Yeah, I see Zonna has some XP Pros at an insanely low price. I would have a hard time selling this to a client knowing they are discontinued, however.
Jason Szumlanski Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 On Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > It's true. I caught wind of this over the summer and switched to > Victron/Discover to stay ahead of the curve. NAZ has some smoking deals on > XWpros. Tech support is still available and has actually been really good. > Not sure for how much longer > > On Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 12:46 PM Kent via RE-wrenches < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Schneider's website is still there but it shows the Conext products as >> being discontinued. >> >> Word is that a couple well know online retail companies bought up almost >> all the inventory except for some number of items that Schneider held for >> warranty supply. >> >> Kent Osterberg >> Blue Mountain Solar >> >> >> On 2/14/2025 10:55 AM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches wrote: >> >> This is the first time I'm hearing of that. The product line is still >> listed on their website. >> >> On Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 1:28 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> They discontinued the Conext line. Mo more XWs >>> >>> On Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM Glenn via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Whoa, what did I miss? >>>> How is Schneider out of the picture? >>>> >>>> -Glenn >>>> >>>> On Feb 14, 2025 12:28, Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> I think I have seen or heard of issues and failures with all of the Li >>>> batteries at this point. Even my favorite, Discover. So then, what is most >>>> important to me is good tech support and customer service. Discover has >>>> been awesome. Midnite has been great too. Discover is releasing a >>>> 16kwhr battery very soon. Most of my OG systems for several years have been >>>> Schneider/Discover. With Schneider out of the picture, I started using more >>>> Victron equipment with Discover batteries. Now there's the Midnite AIO and >>>> Powerlo16s. I've done several GTBB systems and like that combo for that >>>> application. Bill's post reminded me of the Rosie/Barcelona. I'm wondering >>>> what the pro's and cons are between the AIO and R/B for off-grid. Not many >>>> choices left these days >>>> >>>> On Thu, Feb 13, 2025 at 6:47 AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> I didn't initially realize they have the Powerflo16 outdoor >>>> wallmount battery. I see you can get that capacity with it now. It's >>>> disappointing that the stackable 5kWh Powerflo5 is limited to 80kWh (also >>>> 16 units). Most of my clients build dedicated battery/inverter buildings >>>> and need massive capacities to run their properties. I am trying to wrap my >>>> head around how a multi-inverter Midnite AIO might be able to take >>>> advantage of multiple un-paralleled battery banks to get around this >>>> limitation. I'm waiting on a call from a Midnite rep to discuss this and >>>> other questions I have. >>>> >>>> Jason Szumlanski >>>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group >>>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) >>>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 >>>> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thu, Feb 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM Amos Post via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi Jason, >>>> >>>> It looks like the limit to Midnite PowerFlo is 257kwh. >>>> (16.076kwh/unit*16units in parallel). >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> Amos >>>> >>>> >>>> Amos Post >>>> Integrity Energy >>>> W 802.763.7023 >>>> C 802.291.2188 >>>> ienergyVT.com <http://www.ienergyvt.com> >>>> Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/integrityenergyllp?ref=hl> >>>> >>>> On Feb 12, 2025, at 5:22 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> Thanks for the feedback, Lou. >>>> >>>> Yep, they all seem to be borrowing the "delay and deny" tactic from the >>>> insurance industry. It's an epidemic. Solar module manufacturers are doing >>>> this, too (I'm looking at you, REC and Silfab, who have given me the D&D >>>> treatment on two clear-cut warranty issues recently). I will continue to >>>> give Enphase kudos for having readily available and mostly competent >>>> customer service reps and a refreshingly liberal warranty process, >>>> especially if you are experienced and know how to work the customer service >>>> reps correctly to lead them to the right answer. >>>> >>>> Regarding the firmware issues on inverters and batteries, I have high >>>> hopes for Midnite's AIO and MNPowerflo, given their claims that firmware >>>> updates are tested, simultaneous, and seamless. This is a far cry from >>>> Sol-Ark's new policy of refusing to do firmware updates unless a technician >>>> is standing by on-site. It sounds like Midnite is listening, and the rest >>>> are content with accepting mediocrity and pushing issues onto installers. >>>> >>>> And don't get me started about HomeGrid's pathetic app and registration >>>> process... That little Gen 3 WiFi antenna gives you such high hopes, only >>>> to end in huge disappointment. The app doesn't even seem to work. >>>> >>>> Jason Szumlanski >>>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group >>>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) >>>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 >>>> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 >>>> >>>> >>>> On Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 1:08 AM Lou Russo via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> The current trend of manufacturers resisting issuing RMAs is >>>> concerning. The amount of work they want us to do to confirm their problem >>>> is staggering (Looking at you SolarEdge). With that said, we only have 7 >>>> systems with HomeGrid batteries. We have had only one issue with them and >>>> it was firmware related. Unfortunately their firmware upgrade process is a >>>> total kludge so much so that like Jason, I just let them take over my >>>> laptop and let them handle it. It really made me appreciate Discover's >>>> software and firmware update process. We have a lot of Discover batteries >>>> out there and like the EG4s you can just shut off the bad battery and move >>>> on. In addition, if you have a battery module that is "dark start low" you >>>> can actually "charge" it (it's more like spilling electricity) from a good >>>> battery in the stack by turning off all the loads and charging sources >>>> (i.e. the inverter) and all the battery modules except one good one and the >>>> bad one. After you get the low one to a decent state of charge you can fire >>>> everything up and put a good balance charge on the entire stack. I have >>>> found their support to be great as well. They also just took their remote >>>> battery monitoring out of beta so now you can see battery info directly >>>> online. Which is nice. I am a big fan of having redundant monitoring so we >>>> can "trust but verify" the data being reported by the various components. I >>>> am still bummed they ended production of the 42-48-6650, the build quality >>>> was ridiculously good. I am little leary of their replacement, >>>> the 48-48-5120, but it seems to be doing fine in our installs. It has only >>>> been a year or so, so the jury is still out. But all the same features I >>>> described above apply. >>>> >>>> Aloha, >>>> >>>> Lou Russo >>>> Owner >>>> [email protected] >>>> Office - 808 345 6762 >>>> Spree Solar Systems LLC >>>> CT-34322 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> For what it's worth, they haven't said anything about internet >>>> connectivity on these two systems I'm dealing with right now, and they are >>>> both Gen 3. >>>> >>>> One site has a bunch of firmware discrepancies, and this is the site >>>> with one module that has all cells low voltage. Not sure if it's even >>>> recoverable. It's sitting at 39V. >>>> >>>> The other site has all the same firmware. This is the one I went to >>>> today. One of 16 modules (2 full stacks) has one of 15 cells internally >>>> that is low voltage. To me, that's a clear warranty swap situation, but >>>> customer service wasn't having it. Disassemble the battery and charge it? >>>> That's not a solution. It has been escalated. We will see what happens. >>>> >>>> Clearly we should be able to take these back to the shop for >>>> diagnostics at a minimum and get them RMA'd. Requiring the purchase of a >>>> Windows laptop and a battery charger is not ideal for sure. >>>> >>>> The only good thing I can say is customer service took over my PC today >>>> remotely and ran diagnostics after installing the required software (which >>>> isn't a fast process). I was expecting them to say, "yep it's toast and >>>> we're sending you a new one, valued customer." >>>> >>>> No such luck. >>>> >>>> Jason >>>> >>>> >>>> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025, 6:48 PM Tyrone Houck via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> Yep. And the 10 year warranty is only good if connected to the >>>> internet. Firmware update of every module is crucial or else there will >>>> likely be imbalances. You may be able to address it as 1 and shut of the >>>> others and charge it through the bus but if it's cell