[RE-wrenches] Midnite AIO response

[Bill Battagin]

Wrenches,

             Sorry, this started a month ago, I contacted Ryan at 
Midnite during a wrench discussion about their AIO.  I finally got a go 
ahead about some of the issues Ray had concerning Midnite's AIO and the 
time to post the response (in Red) from Ryan, below.  Hopefully this helps.

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric
Bill Battagin, owner
4291 Nelson St. (Shipping)
5575 Genesee Rd. (USPS, UPS)
Taylorsville, CA  95983
530-284-7849, 258-1641(cell)
CA. C10 Lic # 874049
Solar Powered since 1982
Home of the Sunny Side Up

-------- Forwarded Message --------

*Subject: *

	

Re: [RE-wrenches] Midnite Inverter products, monitoring

*Date: *

	

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 09:59:59 -0600

*From: *

	

Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> 
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

*Reply-To: *

	

RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> 
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

*To: *

	

re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

*CC: *

	

Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com> <mailto:ray at solarray.com>

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.

Not so, users can update firmware through the app/portal no laptops etc 
needed. You should do a factory restore and restart the machine after. 
We of course only recommend updating if there is a feature/bug you want 
or need to fix

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

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. Have not had any complaints yet on this one, I am 
assuming maybe it has something to do with the poor data connection?

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. Yes you need to go through 
some basic programming, The most common issue I see is people get 
inpatient and press a lot of buttons and the inverter will hang up. If 
this happens power down for 15 minutes and then power on with patience

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. This also is a first, I wonder if it is also 
related to the poor data connection or if the unit was running at the 
time. Like other inverters we need to be in standby for settings to be saved

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



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