Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
I'm sorry, reading that again, I mistyped and put SOK Support. I meant to say the Sol-Ark has never once said anything about them voiding my warrantyy
EG4 Upgrade Program - Turn-in Sol-Ark 15K for EG4 18K
- Thread starter harjms
- Start date
I think like anything, that's complicated. I love what this forum is predicated on (promise I'm not blowing smoke). I want to learn, and, within the bounds I'm comfortable, I want to do it on my own. My skills and knowledge have increased so much in the last 9-12 months.
I would say based on my perspective, forget companies that are fairly clearly trying to push toward an installer model/fully integrated system, and I do mean Sol-Ark in particular. I don't think SS/EG4 cares what batteries you run. Sure, they want you to run theirs, and they probably offer a nice integrated solution. But if you pair up Ruixus or DIYs with open loop or have a BMS that talks a supported protocol, I do believe they'll support you insofar as they can.
Like companies that are hostile to open source, leave/ignore companies that are becoming and/or are actively hostile to DIY.
I've commented elsewhere I *despise* Sol-Ark's model anyway. I'd love a Deye or SunSynk, I think these inverters have great features and can handle a decent load. But I can't get those cheaper versions in the US. And, outside of > 15K units or high voltage inverters, it's the most expensive inverter I know of. Every company has dropped prices -EVEN VICTRON (and I love me some blue) - this year. It's not worth it. You can pair two EG4 18kpv's for nominally more and infintely more capacity. Pair two Quattro 10k's and be happy for 10 years.
I'm not really in content production at all, so this is maybe completely lame, but maybe a monthly or time-appropriate video on the state of the market, new products, etc. Especially after a conference. There's been a lot that's come out in the last year, across the price spectrum. Be interested to get your take on things. I see things continuing to change at this pace as technology improves, as always.
With the same specs as the EG4 18K?
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
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- 24,658
Yes
There's two versions available. With and without built in breakers.
Brucey
Velcro Man
They also falsely claim the 15k did 2x minimum emp testing but that was another model.
houseofancients
Solar Wizard
And, loads of bullcrap to add...
Seems SA is trying to muscle suppliers in to their "partner" crap program, probably requiring fees to that partner, and only open to "partners" not posing a threat to their bottom line
Quattrohead
Emperor Of Solar
Which is a point I've already made either here or another thread, there's more than just battery communication failures going on.
There are two individuals talking about it on Facebook, both of them seem to be decent size installers not just DIYers.
Brucey
Velcro Man
Can you link them? James claimed there were many customers affected but no links provided yet.
Quattrohead
Emperor Of Solar
EG4 Facebook page, two guys currently talking about it, one of them having an issue with 5x15k solark that keep having issues. Battery comms and grid control relays.
Devin
Devin_Sol-Ark
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2022
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- 32
Hi All, providing some clarity on this. Sol-Ark has become aware of public commentary suggesting that the installation and use of EG4 batteries with Sol-Ark inverters will, by itself, void the standard Sol-Ark limited warranty. While the origin and scope of those comments are unclear, and we cannot be certain whether other comments have been made, Sol-Ark confirms that the standard warranty on its inverters is not voided solely by use of non-approved batteries. Reference is made to Sol-Ark’s standard limited warranty to understand the scope, limitations and exclusions that may apply to Sol-Ark inverters. Sol-Ark customers are urged to review Sol-Ark’s limited warranty to understand applicable coverages, available from the knowledge hub at Sol-Ark® Knowledge Hub | Solar Installers Partner Program | Sol-Ark®
Sol-Ark is “battery agnostic,” has been so for many years and continues to work with many battery vendors, both approved and non-approved. While use of non-approved batteries may not, by itself, void Sol-Ark’s standard limited warranty, because of significant operational and functional issues that have arisen with non-approved battery vendors (including, among others, EG4 batteries), Sol-Ark has determined not to offer technical support for non-approved batteries. As a result, Sol-Ark will not provide technical support for EG4 batteries installed or used with Sol-Ark inverters. Sol-Ark will otherwise continue to offer and provide the industry leading technical and customer support for which it is known.
Sol-Ark is “battery agnostic,” has been so for many years and continues to work with many battery vendors, both approved and non-approved. While use of non-approved batteries may not, by itself, void Sol-Ark’s standard limited warranty, because of significant operational and functional issues that have arisen with non-approved battery vendors (including, among others, EG4 batteries), Sol-Ark has determined not to offer technical support for non-approved batteries. As a result, Sol-Ark will not provide technical support for EG4 batteries installed or used with Sol-Ark inverters. Sol-Ark will otherwise continue to offer and provide the industry leading technical and customer support for which it is known.
