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18kPV Inverter - EG4 vs Lux Power?

G

guitar333

New Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2024
Messages
11
Location
Puerto Rico
Hey everyone!

I hope you're all doing well! This is my first post as I prepare to purchase my solar components.

Initially, I decided on the EG4 18kPV (12kW) inverter and likely the EG4 PowerPro battery (though I'm also considering Enphase microinverters). However, I discovered that ordering through SignatureSolar comes with high shipping costs to Puerto Rico, and I'm also concerned about the warranty.

So, I thought I'd see if I could buy the EG4 18kPV locally to save on shipping and secure a local warranty.

After extensive online research, I found a seller offering this model new. However, they confirmed it is actually a Lux Power 18kPV, which looks identical to the EG4.

Should I be concerned about proceeding with this purchase? Some initial research indicates that Lux Power manufactures this model for EG4. Are there any differences in firmware or EG4 battery compatibility that I should be aware of?

Thanks for any input!

Cheers!
WhatsApp Image 2024-07-24 at 11.49.12_afe57129.jpg
 
It is the exact same unit, I honestly don't know who would be better for warranty service long term in your situation, but the good news is that these things are fantastically reliable and sturdy.
As for shipping you can always call into them and see if they can work something out for you.
 
Its the same hardware, I guess im wondering more about firmware and battery compatibility.
EG4 18kPV is $5200 shipped and the Lux Power 18kPV is $4950 picked up locally w/ 10 year warranty through the seller 🧐
 
guitar333 said:
Hey everyone!

I hope you're all doing well! This is my first post as I prepare to purchase my solar components.

Initially, I decided on the EG4 18kPV (12kW) inverter and likely the EG4 PowerPro battery (though I'm also considering Enphase microinverters). However, I discovered that ordering through SignatureSolar comes with high shipping costs to Puerto Rico, and I'm also concerned about the warranty.

So, I thought I'd see if I could buy the EG4 18kPV locally to save on shipping and secure a local warranty.

After extensive online research, I found a seller offering this model new. However, they confirmed it is actually a Lux Power 18kPV, which looks identical to the EG4.

Should I be concerned about proceeding with this purchase? Some initial research indicates that Lux Power manufactures this model for EG4. Are there any differences in firmware or EG4 battery compatibility that I should be aware of?

Thanks for any input!

Cheers!
View attachment 230878
Click to expand...
Hello, Im in PR too.Currently with two 6000xps in parallel. Not interested in "Medicion Neta". Running in Batts and Solar. Bought one from SS and another from Current Conected. Look into the page "SendtoPR". Yo can have your stuff shipped from SS to them and then they will quoute you from FL to PR. Thar is what I did.
 
Saludos!! Thanks for your reply. So niceto hear from someone in a similar situation on here from PR.
Honestly, the freight charges from Signature Solar werent crazy expensive, but still. I also did consider running two 6000's in parallel too, but I like the idea of having eveyrthing streamlined in one model once the 18kPV was released since I want something 10-12kW. I would be interested in knowing more about the costs SendtoPR charged you, if you dont mind sharing. I can PM you. I thought SS shipping would be cheaper than going through a freight forwarder but maybe not? Im in isla Verde and Im installing the solar in Yabucoa. Thanks!
 
guitar333 said:
Its the same hardware, I guess im wondering more about firmware and battery compatibility.
EG4 18kPV is $5200 shipped and the Lux Power 18kPV is $4950 picked up locally w/ 10 year warranty through the seller 🧐
Click to expand...
About the same price and locally with a 10 year warranty? If that’s a reputable seller, seems like a no-brainer. If something went wrong and it wasn’t purchased locally, probably be shipping charges involved.
 
guitar333 said:
Its the same hardware, I guess im wondering more about firmware and battery compatibility.
EG4 18kPV is $5200 shipped and the Lux Power 18kPV is $4950 picked up locally w/ 10 year warranty through the seller 🧐
Click to expand...
Firmware is supposed to be in sync. I reached out to luxpower about getting a supplier list and they have responded, but with more questions then answers and I have been left hanging. Their email requested Whatsapp as to which they requested my state and business name. Both provided, and I followed up once, they never responded. Also, lux only shows a 5 year warranty whereas eg4 says 10. No seller can really add warranty unless they are just going to stock for replacement for failures after 5 years. I went down this road to potentially save $1k per unit and I might have to buy a few more. That said, EG4 is going to respond and help me so I bought theirs.
 
