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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hi Ray,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Off grid solar has been pushed way back. Back in the day, I would set up systems and walk away (until the client destroyed their first set of batteries). After that, the systems would run smoothly. The equipment did not need to be updated or replaced. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, battery based systems are only for backup, for people with lots of money. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With the price of lithium batteries, it makes sense to me to stick with AGM. They may only last half as long, but they are less than half the price. The lead is reusable. Their environmental impact is far less. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cheers,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drake </span></p>
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<p><em>Drake Chamberlin</em></p>
<p><em>Athens Electric LLC</em></p>
<p><em>Ohio Electrical Contractor’s License 44810</em></p>
<p><em>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional</em></p>
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<p id="reply-intro">On 2024-11-08 16:04, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:</p>
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<p>Just goes to my rule for off grid, forget the comms. Regardless of the Manu, I've been advised during trouble shooting to disconnect the comms, and it almost always fixes the problem. Honestly, I forgot what comms were supposed to fix in the first place. I almost never even bother now. Mate 3 with HUB? Only if I have to. Midnite "Follow Me"? pulled the cables. All my systems are open communication. Even battery to battery comms causes problems. </p>
<p>Oh, and I recently had to buy a $400 PC laptop, just to do trouble shooting, and firmware updates on batteries. I don't miss the acid burns in my jeans, but I'm not sure if I like my job as much, in the twilight years of my off grid career. I'm spending as much time installing, as I am babysitting LiPO4 batteries that are supposed to operate maintenance free for 8000 cycles. Yeah. Just yeah. I'd be amazed at 800 cycles without having to truck out there to F with them. Haven't seen a brand yet that has worked without some kind of trouble. Blue Ion, Simpliphi, Fortress, Homegrid, EG4..... major trouble with everyone of them. Complete system shutdowns. Rotting food in the fridge.</p>
<p>I've heard acid burned jeans are coming back in fashion.....</p>
<p>Ray Walters<br />Remote Solar</p>
<div class="v1moz-cite-prefix">On 11/8/2024 1:42 PM, Chris Sparadeo via RE-wrenches wrote:</div>
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<div dir="auto">I have an off-grid customer with a pair of VFX 3648 inverters, a FM 100 charge controller and two eVault classics in open loop. The issue is when the generator is charging the batteries, incoming amperage is all over the place and periodically, gradually drops to 0A then ramps back up. This is creating really long generator run times. When I turn off PV input, same results. When I turn off both PV input and charge controller output (turning off the CC entirely) the inverters hold a steady charge. If I remove the charge controllers comms cable from the hub, they both play nicely and charge cooperatively. This obviously sounds like a communication issue, but unfortunately, without the help of OB tech support, I am left speculating. I have checked all settings with a fine comb and nothing looks to be out of place. Has anyone experienced something similar to this?<br clear="all" /><br />Thanks! </div>
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<div>Chris Sparadeo</div>
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