Before my Sol-Ark system, I was running an Outback Radian and supporting pieces and Flexmax charge controllers. The hardware was flawless. However, the lack of Outback is designing a model greater than 8k was a factor in my decision to let it go. I understand they can parallel. Also, the decision to stay on the low voltage charge controllers couple with their lower amperage was a hinderance. And no real closed loop support for lithium batteries was also a drawback.Ryan’s response isn’t 100% correct, so I will attempt to clarify it here. The “ODM did not give us a ten year warranty. What is an “ODM?”. We are using a very established and competent manufacturer to build the ONE for us. It is our design! We cannot in the USA buy components as inexpensively as they can. Plus we have to pay at least 25% tariffs on every resistor, capacitor, PCB, transistor etc as these parts are virtually not made in the US any longer. We aren’t happy at all about that, but what can we do? We really take it in the shorts in order to manufacture the Rosie, our charge controllers and dozens of other products in Washington state where I have been designing and manufacturing electronic products since 1970. We want to build and design as much in the US as possible rather than give our technology away. I want to thank all of you who have supported us over the years. It is really important. We are the last inverter manufacturer in the US for this kind of stuff. Now back to warranties. We designed the ONE. We just don’t manufacture it in Arlington Wa. MidNite Solar is providing the second five years of warranty for the ONE. We have confidence in the product. The design and quality of the build. We have our own people that monitor production. The ONE is a grid tie inverter. We have to offer a ten year warranty by law. So, why don’t we have a ten year warranty on the Rosie? Good question! I come from the offgrid world where five year warranties have been the norm for 25 years. I guess the off-grid industry hasn’t caught up to the grid tie world yet. I will take a serious look at that though as it is a great question. I would also like to point out that having designed and or manufactured inverters at Trace Engineering, Outback, Xantrex and Magnum Energy, I and our other engineers have always tried to make indestructible inverters. Have any of you had the opportunity to see or use a Trace inverter? Chances are it was made before you were born. I am going to go out on a limb and guess that over 80% of those 30+ year old inverters still work, We have the core engineers from Trace, Outback and Magnum as well as dozens of the assemblers from these great companies here at MidNite. Our engineers do not scrimp on the designs. We design them for longevity. I can’t say that about some of the other AIO inverters out there. So, I wouldn’t be too worried about the Rosie. It is going to last just like all the other inverters I have been involved with.
Thank you,
Robin Gudgel
President
MidNite Solar
If Outback came out with a 16K AIO with closed loop and high voltage mppt, I would jump all over it.
As for your 10K inverter, I am very interested in applying it to replace 2 SMA grid tie inverters. But the installation is outdoors and NEMA 4 is advantageous over 3R. Also, a fanless convection system is an advantage over cooling fans outdoors too. The new SMA hybrids have no fan. But they are currently locked to BYD batteries only.
I hope to learn more about your 10k and outdoor use.
All of my midnight solar hardware is of high quality being combiner boxes, breakers, surge arrestors and I like all of your products.