[RE-wrenches] Brand X equipment?

2023-01-23 Thread Bruce Erickson via RE-wrenches 
Hello All,

I have a long time off-grid customer who is ready to upgrade his FX/L-16 
system, and I was suggesting Sol-Ark with Ampliphi closed loop. After getting 
my rough estimate, and being the due-diligence guy that he is, he asked around 
a bit. Someone who has “some” off-grid experience recommended equipment called 
EG4. It looks to have most of the features of a Sol-Ark plus offers server-rack 
Lithium batteries, all for about half the price. Looks like a cheap knock-off 
to me, and I said so, but promised to ask around. Anyone had any experience or 
know anything about these?

Thanks,
Bruce

Bruce Erickson
Mendocino Solar Service
707-937-1701 
PO Box 1252
Mendocino, CA 95460
 


"Serving the Solar System"

https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-battery-48v-100ah/ 



https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-6-5k-off-grid-inverter-6500ex-48/ 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Brand X equipment?

2023-01-23 Thread Aaron Mandelkorn via RE-wrenches 
I have had great success with the life power eg4 batteries but have no
experience with the inverter signature solar offers. It is quite a bit less
expensive.  Not sure if it ul listed.  I have been using nothing but sol
ark inverters for the last 4 years.  They have always treated me well.

Aaron Mandelkorn
President / Founder
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
Off Grid Depot
www.offgridnow.com
970-596-3744

On Mon, Jan 23, 2023, 10:40 AM Bruce Erickson via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I have a long time off-grid customer who is ready to upgrade his FX/L-16
> system, and I was suggesting Sol-Ark with Ampliphi closed loop. After
> getting my rough estimate, and being the due-diligence guy that he is, he
> asked around a bit. Someone who has “some” off-grid experience recommended
> equipment called EG4. It looks to have most of the features of a Sol-Ark
> plus offers server-rack Lithium batteries, all for about half the price.
> Looks like a cheap knock-off to me, and I said so, but promised to ask
> around. Anyone had any experience or know anything about these?
>
> Thanks,
> Bruce
>
> Bruce Erickson
> Mendocino Solar Service
> 707-937-1701
> PO Box 1252
> Mendocino, CA 95460
>
>
> "Serving the Solar System"
>
> https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-battery-48v-100ah/
>
>
> https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-6-5k-off-grid-inverter-6500ex-48/
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Brand X equipment?

2023-01-23 Thread Jay Pozner via RE-wrenches 
Hi Bruce

I just had a similar experience.  We had an individual approach us as a
consultant to furnish a code compliant plan set for their off-grid new
construction home.   Ultimately we did most of the install.  He already
purchased all the equipment from Signature Solar (EG4 US distributors).
We  couldn't use the inverter because there wasn't a listing on it at the
time.   We did use the batteries.

 I found Signature Solar does answer the phone and was responsive to
my enquerys, though a few times it seemed they weren't able to answer
questions, and there is no way to get support from the manufacturer.
 There are several videos they direct me to which were somewhat helpful.
It seems though that they are genuinely trying to improve support, and
through the process more and more resources became available.  They told me
Solark and EG4 batteries played together, and even had me update their past
generation batteries (which is what he purchased) with a firmware patch
that ultimately Solark said didn't work for the closed loop coms.  I
believe the new generation batteries have a protocol with Solark, but I
would definitely verify that with them.  It was a bit of a headache in the
end, and I don't love the incompatibility, but it's online now.   The price
point did interest me, but I am still waiting to see how this system
functions after they move in.   Contact me off post if you want more info.




Jay Pozner
(970) 642-5554
www.nunatakenergy.com
NABCEP Certified PV Installer:
Cert.#031310-177


On Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 10:40 AM Bruce Erickson via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I have a long time off-grid customer who is ready to upgrade his FX/L-16
> system, and I was suggesting Sol-Ark with Ampliphi closed loop. After
> getting my rough estimate, and being the due-diligence guy that he is, he
> asked around a bit. Someone who has “some” off-grid experience recommended
> equipment called EG4. It looks to have most of the features of a Sol-Ark
> plus offers server-rack Lithium batteries, all for about half the price.
> Looks like a cheap knock-off to me, and I said so, but promised to ask
> around. Anyone had any experience or know anything about these?
>
> Thanks,
> Bruce
>
> Bruce Erickson
> Mendocino Solar Service
> 707-937-1701
> PO Box 1252
> Mendocino, CA 95460
>
>
> "Serving the Solar System"
>
> https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-battery-48v-100ah/
>
>
> https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-6-5k-off-grid-inverter-6500ex-48/
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Brand X equipment?

2023-01-23 Thread Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches 
Wrenches and Bruce
I have sent some people there that are not practical and want want want,
they are a DYI shop and what l get from customers is there in house design
and engineering is not what l would use myself. As a last ditch l tell the
prospective buyers to get what they want and l can do an install with only
warranty on the work performed and if there is an issue it's on them. The
solar industry is getting inundated with DYI guys and out of state shops
selling incomplete so called kits resulting in a bad customer experience so
its touchy to even get involved.
"Not so fun times"

On Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 9:40 AM Bruce Erickson via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I have a long time off-grid customer who is ready to upgrade his FX/L-16
> system, and I was suggesting Sol-Ark with Ampliphi closed loop. After
> getting my rough estimate, and being the due-diligence guy that he is, he
> asked around a bit. Someone who has “some” off-grid experience recommended
> equipment called EG4. It looks to have most of the features of a Sol-Ark
> plus offers server-rack Lithium batteries, all for about half the price.
> Looks like a cheap knock-off to me, and I said so, but promised to ask
> around. Anyone had any experience or know anything about these?
>
> Thanks,
> Bruce
>
> Bruce Erickson
> Mendocino Solar Service
> 707-937-1701
> PO Box 1252
> Mendocino, CA 95460
>
>
> "Serving the Solar System"
>
> https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-battery-48v-100ah/
>
>
> https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-6-5k-off-grid-inverter-6500ex-48/
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
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>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
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[RE-wrenches] VillaGrid Lithium Titanium Batteries

2023-01-23 Thread Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches 
Has anyone had any experience with the VillaGrid Lithium Titanium
batteries?  They are supposedly usable in below zero temperatures, which of
course the LFP batteries are not.  They also apparently have a 20 year
10,000 cycle warranty (not that I really put much stock in being able to
exercise a warranty even 15 years out). They are doing their own
distribution at this point, but the sales person wouldn't tell me pricing
until I sat in on a more formal presentation, which tells me I'm not going
to be overly thrilled with the price point.  They are very new on the
market, but just thought I'd ask.
Thanks,
Howie

*Howie Michaelson**Sun Catcher*

*NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™*

*Solar Electric Systems Sales & Service802-272-0004*
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