HI Dustin, Can you elaborate on the custom dongle for the non internet people. As its custom it sounds like its not a standard USB or SD or MSD?
How much does it cost and can it be updated from a computer and then taken to the job site? Many if not most of my clients have no to limited internet and many that do, don’t want internet connection for their equipment. thanks Jay Peltz Power > On Nov 13, 2020, at 8:57 AM, Dustin Douglas <dus...@sol-ark.com> wrote: > > The Time of Use feature can support this request. I do understand that > programming can be somewhat confusing in completely covering what you are > wanting the generator can do. However, if you are wanting the generator to > turn on only when the batteries are low and getting through the night then we > can set the Time of Use to only turn on with specific hours and also charge > up to specific SOC. We implemented this setting so that there is the ability > to control how much fuel is used and not run the gen for long periods of > time. The Time of Use settings are very customizable, if you would like to > give our support team a call and we can help customize it to best fit your > scenario. > > As for updating the system itself, we offer different avenues of doing so. > The first is the Wi-fi dongle that is connected to the inverter and to the > customers home network. We also offer different aftermarket versions for > customers with specific needs or if they don't have internet altogether. > There is a ethernet version for those that don't want the over the air (OTA) > connection to there wireless network or possibly if there router itself is a > little to far away from where the unit is located. Simply running a ethernet > cable to this specific dongle will connect them for monitoring and also allow > for updates. The final version is for those true off grid installs where they > are not worried about monitoring but do need to get the system updated. We > have developed a custom design dongle that once inserted into the unit will > perform the update on the inverter locally. Plug it in and wait for the final > part of the software to finish and now your system will have the current > version of software. You can then remove it and adjust the settings for the > new features that were added. > > Thank you and have a blessed day, > Dustin Douglas > Sol Ark Engineering Support > (972) 575-8875 x 108 > www.sol-ark.com <http://www.sol-ark.com/> > > > ---- On Fri, 13 Nov 2020 08:46:31 -0600 Jay <jay.pe...@gmail.com> wrote ---- > > I’m wondering how the firmware is updated? USB or other? I’ve looked on the > website but I couldn’t find any instructions. > > Thx > Jay > > > > On Nov 12, 2020, at 7:58 PM, Jeff Clearwater <je...@villagepowerdesign.com > <mailto:je...@villagepowerdesign.com>> wrote: > > Thanks Dustin for keeping us up to date on Sol-Arks feature progress. > > While you are upgrading your firmware: :) > > So an essential feature for off-grid with a generator is to be able to > program various SOC levels for generator start AND shuf-off after charge. > 90% is way too high for many sunny climes and other configurations. Often > batteries need a boost in the wee morning hours - when they drop below the > preferred recharge point but that's only perhaps a few hours before the sun > comes up - So say you want to start a gen to charge a Lead-acid battery at > 50% or an LFP batter at 20% SOC but you only want to bring it through to the > next often or possibly sunny morning. So you set it to run from 50% to 65% > (or from 20%-40% for LFP) - knowing that the morning sun will take it the > rest of the way. 90% would waste a ton of fuel in this scenario not too > mention unwanted noise and wear and tear on the genny. Depending on the > clients use profile, the climate, and relative size of the array and battery > and gen, these figures could vary anywhere from 20% to 100%. So it's > essential us off-grid installers have that flexibility. > > Also I know that your TOU settings might cover this (though not in all modes > I believe) but another nice feature is to have 2 or 3 time periods with > different start and stop settings (Sunny Island does this nicely). So if the > minimum SOC is reached in the evening you might as well bring it up to a > higher SOC for gen shut down as it needs to get through the entire night > whereas if that minimum SOC start trigger is met after 3 AM it needs to only > bring it to a lower SOC as described above. > > I'm loving the Sol-Ark product so far but it is obvious the software is a > work in progress - the architecture and thought behind it is an excellent > foundation - thanks for your work and openness for input to make it even > better. > > Best, > > Jeff > > ~~~~~~~~~~~ > Jeff Clearwater > Village Power Design > linkedin <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-clearwater-0622a312/> > www.villagepowerdesign.com <http://www.villagepowerdesign.com/> > cell - 413-559-9763 > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > Dustin Douglas <mailto:dus...