I was encouraged
by a top level engineer to use firmware version 003.315.003.  Apparently
that version was Beta and never released  I experienced problems with the
display of KW being consumed and was instructed to upgrade to .005.
Afterword I noticed the Mate3 was rebooting frequently.  Then it was
revealed that an auto-reboot function that I had been urged to enable in
previous versions never really worked until version .005.  I understood the
reboot would only occur if the system was locked up but apparently it
reboots every 4 hours (or period it is set to) and sends a notification.
Why would one want to reboot equipment every 4 hours unless it was locked
up?  I request a lot of notices from my Optics systems (because it is
unreliable) and I don’t need more.  Also, it is quite lame, IMHO, to
recommend using a function that does not work.  Argh!!!  (Then I learned
that .005 does not solve the incorrect display of kw consumed…Waiting for
that to be resolved.)



I have been guilty of not reading the release notes.  Read them carefully!



I will say I have not had any problems interfacing the FN-DC with a Mate3.



In spite of the problems with the Optics and Mate3 systems, I am
desperately in need of the functionality these systems promise.  We have
more and more remote sites, more pressure to provide reliable power and
better access to broadband internet.  The remote reporting and monitoring
is essential.  I am sticking with Outback for the foreseeable future but I
am in constant communications with them to encourage them to fix the many
problems.  We are all invested in them succeeding.



I hope this information is what you were hoping for.



William







[image: Gradient Cap_mini]
Lic 773985
millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
805-438-5600



*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *d...@foxfire-energy.com
*Sent:* Thursday, September 21, 2017 9:24 AM
*To:* offgridso...@sti.net; RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade



Umm, anyone? anyone?




Dan Brown
Foxfire Energy Corp.
Renewable Energy Systems
(802)-483-2564
www.Foxfire-Energy.com
NABCEP #092907-44
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Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread dan 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar 
One of the reasons I like GFP is that it can save a system by shutting
down during lightning. I have seen it happen a few times with Schneider
offgrid. The other thing is there should be an SPD on the DC buss, the AC
buss, and at the array. Once you have been hit it is too late and the new
system may be next. I am not saying this is your problem, but, I am not
saying it isn't. Offgrid is so reliable because there is none of the grid
surges on the the equipment. Lightning is the big variable (and how close
it was) and if there is a human in the home, they should shut anything
from the outside down when it is near. I tell them to keep a copy of the
check for the system and post it near the disco. If it is a known
lightning prone area they/you will have to do more!  Good luck


Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net
text 209 813 0060


Dave dan@foxfire-energy.comDave
> The system (Off Grid) was originally installed in
> 2006 in a high end 2nd home in the wilds of Northern Vt. This spring the
> system took a lightening strike and was replaced with 4 FXR inverters and
> a Mate3s. The owners later chose to set up Optics RE and to install a
> FN-DC. The replacement system was originally programed with the 1st Mate3s
> and was fully operational both locally and on OpticsRE. After the FN-DC
> was installed (as outlined in the manual), we noticed we had some system
> info and some menus, but no control at the Mate (the screen would twitch
> after entering a command request, but returned to the previous menu).. The
> first OB tech suggested verifying basic connections and power cycling
> (which I had already done, but figured I'd humor him anyway), but that
> meant loosing comm (Satellite).. The next tech asked to be taken off
> speaker phone and suggested I was at fault because there was no GFP on the
> charge controller (although there is no mention of GFP in the FN-DC
> manual), and because I did not fully power down and wait 10 min. before
> connecting the cat5 / hub 10.3 etc. and thus voided all warranties.. He
> also suggested I try to communicate with the FXRs w/ Mate3 individually to
> determine the extent of the damage.. Still no control. The next tech
> instructed us to reconnect all components (Live - said everything is plug
> and play), which again did allow control from OpticsRE but not the Mate.
> We made a few adjustments but the tech said it was definitely a bad Mate3s
> and that there was a known glitch between the Mate3s and FN-DC (at least
> that's what I interpreted), and issued an RMA.. but also said the Mate3s
> was undergoing revision and would not be available till early Oct.. So not
> to expect shipment till then.. Two days later I received a replacement
> Mate3s from my supplier here at the shop (although I requested that the
> new Mate be shipped directly to my customer). I told my supplier what the
> 3rd tech told me.. They called back and said their contact at OB told them
> this Mate3s should be fine. I have not installed this replacement till I
> do a little more research, but plan a trip up there next week (3.5 hrs
> away).If you have insight, please
> share.Hope this
> helps.dbDan
> BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy
> Systems(802)-483-2564 href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com";>www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP
> #092907-44
> 
> 
>  Original Message 
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
> From: Jay < href="mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com";>jay.pe...@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 10:09 am
> To: RE-wrenches < href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org";>re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
> 
> Can you be more specific about the fndc interface
> issues. What wasn't working and the fix is new M3s
> firmware yet to be
> released?ThxJayOn Sep
> 20, 2017, at 4:10 AM, < href="mailto:d...@foxfire-energy.com";>d...@foxfire-energy.com> < target="_blank"
> href="mailto:d...@foxfire-energy.com";>d...@foxfire-energy.com>
> wrote: style="font-family:Verdana; color:#00; font-size:10pt;">Seems
> earlier versions of the 3s had a glitch that didn't play nice with FN-DC..
> OB tech said a new version wasn't available till early Oct.. Still had
> control from Optics RE but no local control..
> Good
> LuckdbDan
> BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy
> Systems(802)-483-2564 href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com";>www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP
> #092907-44  id="replyBlockquote" webmail="1" style="border-left: 2px solid blue;
> margin-left: 8px; padding-left: 8px; font-size:10pt; color:

Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread Howie Michaelson 
These are the kind of issues that caused me to stop using Xantrex 14 years
ago, and have pretty much motivated me to stop installing Outback (even
though they were my go-to off grid inverter for a decade). I am not happy
about bring used as a volunteer beta tester. Ironically, I am now largely
installing Schneider. I'm not sure if life is a spiral or just a circle
(out perhaps a vortex?)...
Howie
Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
Sun Catcher, LLC
Solar Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar Electric Incentive Partner
802-272-0004 <(802)%20272-0004>

On Sep 21, 2017 9:22 AM,  wrote:

> The system (Off Grid) was originally installed in 2006 in a high end 2nd
> home in the wilds of Northern Vt. This spring the system took a lightening
> strike and was replaced with 4 FXR inverters and a Mate3s. The owners later
> chose to set up Optics RE and to install a FN-DC. The replacement system
> was originally programed with the 1st Mate3s and was fully operational both
> locally and on OpticsRE. After the FN-DC was installed (as outlined in the
> manual), we noticed we had some system info and some menus, but no control
> at the Mate (the screen would twitch after entering a command request, but
> returned to the previous menu).. The first OB tech suggested verifying
> basic connections and power cycling (which I had already done, but figured
> I'd humor him anyway), but that meant loosing comm (Satellite).. The next
> tech asked to be taken off speaker phone and suggested I was at fault
> because there was no GFP on the charge controller (although there is no
> mention of GFP in the FN-DC manual), and because I did not fully power down
> and wait 10 min. before connecting the cat5 / hub 10.3 etc. and thus voided
> all warranties.. He also suggested I try to communicate with the FXRs w/
> Mate3 individually to determine the extent of the damage.. Still no
> control. The next tech instructed us to reconnect all components (Live -
> said everything is plug and play), which again did allow control from
> OpticsRE but not the Mate. We made a few adjustments but the tech said it
> was definitely a bad Mate3s and that there was a known glitch between the
> Mate3s and FN-DC (at least that's what I interpreted), and issued an RMA..
> but also said the Mate3s was undergoing revision and would not be available
> till early Oct.. So not to expect shipment till then.. Two days later I
> received a replacement Mate3s from my supplier here at the shop (although I
> requested that the new Mate be shipped directly to my customer). I told my
> supplier what the 3rd tech told me.. They called back and said their
> contact at OB told them this Mate3s should be fine. I have not installed
> this replacement till I do a little more research, but plan a trip up there
> next week (3.5 hrs away).
>
> If you have insight, please share.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> db
>
>
> Dan Brown
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564 <(802)%20483-2564>
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com
> NABCEP #092907-44
>
>
>  Original Message 
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
> From: Jay 
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 10:09 am
> To: RE-wrenches 
>
> Can you be more specific about the fndc interface issues.
> What wasn't working and the fix is new M3s firmware yet to be released?
>
> Thx
> Jay
>
> On Sep 20, 2017, at 4:10 AM,  <
> d...@foxfire-energy.com> wrote:
>
> Seems earlier versions of the 3s had a glitch that didn't play nice with
> FN-DC.. OB tech said a new version wasn't available till early Oct.. Still
> had control from Optics RE but no local control..
>
> Good Luck
>
> db
>
>
> Dan Brown
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564 <(802)%20483-2564>
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com
> NABCEP #092907-44
>
>
>  Original Message 
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
> From: Matthew Sirum 
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 6:12 am
> To: re-wrenches 
>
> Greetings All,
>
> I'm preparing to replace an existing OutBack Power MATE3 System
> Display/Controller with the new MATE3S. The system is a grid tied 5
> stack of Radian GS8048A Inverter/Chargers. I am interested to know if
> any of you may have done this and if you encountered any issues or
> have any insights to pass along. This system does have a generator
> and uses the Advanced Generator Start (AGS) function to control
> generator start/stop and battery charging while the generator is
> running. I believe this is the only Display/Controller based function
> the system is using, so it will likely need to be programed and set

Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-21 Thread dan 
The system (Off Grid) was originally installed in 2006 in a high end 2nd home in the wilds of Northern Vt. This spring the system took a lightening strike and was replaced with 4 FXR inverters and a Mate3s. The owners later chose to set up Optics RE and to install a FN-DC. The replacement system was originally programed with the 1st Mate3s and was fully operational both locally and on OpticsRE. After the FN-DC was installed (as outlined in the manual), we noticed we had some system info and some menus, but no control at the Mate (the screen would twitch after entering a command request, but returned to the previous menu).. The first OB tech suggested verifying basic connections and power cycling (which I had already done, but figured I'd humor him anyway), but that meant loosing comm (Satellite).. The next tech asked to be taken off speaker phone and suggested I was at fault because there was no GFP on the charge controller (although there is no mention of GFP in the FN-DC manual), and because I did not fully power down and wait 10 min. before connecting the cat5 / hub 10.3 etc. and thus voided all warranties.. He also suggested I try to communicate with the FXRs w/ Mate3 individually to determine the extent of the damage.. Still no control. The next tech instructed us to reconnect all components (Live - said everything is plug and play), which again did allow control from OpticsRE but not the Mate. We made a few adjustments but the tech said it was definitely a bad Mate3s and that there was a known glitch between the Mate3s and FN-DC (at least that's what I interpreted), and issued an RMA.. but also said the Mate3s was undergoing revision and would not be available till early Oct.. So not to expect shipment till then.. Two days later I received a replacement Mate3s from my supplier here at the shop (although I requested that the new Mate be shipped directly to my customer). I told my supplier what the 3rd tech told me.. They called back and said their contact at OB told them this Mate3s should be fine. I have not installed this replacement till I do a little more research, but plan a trip up there next week (3.5 hrs away).If you have insight, please share.Hope this helps.dbDan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44


 Original Message 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
From: Jay <jay.pe...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 10:09 am
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>