Danke said:
About the same price and locally with a 10 year warranty? If that’s a reputable seller, seems like a no-brainer. If something went wrong and it wasn’t purchased locally, probably be shipping charges involved.
Click to expand...
Exactly! The thing that made me think twice, was I read about someone locally that had an issue and Signature Solar wanted them to ship the EG4 battery back to them for warranty.... I guess my only remaining question is if I go with the LuxPower unit, if I should reconsider my EG4 PowerPro battery selection...since the whole idea was to stay in their ecosystem for easy compatibility and operation
 
guitar333 said:
Saludos!! Thanks for your reply. So niceto hear from someone in a similar situation on here from PR.
Honestly, the freight charges from Signature Solar werent crazy expensive, but still. I also did consider running two 6000's in parallel too, but I like the idea of having eveyrthing streamlined in one model once the 18kPV was released since I want something 10-12kW. I would be interested in knowing more about the costs SendtoPR charged you, if you dont mind sharing. I can PM you. I thought SS shipping would be cheaper than going through a freight forwarder but maybe not? Im in isla Verde and Im installing the solar in Yabucoa. Thanks!
Click to expand...
PMd
 
guitar333 said:
Hey everyone!

I hope you're all doing well! This is my first post as I prepare to purchase my solar components.

Initially, I decided on the EG4 18kPV (12kW) inverter and likely the EG4 PowerPro battery (though I'm also considering Enphase microinverters). However, I discovered that ordering through SignatureSolar comes with high shipping costs to Puerto Rico, and I'm also concerned about the warranty.

So, I thought I'd see if I could buy the EG4 18kPV locally to save on shipping and secure a local warranty.

After extensive online research, I found a seller offering this model new. However, they confirmed it is actually a Lux Power 18kPV, which looks identical to the EG4.

Should I be concerned about proceeding with this purchase? Some initial research indicates that Lux Power manufactures this model for EG4. Are there any differences in firmware or EG4 battery compatibility that I should be aware of?

Thanks for any input!

Cheers!
View attachment 230878
Click to expand...

That's the eg4 version. Looks like they deleted the logo, you can see the faint circle. Lux also properly calls these 12k units. The luxpower OEM looks like the below. https://solarpowerstore.ca/products/luxpower-lxp-lb-us-12k?_pos=9&_sid=3b20e1c58&_ss=r
 
new off grid said:
for that money, why not the new Midnite, the ONE ?
maybe cheaper too
from a trusted USA company
Click to expand...

Because like it or not, you know what you're getting with an 18kPv right now. The Midnite is a niche product from a niche company, and I quite frankly don't see the One surviving long term, but that's just me.
 
guitar333 said:
I thought SS shipping would be cheaper than going through a freight forwarder but maybe not? Im in isla Verde and Im installing the solar in Yabucoa. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hi! We ship to your freight orders to freight forwarders for overseas addresses :)
Danke said:
If something went wrong and it wasn’t purchased locally, probably be shipping charges involved.
Click to expand...
If something goes wrong, and it's under warranty, we pay for the return shipping within the lower 48 states :)
 
EG4 products and Lux Power products may have similarities but are not identical. If you need any help or have any questions about any EG4 products feel free to send us a direct message, we are more than happy to help!

También tenemos soporte/servicio al cliente en español para quien lo necesite. Estamos aquí para servirles.
 