voltage is too low it >>>> may be an rma situation. I have had similar issues especially with gen 2. >>>> Zero issues yet with any gen 3 modules but the internet thing really struck >>>> a nerve as they only just recently got their internet monitoring >>>> functional.. having to go back to every site is a serious pain just to >>>> ensure what should be a basic warranty. Best of luck and feel free to >>>> contact me offsite if you have any other questions I might be able to help >>>> with. >>>> Tyrone Houck >>>> Oregon Solarworks LLC >>>> CCB #204937 LRT #076 >>>> 541-787-1366 >>>> [email protected] >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025, 3:36 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi Wrenches, >>>> >>>> I am regretting some HomeGrid Stack'd off-grid installations right now. >>>> There is a major flaw in the way these function in an error state. For >>>> those of you that don't know, these 48V batteries are stacked with a single >>>> BMS on top, covering up to 8 batteries below. Each battery module has a >>>> circuit breaker and dip switches to identify the battery communication >>>> number and location in the stack. Each BMS can be paralleled to additional >>>> stacks with communication cabling. >>>> >>>> The issue is when one battery module goes into an error state. What >>>> will happen is that battery stack's BMS will recognize the error, and then >>>> shut down the whole stack. This cascades to the other stacks and the system >>>> shuts down - fails to deliver 48V at the output terminals on the BMS of any >>>> stack. >>>> >>>> That is annoying, but what's even more problematic is you can't just >>>> shut off the offending battery to bypass it. You need to physically change >>>> all of the dip switches to bypass it and then reprogram the BMS to >>>> re-recognize the new module count (after taking it out of parallel). This >>>> is all very time consuming and requires the inverter system to be shut >>>> down. Even if a battery is not in an error state, you can't just turn it >>>> off. The whole system goes haywire. >>>> >>>> Once you have it bypassed, you can hook up a RS-232 cable (Mac users >>>> need not apply) and use their software to gather diagnostics. Customer >>>> service will then want to do additional diagnostics with the battery in the >>>> stock, but that is not reasonable in and off-grid system where uptime is >>>> critical. One of the faulty modules I am dealing with was diagnosed as one >>>> of 15 cells with low voltage. The "solution" is to take it out of the stack >>>> and charge it to 100% with an external charger. >>>> >>>> By the time I'm done with all of the diagnostic nonsense, I can almost >>>> pay for a new battery with the lost labor. Isn't the whole idea for this >>>> not to happen with balancing done automatically? It was suggested to me >>>> that it didn't get charged to 100% often enough, and that is why it >>>> happened. That isn't an acceptable reason for failure in an off-grid >>>> system. >>>> >>>> I hate to say this, but EG4 has a far better 5kWh solution in this >>>> respect. Each module has it's own BMS. When one fails, you can simply turn >>>> off the circuit breaker and everything else continues to work. In fact, a >>>> fault in one BMS doesn't take out the whole stack or stacks of battery >>>> modules. >>>> >>>> Back to HomeGrid. When this happens, in my mind this is an automatic >>>> RMA. They should be replacing these, no questions asked. Especially at >>>> almost twice the price of EG4. They actually want me to disassemble the >>>> case of the battery and charge it with an external charger (which I don't >>>> have) directly from the terminals that are internal to the battery case. >>>> Totally unacceptable. Whatever is inside that case is their problem in my >>>> opinion. >>>> >>>> I am not selling anymore HomeGrid until I get satisfactory resolution >>>> to these issues. EG4 isn't perfect, but I have actually had pretty good >>>> success installing some that I sold and quite a few that consumers >>>> purchased directly. And at almost half the price, it's easier to eat the >>>> cost of a battery here and there for customer satisfaction. >>>> >>>> Anyone have similar issues with HomeGrid? >>>> >>>> Jason Szumlanski >>>> Florida Solar Design Group >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> 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/[email protected]/ >> 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 >> >> > > -- > > Michael Morningstar > > > Morningstar Electric Inc > > PO Box 1494 > > Mount Shasta, CA 96067 > > 530-921-0560 > > CSLB 1116835 > > [email protected] > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. 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