[RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

Howie Michaelson Howie.Michaelson at gmail.com
Thu Sep 21 07:47:09 PDT 2017


These are the kind of issues that caused me to stop using Xantrex 14 years
ago, and have pretty much motivated me to stop installing Outback (even
though they were my go-to off grid inverter for a decade). I am not happy
about bring used as a volunteer beta tester. Ironically, I am now largely
installing Schneider. I'm not sure if life is a spiral or just a circle
(out perhaps a vortex?)...
Howie
Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
Sun Catcher, LLC
Solar Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar Electric Incentive Partner
802-272-0004 <(802)%20272-0004>

On Sep 21, 2017 9:22 AM, <dan at foxfire-energy.com> wrote:

> The system (Off Grid) was originally installed in 2006 in a high end 2nd
> home in the wilds of Northern Vt. This spring the system took a lightening
> strike and was replaced with 4 FXR inverters and a Mate3s. The owners later
> chose to set up Optics RE and to install a FN-DC. The replacement system
> was originally programed with the 1st Mate3s and was fully operational both
> locally and on OpticsRE. After the FN-DC was installed (as outlined in the
> manual), we noticed we had some system info and some menus, but no control
> at the Mate (the screen would twitch after entering a command request, but
> returned to the previous menu).. The first OB tech suggested verifying
> basic connections and power cycling (which I had already done, but figured
> I'd humor him anyway), but that meant loosing comm (Satellite).. The next
> tech asked to be taken off speaker phone and suggested I was at fault
> because there was no GFP on the charge controller (although there is no
> mention of GFP in the FN-DC manual), and because I did not fully power down
> and wait 10 min. before connecting the cat5 / hub 10.3 etc. and thus voided
> all warranties.. He also suggested I try to communicate with the FXRs w/
> Mate3 individually to determine the extent of the damage.. Still no
> control. The next tech instructed us to reconnect all components (Live -
> said everything is plug and play), which again did allow control from
> OpticsRE but not the Mate. We made a few adjustments but the tech said it
> was definitely a bad Mate3s and that there was a known glitch between the
> Mate3s and FN-DC (at least that's what I interpreted), and issued an RMA..
> but also said the Mate3s was undergoing revision and would not be available
> till early Oct.. So not to expect shipment till then.. Two days later I
> received a replacement Mate3s from my supplier here at the shop (although I
> requested that the new Mate be shipped directly to my customer). I told my
> supplier what the 3rd tech told me.. They called back and said their
> contact at OB told them this Mate3s should be fine. I have not installed
> this replacement till I do a little more research, but plan a trip up there
> next week (3.5 hrs away).
>
> If you have insight, please share.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> db
>
>
> Dan Brown
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564 <(802)%20483-2564>
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com
> NABCEP #092907-44
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
> From: Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 10:09 am
> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>
> Can you be more specific about the fndc interface issues.
> What wasn't working and the fix is new M3s firmware yet to be released?
>
> Thx
> Jay
>
> On Sep 20, 2017, at 4:10 AM, <dan at foxfire-energy.com> <
> dan at foxfire-energy.com> wrote:
>
> Seems earlier versions of the 3s had a glitch that didn't play nice with
> FN-DC.. OB tech said a new version wasn't available till early Oct.. Still
> had control from Optics RE but no local control..
>
> Good Luck
>
> db
>
>
> Dan Brown
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564 <(802)%20483-2564>
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com
> NABCEP #092907-44
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade
> From: Matthew Sirum <matthewsirum at gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 6:12 am
> To: re-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>
> Greetings All,
>
> I'm preparing to replace an existing OutBack Power MATE3 System
> Display/Controller with the new MATE3S. The system is a grid tied 5
> stack of Radian GS8048A Inverter/Chargers. I am interested to know if
> any of you may have done this and if you encountered any issues or
> have any insights to pass along. This system does have a generator
> and uses the Advanced Generator Start (AGS) function to control
> generator start/stop and battery charging while the generator is
> running. I believe this is the only Display/Controller based function
> the system is using, so it will likely need to be programed and setup
> in the new MATE3S. I am hopeful that all other programing is stored
> in the Radians and will not need to be reprogramed/entered to the new
> MATE3S. The system is connected to OpticsRE (OutBack Power's system
> monitoring website/service). I assume we may need to do some
> programing from the new MATE3S and/or from the system's OpticsRE site
> to enable communication since the new MATE3S may have a different IP
> address, MAC Address, and etc than the MATE3 we are removing.
>
> We are hopeful the new MATE3S will allow the system to function better
> with its OpticsRE site and not need to be reset every couple months.
>
> Please let me know if you have any experience or thoughts to offer.
>
> Have any of you installed and setup the new MATE3S? Any Issues,
> insights, or comparisons to the MATE3 to report?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Best regards,
>
> ----MATT
>
> Matthew Sirum
> P.O. Box 1227
> Greenfield, MA 01302-1227 USA
> phone: +1.413.773.0611 <(413)%20773-0611>
> email: MatthewSirum at gmail.com
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