[RE-wrenches] Midnite AIO response

Mon Apr 28 04:52:41 PDT 2025

Thanks for sharing, Bill. My first AIO installation went well, but I did
have to call about a few things, and I did start pushing buttons even
though I read the manual and forgot that it said to program through the app
and start the system from the app for the first time, not with the power
button (silly me). I'll admit I ignored that point in the manual, and I
should not have. With that said, I wish the manual were a lot more
descriptive about what the settings mean. The wording in the app settings
section is ambiguous in some areas.

Regarding trusting AIO inverters, I do have reservations, but it seems like
this is ultimately going to be the simplest and lowest-cost way to go in
the future, and I see the positives outweighing the negatives. The obvious
concern is needing redundancy, and having equipment that doesn't have
cascading shutdowns when one unit fails (I'm looking at you, Sol-Ark). My
solution for now is to stick to one brand and model as much as possible,
and I landed on the Midnite AIO. I am keeping one on my shelf at all times
to handle emergencies if one needs to be swapped out. I can take a faulty
unit back to my shop for diagnostics and warranty processing if necessary.
Since swap outs are fast, this should be all I need to provide sufficient
customer service in terms of reliability. Single-inverter sites are
particularly vulnerable, but that is no different from any other system
architecture.

I like the idea of not having numerous systems and components out there and
needing to "relearn" a system that I haven't seen in a while. I came to
this realization as I started taking over dozens of systems that were
installed by others, all with varying components, and most that were
cobbled together over the years with parts that don't necessarily talk to
each other. I can't tell you how many Xantrex and Outback Charge
Controllers I have found replaced with Midnite that no longer talk to the
rest of the system, and systems with combinations of 150V and 600V charge
controllers, and all kinds of cobbled together AGS solutions. It all gets
very tricky, and training employees on what to look for can be a daunting
task. It all falls on my shoulders. With an AIO, I can easily train
employees on how to do swaps and how to diagnose issues much easier.

Yes, I am taking the easy way out in some sense. Time will tell if the pros
of this approach outweigh the cons. I don't think I am doing my customers a
disservice with this approach.

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 Sun, Apr 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM Bill Battagin via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> 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>
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>
> *Reply-To: *
>
> RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>
> *To: *
>
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> *CC: *
>
> Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com> <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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