Can you be more specific about the fndc interface issues. What wasn't working and the fix is new M3s firmware yet to be released?ThxJayOn Sep 20, 2017, at 4:10 AM, <d...@foxfire-energy.com> <d...@foxfire-energy.com> wrote:Seems earlier versions of the 3s had a glitch that didn't play nice with FN-DC.. OB tech said a new version wasn't available till early Oct.. Still had control from Optics RE but no local control.. Good LuckdbDan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44    Original Message  Subject: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade From: Matthew Sirum <matthewsi...@gmail.com> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 6:12 am To: re-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>  Greetings All,  I'm preparing to replace an existing OutBack Power MATE3 System Display/Controller with the new MATE3S. The system is a grid tied 5 stack of Radian GS8048A Inverter/Chargers. I am interested to know if any of you may have done this and if you encountered any issues or have any insights to pass along. This system does have a generator and uses the Advanced Generator Start (AGS) function to control generator start/stop and battery charging while the generator is running. I believe this is the only Display/Controller based function the system is using, so it will likely need to be programed and setup in the new MATE3S. I am hopeful that all other programing is stored in the Radians and will not need to be reprogramed/entered to the new MATE3S. The system is connected to OpticsRE (OutBack Power's system monitoring website/service). I assume we may need to do some programing from the new MATE3S and/or from the system's OpticsRE site to enable communication since the new MATE3S may have a different IP address, MAC Address, and etc than the MATE3 we are removing.  We are hopeful the new MATE3S will allow the system to function better with its OpticsRE site and not need to be reset every couple months.  Please let me know if you have any experience or thoughts to offer.  Have any of you installed and setup the new MATE3S? Any Issues, insights, or comparisons to the MATE3 to report?  Thank you!  Best regards,  MATT  Matthew Sirum P.O. Box 1227 Greenfield, MA 01302-1227 USA phone: +1.413.773.0611 email: matthewsi...@gmail.com __

Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-20 Thread Jay 
Can you be more specific about the fndc interface issues. 
What wasn't working and the fix is new M3s firmware yet to be released?

Thx
Jay

> On Sep 20, 2017, at 4:10 AM,  
>  wrote:
> 
> Seems earlier versions of the 3s had a glitch that didn't play nice with 
> FN-DC.. OB tech said a new version wasn't available till early Oct.. Still 
> had control from Optics RE but no local control..
> 
> Good Luck
> 
> db
> 
> 
> Dan Brown
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com
> NABCEP #092907-44
> 
> 
>  Original Message 
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
> From: Matthew Sirum 
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 6:12 am
> To: re-wrenches 
> 
> Greetings All,
> 
> I'm preparing to replace an existing OutBack Power MATE3 System
> Display/Controller with the new MATE3S. The system is a grid tied 5
> stack of Radian GS8048A Inverter/Chargers. I am interested to know if
> any of you may have done this and if you encountered any issues or
> have any insights to pass along. This system does have a generator
> and uses the Advanced Generator Start (AGS) function to control
> generator start/stop and battery charging while the generator is
> running. I believe this is the only Display/Controller based function
> the system is using, so it will likely need to be programed and setup
> in the new MATE3S. I am hopeful that all other programing is stored
> in the Radians and will not need to be reprogramed/entered to the new
> MATE3S. The system is connected to OpticsRE (OutBack Power's system
> monitoring website/service). I assume we may need to do some
> programing from the new MATE3S and/or from the system's OpticsRE site
> to enable communication since the new MATE3S may have a different IP
> address, MAC Address, and etc than the MATE3 we are removing.
> 
> We are hopeful the new MATE3S will allow the system to function better
> with its OpticsRE site and not need to be reset every couple months.
> 
> Please let me know if you have any experience or thoughts to offer.
> 
> Have any of you installed and setup the new MATE3S? Any Issues,
> insights, or comparisons to the MATE3 to report?
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> MATT
> 
> Matthew Sirum
> P.O. Box 1227
> Greenfield, MA 01302-1227 USA
> phone: +1.413.773.0611
> email: matthewsi...@gmail.com
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Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-20 Thread William Miller 
Matt:



1.   You will need to contact Tech Support with at least the last 4 digits
of MAC address to allow the new Mate3 in Optics.  Plan accordingly to do
this during tech support hours when you may have to hold for a while.

