Re: [RE-wrenches] No payment for Sunpower warranty service vendor credits?

[Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches]

I have only serviced SunPower systems a handful of times over the years,
and it has always been a nightmare. Right now, I am dealing with a failed
AC module that is clearly dead, but they want me to go back there and do
"on-site diagnostics" while I talk to an "expert" in a call center
somewhere. There are no diagnostics to do! With good DC input and no
response from the panel, what else is there? The runaround is mindblowing.

I have no expectation of getting paid by SunPower for this work (assuming
it is under warranty), so it's on the poor homeowner to foot the bill.

Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208


On Tue, Feb 13, 2024 at 6:37 PM Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Advice, please; I was about to purchase a SunPower inverter. Have other
> people been having problems?
> I cannot reach their support line with my questions. As many of you know,
> I am a small contractor. I have noticed a reluctance of solar equipment
> suppliers, both Outback and Sol-Ark, who have recently stopped answering my
> questions. I have sent many email questions to their support line without a
> response.  Two examples: can the Outback Radian do TOU? It can not! yet
> they assured me it could.  I asked for the possibility of a workaround, and
> their response was, to read the manual.
> Can the Sol-Ark do TOU this under my utility rules?  I think it could but
> I can not get them to confirm.  They also will not respond to my questions,
>
> On Tue, Feb 13, 2024 at 4:25 PM Solar Energy Solutions via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi Daniel,
>>
>> after three months of back-and-forth we have finally received a
>> replacement panel from SunPower and getting ready to affect repair. Are you
>> saying we are going to have a hard time getting compensated for our
>> services?
>>
>>
>> *Andrew Koyaanisqatsi*
>> *President*
>> *Solar Energy Solutions, Inc.*
>> *The BRIGHT CHOICE*
>>
>> *Since 1987,** helping you and your Portland neighbors move** towards an
>> environmentally sustainable future.*
>>
>> *503-238-4502www.SolarEnergyOregon.com
>> *
>>
>> On Feb 13, 2024, at 2:38 PM, Daniel via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> If you are doing warranty work for Sunpower for non leased systems, you
>> may be like many other solar companies that are not getting vendor service
>> payments for the work you are doing.
>> If this sounds familiar to an experience you have or are having please
>> contact me.  I am trying to aggregate those that are having this experience
>> and see if we can get a larger collective force together and see if we can
>> move them for payments before they are extinct.
>> Thanks
>> Daniel
>>
>> Daniel Tittmann
>> Greenwired
>> www.greenwired.com
>> dan...@greenwired.com
>> 707-206-5088
>>
>>
>> ___
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>
>> 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
>>
>> ___
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>
>> 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
>>
>> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> 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

[RE-wrenches] Fortress

[Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches]

Good morning my fellow wrenchers. While I see the comments on SunPower and
the challenges, are any of you having similar issues with Fortress? Their
bms boards from the early classics have not held up and even after
replacement there are still issues ( parallel batteries and stand alone not
showing accurate #'s,  ). While support has been, well supportive, the
issues persist. Any thoughts or fixes you have come up with?? I just had a
customer unplug the coms cable from their sol-ark and bring their readings
to volts VS %% and it is starting to work a bit better. Any and all help or
ideas appreciated.

 

Thx
peter Giroux

American Solar

Norcross Ga

___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress

[Eric Smiley via RE-wrenches]

The BMS in the eVault Classic has been a headache.
Fortunately, we were able to convince Fortress to let us proactively
replace the BMS in some of our systems - especially the remote off-grid
systems. We are still having problems with weird SOC readings on many of
the batteries. Apparently the SOC reading can get stuck at 100% and
Fortress is aware of the bug. It is frustrating because the owners rely on
the SOC reading rather than voltage.
This experience did convince me that Li-Ion in off-grid applications is not
a reliable solution unless there are multiple independent batteries with
their own BMS. The battery itself may be robust (how long have these
actually been in the field in real-world applications) but the BMS is a
complicated piece of electronics on which the entire system is dependent.
Li-Ion violates the KISS principle. So we talk our off-grid clients out of
using Li-Ion.
IMHO relying on firmware and circuit boards to keep your system running and
protect it from catastrophic failure is not sustainable.

