[RE-wrenches] Outback woes

Ray Walters ray at solarray.com
Sun May 11 13:37:58 PDT 2025 

I just reviewed a system from 1992.  The black Trace U2512 was still 
buzzing away, the APT load center was still handling charge control, and 
a mismatched collection of 50 w modules were all producing. Result: they 
needed new batteries.

   That's why I'm still in business now: the old equipment worked for 
decades, with almost no call backs.  I can't stake a business on many of 
today's offerings.  The Off grid biz is already tough enough.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar

On 5/11/2025 2:28 PM, William Bryce via RE-wrenches wrote:
> EG4 and most Asian Inverters do not have Conformal coating.  That goes 
> directly against any 10 year warrant and long life.
>
> There is a reason that old Trace inverters, OutBack inverters, and 
> Schnider inverters, are still operating many years after the warranty 
> has expired.
>
> On Sun, May 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM Jay via RE-wrenches 
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>     I have been impressed with EG4 and the speed of improvements and
>     new products from EG4. And I e had zero failures of batteries or
>     inverters.
>
>     To me having monitoring and programming built in is crucial for
>     off grid. I guess I e had way too many people who are non
>     technical or don’t want or don’t have internet for their devices.
>
>     My 2 cents
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>     On May 11, 2025, at 7:03 AM, Maverick Brown via RE-wrenches
>>     <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>     It is a very strange situation for Outback.
>>
>>     James Showalter purchased Outback from Entersys / Alpha and moved
>>     the operation to Commerce Texas. They have been almost a silent
>>     in the transition since very little is coming from them, except
>>     for a post or two on the Outback Forum. Simple things like paying
>>     for and updating Server Fees, certificates, domain names, etc all
>>     impact their reputation. Outbackpower.com is still owned by
>>     Enersys according to WhoIs database. It’s been a rough transition
>>     and no roadmap / feedback or direct message of intent.
>>
>>     On the flip side James has EG4 and Signature Solar, both have
>>     come leaps and bounds into products and support that rivals any
>>     good company. James vows to manufacture inverters and batteries
>>     in Commerce in volume this year (they have stated they are
>>     already underway).
>>
>>     Maybe they bit off more than they can chew in the time allotted
>>     by picking up Outback in addition to making EG4 and Signature as
>>     well.
>>
>>     Let me know if y’all have heard anything different. It’s a
>>     difficult time for the industry right now.
>>
>>     References:
>>     https://www.youtube.com/shorts/n1EZS8FeuyA
>>
>>     <maxresdefault.jpg>
>>     Alert!! HUGE News For The Solar Community!! EG4 Made In The
>>     USA!?!? <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IimC23ozSDI>
>>     youtube.com <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IimC23ozSDI>
>>
>>     <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IimC23ozSDI>
>>
>>     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 1:19 PM, 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.
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