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diy solar

New EG4 Chargeverter V2

SparkyJJO said:
How did you do that. There's no way to order a V1 from them, just get an email.
View attachment 203413
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you're right, sorry I was trying to make a joke - ie that I wouldn't post the heads-up on the new stock V1 Chargeverters without first getting my own order squared away...but no, all I did was get on the email list to be (hopefully) first in line. Sorry for the misleading-info @SparkyJJO; hope we all get one of the V1's !! I really don't need the comms of the V2, and have been waiting a long time for a V1.
 
HighTechLab said:
We have been burned many times before by taking pre-orders for stuff that we don't have direct control over. The last chargeverter order got delayed many times, including FedEx getting it stuck at one of their hubs. We had many upset customers and really just didn't feel the situation was handled properly.

Now, with the mailing list, we are getting names, and when the inventory actually makes it to our warehouse, we make a hidden listing that we blast out to the product-specific mail-list subscribers, and give them 24-hours to place an order before opening up inventory to the general public. I think this is very fair, because then we are never taking a penny from anyone for product that is not on our shelves. That's been a pretty common complaint of some vendors on this forum.

This will be standard operating practice for us from here on out. Yes, it will cost us some sales to other vendors that do take pre-orders, but that's ok. It's our job as a warehouse distributor to bridge the gap between manufacturing runs and customer demand, and using pre-orders as a crutch at someone else's expense just doesn't settle well.
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Smart move.
 
I like the low tech, and low(er) price of the V1,
Although I imagine there are many users that want the communications and generator start functions the V2 offers.
They should continue to sell both. If the V2 doesn't stand on it's own, let it die, and increase production of the V1's.
 
It's rather funny that the GC (stands for generator control) functionality was added due to feedback from this forum and now that EG4 developed and added it, people are upset that it made the product a bit more expensive.

That said, I think some of the differences with the new chargeverter is poorly noted and make the higher price a fair representation of the value added.

The new chargeverter has a removable input cord, so swapping from 120v plug to 240v plug is very easy. The output is now Dexgon (similar to amphenol) connectors so the output cords can be easily unplugged - and shops like mine will soon be able to offer custom cables could provide you whichever length and ring terminal config you like - or give you options if you need to move the chargeverter between systems. The screen is way better too, overall efficiency is significantly increased meaning less energy wasted as heat.
 
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HighTechLab said:
It's rather funny that the GC (stands for generator control) functionality was added due to feedback from this forum and now that EG4 developed and added it, people are upset that it made the product a bit more expensive.

That said, I think some of the differences with the new chargeverter is poorly noted and make the higher price a fair representation of the value added.

The new chargeverter has a removable input cord, so swapping from 120v plug to 240v plug is very easy. The output is now Dexgon (similar to amphenol) connectors so the output cords can be easily unplugged - and shops like mine will soon be able to offer custom cables could provide you whichever length and ring terminal config you like - or give you options if you need to move the chargeverter between systems. The screen is way better too, overall efficiency is significantly increased meaning less energy wasted as heat.
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But if you dont need the added features, it simply costs more. Thats a big price jump.
 
OffGridForGood said:
Although I imagine there are many users that want the communications and generator start functions the V2 offers.
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1.Those who don't care about communications don't need that feature. And those who do, are already connected to their AIO, and can't use it.
2. 99% of the people who want a charger already have dry contacts for generator starting.


HighTechLab said:
The new chargeverter has a removable input cord, so swapping from 120v plug to 240v plug is very easy.
Click to expand...
I can see that as a plus.
HighTechLab said:
The output is now Dexgon (similar to amphenol) connectors so the output cords can be easily unplugged - and shops like mine will soon be able to offer custom cables could provide you whichever length and ring terminal config you like
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Sounds like mandatory additional costs.
HighTechLab said:
overall efficiency is significantly increased meaning less energy wasted as heat.
Click to expand...
I would like to see the numbers on this.
 
I am sure there were folks that balked when Victron started to standardize communications among all their products, one of the reasons Victron is successful and more expensive (and by some tier 1).
It is possible EG4 is moving in the same direction, common communications between their products and standardization is a good thing. Lets wait and see how it plays out. Can you imagine a world where the inverter and batteries and other components were so tightly integrated with software that actually worked and interfaced with whole house energy monitoring that the system was truly plug-n-play
 
It's actually not complex. It's just undocumented. The best encryption algorithms including the ones used by the banking industry are documented, including the source code for the algorithm and it still can't be cracked (except by .....).
The automobile industry is somewhat standardized with the On-board diagnostics (OBD II) communications.
The various communication protocols used by the internet are well documented (including source code).
Linux is open source so everyone has access to the source code.
Heck, the NEC is trying to standardize electrical stuff.
Used to be you could buy a Chiltons or Hayes manual for an automobile and do basic auto maintenance, not anymore.
Complex can still be simple if documented.
If the solar industry would go the same route it would be a much better world, except @Will Prowse would not need to cut stuff open.
 
I'm not a programmer.
If I can't fix it in my garage, with simple tools.
it's complex.
Also, constant mandatory updates are a definite no sale for me.
I think that we have different definitions for plug and play.
 
You may not be a programmer but you are still beholden to programmers.
The firmware in your inverters and batteries, the communication protocols and even the display screens are the result of programming/software development.

Your cell phone, computer, big flat screen tv and even your automobile are all dependent on firmware/software.

Used to be I could tear down and overhaul a V8 engine in my garage, doubt I can today with all the new fangled stuff under the hood.
Heck, the battery charging in my GMC Acadia is controlled by the Body Control Module which does from time to time apply an equalization charge to the battery, it's no longer a simple alternator with voltage regulator, who would have known.

Point is, I am not going to let technology no matter how complex kick my ass. If I can't fix it, a bigger hammer will. But before I reach for the hammer I know folks on this forum might have a solution including folks who have done programming and even provided the source code on github and detailed directions on how to use it.

I suspect having read many of your posts that you and I are very much alike. If sh..t were to hit the fan so to speak, we would survive only because we know how to fix stuff in the garage.

Hang on to the old ways but keep up with the new because in the end it's the old ways that will save our asses.
 
marionw said:
It's actually not complex. It's just undocumented. The best encryption algorithms including the ones used by the banking industry are documented, including the source code for the algorithm and it still can't be cracked (except by .....).
The automobile industry is somewhat standardized with the On-board diagnostics (OBD II) communications.
The various communication protocols used by the internet are well documented (including source code).
Linux is open source so everyone has access to the source code.
Heck, the NEC is trying to standardize electrical stuff.
Used to be you could buy a Chiltons or Hayes manual for an automobile and do basic auto maintenance, not anymore.
Complex can still be simple if documented.
If the solar industry would go the same route it would be a much better world, except @Will Prowse would not need to cut stuff open.
Click to expand...
Im a programmer. Newer cars make extensive use of canbus and similar networks. When they work, they are great. When not they can be a pia.
Unless you have the software and tools to reflash modules, there is not much you can replace, controls wise.
Does my battery bms need to be able to communicate with my inverter? No. Does my inverter need internet access. No. Does my refrigerator need to phone home? No.
If EG4 needs remote access to my inverter, I have the wrong inverter.
 
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