[RE-wrenches] Outback woes/Envy

Sun May 11 08:47:33 PDT 2025

I wonder where all this is going? A plethora of Chinese ( I understand
virtually everything electronic is manufactured there) AIOs and batteries,
each with their own communication protocols, programing parameters, and
individual peculiarities. I say this with all modesty and humility, that
until a few years ago, it was a rare troubleshooting situation that I
needed guidance from tech support for most anything. Now the extent of my
prowess has been reduced to: "power cycle" it and if that doesn't work call
tech support, and then be prepared for a frustrating, protracted, and
costly in terms of my time, experience.

I also wonder if it's sort of a "race to the bottom" (thanks for that one
Bob-O) as far a quality goes. Discover discontinued it's AES battery which
I think was the pinnacle, and replaced it with the Helios (which I have
high hopes for). I'm hoping it's not a clone of all the others that are
similar and I understand that the AES simply couldn't compete.

Just my mind dump sans edit

On Sun, May 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com> wrote:

> Fortress and eg4 both use the same basic LUX made inverters.
> Sol ark is made by DEYE.
>
>
>
> On May 11, 2025, at 8:04 AM, Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> How does the Lux, Envy, and Sol-Ark compare to Midnite's AIO? I was all on
> board the Midnite train but I'm coming to the conclusion that they released
> it prematurely. Glitchy and Quirky.
>
> On Sun, May 11, 2025 at 7:40 AM Jay via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> One of the things I like about the LUX is that you can do programming
>> with the built in display.
>> The online monitoring is good as Maverick says.
>>
>> I also think it’s way more accurate as well.
>>
>> The LUX 12kw is a solid unit.
>>
>> Jay
>>
>>
>> On May 11, 2025, at 7:35 AM, Maverick Brown via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> William,
>>
>> I have both the ENVY and Radian (and XW at my own home).
>>
>> The ENVY online experience is great. It may have replaced the Sol-Ark
>> online monitoring as my favorite. (I have installed about 20 Sol-Arks and
>> they also have tons of data and a great overall online experience).
>>
>> The data collected by ENVY is far greater than OpticsRE, many more
>> parameters are saved. ENVY also has a working smart phone App that shows
>> more data than the now offline / defunct OpticsRE app.
>>
>> OpticsRE does log enough data to understand that the system is
>> functioning, but the additional AC data and way the information is
>> presented gives ENVY far superior results. I do lean more towards the way
>> OpticsRE allows editing parameters on the Devices section. That’s likely
>> because I am more familiar with the terminology. But, The ENVY Inverter has
>> a built in display / touch screen that allows you to edit all of the values
>> and make the system work without any internet / wireless / bluetooth
>> connection. That is a great fall back. I am used to the MATE3s, but new
>> customers have a crazy time with learning how it works and where values are
>> able to be changed. The ENVY App bridges that gap!
>>
>> Now the dream part is that since Outback is now owned by the same people
>> that also sell the EG4 18kPV (which is also made by Luxpower just like the
>> ENVY), the best of both worlds could come about == more data collected and
>> an available and a solid smart phone app for customers that want such a
>> thing.
>>
>> The screenshot of the app is straight forward and the tabs at the bottom
>> show charts, alarms and settings.
>> The screenshot for desktop is very detailed and you can scroll down on
>> the first page and get 3-4 screenfuls of data for just about anything you
>> want to know.
>>
>> Let me know if you have a specific question, I can give you a comparison.
>>
>>
>> <Screenshot 2025-05-11 at 9.11.09 AM.png>
>> <IMG_3420.PNG>
>>
>> Maverick Brown
>> Off-Grid Solar Commander since 2006
>> *Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc.*
>> * • Solar Commander Remote Power*
>>
>> * • SunFlow Systems Cathodic Protection *maverick at mavericksolar.com
>> 512-460-9825
>>
>> On May 10, 2025, at 9:58 PM, William Miller via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> Bought a VFXR3648 and two FXR3048s recently. They actually worked!
>> Miracle.
>>
>> The client for which I am suggesting an Envy 12 instead of new FM100s is
>> really attached to Optics. Now that Optics is unreliable it is easier to
>> suggest an alternative.
>>
>> I’d like to hear about the Envy on-line interface. Is it ok?
>>
>> William Miller
>> Miller Solar.com
>> 805-438-5600
>> www.millersolar.com
>>
>>
>> On Sat, May 10, 2025 at 12:23 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>> As a follow up.
>>>
>>> Has anyone purchased a new OB inverter or CC or mate.
>>> I mean specifically remote new outback company.
>>>
>>> Jay
>>>
>>> On May 10, 2025, at 11:19 AM, Todd Cory via RE-wrenches <
>>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>> Well, Outback's Optics RE is down yet again, also the back up site too
>>> and also the users forum... which had a massive database of current and
>>> past problem solving archives.
>>>
>>> What a clusterfuck this new company is.
>>>
>>> Wise wrenches should beware of patronizing this obvious sinking ship.
>>>
>>> Todd
>>>
>>>
>>> <img-0.png>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
>>> <img-0.png>
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>
> --
>
> Michael Morningstar
>
>
> Morningstar Electric Inc
>
> PO Box 1494
>
> Mount Shasta, CA 96067
>
> 530-921-0560
>
> CSLB 1116835
>
> mjmorningstar at gmail.com
>
>
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-- 

Michael Morningstar

Morningstar Electric Inc

PO Box 1494

Mount Shasta, CA 96067

530-921-0560

CSLB 1116835

mjmorningstar at gmail.com
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