Someone needs to build an off-grid specific unit with solark/luxpower level software and without grid interactive features so the price is lower. Like an upgraded lv6548.
EG4 new AIO rated 12K output and 18kPV aka "EG4-18Kpv-12LV"
- Thread starter Zapper77
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Eddie_LuxPowerTek
Solar Enthusiast
@philatio What's that? thx
robby
Photon Vampire
- Joined
- May 1, 2021
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- 4,187
No I have direct contacts at Fortress Power and they were the ones who had the units from about 8 months ago and were beta testing then through their distributors.
Is that not an Apples vs Oranges comparison? Depends on what is the cost to produce the unit and the profit margins. Also the kind of service you plan on offering. I have never gotten a clueless technician at Sol-Ark so I assume they spend a lot of money hiring top notch staff.
Eddie_LuxPowerTek
Solar Enthusiast
Sorry to see that you see it this way. @Zwy It made me laugh, to be honest.
If you have a genuine interest, you can verify the information with my company (www.luxpowertek.com).
Btw, for your curiosity, I m here not to just support one specific distributor, like EG4. Besides, not just help, on another hand, make sure our distributors got good support for users. Same time, building a service team here to make sure of serious technical support for users. If anyone here is interested in joining as a full-time product expert, we are open to starting some talk.
Eddie_LuxPowerTek
Solar Enthusiast
Alright. To fulfill my responsibility as a representative of my company in the States, I believe it's important to share some findings we made by the end of today and reflect on this matter.
1， The case has been "cracked".
Watt247 obtained 3 units from an installer in Houston, and the owner of the installation company contacted me to share their conversation with Watt247. Initially, Watt247 claimed it was for testing purposes only and inquired about non-EG4 brand versions in the installer's stock, without mentioning reselling. Even today, the Houston installer asked about the progress of the test, and Watt247 responded with "going well." When asked if they resell the units, Watt247 replied, "No, we are testing the customer response and price point." They only obtained 3 units of the EG4 version (uncertain if any were actually sold).
2， Warranty coverage will never be voided, regardless of where people purchase our products.
We have never attempted to evade our responsibility for warranty claims. If any of my words in this forum have given the impression otherwise, please correct me. Warranty matters are entirely separate, and we want to avoid any confusion regarding our commitment to service. In fact, our technical service department never discriminates based on the product's point of purchase. As an example, I personally traveled to Houston last week to only address a few inverters' issues related to GSL's sales to some installers there in 2022. Furthermore, GSL has actually stopped selling LXP products.
3, Regarding authorized distribution.
We will continue to do authorized distribution to ensure a healthy distribution system. We are only willing to collaborate with companies that possess professional and reliable service capabilities in delivering products to users.
Ok, I noticed quite a few positive comments about Ian/Watts247. Honestly, I had never heard of this company before. If that's the case, we welcome them to communicate with us and we don't reject the possibility of direct or indirect cooperation. However, I also want to note on the front that we have agreements with our existing distributors, which include restrictions on regional distribution and minimum purchase quantities. Similarly, in the future, as we have more major distributors, we welcome them to establish their own authorized sub-distributors/installers.
4, Regarding the "Certified Installers" network.
As our market efforts progress and our subsidiary team in the States is being strengthened, we will implement the "Certified Installers" program. This aims to establish a trusted network of installers who receive professional training. This initiative goes beyond the distribution system and focuses on ensuring users receive reliable installation support. In our service experience, we have encountered numerous installation errors that cause concern, even from installers who hold solar installation licenses. For example, just last week, one of our units was not working because we found that the installer connected the grid power to the load port. Furthermore, to meet the diverse expectations of users, our software settings have not yet made it so user-friendly for ordinary users. This emphasizes the importance of well-trained installers who can provide professional on-site support.
Anyway, the road ahead is challenging. Whether it's product improvements, local service network development, or any unexpected local issues, as an inverter brand newly entered the US market, we feel a huge amount of pressure.
Thank you for taking the time to read these lengthy words, and please continue to share your findings or comments here as always.
1， The case has been "cracked".
Watt247 obtained 3 units from an installer in Houston, and the owner of the installation company contacted me to share their conversation with Watt247. Initially, Watt247 claimed it was for testing purposes only and inquired about non-EG4 brand versions in the installer's stock, without mentioning reselling. Even today, the Houston installer asked about the progress of the test, and Watt247 responded with "going well." When asked if they resell the units, Watt247 replied, "No, we are testing the customer response and price point." They only obtained 3 units of the EG4 version (uncertain if any were actually sold).
2， Warranty coverage will never be voided, regardless of where people purchase our products.
We have never attempted to evade our responsibility for warranty claims. If any of my words in this forum have given the impression otherwise, please correct me. Warranty matters are entirely separate, and we want to avoid any confusion regarding our commitment to service. In fact, our technical service department never discriminates based on the product's point of purchase. As an example, I personally traveled to Houston last week to only address a few inverters' issues related to GSL's sales to some installers there in 2022. Furthermore, GSL has actually stopped selling LXP products.