@sol-ark.com> > November 12, 2020 at 11:46 AM > Hi All, > > First and foremost thank you for sharing your experiences the the Sol-Ark > system. We try very hard to have different capabilities and add new features > that make it flexible for the customer. The two-wire start is a feature > however that we want to be seamless. In the instance where the customer is > seeing the system shutdown once the generator shuts off has been addressed > and fixed with a software update. With this update we are able to handle > larger generators that tend to drift from 60hz. Please give our support team > a call so that we can update the customer accordingly. We are also looking at > adding more features including the ability exercise the generator in the near > feature. > > Thank you and have a blessed day, > Dustin Douglas > Sol Ark Engineering Support > (972) 575-8875 x 108 > www.sol-ark.com <http://www.sol-ark.com/> > > > ---- On Thu, 12 Nov 2020 08:08:51 -0600 Jay <jay.pe...@gmail.com> > <mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com> wrote ---- > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > <https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> > > Jay <mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com> > November 12, 2020 at 9:08 AM > Hi Bill > > In the past I’ve had similar issues with generators/inverters. Usually a > relay on the output power wires that opens( disconnects) when the stop signal > is sent works as the frequency doesn’t slowly go down, it drops to 0 > instantly. > I don’t know if it will fix your issue. > > Seems like solark needs to greatly improve their firmware. > > Jay > > Peltz power. > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > <https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> > > Bill Hennessy <mailto:b...@berkssolar.com> > November 11, 2020 at 10:03 PM > Hi folks--We've also been disappointed with the Sol-Ark two-wire generator > start. The unit starts at the charge set point, but the inverter will shut > down for about a minute every time the generator stops running. After the > minute wait, the inverter restarts and everything is fine. But it is > aggravating for the homeowners to be left wondering in the dark. > > Sol-Ark says that when the generator shuts off, the frequency drops out of > the Sol-Ark range and causes the inverter shut down. > They suggested we find a way to increase the generator speed to avoid the > frequency drop at shutdown. This seems like a lame suggestion, since the > generator has no idea of when the batteries will be satisfied--it only > responds to the on/off signal from the Sol-Ark. I would think that the unit > could be programmed to ignore the frequency drop when it sends the shut off > signal to the generator. The system has an an Ecogen 15kW. > > Not having an exercise function is also a miss. As mentioned below, the time > of use can be used, but one has to go out and play with the programming to > check the generator. > > regards, bill > > Bill Hennessy > Berks Solar, LLC > 371 Centennial Rd > Mertztown, PA 19539 > > o 610 682 4300 > c 484 560 4666 > NABCEP certified installer > PA contractor #44411 > www.berkssolar.com <http://www.berkssolar.com/> > > > On Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 8:20:57 PM EST, Chris Sparadeo > <sparadeo.ch...@gmail.com> <mailto:sparadeo.ch...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Thanks for the suggestion, Jay. > > Yes, the Sol-Ark has a very basic and limited AGS for 2 wire compatible gen > sets. Gen start can be programmed with voltage or SOC, however gen stop is > not a function that can not be readily programmed. Instead, the Sol-Ark is > programmed to charge the battery bank to 90% of the rated Ah capacity of the > battery bank before turning off the generator. You can ultimately adjust this > gen stop parameter to be based on a specific SOC or voltage, but I believe > that doing so requires a call into tech support. The tech I spoke with > updated a setting (having to do with a TOU parameter I believe) that was not > accessible via the system interface. AGS from Schnieder, Outback and even > Magnum are less clunky, but I am hoping that Sol-Ark will eventually come out > with new programming to remediate these minor but nevertheless, important > issues > > -Chris > > On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 3:58 PM Jay <jay.pe...@gmail.com > <mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com>> wrote: > > > -- > Chris Sparadeo > > > C_802-369-4458 > H_802-728-3059 > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > <https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > <https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > <https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
_______________________________________________ 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 There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
