Re: [RE-wrenches] Mate 3 firmware updates

[Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches]

Hi Jim,

I was given this sequence from an Outback engineer a while ago and it works
really well.
1.  Insert SD card in computer, R click and do a quick format.
2.  Download the firmware from Ouback website to a known location on
your computer, unzip to a known location.
3.  Open the blank SD card in file explorer and open the unzipped file
folder and resize the windows so they are side by side.
4.  Drag each item from the unzipped folder into the SD card window and
give it time to complete writing to the SD card.  *Do each file
individually*.  This is important to keep write errors from occurring.
5.  Once completed, do a safe eject of the SD card.
6.  Plug the SD card.  Push and hold the "Up" button until you see
"Updating Ethernet Processor".  Allow it to complete.  Then check to verify
its success.

This sequence of loading firmware piece by piece can be done for all of the
devices, but if its not the Mate that you are updating you will not use
step 6, instead you will navigate to the firmware update section and select
the device you want to update.

Good luck out there!

On Fri, Jul 19, 2024 at 5:46 PM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches
 wrote:

> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=outback+mate3s
>
>
>
> *Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
>https://offgridsolar1.com/ 
>   
> e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net 
> text 209 813 0060*
>
>
> On 2024-07-19 4:18 pm, Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> I'm somewhat new to the solar industry and I'm starting to break into
> programming and more computer involved skills of solar.  I primarily do
> small cabins and service work, but have been a part of some decent
> residential systems.  Does anyone have any good literature and/or videos of
> updating firmware on Outback Mate3 controllers.  I've seen instructions,
> but I hear little tricks/tips that are not at all in the instructions.  I'm
> looking for a really good, detailed instruction sheet so I can keep it for
> reference.  Thanks for any responses.
>
> --
> Jim with Gowdy Electric
> Cambria, Ca 93428
> business  805 927 2630
> cell  805 975 5279
>
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-- 



Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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[RE-wrenches] Outback in general

[Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches]

What’s up with Outback as a biz?
Are they back? 
Status?
phone #s same?

Dana Orzel - d...@solarwork.com - 208.721.7003

> On Jul 19, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> I'm somewhat new to the solar industry and I'm starting to break into 
> programming and more computer involved skills of solar.  I primarily do small 
> cabins and service work, but have been a part of some decent residential 
> systems.  Does anyone have any good literature and/or videos of updating 
> firmware on Outback Mate3 controllers.  I've seen instructions, but I hear 
> little tricks/tips that are not at all in the instructions.  I'm looking for 
> a really good, detailed instruction sheet so I can keep it for reference.  
> Thanks for any responses.  
> 
> --
> Jim with Gowdy Electric
> Cambria, Ca 93428
> business  805 927 2630
> cell  805 975 5279
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback in general

[William Miller via RE-wrenches]

I can’t get through to tech support and they don’t return my calls.

William Miller
Miller Solar.com
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com


On Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 1:48 PM Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> What’s up with Outback as a biz?
> Are they back?
> Status?
> phone #s same?
>
> Dana Orzel - d...@solarwork.com - 208.721.7003
>
> > On Jul 19, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > I'm somewhat new to the solar industry and I'm starting to break into
> programming and more computer involved skills of solar.  I primarily do
> small cabins and service work, but have been a part of some decent
> residential systems.  Does anyone have any good literature and/or videos of
> updating firmware on Outback Mate3 controllers.  I've seen instructions,
> but I hear little tricks/tips that are not at all in the instructions.  I'm
> looking for a really good, detailed instruction sheet so I can keep it for
> reference.  Thanks for any responses.
> >
> > --
> > Jim with Gowdy Electric
> > Cambria, Ca 93428
> > business  805 927 2630
> > cell  805 975 5279
> > ___
> > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
> >
> > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
> >
> > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
> >
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> >
> > 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/
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback in general

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

I just checked the OB forums page and there is nothing current. One thing I found says that the new president of OB is the CEO of Big Battery. I don’t know that to be a fact. Which is also somehow related to signature solar/ EG4. My guess is that if/when OB resurfaces it won’t have the same products. It’ll just be an old name selling new products and they won’t be dealing with old legacy products, warranty or MX or tech support. I could be way wrong. But anyone trying to keep a product line going wouldn’t just stop all communication for a few months. Maybe someone who has been an OB distributor might know more about what’s up?  I no longer have any of those contacts. New world, fellow wrenches. JayOn Jul 20, 2024, at 2:54 PM, William Miller via RE-wrenches  wrote:I can’t get through to tech support and they don’t return my calls. William MillerMiller Solar.com805-438-5600www.millersolar.comOn Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 1:48 PM Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches  wrote:What’s up with Outback as a biz?
Are they back? 
Status?
phone #s same?