3, Regarding authorized distribution.
We will continue to do authorized distribution to ensure a healthy distribution system. We are only willing to collaborate with companies that possess professional and reliable service capabilities in delivering products to users.
Ok, I noticed quite a few positive comments about Ian/Watts247. Honestly, I had never heard of this company before. If that's the case, we welcome them to communicate with us and we don't reject the possibility of direct or indirect cooperation. However, I also want to note on the front that we have agreements with our existing distributors, which include restrictions on regional distribution and minimum purchase quantities. Similarly, in the future, as we have more major distributors, we welcome them to establish their own authorized sub-distributors/installers.
4, Regarding the "Certified Installers" network.
As our market efforts progress and our subsidiary team in the States is being strengthened, we will implement the "Certified Installers" program. This aims to establish a trusted network of installers who receive professional training. This initiative goes beyond the distribution system and focuses on ensuring users receive reliable installation support. In our service experience, we have encountered numerous installation errors that cause concern, even from installers who hold solar installation licenses. For example, just last week, one of our units was not working because we found that the installer connected the grid power to the load port. Furthermore, to meet the diverse expectations of users, our software settings have not yet made it so user-friendly for ordinary users. This emphasizes the importance of well-trained installers who can provide professional on-site support.
Anyway, the road ahead is challenging. Whether it's product improvements, local service network development, or any unexpected local issues, as an inverter brand newly entered the US market, we feel a huge amount of pressure.
Thank you for taking the time to read these lengthy words, and please continue to share your findings or comments here as always.
Sounds like he’s being honest.
Depends on the state. Where I live, there is no sales tax on solar equipment.Installers maybe, we have an installer price too. oranges and apples make great equations. also not a sales tax issue for one brand vs another, sales tax is the same. if you get a dealer not charging sales tax you are liable for use tax in your state. if they do drop cost then we are doing our job driving positive change in the market tho
Actually sounds like he is being extremely dishonest: Buy 3 units from an authorized distributor for "testing purposes." Pretend you have at least a container of these units in stock (essentially act you yourself are an authorized distributor, even though you had demurred when the opportunity came along). Sell or pretend to sell the units bought retail, and then announce to your customers that the units are not up to par, and they should buy something else you sell instead, which was the intention all along.
SignatureSolarJames
Try Solar, the Grid will always take you back
We do have a lot of states with no sales tax on our site , which one are you in?
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
I was thinking about how much you would take out of a Sol-ark if it was off grid only. To maintain all functionality, you could remove the isolation relay to take it off grid. You would then make the grid input a dedicated generator input. Gen input would then be available for ac solar or smart load. Not much savings removing the isolation relay.
More savings would be available if you eliminated the Gen input or grid input line entirely. It would be interesting if the Sol-ark was modular, and the one component Could be easily included or not. Then you keep the economy of scale in manufacturing.
Software in both cases would be easily able to recognize configuration and disable missing features.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
- Messages
- 19,055
I don't think that there's much that can be removed from the existing units to bring down the cost. The only unneeded feature that they have is the ability to export.
Most people who want an off grid AIO, also want to use the grid as a backup.
Most people who want an off grid AIO, also want to use the grid as a backup.
Quattrohead
Solar Wizard
Yes you could remove the grid input/output and keep the generator input because you definitely will be wanting that for off grid. With no grid sell back you might be able to save yourself some money on certification and testing this feature.
However seeing as the Solark and Luxpower already have these and have been through the testing etc I don't think there's much to be saved if anything at all. Therefore I suggest that they are perfectly fine the way they are.
However seeing as the Solark and Luxpower already have these and have been through the testing etc I don't think there's much to be saved if anything at all. Therefore I suggest that they are perfectly fine the way they are.
Gavin Stone
Solar Addict
Having used the 18kpv off grid for a few weeks I’d agree. Better to have something with a few features you don’t need, then sacrifice others aspects that you may need.
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When you showed your load testing with EG4 18kpv on you tube with 14k just before it shut down, were you using grid power at all to do this or were you completely off grid?
I'll have all the cables and loads this afternoon to do a real off-grid load test. Should have some numbers soon.
Gavin Stone
Solar Addict
Mine was real.
Gavin Stone
Solar Addict
Completely off grid. I haven’t actually run grid through the unit since I installed it.
That would be a true test of it's out put. If you can, also test it with a high inductive load such as an air compressor.The Sol Ark 12k failed that test compared to the Schneider.
Gavin Stone
Solar Addict
Yeah true. I’ve been tied up with other stuff. If Will could test each leg and some heavy inductive loads that would be cool.
I mainly want to test the 16kW for 5 minutes spec on advertisements. I will use purely resistive load for this. Every inductive load I have run with it has worked flawlessly. And in EG4 video, they started a large air conditioner, so it seems like it can handle inductive loads well. But offgrid prolonged 14-16kW loads seem to be the issue.
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