[RE-wrenches] Fortress Battery Problems

Thu Jan 12 09:02:32 PST 2023

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)
maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com<mailto:maxfieldsolar at hotmail.com>
(801) 631-5584 (Cell)
________________________________
From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2022 1:14 PM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Cc: Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com>
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
tomh at fortresspower.com<mailto: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<mailto: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™
[https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MQF8aTcFNnBR59ia5JAm1DsPHCxzNkPx&export=download]
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<mailto: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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