2.   One school of thought is to store programming parameters in the old
Mate3 and restore them in the new Mate3.

3.   The other school of thought is to re-enter all programming parameters
by hand to avoid importing any corrupted data.  I subscribe to the latter
and I have an Excel programming chart I use.  I could share this if you
request off-line.

4.   Consider in advance your auto-reboot, data format options and
installer password and identifying information and be prepared to enter
these parameters.  These are also Mate3-centric options.

5.   Be careful to not swap the hub and internet leads.  I have seen the
internet port fail on Mate3s.

6.   Your new Mate3S may not have shipped with current firmware.  Bring
current firmware just in case.



Good luck,



William Miller



PS:  The “S” may be an unfortunate suffix.  Makes it hard to differentiate
between the new Mate3S and plural Mate3s.



Wm





Lic 773985

millersolar.com

805-438-5600





-Original Message-
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of Matthew Sirum
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 3:12 AM
To: re-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade



Greetings All,



I'm preparing to replace an existing OutBack Power MATE3 System
Display/Controller with the new MATE3S.  The system is a grid tied 5 stack
of Radian GS8048A Inverter/Chargers.  I am interested to know if any of you
may have done this and if you encountered any issues or have any insights
to pass along.  This system does have a generator and uses the Advanced
Generator Start (AGS) function to control generator start/stop and battery
charging while the generator is running.  I believe this is the only
Display/Controller based function the system is using, so it will likely
need to be programed and setup in the new MATE3S.  I am hopeful that all
other programing is stored in the Radians and will not need to be
reprogramed/entered to the new MATE3S.  The system is connected to OpticsRE
(OutBack Power's system monitoring website/service).  I assume we may need
to do some programing from the new MATE3S and/or from the system's OpticsRE
site to enable communication since the new MATE3S may have a different IP
address, MAC Address, and etc than the MATE3 we are removing.



We are hopeful the new MATE3S will allow the system to function better with
its OpticsRE site and not need to be reset every couple months.



Please let me know if you have any experience or thoughts to offer.



Have any of you installed and setup the new MATE3S?  Any Issues, insights,
or comparisons to the MATE3 to report?



Thank you!



Best regards,



MATT



Matthew Sirum

P.O. Box 1227

Greenfield, MA 01302-1227  USA

phone: +1.413.773.0611

email: matthewsi...@gmail.com

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Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

2017-09-20 Thread dan 
Seems earlier versions of the 3s had a glitch that didn't play nice with FN-DC.. OB tech said a new version wasn't available till early Oct.. Still had control from Optics RE but no local control.. Good LuckdbDan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44


 Original Message 
Subject: [RE-wrenches]  OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
From: Matthew Sirum 
Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 6:12 am
To: re-wrenches 

Greetings All,

I'm preparing to replace an existing OutBack Power MATE3 System
Display/Controller with the new MATE3S.  The system is a grid tied 5
stack of Radian GS8048A Inverter/Chargers.  I am interested to know if
any of you may have done this and if you encountered any issues or
have any insights to pass along.  This system does have a generator
and uses the Advanced Generator Start (AGS) function to control
generator start/stop and battery charging while the generator is
running.  I believe this is the only Display/Controller based function
the system is using, so it will likely need to be programed and setup
in the new MATE3S.  I am hopeful that all other programing is stored
in the Radians and will not need to be reprogramed/entered to the new
MATE3S.  The system is connected to OpticsRE (OutBack Power's system
monitoring website/service).  I assume we may need to do some
programing from the new MATE3S and/or from the system's OpticsRE site
to enable communication since the new MATE3S may have a different IP
address, MAC Address, and etc than the MATE3 we are removing.

We are hopeful the new MATE3S will allow the system to function better
with its OpticsRE site and not need to be reset every couple months.

Please let me know if you have any experience or thoughts to offer.

Have any of you installed and setup the new MATE3S?  Any Issues,
insights, or comparisons to the MATE3 to report?

Thank you!

Best regards,

MATT

Matthew Sirum
P.O. Box 1227
Greenfield, MA 01302-1227  USA
phone: +1.413.773.0611
email: matthewsi...@gmail.com
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