EG4TechSolutionsTeam said:
EG4 products and Lux Power products may have similarities but are not identical. If you need any help or have any questions about any EG4 products feel free to send us a direct message, we are more than happy to help!

También tenemos soporte/servicio al cliente en español para quien lo necesite. Estamos aquí para servirles.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Will the LuxPower also have seamless integration with the EG4 PowerPro Battery? As mentioned, I think the LuxPower makes more sense for me for the local warranty vs EG4. Unless you know of a seller in PR selling the EG4 unit?
 
kscessnadriver said:
Because like it or not, you know what you're getting with an 18kPv right now. The Midnite is a niche product from a niche company, and I quite frankly don't see the One surviving long term, but that's just me.
Click to expand...
Can you explain what's niche about the Midnite One versus the 18kPV?
 
Brucey said:
Can you explain what's niche about the Midnite One versus the 18kPV?
Click to expand...

If I wasn’t on this forum, I wouldn’t know that the Midnite One is even an option. There’s zero marketing, no large exposure on YouTube, nothing. Quite honestly, in today’s world, two things matter to get a product to wide market acceptance, being early and being widely seen. Neither of which MidNite can be accused of. It may be a great product, but 90%+ of the market hasn’t heard of it.
 
kscessnadriver said:
If I wasn’t on this forum, I wouldn’t know that the Midnite One is even an option. There’s zero marketing, no large exposure on YouTube, nothing. Quite honestly, in today’s world, two things matter to get a product to wide market acceptance, being early and being widely seen. Neither of which MidNite can be accused of. It may be a great product, but 90%+ of the market hasn’t heard of it.
Click to expand...
So you have to understand that the guys who founded Midnite Solar were the guys in the team that designed the Trace inverters way back decades ago, and then founded Outback once Trace was merged/acquired by Xantrax.

I would recommend reading this article, it shows the philosophy of those who then went on to found Midnite Solar. They understand that for off grid use the equipment has to be absolutely rock solid reliable. The One is their only made in China product, the Rosie inverter, Hawkes bay and Barcelona SCCs and the classic SCCs are made in Arlington, Washington.

MidNite Solar Inc. - How Lightning Works

MidNite Solar is the industry leader and manufacture of quality Renewable Energy System electrical components and E-Panels.
www.midnitesolar.com

As a personal anecdote, I had an issue with setting up my Rosie, called and got a human first up to direct my call, within a minute I was talking to their Rosie specialist and he was walking me through troubleshooting steps with his Rosie and MNGP2 in front of him to duplicate. He didn't have an immediate fix but promised to call back. Less than 30 minutes got the call back and he had the solution, one setting jumper had to be moved and I was up and running.

That support scenario simply doesn't happen with eg4/sigsolar products. Because you've got to deal with multiple tiers of support and then sprinkle in a manager who can ultimately override the support guy who's about to issue an RMA.

Yes, Midnite would sell far less units than eg4/sig solar who apparently has multiple tractor loads in and out every day. And that's an advantage for a Midnite customer. They don't need multiple tiers of support, because their stuff is rock solid. On the very rare occasion there is a problem, it's taken care of quickly.
 
kscessnadriver said:
If I wasn’t on this forum, I wouldn’t know that the Midnite One is even an option. There’s zero marketing, no large exposure on YouTube, nothing. Quite honestly, in today’s world, two things matter to get a product to wide market acceptance, being early and being widely seen. Neither of which MidNite can be accused of. It may be a great product, but 90%+ of the market hasn’t heard of it.
Click to expand...
You haven’t heard of things like transformer / motor workshops and machine shops either, that work on critical stuff you likely rely on. There’s huge swathes of the economy that have zero mindshare outside of their niche yet are in critical path.

That said, if you are arguing that the One may have much worse community support and knowledge, that is valid. Then perhaps we can trust the word of mouth on Midnite’s direct support.

Now if you are a customer that is too shy to call in and prefer forums (that is me tbh), maybe MidNite style model is not good.
 
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