Dana Orzel - d...@solarwork.com - 208.721.7003

> On Jul 19, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches  wrote:
> 
> 
> I'm somewhat new to the solar industry and I'm starting to break into programming and more computer involved skills of solar.  I primarily do small cabins and service work, but have been a part of some decent residential systems.  Does anyone have any good literature and/or videos of updating firmware on Outback Mate3 controllers.  I've seen instructions, but I hear little tricks/tips that are not at all in the instructions.  I'm looking for a really good, detailed instruction sheet so I can keep it for reference.  Thanks for any responses.  
> 
> --
> Jim with Gowdy Electric
> Cambria, Ca 93428
> business  805 927 2630
> cell  805 975 5279
> ___
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___List sponsored by Redwood AlliancePay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.orgList Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgChange listserver email address & settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.orgThere 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.orgList rules & etiquette:http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htmCheck out or update participant bios:http://www.members.re-wrenches.org___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback in general

[Mac Lewis via RE-wrenches]

I had a tech support call with Outback on Thursday, I got right through to
someone smart and competent and right away.  They are sending a new control
stack under warranty.

Maybe I got lucky?  I was surprised.

He did say that EnerSys was still helping with the warranty aspect.

On Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 3:22 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> I just checked the OB forums page and there is nothing current.
>
> One thing I found says that the new president of OB is the CEO of Big
> Battery. I don’t know that to be a fact.
> Which is also somehow related to signature solar/ EG4.
>
> My guess is that if/when OB resurfaces it won’t have the same products.
> It’ll just be an old name selling new products and they won’t be dealing
> with old legacy products, warranty or MX or tech support.
>
> I could be way wrong.
>
> But anyone trying to keep a product line going wouldn’t just stop all
> communication for a few months.
>
> Maybe someone who has been an OB distributor might know more about what’s
> up?  I no longer have any of those contacts.
>
> New world, fellow wrenches.
>
> Jay
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 20, 2024, at 2:54 PM, William Miller via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> I can’t get through to tech support and they don’t return my calls.
>
> William Miller
> Miller Solar.com
> 805-438-5600
> www.millersolar.com
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 1:48 PM Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> What’s up with Outback as a biz?
>> Are they back?
>> Status?
>> phone #s same?
>>
>> Dana Orzel - d...@solarwork.com - 208.721.7003
>>
>> > On Jul 19, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>> >
>> > 
>> > I'm somewhat new to the solar industry and I'm starting to break into
>> programming and more computer involved skills of solar.  I primarily do
>> small cabins and service work, but have been a part of some decent
>> residential systems.  Does anyone have any good literature and/or videos of
>> updating firmware on Outback Mate3 controllers.  I've seen instructions,
>> but I hear little tricks/tips that are not at all in the instructions.  I'm
>> looking for a really good, detailed instruction sheet so I can keep it for
>> reference.  Thanks for any responses.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Jim with Gowdy Electric
>> > Cambria, Ca 93428
>> > business  805 927 2630
>> > cell  805 975 5279
>> > ___
>> > 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
>> >
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>> > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>> >
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>> > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>> >
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback in general

[Dan Fink via RE-wrenches]

James Showalter from Signature Solar and Eric Lundgren from Big Battery
purchased Outback Solar. I have had terrible tech support experiences from
both of those outfits, they tend to conveniently "forget" your engineering
and NEC code compliance support requests when the answer is just simply
"no, not yet UL listed" or "we don't know if that feature works or not."
I'm not sure how these prolific suppliers of cheap crap products with
terrible QC and NIB failure rates intend to compete, but my guess is that
they have control of the big crap overseas product pipeline nozzle and
intend to steer the huge stream of sewage in our direction. Sol-Ark just
imports Deye products and retrofits them with their own upgrades and
firmware. Magnum has vanished, much to my dismay as my own system is Magnum
as are dozens of my customers.

Us off-grid folks still have a couple guys named boB and Robin at Midnite
that still manufacture, sell and support good products. Maybe Morningstar
will up their game into larger inverters. Why are all these shady import
companies based in Texas? Inquiring minds want to know! BTW, I hate
all-in-ones, never had a single good experience, just endless firmware and
comms updates and such simple issues resulting in multiple truck rolls.

I miss Lones Tuss of Outback calling me back on a Friday evening at 7PM and
remotely diagnosing my client's VFX / Mate 3S issues whilst doing his
laundry at home, after I submitted a ticket earlier that day. The client
seriously thought I was pulling a practical joke on him until I put Lones
on speaker.

Strange new world for us off-grid folks. I'll have to stick with the very
few companies left that I trust. Yes, yes, Schneider, but their tech
support is almost impenetrable.

