[RE-wrenches] BP HI / Namaka with Sol-ark inverters

[Eric Smiley]

Kirk
We tried using SolArk for off- grid applications but stopped for several
reasons:
- surge on single phase loads
- too many firmware updates  (i.e. bugs in the firmware or new features
that are standard in other inverters)
- too many service calls: false positive arc faults, AGS not working,
battery over charging,..
- not modular. If one component has an error, it can take out the whole
system.
- too reliant on an internet connection
- hidden settings that aren't described in the manual - including one that
could only be accessed via the internet and left a customer without AGS for
several months until they hooked up their satellite internet. We thought we
were going to have to replace the inverter.

We've gone back to equipment that does less and has a longer track record;
so we don't feel like we're beta testing equipment with our clients and we
know what the limitations are.
Tech support has been great and the monitoring is quite good. It just
hasn't been reliable enough for full time offgrid.

When we compare the service calls for our Magnum, Outback, Conext, Trace
(yes we still have two SW systems going strong) and SolArk systems, the
initial savings with SokArk disappear. I can't recall the last time I had
to repair/service a Magnum system unless it was user error.
Keep it simple!

Eric Smiley
Project Manager, North Island

E:  eric at vecoop.ca
T:  1-888-386-0116 ext 702 (toll free)
C:  250-703-6004
W:  viridianenergy.ca

On Thu., Jan. 6, 2022, 09:28 Jerry Shafer, <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Kirk
> You can also connect an outback through the NaMaka and the optics, plus
> the Outback has better surge power then the SolArk, We use both Solark and
> Outback coupled with the Blue Planet, 2.0 and now the 3.0, Yes solark can
> do 3 phase including delta, has high voltage dual PV input, Outback has one
> big benefit and that is surge along with being modular from internals to
> charge controllers, all separate and serviceable individually
>
> On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 6:45 AM Kirk Herander <kirkh at vermont.solar> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I am considering changing the inverters on several Blue ion HI LFP
>> storage systems I'm installing this Spring from Outback Radians to Sol-Ark.
>> I have no experience w/ Sol-Ark, but it seems more advanced than the
>> Radian. I'm wondering if Sol-Ark and the BI Namaka gateway/monitor can
>> directly interface as Namaka can with some inverter brands. And I'd be
>> interested in hearing of any experiences you may have as to how nicely
>> these different components play together. Thanks.
>>
>> --
>>
>> *Kirk Herander / **kirkh at vermont.solar <kirkh at vermont.solar>*
>>
>> *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC*
>>
>> *Celebrating our 31st Anniversary 1991-2022!!*
>>
>> *www.vermont.solar*
>> <https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.vermontsolarnow.com&data=02%7C01%7C%7C9f0330d75a244870112408d685311841%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636842843233477645&sdata=0NjyuKeQbEK6245SNnk8X4XnP9Q%2B%2BqtvcALkdDghvk4%3D&reserved=0>
>>
>> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
>>
>> 802.863.1202
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