*Eric Smiley,* Design Manager

e...@vecoop.ca
T: 250.703.6004 <+12507036004>
T: 888.386.0116 <+18883860116>
*VIRIDIANENERGY.CA *

* *


On Wed, 14 Feb 2024 at 06:47, Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Good morning my fellow wrenchers. While I see the comments on SunPower and
> the challenges, are any of you having similar issues with Fortress? Their
> bms boards from the early classics have not held up and even after
> replacement there are still issues ( parallel batteries and stand alone not
> showing accurate #’s,  ). While support has been, well supportive, the
> issues persist. Any thoughts or fixes you have come up with?? I just had a
> customer unplug the coms cable from their sol-ark and bring their readings
> to volts VS %% and it is starting to work a bit better. Any and all help or
> ideas appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thx
> peter Giroux
>
> American Solar
>
> Norcross Ga
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> 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
>
>
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress

[Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches]

Hi Peter,

I was called in to consult on a new existing 4x Fortress E flex / 
Schneider XWP system that worked fine open loop but never communicated 
with the Schneider gateway. Fortress to their credit sent a tech out and 
he did Fortress FW and a PC exchange. Still not working.


The owner was upset and replaced with Discover AES 42-48-6650. There was 
zero configuration to do which surprised the installer. Worked fine 
closed loop from the start.


I do not like to be negative about companies in North America and I 
still think Fortress could have fixed this with more time.


Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
   [1]https://offgridsolar1.com/ [2]  [1]
e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net
text 209 813 0060

On 2024-02-14 6:46 am, Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches wrote:

Good morning my fellow wrenchers. While I see the comments on SunPower 
and the challenges, are any of you having similar issues with Fortress? 
Their bms boards from the early classics have not held up and even 
after replacement there are still issues ( parallel batteries and stand 
alone not showing accurate #'s,  ). While support has been, well 
supportive, the issues persist. Any thoughts or fixes you have come up 
with?? I just had a customer unplug the coms cable from their sol-ark 
and bring their readings to volts VS %% and it is starting to work a 
bit better. Any and all help or ideas appreciated.


Thx
peter Giroux

American Solar

Norcross Ga
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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



Links:
--
[1] http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
[2] https://offgridsolar1.com/___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

[RE-wrenches] Huawei inverter tech support

[Eric Smiley via RE-wrenches]

We have  a client with a Huawei 9KTL-USL0 who recently contacted us about
his system.

Does anyone know how to obtain tech support in NA for these products?

*Eric Smiley,* Design Manager
e...@vecoop.ca
T: 250.703.6004 <+12507036004>
T: 888.386.0116 <+18883860116>
*VIRIDIANENERGY.CA *
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fortress

[William Miller via RE-wrenches]

Peter:



I have only purchased one set of Fortress batteries.  There have been
issues, I am sure many of them self-induced.  Fortress has been overall
very responsive.  There have been a few days where I could not get through
to technical support but with persistence I always manage.  Fortress has
offered truck–roll compensation at a reasonable rate as well.



William Miller



Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985





*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches
*Sent:* Wednesday, February 14, 2024 6:47 AM
*To:* 'RE-wrenches'
*Cc:* pgir...@mindspring.com
*Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Fortress



Good morning my fellow wrenchers. While I see the comments on SunPower and
the challenges, are any of you having similar issues with Fortress? Their
bms boards from the early classics have not held up and even after
replacement there are still issues ( parallel batteries and stand alone not
showing accurate #’s,  ). While support has been, well supportive, the
issues persist. Any thoughts or fixes you have come up with?? I just had a
customer unplug the coms cable from their sol-ark and bring their readings
to volts VS %% and it is starting to work a bit better. Any and all help or
ideas appreciated.



Thx
peter Giroux

American Solar

Norcross Ga
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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