William,
We have had this same SOC calibration issue with a dual stack of XW Pro (AC
couple with Solaredge) and 2 eVault Max as well (other issues as well).
Schneider's solution was to use voltage (open loop), not SOC, for the XW's
programming. We weren't very happy about that since trying to do
Yes, output not input. Thanks for clarifying that William...
Howie
*Sun Catcher*
*Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service802-272-0004*
On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 2:55 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> Andrew:
>
>
>
> I see no problem paralleling the
Andrew,
As long as you have proper over current and wire sizing, there shouldn't be
a problem with paralleling C60s. Of course, keeping the batteries at 12v
for a 2kw array makes everything else bigger and more expensive. And they
won't get the MPPT advantages of even 20 year old charge
Jason,
My vote would be for using a 120 to 12vDC power supply large enough to
handle the remaining 12 vDC loads and skip the second battery bank. In my
mind, this is simpler, cleaner, and if the power supply fails at some
point, it is an easy replacement, if they still want to keep the DC loads
I had the same experience as Jay as far as being marketed three idea that
managed lithium batteries can jane several year age differences and still
play well together, only to be told, after telling my clients the same,
that most manufacturers don't recommend more than a year age differential
I've had several MX and FM failures (at least 5) over the years, often with
the output at zero. I don't know what actually fails, but they just stop
producing. I must admit, I don't remember if in all cases I tried
resetting them to factory default, but my memory is when talking to Outback
John,
If you are thinking of pairing the Envy with lead-acid batteries, I would
strongly suggest not doing it. Even though Fortress sales advertises the
Envy to be compatible with lead-acid, after trying it in my off-grid home,
I would emphatically say that it is not. The programming is
The last I heard, they are shipping this month or early next month. The
pricing is supposed to be comparable to the other all in ones (Envy,
Sol-Ark, EG4, etc.) deportment on your distributor.
Howie
On Tue, Apr 9, 2024, 6:55 PM jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
William,
I am sure that I am not the only one on the list that appreciates your
willingness to share your experience, well thought out analysis, and
solutions. As always, thank you for your insights and ideas. And thanks
for taking the time to highlight your positive interactions with Fortress.
Hi all,
I have a potential job reinstalling an 11 year old 4.4kW roof mounted net
metered array, feeding a PVI 4kW inverter. The array was pulled down by a
reputable company last fall, with the intention of remounting it after the
asphalt shingle roof was reroofed. From a distance, it appears
William, et al,
As always, a thorough explanation of your considered opinion. Thanks.
Food for thought and a question to others who have more insight to the
world of insurance and liability than I:
My understanding of General Liability insurance, is that it is intended to
cover mistakes in the
According to my agent, general liability does not cover design problems,
whether we wrench it or not. That is what an Errors and Omissions policy
would cover, and what a previous agent mentioned to me in passing after
selling me general liability for 10 years! They could offer me an E
policy for
With the Sol-Ark (or other DC coupled inverter/charge controller
combinations such as the Envy), will the system pass through solar power if
the inverter has turned off on LBCO? If not, then these alternative methods
for powering the RSD signal generators won't make a difference, correct?
And does
ost are mounted face up in the original
> insulated L16 or Surrette industrial cell battery box's, Signature solar
> has said this orientation will not void the warranty or effect operation of
> the battery.
>
> Carl Hansen
>
> Hansen Electric 505 470-0770
>
>
> fifteen years. Our call backs with systems over the last ten years, first
> with a decline in equipment quality and then the switch to Li are costing
> us too much money and causing a lot of heartburn for our clients. Rant Over
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 12:57 PM Howie Mich
Hi All,
I've searched the archives for info pertaining to EG4 inverters and
batteries. The comments have been mostly positive. I have stayed away from
EG4 until now in part, for the reason the Michael Morningstar suggested
last June - that is, they seemed very oriented to the DIY market and not
Hi all,
I am trying to figure out best options to control loads in a Sol-Ark15k
battery backup residential system. It's been quite a few years since I've
set up an automatic load control, and never with a Sol-Ark. The Sol-Ark
will output to the main breaker panel, so no separate "backed up"
Daryl,
Being in Vermont and dealing with lots of off-grid, occasional use systems,
I'm definitely interested in others' experience with cold weather
installations.
Howie Michaelson
Sun Catcher
On Sun, Nov 5, 2023 at 3:03 PM Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Hey Will,
At the risk of being overly simplistic and obvious, have you kept good
specific gravity records over the years? Are they showing lowered or uneven
readings? I've often been able to get some more life out of flooded
batteries by raising the charge and equalize voltages, particularly if
tion match device value.
> • AC coupled power flow on InsightCloud & InsightMobile will be coming
> soon.
