I'm finding the SkyBox to be reliable hardware, if you don't need big surge capability.
But the software is still in flux. I have had to reject software updates that froze the system, going back to the previous version to bring it back again.
One issue is that AC coupling does not work with multiple Skyboxen, unlike with older Radians.
Another huge problem that seems to be software related is that dual SkyBoxen with different sized solar arrays discharge their battery banks at different rates. This becomes an issue in multiple day grid outages like we now expect in north CA fire season. You'd think the SkyBox master-slave relationship would allow them to coordinate, but this causes the one with a smaller solar array to run down it's battery sooner, faulting the system causing a complete shutdown of both SkyBoxen.
OutBack says they are not fixing this, so I'm looking at SolArk for systems larger than 5 kW.
Don Barch
Energy Solar
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE-wrenches Digest, Vol 13, Issue 124
From: re-wrenches-requ...@lists.re-wrenches.org
Date: Mon, May 04, 2020 2:40 pm
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
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Today's Topics:
1. Skybox (Dave Tedeyan)
2. Re: Skybox (Jerry Shafer)
3. Re: Skybox (jay)
4. Re: Skybox (penobscotso...@midmaine.com)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 3 May 2020 21:32:38 -0400
From: Dave Tedeyan <dtede...@taitem.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Skybox
Message-ID:
<ca+cq0butzbbg84gavcjoyq6ahpgz6ctwy_i_eczepubrfe7...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hi All,
Does anyone have experience using Outback's Skybox inverter? I have someone
interested and am curious to hear if people have had luck with them and if
they are reliable.
Also, I've been seeing promo material for Fronius' Gen 24 Plus inverter,
which looks like it fills the same niche. Are those even available for
purchase yet? If so, does anyone have experience with these?
Cheers,
Dave
*Dave Tedeyan, PE*
Senior Engineer | Taitem Engineering, PC
110 South Albany Street | Ithaca, NY 14850
o. *607.277.1118 x121* f. 607.277.2119
www.taitem.com
Solar ? Sustainability ? Energy ? Design
Certified B-Corporation since 2013
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 3 May 2020 18:46:09 -0700
From: Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarag...@gmail.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Skybox
Message-ID:
<camufgmwachaodr+puaxlrude8igsxd7mkpc+l-hnopqwbwx...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Dave
I have used the radian and started using the skybox, it works well and is
as simple as it gets to install. My personal experience with fronius is not
good with there grid tie units. Outback has been around in the off grid
environment and is my go to, but hey that's just me
Jerry
On Sun, May 3, 2020, 6:32 PM Dave Tedeyan <dtede...@taitem.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone have experience using Outback's Skybox inverter? I have
> someone interested and am curious to hear if people have had luck with them
> and if they are reliable.
>
> Also, I've been seeing promo material for Fronius' Gen 24 Plus inverter,
> which looks like it fills the same niche. Are those even available for
> purchase yet? If so, does anyone have experience with these?
>
> Cheers,
> Dave
>
> *Dave Tedeyan, PE*
> Senior Engineer | Taitem Engineering, PC
>
> 110 South Albany Street | Ithaca, NY 14850
> o. *607.277.1118 x121* f. 607.277.2119
> www.taitem.com
>
> Solar ? Sustainability ? Energy ? Design
> Certified B-Corporation since 2013
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 3 May 2020 19:39:08 -0700
From: jay <jay.pe...@gmail.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Skybox
Message-ID: <c4205009-cca9-41e8-b63a-53c580f41...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
HI Dave,
The reason I?ve not used it, is that is has no surge.
You might also look at the Sol Ark
Jay
Peltz Power
> On May 3, 2020, at 6:32 PM, Dave Tedeyan <dtede...@taitem.com> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone have experience using Outback's Skybox inverter? I have someone interested and am curious to hear if people have had luck with them and if they are reliable.
>
> Also, I've been seeing promo material for Fronius' Gen 24 Plus inverter, which looks like it fills the same niche. Are those even available for purchase yet? If so, does anyone have experience with these?
>
> Cheers,
> Dave
>
> Dave Tedeyan, PE
> Senior Engineer | Taitem Engineering, PC
>
> 110 South Albany Street | Ithaca, NY 14850
> o. 607.277.1118 x121 f. 607.277.2119
> www.taitem.com <http://www.taitem.com/>
>
> Solar ? Sustainability ? Energy ? Design
> Certified B-Corporation since 2013
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 4 May 2020 14:36:05 -0400
From: penobscotso...@midmaine.com
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Skybox
Message-ID:
<b879cdbda239909b86d17b2493c7f37e.squir...@mail.otelco.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
I second Jay's suggestion to look at the SolArk. The 8kW has no battery
disconnect, but the 12 kW has one, if you're using non-lithium based
batteries.
Daryl
Penobscot Solar Design
> HI Dave,
>
> The reason I???ve not used it, is that is has no surge.
>
> You might also look at the Sol Ark
>
> Jay
> Peltz Power
>
>> On May 3, 2020, at 6:32 PM, Dave Tedeyan <dtede...@taitem.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Does anyone have experience using Outback's Skybox inverter? I have
>> someone interested and am curious to hear if people have had luck with
>> them and if they are reliable.
>>
>> Also, I've been seeing promo material for Fronius' Gen 24 Plus inverter,
>> which looks like it fills the same niche. Are those even available for
>> purchase yet? If so, does anyone have experience with these?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Dave
>>
>> Dave Tedeyan, PE
>> Senior Engineer | Taitem Engineering, PC
>>
>> 110 South Albany Street | Ithaca, NY 14850
>> o. 607.277.1118 x121 f. 607.277.2119
>> www.taitem.com <http://www.taitem.com/>
>>
>> Solar ??? Sustainability ??? Energy ??? Design
>> Certified B-Corporation since 2013
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List-Archive:
>> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
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>
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