Our strange new off-grid world seems to be destined as crap from Alibaba
and Amazon, and it all smells rather off to me, like the "fresh fish" at a
run-down Safeway in eastern Kansas

Dan Fink
Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation
NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
NABCEP PV Associate
d anbo...@gmail.com
970-672-4342




On Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 3:22 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> I just checked the OB forums page and there is nothing current.
>
> One thing I found says that the new president of OB is the CEO of Big
> Battery. I don’t know that to be a fact.
> Which is also somehow related to signature solar/ EG4.
>
> My guess is that if/when OB resurfaces it won’t have the same products.
> It’ll just be an old name selling new products and they won’t be dealing
> with old legacy products, warranty or MX or tech support.
>
> I could be way wrong.
>
> But anyone trying to keep a product line going wouldn’t just stop all
> communication for a few months.
>
> Maybe someone who has been an OB distributor might know more about what’s
> up?  I no longer have any of those contacts.
>
> New world, fellow wrenches.
>
> Jay
>
>
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback in general

[Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches]

I have been testing a pre-production model of Midnite's AIO (All in One)
inverter/charge controller in my off-grid house (replaced a dual stacked
VFX3648, Midnite Classic200 and an AC coupled SunnyBoy), and while I
haven't put it through any serious tests yet, I am impressed with its
functions and spec's.  I also have a couple of 5kWh LiFePO4 batteries with
their BMS that I just added to the system (replacing a 1300 ah 2-volt
Lead-Acid battery bank), and the integration was seamless (really plug and
play, compared to an often more complicated pairing between other
all-in-ones I've been installing (Sol-Ark, Fortress). I've gotten a sneak
peak at their monitoring site which is still under intensive development,
and what I've seen looks pretty good. I was not a fan of the all-in-ones
when they started to flood the market (Sonnen, Pika/Generac, etc.)
especially ones with the batteries integrated.  But I have converted over
to them almost exclusively as they are much simpler for my clients to
understand - their programming and operation as well as their
communications are much better integrated and cleaner in my opinion. They
of course have had power issues and firmware headaches, which is why I am
sticking to inverters and batteries from the same manufacturer. I will keep
you all up to date on my experience with the production model of the
Midnite AIO as I install them and with the Midnite LiFePO4 batteries as
they become available.

Howie Michaelson


On Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 7:26 PM Dan Fink via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> James Showalter from Signature Solar and Eric Lundgren from Big Battery
> purchased Outback Solar. I have had terrible tech support experiences from
> both of those outfits, they tend to conveniently "forget" your engineering
> and NEC code compliance support requests when the answer is just simply
> "no, not yet UL listed" or "we don't know if that feature works or not."
> I'm not sure how these prolific suppliers of cheap crap products with
> terrible QC and NIB failure rates intend to compete, but my guess is that
> they have control of the big crap overseas product pipeline nozzle and
> intend to steer the huge stream of sewage in our direction. Sol-Ark just
> imports Deye products and retrofits them with their own upgrades and
> firmware. Magnum has vanished, much to my dismay as my own system is Magnum
> as are dozens of my customers.
>
> Us off-grid folks still have a couple guys named boB and Robin at Midnite
> that still manufacture, sell and support good products. Maybe Morningstar
> will up their game into larger inverters. Why are all these shady import
> companies based in Texas? Inquiring minds want to know! BTW, I hate
> all-in-ones, never had a single good experience, just endless firmware and
> comms updates and such simple issues resulting in multiple truck rolls.
>
> I miss Lones Tuss of Outback calling me back on a Friday evening at 7PM
> and remotely diagnosing my client's VFX / Mate 3S issues whilst doing his
> laundry at home, after I submitted a ticket earlier that day. The client
> seriously thought I was pulling a practical joke on him until I put Lones
> on speaker.
>
> Strange new world for us off-grid folks. I'll have to stick with the very
> few companies left that I trust. Yes, yes, Schneider, but their tech
> support is almost impenetrable.
>
> Our strange new off-grid world seems to be destined as crap from Alibaba
> and Amazon, and it all smells rather off to me, like the "fresh fish" at a
> run-down Safeway in eastern Kansas
>
> Dan Fink
> Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
> IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation
> NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
> NABCEP PV Associate
> d anbo...@gmail.com
> 970-672-4342
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 3:22 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> I just checked the OB forums page and there is nothing current.
>>
>> One thing I found says that the new president of OB is the CEO of Big
>> Battery. I don’t know that to be a fact.
>> Which is also somehow related to signature solar/ EG4.
>>
>> My guess is that if/when OB resurfaces it won’t have the same products.
>> It’ll just be an old name selling new products and they won’t be dealing
>> with old legacy products, warranty or MX or tech support.
>>
>> I could be way wrong.
>>
>> But anyone trying to keep a product line going wouldn’t just stop all
>> communication for a few months.
>>
>> Maybe someone who has been an OB distributor might know more about what’s
>> up?  I no longer have any of those contacts.
>>
>> New world, fellow wrenches.
>>
>> Jay
>>
>>
>> ___
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