Seems to be a common issue with BMS and inverters "failing to communicate ". One reason this forum is so valuable is to point these issues out, and post work arounds that aren't worse than the issues they "solve".From what I know, the Signature Solar batteries BMS will not work with the SI. No communication. Or it is hit and miss. SOK BMS works with SI, but they also cost more. That is why I've been on the fence as to what LI battery to get.
Exactly so. I also started with 2 sunny boys (3200w ?) and two 3500w rooftop arrays. But 4k was a big system ... And we while all expected batteries to be consumables, todays batteries can go thousands of cycles with good power left. From very rare and ridiculously expensive to just plain expensive.I stared out with 2 x 2500 watt Sunny Boys that cost $2,500 each. Now you can get 1 x 7.7 for around $1,700. Price went from $1/watt to $0.22/watt. Almost 80% less. Will be nice if batteries go the same way (price wise that is). Panels were 12% efficient. Now they are 22%? That is really good also. Never planned that they would be obsolete before the 25 year warranty ran out. The panels cost $4.50/watt and now they are in the area of $0.68/watt. So basically prices went from $5.50/watt to $1/watt now. Plus rebates.
New old stockNOS? Sorry one too many acronyms for me.
TMA ... Too Many Acronyms, New Old Stock... stuff that hasn't been sold or installed or anything sitting on a shelf. Hopefully.NOS? Sorry one too many acronyms for me.
Well I'm searching for a NOS SI. @Hedges metioned seeing some on fleabay, and there are lots of sbs available barely used to handle the grid side of things.
'Sunny Island plus Sunny Boy makes a nice grid-backup or off-grid system. Just check the compatibility list. ' exactly what I intend to do. There is another thread talking about attaching a SI to the grid and I thiught just buy a sunny boy to talk to the grid.Google search with site:craigslist.org as well.
The Sunny Islands out there are mostly from DC Solar fiasco. Prices fluctuate a bit.
I picked up a pallet of them couple years ago. Probably twice the price of bankruptcy auction, but half (or less) than the prices we see now.
Sunny Boys, older models don't do UL-1741-SA/Rule-21. If that isn't required for backfeeding grid, they work great.
I picked up a pallet of them, from a dealer of CHP plants who couldn't get the generator portion anymore.
Sunny Island plus Sunny Boy makes a nice grid-backup or off-grid system. Just check the compatibility list.
https://files.sma.de/downloads/SB-OffGrid-TI-US-en-22.pdf
With only AC coupling, you need a way to shut off loads as battery gets low, so it doesn't discharge to the point SI shuts off. Adding DC coupling is a less elegant solution. I used a "load-shed" relay. If something like AC/heat pump is your only big load, you could control its thermostat wire. Need to ensure there is enough battery to last until Sunny Boy produces again the next day.
Right. Retail price is crazy for SI's. Got mine that way also. Would have had a hard time paying $8K for 2 of them. Hedges made out like a bandit on his deals! They are still worth it at $8k. Superb quality. Some of these others I see will break in a few years and then you throw them away. SMA stuff is made to last.New old stock
Right. Don't run the big loads or send power to the grid only at night like a time of use program, especially if net metering isn't an issue ie boondocking, off-grid cabins , or a cabin in a house boat.Google search with site:craigslist.org as well.
The Sunny Islands out there are mostly from DC Solar fiasco. Prices fluctuate a bit.
I picked up a pallet of them couple years ago. Probably twice the price of bankruptcy auction, but half (or less) than the prices we see now.
Sunny Boys, older models don't do UL-1741-SA/Rule-21. If that isn't required for backfeeding grid, they work great.
I picked up a pallet of them, from a dealer of CHP plants who couldn't get the generator portion anymore.
Sunny Island plus Sunny Boy makes a nice grid-backup or off-grid system. Just check the compatibility list.
https://files.sma.de/downloads/SB-OffGrid-TI-US-en-22.pdf
With only AC coupling, you need a way to shut off loads as battery gets low, so it doesn't discharge to the point SI shuts off. Adding DC coupling is a less elegant solution. I used a "load-shed" relay. If something like AC/heat pump is your only big load, you could control its thermostat wire. Need to ensure there is enough battery to last until Sunny Boy produces again the next day.