SolarEdge / T-Mobile Modem issue

[Bobup]

Newbie to the forum and needing some guidance

I had a system put on my roof July of 2019. SolarEdge is the system.
Recently got an email from SolarEdge stating the the modem, 3G, T-Mobile is going to be useless in the near future.
They had a 3rd party 365 Pronto, email me with an estimate for upgrading it....$583.00 after a $50 discount.

So, my reason for posting is 2 fold
1) I would believe my initial installer should be covering the cost since it was supposedly a 5 year contract...one I was totally unaware of.
2) I would rather connect with a hard wire than pay that kinda money for a new modem, So How can I accomplish this?

TIA for your help
bob

[oregon_phil]

SolarEdge is not liable for third party suspension or termination per SE communication terms and conditions. 3G service termination covers a lot of devices that people might own.

You will get better suggestions for your situation if you give your inverter type and physical layout between your inverter and router. In other words, why did you go with cellular in the first place? Was it difficult to pull an ethernet line back in 2019?

[Bobup]

Thanks for the reply.
I will have to do some research into what my system has.

I had no idea that an ethernet connection was possible at the time and there was no mention of it as I recall. I would have preferred that to having a cell service had I known.

I will be contacting the company that sold me the system and inquire about this as an option....after I pull the cover off the box to have a look see

[oregon_phil]

I don't have a SolarEdge inverter, but from what I read, most likely you have a built in ethernet port. Is it easy to pull new cable?

SolarEdge wants you to push the cable through the cable gland before terminating the end. You can get the cable, connectors, termination tool, cable stripper, and ethernet cable test tool for way under $583.

[heimdm]

Depending on the age of the inverter you might be able to get a wifi antenna as well. They definitely have a hard wired connection under it. I would get lightening protection if going the wired route for the ethernet link. You do not want a lightening induced surge going to your wired network. It will cook about anything and everything that gets near ethernet. Having received a lightening strike 2 years ago, it is no fun.. that was even before I had solar.

[oregon_phil]

The OP hasn't replied back yet, but OP's installation is 2019 era SolarEdge so I don't think direct link via wifi is available. Depending on router/inverter location and difficulty of pulling wire, in the past, I have used a device like the following for difficult wire pulls where wifi signal strength was still acceptable. BrosTrend Dual Band 1200Mbps WiFi Bridge, Convert Your Wired Device to Wireless Network, Works with Any Ethernet-Enabled Devices, WiFi to Ethernet Adapter with Standard RJ45 LAN Port, Easy Setup

[Bobup]

The OP hasn't replied back yet, but OP's installation is 2019 era SolarEdge so I don't think direct link via wifi is available. Depending on router/inverter location and difficulty of pulling wire, in the past, I have used a device like the following for difficult wire pulls where wifi signal strength was still acceptable. BrosTrend Dual Band 1200Mbps WiFi Bridge, Convert Your Wired Device to Wireless Network, Works with Any Ethernet-Enabled Devices, WiFi to Ethernet Adapter with Standard RJ45 LAN Port, Easy Setup

Sorry, been pretty busy at work lately and evenings are just too short

A hard wire pull is a simple job. only need about 30-40ft of line to get to a switch that is nearby in my closet. I have not had much daylight to open the box yet and look see inside.

As for a lightning strike....not likely around here...East side of the San Francisco Bay area (no, not Oakland)...not impossible, just improbable

[oregon_phil]

The latest SolarEdge manual says to use shielded CAT6 ethernet cable. While you probably don't need CAT6 speeds, SolarEdge probably sized the cable gland hole for the larger CAT6 cable diameter for better sealing. Some of that CAT5e cable out there is garbage.

But another SolarEdge manual says to use Cat5/5E STP ethernet cable. Check your manual first before purchasing cable.

[Bobup]

The latest SolarEdge manual says to use shielded CAT6 ethernet cable. While you probably don't need CAT6 speeds, SolarEdge probably sized the cable gland hole for the larger CAT6 cable diameter for better sealing. Some of that CAT5e cable out there is garbage.

But another SolarEdge manual says to use Cat5/5E STP ethernet cable. Check your manual first before purchasing cable.

Opened the box yesterday. Found the ethernet connection. There is no gland to pull through so I will drill a hole and seal it up after running a wire. I will use CAT6 since it is just overkill for Cat5.
Hopefully this coming weekend I will have time to do this

Thanks all for the help
bob

[oregon_phil]

Here's the cable gland location for the latest HD Wave inverters.

[Bobup]

I had not opened the lower box....that could make life a bit easier

Thanks again oregon_phil

[Bobup]

New question on this

The company that wants to replace the modem is now saying that if I dont..."If you do not replace this modem, you'll have to engage in monthly self-reporting of your solar system's production in order to continue receiving SREC payments. They will no longer come automatically."

Is this a problem? Will the hardwired network and home PC monitoring take care of this?

I am not liking this new "strong arm" tactic of sales

[PVAndy]

New question on this

The company that wants to replace the modem is now saying that if I dont..."If you do not replace this modem, you'll have to engage in monthly self-reporting of your solar system's production in order to continue receiving SREC payments. They will no longer come automatically."

Is this a problem? Will the hardwired network and home PC monitoring take care of this?

I am not liking this new "strong arm" tactic of sales

Yes Hardwired or Cellular it will report

Andy

[Bobup]

Thanks Andy

[Mike90250]

The 3G cell phone band is going away shortly, make sure your model will still work.