[RE-wrenches] Midnite Inverter products, monitoring

Thu Mar 27 08:59:59 PDT 2025

Firmware updates of the Midnite AIO are Not via the app.  You have to 
get a special dongle thing from Midnite, and Yes use a Windows based 
laptop to do it.

2nd issue:  you can not do any programming or change voltage settings on 
the inverter itself, everything is through the phone app.

3rd issue: the App doesn't always work, and I had to download it and 
delete it, redownload it 5 times, before I could finally connect to the 
AIO.  I was in Puerto Rico with very poor cell service, so Frustration 
levels were very high.

4th issue: if you turn on the AIO without doing the programming setup, 
you can lock the inverter. Stupid me thought I could just turn the 
inverter ON, and it would start inverting.  It took several hours to get 
it to work and take the programming.  I was literally about to Cry.  
I've been in offgrid solar since 1988, and this was one of the worst 
experiences I've ever had.  Luckily Midnite support is excellent, and 
they hung in there until we finally got it.

5th issue: programming doesn't necessarily take the first time, and I 
had to change settings sometimes 3 times, before it would finally take.  
My confidence level that it will do what I thought is low.  Leaving it 
in a remote location, with no one local knowledgeable to correct issues, 
is seriously troubling.

Once again, regardless of manufacturer, ALL AIOs are made in China, 
designed in China, programmed in China, and are IMO, not suitable for 
off grid remote applications.  They are for DIY folks and avg. grid tie 
solar companies that want to play around with GTB.  I've tried Solark, 
Midnite, Fortress, EG4, and all have not instilled confidence, and/ or 
had major problems off grid.  Fine for GTB, but live full time on it?  
Stake your family's lives on it?  NO WAY.

I'm willing to try the Rosie for my next off grid job, because I still 
trust Midnite, and because I just don't see any good alternatives, now 
that Magnum and Outback are down.   BTW, I still have old Trace SWs 
inverting their hearts' out.  Not ready to replace them.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar

On 3/27/2025 9:27 AM, Jay via RE-wrenches wrote:
> I’m pretty sure it’s all done via an app on your phone ( either 
> platform) to set up the wifi connection.
> Then via the app you can do all sorts of things or via the web 
> browser. Again either platform works.
>
> Jay
>
>> On Mar 27, 2025, at 9:07 AM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches 
>> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> My first AIO/PowerFlo16 is coming up, and it's a triple inverter 
>> installation. I can't wait!
>>
>> But I thought the Firmware update process was much easier – all 
>> available to do remotely. Is that not the case? I assume it requires 
>> a Windows laptop like EG4, HomeGrid, etc. That's something else I 
>> don't want to carry in my truck. I'm a Mac user.
>>
>> Jason Szumlanski
>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
>> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM Tyrone Houck via RE-wrenches 
>> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>     In my experience the communication between battery/inverter has
>>     been seamless, the internet connectivity has also been very
>>     reliable. You can program settings and monitor remotely. No email
>>     notifications. I have only installed the AIO and haven't used the
>>     Rosie, Hawkes Bay, or Barcelona..my favorite inverter/battery
>>     combo by far is the AIO/Powerflo16. Installer monitoring platform
>>     works consistently though it would be great if they came up with
>>     a more mobile friendly platform for the installer. The user app
>>     is good and could probably be improved but I don't have any overt
>>     complaints. It's important to update inverter firmware
>>     immediately upon installation.. but the firmware installation
>>     program is super easy to use(you need a special cable assembly
>>     and a laptop). So far we have 7 separate sites in the field and
>>     all are working very well. Soon we will be installing our first
>>     multi inverter parallel system with the AIO and are looking
>>     forward to it.
>>     Overall, I'm a fan.
>>
>>     Tyrone Houck
>>     Oregon Solarworks LLC
>>     CCB #204937 LRT #076
>>     541-787-1366
>>     tyrone at oregonsolarworks.com
>>
>>
>>
>>     On Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 6:22 AM Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches
>>     <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>         Hello Wrenches,
>>
>>         I would appreciate opinions about the Midnite product line
>>         up, strengths and weaknesses in regard to off-grid deployment.
>>         1.   Midnite AIO
>>         2.   Midnite Rosie, Barcelona, Hawkes Bay system
>>         3.   How is the online monitoring/control platform for these
>>         systems?  Last I checked it was in development, but its been
>>         a while.  Can you adjust system parameters remotely?
>>         Receive warning/error emails?
>>         4.  Any issues with battery communications?
>>
>>         Generally, Im a big fan of Midnite, I really like how you can
>>         call them and talk with someone smart.
>>
>>         Thanks in advance!
>>
>>         -- 
>>
>>
>>
>>         Mac Lewis
>>
>>         *
>>
>>         "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
>>
>>         *
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