[RE-wrenches] Fortress Battery Problems

Jerry Shafer jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com
Wed Nov 16 18:16:21 PST 2022


It seems best not to have a temp sensor installed and use the default of 75
degrees. SMA needs a resister to hold the temp.
Fun times

On Wed, Nov 16, 2022, 5:48 PM Maverick Brown via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Ray
>
> I’ve installed eFlex and eVault MAX on Outback and Schnieder. Rock solid
> so far. I’ve noticed the lower charge voltages cause or amplify a
> variability in the SOC and bring up the Absorb a bit solves the issue.
>
> The fortress / Outback integration guide has values for charge controllers
> and has Absorb at 55.2 for two hours. Some of the integration guides have a
> lower Absorb setting. I’m not sure why. I’ve had to measure actual inverter
> voltages and adjust the charger settings to over come any minor calibration
> issues. The Classic can be calibrated quite easily from the tweaks menu.
> Also, if using an FNDC, make sure that is calibrated to bus bar voltage
> that batteries are producing.
>
> [image: preview.png]
>
> Fortress-Power-Outback-Inverter-Guide-Rev1.6_1.21.2022
> <https://www.fortresspower.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Fortress-Power-Outback-Inverter-Guide-Rev1.6_1.21.2022.pdf>
> PDF Document · 595 KB
> <https://www.fortresspower.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Fortress-Power-Outback-Inverter-Guide-Rev1.6_1.21.2022.pdf>
>
> <https://www.fortresspower.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Fortress-Power-Outback-Inverter-Guide-Rev1.6_1.21.2022.pdf>
>
>
> https://www.outbackpower.com/downloads/documents/appnotes/fndc_field_cal_app_note.pdf
>
>
> Maverick Brown
> Off-Grid Solar Commander since 2006
> *Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc.*
> * • Solar Commander Remote Power*
>
> * • SunFlow Systems Cathodic Protection *maverick at mavericksolar.com
> 512-460-9825
>
>
> On Nov 16, 2022, at 2:15 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
>
> 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
> tomh at 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 <
> re-wrenches at 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™ *
>>
>> *Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service 802-272-0004*
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at 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
>>>
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>> --
> Chris Sparadeo
>
>
> C_802-369-4458
> H_802-728-3059
>
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