[RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade

Thu Sep 21 07:49:19 PDT 2017

One of the reasons I like GFP is that it can save a system by shutting
down during lightning. I have seen it happen a few times with Schneider
offgrid. The other thing is there should be an SPD on the DC buss, the AC
buss, and at the array. Once you have been hit it is too late and the new
system may be next. I am not saying this is your problem, but, I am not
saying it isn't. Offgrid is so reliable because there is none of the grid
surges on the the equipment. Lightning is the big variable (and how close
it was) and if there is a human in the home, they should shut anything
from the outside down when it is near. I tell them to keep a copy of the
check for the system and post it near the disco. If it is a known
lightning prone area they/you will have to do more!  Good luck

Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
e-mail  offgridsolar at sti.net
text 209 813 0060

Dave dan at foxfire-energy.comDave
> <html><body><span style="font-family:Verdana; color:#000000;
> font-size:10pt;"><div>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).</div><div><br></div><div>If you have insight, please
> share.</div><div><br></div><div>Hope this
> helps.</div><div><br></div><div>db<br></div><div><br></div><div><br>Dan
> Brown<br>Foxfire Energy Corp.<br>Renewable Energy
> Systems<br>(802)-483-2564<br><a
> href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com">www.Foxfire-Energy.com</a><br>NABCEP
> #092907-44</div><div></div><div><br><br></div>
> <blockquote id="replyBlockquote" webmail="1" style="border-left: 2px solid
> blue; margin-left: 8px; padding-left: 8px; font-size:10pt; color:black;
> font-family:verdana;">
> <div id="wmQuoteWrapper">
> -------- Original Message --------<br>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S Upgrade<br>
> From: Jay <<a
> href="mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com">jay.peltz at gmail.com</a>><br>
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 10:09 am<br>
> To: RE-wrenches <<a
> href="mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org</a>><br>
> <br>
> <div></div><div>Can you be more specific about the fndc interface
> issues. </div><div>What wasn't working and the fix is new M3s
> firmware yet to be
> released?</div><div><br></div><div>Thx</div><div>Jay</div><div><br>On Sep
> 20, 2017, at 4:10 AM, <<a target="_blank"
> href="mailto:dan at foxfire-energy.com">dan at foxfire-energy.com</a>> <<a
> target="_blank"
> href="mailto:dan at foxfire-energy.com">dan at foxfire-energy.com</a>>
> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite" style="border-left: blue 2px
> solid; margin-left: 8px; padding-left: 8px;"><div><span
> style="font-family:Verdana; color:#000000; font-size:10pt;"><div>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..
> </div><div><br></div><div>Good
> Luck</div><div><br></div><div>db<br></div><div><br></div><div><br>Dan
> Brown<br>Foxfire Energy Corp.<br>Renewable Energy
> Systems<br>(802)-483-2564<br><a target="_blank"
> href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com">www.Foxfire-Energy.com</a><br>NABCEP
> #092907-44</div><div></div><div><br><br></div> <blockquote
> id="replyBlockquote" webmail="1" style="border-left: 2px solid blue;
> margin-left: 8px; padding-left: 8px; font-size:10pt; color:black;
> font-family:verdana;"> <div id="wmQuoteWrapper"> -------- Original Message
> --------<br> Subject: [RE-wrenches] OutBack Power MATE3 to MATE3S
> Upgrade<br> From: Matthew Sirum <<a target="_blank"
> href="mailto:matthewsirum at gmail.com">matthewsirum at gmail.com</a>><br>
> Date: Wed, September 20, 2017 6:12 am<br> To: re-wrenches <<a
> target="_blank"
> href="mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org</a>><br>
> <br> Greetings All,<br> <br> I'm preparing to replace an existing OutBack
> Power MATE3 System<br> Display/Controller with the new MATE3S. The system
> is a grid tied 5<br> stack of Radian GS8048A Inverter/Chargers. I am
> interested to know if<br> any of you may have done this and if you
> encountered any issues or<br> have any insights to pass along. This system
> does have a generator<br> and uses the Advanced Generator Start (AGS)
> function to control<br> generator start/stop and battery charging while
> the generator is<br> running. I believe this is the only
> Display/Controller based function<br> the system is using, so it will
> likely need to be programed and setup<br> in the new MATE3S. I am hopeful
> that all other programing is stored<br> in the Radians and will not need
> to be reprogramed/entered to the new<br> MATE3S. The system is connected
> to OpticsRE (OutBack Power's system<br> monitoring website/service). I
> assume we may need to do some<br> programing from the new MATE3S and/or
> from the system's OpticsRE site<br> to enable communication since the new
> MATE3S may have a different IP<br> address, MAC Address, and etc than the
> MATE3 we are removing.<br> <br> We are hopeful the new MATE3S will allow
> the system to function better<br> with its OpticsRE site and not need to
> be reset every couple months.<br> <br> Please let me know if you have any
> experience or thoughts to offer.<br> <br> Have any of you installed and
> setup the new MATE3S? Any Issues,<br> insights, or comparisons to the
> MATE3 to report?<br> <br> Thank you!<br> <br> Best regards,<br> <br>
> ----MATT<br> <br> Matthew Sirum<br> P.O. Box 1227<br> Greenfield, MA
> 01302-1227 USA<br> phone: +1.413.773.0611<br> email: <a target="_blank"
> href="mailto:MatthewSirum at gmail.com">MatthewSirum at gmail.com</a><br>
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Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
e-mail  offgridsolar at sti.net
text 209 813 0060