[RE-wrenches] Any OpticsRE outage updates, and firmware archives erased from website?

[Dan Fink]

Esteemed Wrenches -  Thank you so much. Your help from my previous post
here a couple months ago after the first unannounced OpticsRE outage solved
the problem on my remote, off-grid client's system...new SD card (system
events showing corrupted SD card), fresh firmware on it, Mate 3S firmware
update, and connected within 5 minutes. Flawless for a couple months until
the most recent OpticsRE failure.

Some of you have spoken of at least some portion of your OpticsRE sites
returning to service recently, with many just needing a manual reboot. Not
working here, I'm onsite again, 5 hours drive one way, and thank Dog the
client lets me stay here overnight.

I've tried all the usual tricks today, fresh SD card, mint firmware for
update, factory Mate3S reset, reboot the DSL service (no issues since the
RESOL Vbus solar hot water data has been flawless on the same router). I
was going to try a revert to previous firmware version, but all the
archives have...disappeared.

What disturbs me tonight is that on arrival here today I figured I'd just
download the latest Mate3S  firmware update from the Outback website and
stick it on the fresh SD card, to be absolutely sure it was current and
bugs fixed and......it appears all Mate3S firmware updates, AND the
firmware archive past versions, have been removed from their website. All
that shows on those pages is an invitation to join their mailing list.

Can anyone else confirm that NO Mate3S firmware, new or old, is available
from Outback anymore? I assume they just want it to die a silent death
because they are in too far over their heads to make it work?

My client is pissed off. I am pissed off. They don't answer their tech
support phones or return calls. They don't reply to tech support emails. Is
this a death spiral for Outback? Are the new young solar bros who bought
the place in over their heads? Do they not care about tech support (EG4
tech support was arrogant and treated me like I didn't know shit, even
though I've been installing and supporting off-grid systems before they
were born)? EG4 had flippant tech support because most of their customers
were DIY, You-Tube certified installers.

Don't you dare apply that attitude to my NABCEP- and IREC-certified
company, new Outback solarbros. We graybeards all know why the company got
the name "Outback."

On lighter note, anyone know how to just rewire all the Flexnet DC shunts
and add more to to the FM80s, and what equipment to buy to have sort of
reliable remote monitoring for an off-grid system? Can Victron do it? They
have been very responsive to me for tech support but these would be
complete rewires of all the shunts and adding new ones as the MX CCs don't
have them individually.

I apologize for the vitriol, but my very patient client is at the end of
his rope, as are many other of my clients, and so am I.
Recent comments from clients -  "In over their heads." "Bit off more than
they can chew." "You can see the water swirling down the toilet bowl." "A
bunch of T-ball toddlers trying to play hardball." "Solar Bros who want to
replace the old Lexus with a Buggati...but forgot it don't work on a dirt
road." "Trying to haul 2 tons of bullshit in a Cybertruck." "So the
purveyors of cheap Chinese solar crap now say Outback will be built in the
USA? BS." And on and on.

Dan Fink
Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation
NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
NABCEP PV Associate
d <dan.fink at greendustrialtraining.com>anbob88 at gmail.com
970-672-4342
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