>
>
>
> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
><http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/>https://offgridsolar1.com/
&
Hi All,
Has anyone successfully implemented the new AC coupled monitoring function
using a Wattnode meter (Gateway firmware V1.18) so that it shows up on
Insight Cloud? I have been able to get it to display on Insight Local, but
not on the Cloud. I have spent perhaps 20-30 hours on getting this
Does anyone have any experience with using Pytes LiFePO4 batteries? They
appear to be a solid option, but have little to no direct knowledge of them.
TIA,
Howie Michaelson
Sun Catcher
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Hi all,
I have a client with (3) 15 panel TPMs with 6 completely damaged SolarWorld
285s (black) and another 4 that would be good to replace (so he's in need
of ideally 10, but he could get by with 6). Does anyone know of a source
for these panels (at least ones that are the same footprint and
Hi Mick,
Unlike others in the list, I am still mostly happily using SolarEdge for my
straight grid tied roof mounted arrays. There have been significant hiccups
with service, although not so much recently, and the failure rate is higher
than I like, but it hasn't been dramatic for me. For systems
Hi All,
I have heard mixed comments about Silfab modules. If anyone has experience
with these panels, I would appreciate any feedback available.
Thanks,
*Howie Michaelson**Sun Catcher*
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Pay optional member dues
Hi All,
I have never installed the SolarEdge car charger, and even though it seems
to have some capacity advantages over a standalone charger, for some reason
I've stayed away from them. I'd be interested to hear others' takes on the
advantages/disadvantages of going that route.
Thanks,
Howie
offgridsolar/ <http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/>
> e-mail offgridso...@sti.net
> text 209 813 0060*
>
>
> On 2023-07-23 9:37 pm, Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> Don,
> Thanks, but this is not the issue here. The fluctuations happen anytime
&g
Don,
Thanks, but this is not the issue here. The fluctuations happen anytime
the AC coupled inverter connects to the XW+'s "grid", not just when the
batteries are full. The frequency only changes about 1/10 of a herz when
it connects, but it doesn't matter what the voltage is of the batteries,
rked fine for years it would appear that the XW+ has an
> issue.
>
> I don’t see how the SE could cause this.
>
> Is it still under warranty? What does Schneider say about the issue.
>
> Jay
>
>
>
> On Jul 22, 2023, at 10:33 PM, Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches &l
rom Support many years ago and combined
>>> with my findings over the years. Really rare for this kind of weirdness and
>>> why it would be getting worse without visual evidence.
>>>
>>> Good Luck Howie!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>&g
k Howie!
>
>
>
>
> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
> http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ <http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/>
> e-mail offgridso...@sti.net
> text 209 813 0060*
>
>
>
>
> On 2023-07-03 12:42 pm, How
Hi all,
Had anyone successfully established communications between a SolarEdge
single phase inverter and a Schneider Gateway? I have a client with a
battery backup system which included a dual stack of XW pros and 2 AC
coupled SolarEdge inverters. He would really like to be able to use one
Hi All,
I upgraded an old clients' off-grid system about five years ago to a
Schneider XW6848+ and 2 Blue Ion 2.0 cabinets (32kWh). When the batteries
were moving toward full, if the charge rate was on the higher side via
generator or solar (AC coupled w/SolarEdge 6kW and DC coupled with an FM
Daryl,
I purchased some Pytes batteries for my brother-in-law this spring, as I
had some contact with them, and he wanted to try their batteries. I've had
no contact with their support team at all, and the only real contact I have
is the sales person I dealt with, Austin Li
Kirk,
I have not tried the new Envy inverter, and at the moment am slightly
reluctant to do so, mostly because I have gone all in on Sol-Ark/eVault Max
setups for battery based systems and I hate having more and more different
products to stay on top of. That being said, I attended an Envy
Thanks for the heads up, Kevin! However I seem to have missed the memo that
xantrex and Schneider are separate entities? How far out of the loop am I?
Howie
Sun Catcher
On Fri, May 26, 2023, 1:28 PM Kevin Pegg via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> Not sure if it’s quite
Hi,
I have a friend/client that is looking to keep his pond filled with water
pumped from a spring downhill from the pond. He's happy to have the pond
filled just when there is enough sun to pump, so no batteries are desired.
I have little to no experience with water solar direct pumping, so I'm
Hi All,
I am looking to upgrade an offgrid client's battery bank from 2-volt Rolls
KS17s to LiFePO4 batteries. I'm basically looking at one Fortress eVault
Max cabinet vs. a HomeGrid 4 stack option. I have used the eVault Maxs
before, and generally like them. The 2 options are relatively
Daniel,
If it was me, I wouldn't do it. The biggest issue is that dissimilar
batteries (as well as different age batteries) have different internal
resistance. This will only exacerbate the problem with running multiple
strings of batteries - that is they will charge and discharge at different
Hilton,
Can you give more details about the inverter? And when the DC was reading 0
volts, did you try turning off the disconnect at the array to see if
isolating it from the inverter, it would show voltage?
