I just had a 8KW system installed by an installer. Now I don't trust them...

[sdold]

That was the installer's job, wasn't it.

I think it's his job to get over there and try to make it work, but if you have devices on the network that are interfering with the Envoy, I don't think it's all on him.

This sounds a lot like ordering satellite TV, and then after the install you find out that there is interference to the dish from something (like your ham radio) and it's unusable. It's not the installer's fault, but he needs to at least come over and see if he can do anything and apply any manufacturer's interference mitigation tricks that he might be aware of (like Enphase's toroids). After a reasonable effort, it seems like the installer would have two options, remove the system and back out of the deal, or go to extra measures to fix the problem. I have a hard time expecting him to spend a lot of time at his own expense. But he should at least come over and make a good faith effort, and your installer should do the same. But I wouldn't feel bad if, in the end, he tried his best and I ended up having to spend some of my own time and money to fix it.

[control4userguy]

OP-You don't need a "slot". Just sneak it in under the existing breaker heading up to the roof. Also, if you already know what circuit is causing the interference, why not tackle that first? I guess I don't get this argument...

[derekc]

A mechanic helps you to put a new engine in your car. When he says he is done, he shows you the new engine working but the speedometer is not working. He insists there is nothing he can do and wants full payment. Do you pay? Then you later read up and learn that it might be just a cable loose, do you fix it yourself or keep calling him to ask him to fix it (while you are looking right at the loose cable)? Or fix it yourself and dispute the charge and deduct the money for the time you spent doing his job and possible a value for warranty?

[russ]

The reason to go with a company with a good reputation and qualified workers - not the new guy nor the low bid!

[sdold]

I know about installing ferrite tororids (Epcos B64290L82x87) to eliminate noise on each circuit. I am ready to do it myself but if I do, then they will say I am messing it up.

I just re-read this. If you install toroids on the offending circuits (not the circuit the Envoy is on), it has nothing to do with the Envoy or inverters, and I have no idea how your warranty would be affected.

[derekc]

The reason to go with a company with a good reputation and qualified workers - not the new guy nor the low bid!

That I could not agree more.
Or make sure they are local, not 30 some miles away and hour and half commute each way in the rush hrs.

[derekc]

I just re-read this. If you install toroids on the offending circuits (not the circuit the Envoy is on), it has nothing to do with the Envoy or inverters, and I have no idea how your warranty would be affected.

Agree.

[control4userguy]

A mechanic helps you to put a new engine in your car. When he says he is done, he shows you the new engine working but the speedometer is not working. He insists there is nothing he can do and wants full payment. Do you pay? Then you later read up and learn that it might be just a cable loose, do you fix it yourself or keep calling him to ask him to fix it (while you are looking right at the loose cable)? Or fix it yourself and dispute the charge and deduct the money for the time you spent doing his job and possible a value for warranty?

I don't like analogies. This is something much less complicated. Your system of micros talks down to the head unit. Get the head unit in direct shot of the micros and it will work. That is if your equipment isn't DOA to begin with.

[control4userguy]

BTW, I go on Enphase's public sites often and notice jobs with one or more micros not talking. Is that what you can expect with Enphase?

[derekc]

BTW, I go on Enphase's public sites often and notice jobs with one or more micros not talking. Is that what you can expect with Enphase?

I now learned that envoy is bad design. Communication over power line is simply not reliable. I was not told about that and half of the time there is no data collected (lost!) when I paid in full price for it is simply not acceptable. Oh, I can't even see the per panel info? If the installer (they can see) don't tell me one panel has no output (like when a tree branch is on it), how do I know? What is the point of buying a monitoring device?

Oh, check out amazon reviews. Everyone is complaining how sporadically envoy works.

[sdold]

BTW, I go on Enphase's public sites often and notice jobs with one or more micros not talking. Is that what you can expect with Enphase?

No.

Edit: Wait a sec, where are seeing per-inverter reporting on a public site? The only place I see that is in Enlighten Manager.

[sdold]

I now learned that envoy is bad design. Communication over power line is simply not reliable.

It is when it's engineered and installed correctly. Mine has been working perfectly since I took care of the problem, the way I had hoped you would be able to do. Good luck with your system.

[DanS26]

Do you have another energy monitoring system installed? Like a TED system? Or some other PLC system? Envoy does not like to play well with these other guys.

[control4userguy]

No.

Edit: Wait a sec, where are seeing per-inverter reporting on a public site? The only place I see that is in Enlighten Manager.

Never said that. Up at the top of the page, number of modules not sending data is listed.

[control4userguy]

Do you have another energy monitoring system installed? Like a TED system? Or some other PLC system? Envoy does not like to play well with these other guys.

Really, why would that matter? I have a Sunpower com. system, two eGauge units and a PC all on separate sets of PL modules. Not a spec of trouble. Powerline is crude and rude but gets the job done when homes don't have the necessary Ethernet jacks in the right places. Is this something specific with the PL modules supplied by Enphase? I use Netgear PLC units.