[RE-wrenches] OB Charging/Comms Issues

[drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org]

Hi Ray,

Off grid solar has been pushed way back. Back in the day, I would set up 
systems and walk away (until the client destroyed their first set of 
batteries). After that, the systems would run smoothly. The equipment 
did not need to be updated or replaced.

Now, battery based systems are only for backup, for people with lots of 
money.

With the price of lithium batteries, it makes sense to me to stick with 
AGM. They may only last half as long, but they are less than half the 
price. The lead is reusable. Their environmental impact is far less.

Cheers,

Drake

_Drake Chamberlin_

_Athens Electric LLC_

_Ohio Electrical Contractor's License 44810_

_NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional_

---

On 2024-11-08 16:04, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:

> Just goes to my rule for off grid, forget the comms.  Regardless of the 
> Manu, I've been advised during trouble shooting to disconnect the 
> comms, and it almost always fixes the problem.  Honestly, I forgot what 
> comms were supposed to fix in the first place.  I almost never even 
> bother now. Mate 3 with HUB? Only if I have to.  Midnite "Follow Me"? 
> pulled the cables.   All my systems are open communication.  Even 
> battery to battery comms causes problems.
> 
> Oh, and I recently had to buy a $400 PC laptop, just to do trouble 
> shooting, and firmware updates on batteries.  I don't miss the acid 
> burns in my jeans, but I'm not sure if I like my job as much, in the 
> twilight years of my off grid career.    I'm spending as much time 
> installing, as I am babysitting LiPO4 batteries that are supposed to 
> operate maintenance free for 8000 cycles.  Yeah.  Just yeah.  I'd be 
> amazed at 800 cycles without having to truck out there to F with them.  
> Haven't seen a brand yet that has worked without some kind of trouble.  
> Blue Ion, Simpliphi, Fortress, Homegrid, EG4..... major trouble with 
> everyone of them.  Complete system shutdowns.  Rotting food in the 
> fridge.
> 
> I've heard acid burned jeans are coming back in fashion.....
> 
> Ray Walters
> Remote Solar
> 
> On 11/8/2024 1:42 PM, Chris Sparadeo via RE-wrenches wrote:
> 
>> Hey wrenchers,
>> 
>> I have an off-grid customer with a pair of VFX 3648 inverters, a FM 
>> 100 charge controller and two eVault classics in open loop. The issue 
>> is when the generator is charging the batteries, incoming amperage is 
>> all over the place and periodically, gradually drops to 0A then ramps 
>> back up. This is creating really long generator run times. When I turn 
>> off PV input, same results. When I turn off both PV input and charge 
>> controller output (turning off the CC entirely) the inverters hold a 
>> steady charge. If I remove the charge controllers comms cable from the 
>> hub, they both play nicely and charge cooperatively. This obviously 
>> sounds like a communication issue, but unfortunately, without the help 
>> of OB tech support, I am left speculating. I have checked all settings 
>> with a fine comb and nothing looks to be out of place.  Has anyone 
>> experienced something similar to this?
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> Chris Sparadeo
>> 
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