Howie
*Howie Michaelson**Sun Catcher*
*NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™*
*Solar
Does anyone know of any bypass switch/breaker setup for anything greater
than 60 amps for 2 poles, other than large DPDT switches which get pricey
and hard to source especially for 200 amps?
Howie
On Thu, Mar 2, 2023, 6:23 PM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
For systems where the batteries are getting a relatively full charge every
week or and cycling down below 30% at least every now and then, closed loop
is certainly the safest way to go since the battery BMS is determining the
SOC, not the inverter's algorithm.
I've been told by a tech at Fortress
Has anyone had any experience with the VillaGrid Lithium Titanium
batteries? They are supposedly usable in below zero temperatures, which of
course the LFP batteries are not. They also apparently have a 20 year
10,000 cycle warranty (not that I really put much stock in being able to
exercise a
Hi All,
Dana's troubles with the Sol-Ark reminded me that I wanted to write about
my experience with Sol-Ark and Fortress as my troubles with that install
were unfolding. I had made many calls and emails to both Sol-Ark and
Fortress about the lack of charging and the odd generator behavior.
Dana,
Sounds like potentially the same issue I've been dealing with in a new
Sol-Ark 15 paired with Fortress eVault Maxs. Apparently, Sol-Ark did a
recent firmware update that caused erratic closed loop communication
between the inverter and batteries. I don't know if the Sol-Ark firmware
update
Jeremy,
I would love to have an opportunity to talk with Fortress about their
support process. I am just in the tail end of installing 2 Sol-Ark/Fortress
off grid systems (one 15k with 2 eVaults and two 15ks with 5 eVaults). I've
been very impressed with both pieces of equipment so far. However,
Good Evening,
I have a frustrating charging issue involving 2 Fortress eVault Maxs
connected to a Sol-Ark 15k. Commissioned the system last week, replacing a
legacy off-grid Dual Stack SunnyIsland 5048s and 2-volt Rolls battery
system. Initially, we connected one of the eVaults to the Sol-Ark,
Hi Ray,
I have been having a difficult time communicating with Fortress as well. I
filed a support ticket several times and only got a response a couple of
days later asking another question that was easily answered, but then do
not receive any reply to that without filing another support ticket,
ar.com
> 715-653-4295
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
> BSEE
>
> On Fri, Oct 21, 2022, 1:14 PM Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi folks,
>> I have a
e system size of batteries We have had several issues with resi and
> 80kWhr limitations, I dont know if this is an issue for you or not just
> want to through it out there.
> Jerry
>
> On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 11:14 AM Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-
Hi folks,
I have a client that I'm doing a larger inverter and battery upgrade. We're
are putting in 3Sol-Ark 15k inverters and 7 Fortress 18.5kwh units. The
client is wanting manufacturer certification that the equipment is
"qualified solar electric property". I don't know that I've ever run
Is there a white paper or a thorough explanation of the issue Sol-Ark had
with large imbalances between phases. I am looking at a large residential
off-grid system using potentially (2)15 kw Sol-Arks. What are the concerns
specifically around unbalanced inductive loads.
Also, I have not installed
Has anyone put Fortress batteries into a Sunny Island off grid system,
either an E flex or an E vault? I have a client with older 2 volt Rolls
batteries that need replacing. Currently about 55 kwhs. Or any experience
with other LiFEPO4 batteries with Sunny Island off grid systems?
Thanks
Howie
Sin
Hey Kirk,
This is something I've done a few times with success, although I've used an
XW pro instead of the Radian, with OB charge controllers. Having the mix of
DC and AC coupled is ideal, as the solaredge will do the bulk of the
charging, but then charge controllers will do the finish taper
ccepted a charge and
> have apparently functioned well for the customer. Job was installed by
> others.
>
> I hope that helps.
> Wallace Stahle
> Future Electric Energy Co
> PO Box 236
> Willits, CA 95490
> 707-459-0474
> Lic.#C10-762093
> fut...@pacific.net
>
> On Jul
Hi All,
I was called into a job of a previously off-grid system that new owners had
an electrician bring the grid to, but the batteries ( a pair of Simpliphi
3.5, which I have no experience with) have been dead for an unknown period
of time previously. I am trying to figure out the easiest way to
We typically do not require UL listing, but that is always good for
insurance reasons...
*Howie Michaelson**Sun Catcher*
*NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™*
*Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service802-272-0004*
On Sun, Jul 10, 2022 at 12:53 PM Tump via RE-wrenches <
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