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seneysolar
24V
Thanks Devin, can you elaborate on the specific problems with using EG4 batteries with Solark Inverters? I have to believe there are several folks doing this.
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
How i understood that post, is they don't void warranty for using a 3rd party battery, but they do not offer technical support for EG4 batteries, and you should reach out to the manufacture (EG4) for that.
seneysolar
24V
I would like to know what he is referring to when he said this - "because of significant operational and functional issues that have arisen with non-approved battery vendors (including, among others, EG4 batteries)"
Quattrohead
Emperor Of Solar
I would also like to know what other batteries they will not offer support for.
Let's call them all out, not just EG4.
Let's call them all out, not just EG4.
Quattrohead
Emperor Of Solar
And rather than just getting the hump with EG4, how about working with them to find out if there is a genuine problem and if so resolving it. Then everyone will be happy and smiley again.
I know they would love to work with you on resolving this situation rather than throwing your toys at each other.
I know they would love to work with you on resolving this situation rather than throwing your toys at each other.
Devin
Devin_Sol-Ark
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Sol-Ark does not have confirmed validation and approval for closed loop operation of non-approved batteries with their systems. If closed loop is used on a battery that Sol-Ark has not internally validated, no support can be provided to troubleshoot that capability and must defer to the battery manufacturer. The battery may be tested and verified externally by a third party or the battery manufacturer itself. Sol-Ark does not know the implications that an unverified battery communication has on the logic and performance of the inverter. The technical support team can only recommend open loop in these cases with publicly provided documentation from the battery manufacturer.
What if I use a battery that does not have closed loop operation? Or I choose not to use the communication system?
The sol ark works with lead acid batteries right?
Brucey
Velcro Man
I think that's what he means by open loop. Which is fair enough, there's no guarantees that an eg4 battery would work with battery comms with solark, now what I'd like to know is what has signature solar been saying when prospects want to buy eg4 batteries for a solark AIO. Are they warned the batteries are not supported for comms or solark technical support?
Pretty sure if you call Current Connected and tell them you need batteries for a solark they'll point you to this:
Pytes V5 UL9540A 1C Battery
The Pytes V5 battery is tested and certified to UL9540 standards and can do closed-loop communication with any Sol-Ark inverter. This server rack battery is a preferred partner for any Sol-Ark inverters, meaning it has been tested thoroughly to ensure that it functions as expected...
www.currentconnected.com
But I don't think sig solar has any solark compliant battery options so instead we have nonsense threads like this one where they throw themselves a pity party.
Devin
Devin_Sol-Ark
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- 32
There is no impact because open loop uses the internal logic of the inverter. As long as the battery manufacturer can provide a datasheet or some documentation with values to program the Sol-Ark inverter to properly charge/discharge.
As a parent of little kids this made me laugh.
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Gavin Stone
Solar Wizard
Solark just uses Pylontech for its protocol. At least from what I’ve read and heard. That’s probably the most common communication protocol on the market. I don’t understand how using an EG4 battery in Pylon/Deye protocol would affect anything negatively. It’s the same protocol as dozens of other batteries use.
It would be interesting to hear what issues they’ve had.
It would be interesting to hear what issues they’ve had.
Agree 100%. It's ludicrous. CCL, CVL, etc. All standard stuff that tells the inverter what to do. It's not a special sunflower inverter. It's just an excuse to push people into buying more overpriced kit. Pytes look like nice batteries. Cold day in hell before I fork out $1750 for 100Ah.
I need to see what Deye supports for closed loop.
seneysolar
24V
SOLARK -
"because of significant operational and functional issues that have arisen with non-approved battery vendors (including, among others, EG4 batteries)"
EG4 -
"people who want to swap for for an inverter that will be warrantied before their's fails"
"warranty has been fraudulently voided by their inverter company"
Both companies are acknowledging that something fails or doesn't work operationally and neither one wants to say what it is. Its apparently failing to the point where the unit needs repairs, otherwise warranty (or lack of) wouldn't be discussed, right? Good grief whats the big secret!?
Transparency is needed here; your customers have thousands of dollars in equipment on the line.
"because of significant operational and functional issues that have arisen with non-approved battery vendors (including, among others, EG4 batteries)"
EG4 -
"people who want to swap for for an inverter that will be warrantied before their's fails"
"warranty has been fraudulently voided by their inverter company"
Both companies are acknowledging that something fails or doesn't work operationally and neither one wants to say what it is. Its apparently failing to the point where the unit needs repairs, otherwise warranty (or lack of) wouldn't be discussed, right? Good grief whats the big secret!?
Transparency is needed here; your customers have thousands of dollars in equipment on the line.
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