Actually appearance is an indicator, and I've already tested that unit. It's the same one. It's not worth anyone's time. The only difference is if they flashed it with new firmware. They use the same internal components.
NEWS: New Midnite Solar DIY Series - SCC's & Inverters (great $ too)
- Thread starter Steve_S
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At least they are keeping it a separate line called "DIY" so that you know to avoid that. I still think they are going to be getting people buying that line thinking that it is Made in USA.
Would agree that their time to market for their "R&D" stuff is terrible. They were at trade shows years ago with the B17 and it still hasn't shipped. Their software and firmware update procedure is absolutely horrid compared to what is available today. They aren't moving fast enough and/or focused on wrong areas.
Would agree that their time to market for their "R&D" stuff is terrible. They were at trade shows years ago with the B17 and it still hasn't shipped. Their software and firmware update procedure is absolutely horrid compared to what is available today. They aren't moving fast enough and/or focused on wrong areas.
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
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What innovation does anyone need in an inverter, except for lithium profile and UL-1741 SA?
Where I think innovation matters is load control. For both the grid and off-grid, controlling loads to match available power would provide higher utilization (lower cost per watt) and higher reliability. Ideally you have loads that are continuously variable and draw sine wave current (PF = 1.0). The inverter/charger can help by providing SoC, discharge rate, and information about excess PV production.
Often, Software Sucks. Good software can make hardware more reliable and efficient (because bad software can damage hardware that relies on software for limit protection and control of stresses.) Did you find the hardware faulty or of marginal quality?
While these units may not have high surge rating, 3500W continuous is enough for starting surge of a refrigerator or window air conditioner. That should cover a large market. Central A/C would need something else.
daviddakers
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Ouch! Good catch.
Is this really a fair statement? You've tested the Renogy, correct? Have you tested the MidNite version?
I see Renogy here:
Is the issue with the internal components, or is the issue with the firmware?
Is there really no expectation of a better product from MidNite vs. Renogy?
Is Sol-Ark no better than Deye?
Sure, having better software is important. And I have been sent numerous all in one prototypes that performed horribly because they did not have the same software as MPP or Growatt, even though they looked identical.
But that was not really my point. It is a cheap unit. The terminal blocks, the lack of mounting options for the bottom of the unit, the screen and overall build quality is awful. I expect MUCH better from midnite solar. I have always liked their products, and using a relabeled unit that everyone else is selling seems out of character. Especially a low quality product. You should buy it and look at it. It is not impressive at all.
I am ignorant on Deye. They look nice! But I have nothing to say in a comparison against Sol Ark. Are they both produced by one company?
fyi, here is the manual for the charge controller on Amazon Will linked to: https://content-na.drive.amazonaws....QM_IiCCceJxFPc/alt/pdf?ownerId=A17W26ZXUKVKHY
And here is the Midnite one:
And here is the Midnite one:
There are so many relabeled units these days. Is it really worth the time to review an identical product over and over until someone finds a way to make it work? And is the increased suggested retail price really justified? The cost of the midnite is hundreds of dollars more than identical models.
Steve_S
Offgrid Cabineer, N.E. Ontario, Canada
Made in USA Label = add 400% retail markup.
Assembled in USA Label = add 200% retail markup
Made in China = add 100-200% Markup or more if you can relabel it and stick a US Brand Label on it.
I questioned the HF point with Midnite and got a lame response.
I am disappointed in Midnite doing this now, with a simple relabelling of a piece of kit. I thought at first (hoped I guess) that it was designed by Midnite and that they simply sub-contracted it to a big OEM to produce it with their specs, which would have been far more acceptable IMO. There are MANY Companies in China that will happily build things to Client Specifications and they do so for everyone.
Deye makes the Sol-Ark, but I believe the Sol-Ark is unique, i.e., Deye may make it, but Sol-Ark owns that specific design, and it is only produced for Sol-Ark though Deye makes similar units.
As you can see from my sig and my various pontifications, I'm a Victron snob, so you don't need to convince me of the low quality stuff. However, I don't see a distinction between the unit in question, MPP Solar or Growatt.
Maybe that's not fair since I've only seen the Growatt 3K, but even then I didn't pay much attention to quality. I simply looked down my nose at it.
I guess I want to assume that a Tier-1 supplier willing to put their name on it hasn't just relabeled it but has either "tweaked" the build quality or at the very least has stricter incoming quality requirements (testing, etc.).
Here is the latest on all that and more :
The most interesting takeaways for me were:
The next batch of DIY AIO units will be stackable and UL blessed. Current ones are not.
The split phase AIO will include a 500v MPPT.
Some transistor components they use have a 60 WEEK lead time. Yikes !
And, they seem to have a very collegial relationship with SMA and Fronius.
Only 1 year warranty on the DIY inverters, which is no surprise given what we know now.
It sounds like they are getting closer to a lot of the new hardware they have been working on for years but it felt like even when I followed their forums they had been "getting close" for a long time.. and is why I finally had to give up on waiting for their new stuff 6 months ago and started switching over to all Victron equipment when updating my system. I got tired of waiting and/or their inability to clearly articulate the REAL status of where they were in the development process. I'd be surprised if we see any of the new USA made hardware before 2022.
Edit: I had been a strong Outback/Midnite proponent for a long time so that is why I feel somewhat let down by how all of this was handled (and the introduction of relabeled hardware which seems so wrong for them). I still will have a VFX3648 as backup since it has been working flawlessly for 15(?) years now.
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Mahendra Gomanie
New Member
Sol Ark is not worth the price. I actually saw on in action. Its exactly what David poz experienced when he tested it on his utube channel.
Mahendra Gomanie
New Member
I think I should also mention or support the others that requested will to actually test one of these units. Just to clear doubts.
Additionally, I also had the opportunity look at the performance of the Phocos line of all in one's they are pretty good but a bit too pricey for my pocket.
Additionally, I also had the opportunity look at the performance of the Phocos line of all in one's they are pretty good but a bit too pricey for my pocket.
Isn't the Phocos just another Voltronics unit (MPP Solar) with a reputable company name on it?
Mahendra Gomanie
New Member
I really don't know. A major difference with them is that they have sugre capabilities and performs to the name plate. I know the Mpp units does not have surge capabilities.
Even if they are Voltronics or Mpp they have some difference that is noticible in performance and make.
All the more reason for testing actual units.
Do you have evidence to support this claim?
Mahendra Gomanie
New Member
Well i have a shot mpp unit. Other units are from some friends and associates
who have them
who have them
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