<div dir="auto"><div>I had another battery manufacturer's BMS contactor weld shut due to an inrush current problem with another brand of inverter. That was "fun." It seems strange that this issue of cap loading hasn't been addressed. Hopefully it will be. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">To clarify the SOC not drifting... Are you saying in an off-grid system you can reliably use the Sol-Ark SOC to trigger generator start and charging parameters without causing discrepancies in SOC on the battery meter itself and balancing is not a problem? If so, I'm comfortable with that I think. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Jason</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote" dir="auto"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Jan 31, 2021, 3:45 PM Jeff Clearwater <<a href="mailto:jeffc@villagepowerdesign.com">jeffc@villagepowerdesign.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Hey Jason,<br>
<br>
I've installed a few systems now using Fortress eVaults. I like them as
they are a nice 18.5 KW increment and the BMS seems hardy - nice
interface screen showing SOC on each battery.<br>
<br>
However, call Fortress and discuss the status of their closed loop
communications (and talk to Sol-Ark about it too). The tech at Fortress
told me that less than 4 eVaults the closed loop communication is more
trouble than it's worth between batteries. That appears to be because
they simply have not employed a soft-start resistor and the batteries
shut down when exposed to cap loading during inverter start-up. They
said relying on the individual battery BMSs works fine. I've found that
to be true so far - no drift in SOC from battery and Sol-Ark.<br>
<br>
Their eFlex system is supposed to be totally closed loop communication
between batts and with a Sol-Ark. It's a bit of a small increment for
large systems but may be worth it.<br>
<br>
I imagine they will offer an upgrade for eVaults or a new model soon
with full closed loop. Sol-Ark tech said they were still working with them
on that.<br>
<br>
Hope that helps!<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
<br>
Jeff<br>
<span>
</span><br>
<blockquote type="cite" style="border:0px none!important">
<div style="margin:30px 25px 10px 25px"><div style="width:100%;border-top:2px solid #edf1f4;padding-top:10px"> <div style="display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;width:49%">
<a style="color:#485664!important;padding-right:6px;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none!important" href="mailto:jason@floridasolardesigngroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Jason Szumlanski</a></div> <div style="display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;width:48%;text-align:right"> <font color="#909AA4"><span style="padding-left:6px">January
31, 2021 at 11:27 AM</span></font></div> </div></div>
<div style="color:#909aa4;margin-left:24px;margin-right:24px">
<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">I'm seeing a lot of
pictures of LiPO battery systems and people are mounting equipment above
them like load centers, inverters with disconnects, and other
serviceable enclosures. Some of these battery systems are 24 inches deep
or more. This seems to violate NEC 110.26 requirements for the other
serviceable equipment, but the pictures are proudly displayed as models
of success. Even slender Tesla Powerwalls stick out significantly when
stacked 2 or 3 deep and would be more than 6 inches deeper than a
standard load center. Sure, the battery cabinets make great places to
rest tools while working, but does anyone else see this as problematic? </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Jason
Szumlanski</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Florida Solar Design
Group </div><img alt="" style="display:flex" src="https://mailtrack.io/trace/mail/bdd06583d462e3938bb1d19f5a2b8d4e4bf8dda6.png?u=1613865" width="0" height="0"></div>
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