Re: [RE-wrenches] 3524 VFX delay

[Drake Chamberlin via RE-wrenches]

Would that mean that the control board needs to be replaced in the
master? 


---

On 2023-01-12 10:33, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote:

stuck relay? 


On Thursday, January 12, 2023 6:39am, "Drake Chamberlin via RE-wrenches" 
 said:


Hello Wrenches,

A pair of off grid Outback VFX 3524 inverters are being used as an AC
coupled backup system. They have worked flawlessly for many years.

During a recent power outage it was reported that the house was dark for
20 minutes before the backup kicked on. Does anyone know what could have
caused the delay?

Thank you,

Drake

Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric LLC
Ohio Electrical Contractor's License 44810
CO Master Electrician's License 4526
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional


--
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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




Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Battery Problems

[Kienan Maxfield via RE-wrenches]

Ray,

I'm curious if your Fortress system is doing better now. Fortress used to do 
their support using a platform that was open to the public. It allowed anyone 
who wanted to see what they had suggested to other people. I've seen them 
recommend a one-time charge of up to 56V to get everything in sync. When 
charging above the normal charge voltage, it's advisable to use a low current.

As far as the master/slave configureation... the batteries don't control how 
much they discharge/recharge. They shut themselves off for certain protective 
reasons, and they balance themselves when they're above a certain voltage, but 
other than that, they don't have any control. The master/slave is for 
communication and safety purposes only.

Thanks,
Kienan


Green-Go Solar Distribution LLC
Maxfield Solar LLC (installation and consulting company)
maxfieldso...@hotmail.com
(801) 631-5584 (Cell)

From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of Ray 
Walters via RE-wrenches 
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2022 1:14 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org 
Cc: Ray Walters 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress Battery Problems


I finally heard back from Fortress, I'm going to try their suggestion of 
"equalizing" the batteries at 55.5 v, and adjust some settings.  I'll report 
back to the list on what I come up with.  This is an interesting application: 
quad stack of VFX inverters with Midnite CCs.   Using the aux out on the 
Classic to control a relay to turn on/off the inverters for LVD, since Outback 
programming (like Schneider) won't allow LVD settings above 48v.

Ray

On 11/16/2022 12:40 PM, Chris Sparadeo via RE-wrenches wrote:
Hi Ray,

I would suggest pushing the latest firmware update to both units.

https://www.fortresspower.com/firmware/

re: tech support…

I have had good luck speaking directly to Tom:

Thomas Honey
Fortress Power
Applications Engineering
(215) 613-4318 x4318
t...@fortresspower.com

I agree that Fortress’ Discord, online ticketing system and phone support are 
subpar. Call me old school, but an answered phone call when on-site is a must 
have feature of any manufacturer.

Hope this helps,

-Chris

On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 2:20 PM Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
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, which again takes days 
for them to respond to.  Very unsatisfactory and frustrating after having 
invested in 7 eVault Max for a long time client. Don't have any suggestions for 
you.
Howie Michaelson
Sun Catcher
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
[https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MQF8aTcFNnBR59ia5JAm1DsPHCxzNkPx=download]
Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service
802-272-0004


On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Greetings Fellow Wrenches;

Based on glowing reports from the RE list, I finally used Fortress for a
battery replacement for a long time customer. Overall, it seems to be a
better solution than others I've seen. However, we are having issues.
First the two batteries are supposed to be linked together in a master/
slave configuration, but they charge and discharge unevenly, and have
SOC often 20% different.   Batteries are connected to a common buss with
equal length 4/0 cables.

I've been truly disappointed with Fortress customer support. First, I've
called multiple times over the past two weeks, and never got through to
anyone.  Their online support system is quite flawed as well, and I had
a very difficult time even setting up a support ticket.  Now I can't
even log in to view the support ticket, and I've only received one email
back asking if I had properly paralleled the batteries.

Has anyone else had a hard time with Fortress support?  Does anyone have
a direct contact?  Customer is beyond pissed now, after almost 2 weeks
hearing nothing, and having spent tens of thousands.

Thanks;

Ray Walters
Remote Solar

___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

[RE-wrenches] 3524 VFX delay

[Drake Chamberlin via RE-wrenches]

Hello Wrenches,

A pair of off grid Outback VFX 3524 inverters are being used as an AC 
coupled backup system. They have worked flawlessly for many years.


During a recent power outage it was reported that the house was dark for 
20 minutes before the backup kicked on. Does anyone know what could have 
caused the delay?


Thank you,

Drake

Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric LLC
Ohio Electrical Contractor’s License 44810
CO Master Electrician’s License 4526
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional


--
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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