Once again we the installers are “guinea pigs”. Lost opportunity costs born by the installer believing that the components, we are selling & installing are ready for prime time. Must be nice to have a “Tech” drive to Humboldt, we here in Maine aren’t that lucky. > On Nov 24, 2020, at 6:42 AM, cwar...@entech-engineering.com wrote: > > Thanks for this, it is really helpful. Chris > > > > > On 2020-11-23 11:26, Jamie Rennie wrote: > >> Wrenches, >> >> Enphase Encharge debacle continues. Installed the USB extension device >> (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073B84CY1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 >> >> <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073B84CY1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1>) >> Enphase field engineer's recommended week before last. Once installed had >> good com to all the units but only 5 of the 6 batteries were communicating. >> Tried unsuccessfully to provision the new battery several times with tech >> support. Got pretty upset with the tech who was requesting I do the same >> sequence of events I had been trying for the last two week with no results. >> Asked if they had someone locally who could look at the system. Enphase >> field engineer (Adam Rich) called me the next day and agreed to drive up >> from the Bay Area to take a look at the system. Met him on site on Friday >> last week, went through the same trouble shooting steps and was unsuccessful >> in provisioning the battery even though my phone and the Envoy could "see" >> the battery. He tried it on his phone and it worked so the only thing we >> could come up with is my phone was the issue. I have a Motorola X Pure from >> 2016 with Android 6.0 software, Adam was using an iphone, not sure which >> version. Looks like I need to buy a new phone to work on these systems... >> Sigh >> >> Later that evening I got a call from Adam and he found a separate issue with >> another battery. One of the microinverters on the battery was not working. >> Adam drove back over to the site that evening and tried to hot swap the >> inverter. Turns out it is a bad slot and the battery needs to be replaced. >> So looks like we are looking at another RMA for this system. Sharing this >> info with Wrenches in the hopes that it helps others evaluate these products >> as I have found value in the messages I have read here. I really like these >> new Enphase systems and stoked Enphase was kind enough to send someone out >> to look at our install. Seems like Enphase still has a bunch of stuff to >> work out on these new batteries, unfortunately we are the guinea pigs for >> this new technology. Hopefully our customer remains a good sport and doesn't >> ask us to take it all down... >> >> On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 7:28 AM Jamie Rennie <jamie.greenwi...@gmail.com >> <mailto:jamie.greenwi...@gmail.com>> wrote: >> Wrenches, >> >> We just got through installing and commissioning our first Enphase system >> with Empower Smart switch and 2 of the Encharge 10's. Commissioning took a >> long time (over a week) and was really clunky with many calls to tech >> support. Everytime we got past one issue we ran into something else that >> needed to be resolved by an engineer. Most of it had to do with software and >> communication between envoy and other components. Found one of the batteries >> failed and we have replaced it. Now the batteries are not communicating with >> the Envoy and waiting to hear back from tech support about a solution for >> improving the communication between the Envoy, Empower and Encharge Units >> (currently IQ Combiner with Envoy is installed on East exterior wall near >> service and batteries are in the garage approx 60' away). Sounds like >> Enphase does not have a repeater they recommend for their system yet and >> there are known issues with weak comm between batteries and Envoy. >> >> On Wed, Oct 7, 2020 at 10:07 AM <d...@energysolarnow.com >> <mailto:d...@energysolarnow.com>> wrote: >> Thanks for that advice, Louis. Next time I will start the necessary >> downloads first. >> This week with a site visit from Enphase tech support we determined the >> Enpower switch was stuck in an unknown state. This was resolved >> successfully, and now the Enpower switch and Encharge batteries are >> commissioned and functional. Their status and power flow can be seen on >> Enlighten. >> During functional testing we determined that a major cause of the system >> going down when off-grid is that the well pump turn-on surge is too much for >> the two Encharge3 batteries. >> This issue should be able to be solved by a motor soft starter. Enphase >> recommends SureStart from Hyper Engineering. These are made for larger A/C >> units with access to separate fan and compressor windings so are not >> appropriate for this two-wire 3/4 hp well pump. >> Does anyone have a recommendation for a suitable soft start rated at >> something like 8 amps load, 16 amps surge? >> >> Don Barch >> Energy Solar >> -------- Original Message -------- >> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Commissioning issues with Enphase Ensemble >> From: Louis Woofenden <lo...@woofenden.net <mailto:lo...@woofenden.net>> >> Date: Thu, October 01, 2020 3:54 pm >> To: d...@energysolarnow.com <mailto:d...@energysolarnow.com> >> >> >> Hi Don, >> >> I have commissioned four new Ensemble systems over the past two weeks. All >> storage additions to existing PV systems with Enphase microinverters. >> Although there are parts of the process that are a bit clunky, we have not >> had the problems you mention. I followed the instructions in the tech brief >> "Ensemble Commissioning via Installer Toolkit 3.0," linked at >> https://enphase.com/en-us/certification-support-program-guidelines >> <https://enphase.com/en-us/certification-support-program-guidelines> (direct >> link to the PDF is >> https://enphase.com/sites/default/files/Tech%20Brief%20-%20Ensemble%20Commissioning%20via%20Installer%20Toolkit%203.0.pdf >> >> <https://enphase.com/sites/default/files/Tech%20Brief%20-%20Ensemble%20Commissioning%20via%20Installer%20Toolkit%203.0.pdf>). >> >> My experience is that each of the four Enpower microgrid interconnection >> devices we've installed started up in passthrough mode, so if input breakers >> are on in the MID, backup loads have had power before commissioning is >> completed, and power has remained on for those backup loads even after we >> turned off the PV and ESS disconnects to wait for utility PTO after doing >> commissioning and functional testing. >> >> It did take us some time to do the Envoy software update before >> commissioning, and the system does require a second trip for functional >> testing after the Encharge battery software updates have been done (up to 12 >> hours). I haven't stuck on site for the Encharge/Enpower software updates, >> but it looks like they are taking 4-6 hours for us, based on percentage done >> by the time I've left the site (system sizes from 10.08 kWh to 20.16 kWh). >> Yeah, it's a second trip. I've used the trip to meet with electrical >> inspectors for these first systems. >> >> One "trick" I've used on the Envoy software update is that you once you scan >> in the serial numbers of each Enpower & Encharge with the installer toolkit >> and plug in the cell modem and wireless communications kit, the installer >> toolkit will allow the Envoy software update to work, and you can get it >> taken care of early in the day, while still hanging boxes, running conduit, >> etc. >> >> I would agree that there are definitely parts of the new installer toolkit >> that aren't intuitive. I missed the "edit" button on the devices page for a >> bit (which is not mentioned in the tech brief), and couldn't figure out how >> to increase the device count, for example. I also had to try the Envoy >> update twice for some of these systems, as it threw an error code the first >> time around, so for some of the systems it took closer to 45-50 minutes to >> get the Envoy software update done. >> >> Hope the next one goes more smoothly for you! New products, new challenges, >> I guess. >> >> Best, >> >> Louis Woofenden >> >> >> d...@energysolarnow.com <mailto:d...@energysolarnow.com> wrote on 9/30/20 >> 2:59 PM: >>> Wrenches- >>> I'm having a lot of difficulty commissioning my first Enphase Ensemble >>> installation. This is on a pre-existing microinverter installation. Have >>> been on the phone with tech support several times; each time they forward a >>> Tech Brief about commissioning that has different and slightly conflicting >>> instructions. It seems the order of turning on each box is critical. >>> Because of already-obsolete software that they ship with, the software must >>> be updated before activating the Envoy, Enpower, and Encharge or they will >>> not work. >>> And for some reason the Envoy must have both Wifi and cell connection >>> before even starting commissioning, but the slower cell connection is used >>> for software download so it takes up to 12 hours. >>> This commissioning must be done on-site using their latest version of >>> Installer Toolkit on a smart phone. Sure, there are buttons in Enlighten's >>> Activation page to add an Enpower and Encharge, but these do not work "yet". >>> Enphase tech support says they are working on making this a single-day >>> process rather than the current multi-day commissioning. This does not even >>> count the actual hardware installation time. >>> >>> I would advise anyone against moving any loads to a new subpanel before the >>> entire system is commissioned and operating. >>> As of now I have an Enpower that mistakenly thinks it is off-grid when the >>> grid is present, so it has told the Envoy to shut down the PV >>> microinverters and batteries. These are relay controlled, therefore it is >>> not possible to have them connected without software control. It has >>> already committed the major crime of shutting down the backed-up loads >>> while the grid is still present. Enphase is working on it, but seem to be >>> developing software on the fly. I suppose their integration process has >>> been hit hard by pandemic distancing, and they are all working remotely. >>> >>> Has anyone else had a successful experience commissioning an Ensemble? >>> I'd like to hear about the doos-and-don'ts. >>> >>> Don Barch >>> d...@energysolarnow.com <mailto:d...@energysolarnow.com> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >>> <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> >>> >>> List-Archive: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> >>> >>> List rules & etiquette: >>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>> <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> >>> >>> Check out or update participant bios: >>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> >>> >> >> -- >> -- >> Louis Woofenden >> Engineering Director >> Net Zero Solar, LLC >> 101. W. 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85705 >> Arizona ROC #248710, 259756, 259521 >> >> Phone: 520.207.4053 <tel:520.207.4053> Ex. 3 >> Cell: 520.237.5040 <tel:520.237.5040> >> Fax: 520.203.7230 <tel:520.203.7230> >> >> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> >> >> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the >> other: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ >> <https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/> >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> >> >> >> -- >> Respectfully, >> >> Jamie Rennie >> Greenwired >> P: 707-923-2001 <tel:707-923-2001>C: 707-273-7387 >> 1150 #1 Evergreen Rd >> Redway, CA 95560 >> www.greenwired.com <http://www.greenwired.com/> >> >> >> -- >> Respectfully, >> >> Jamie Rennie >> Greenwired >> P: 707-923-2001 <tel:707-923-2001>C: 707-273-7387 >> 1150 #1 Evergreen Rd >> Redway, CA 95560 >> www.greenwired.com <http://www.greenwired.com/> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> >> >> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the >> other: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ >> <https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/> >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >
> t...@swnl.net > <blocked::mailto:t...@swnl.net%22%20%5Co%20%22blocked::mailto:t...@swnl.net> > www.SWNL.net > <blocked::http://www.swnl.net/%22%20%5Co%20%22blocked::http://www.swnl.net/> > Solarwinds Northernlights > Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern California > 207-832-7574 Cl. 610-517-8401 > > Blair "TUMP" May > ******** MAINE'S CHARTER ******** > NABCEP "Certified PV Installer" > > ******** MAINE'S CHARTER ******** > Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer / Installer" >
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