Apsystems DS3-L not working

Thanks for the guidance and links.

I found the IP address for the ECU, but all I get when swapping it in to the links above is "Refused Connection"...tried two different computers.

Any ideas?

Here is some information I received from my distributor....its a field notice from APSystems that relates to Vmp specs:

Tech notice CORRECTION
June 9, 2022

Dear valued partner,
We recently sent a tech notice out regarding DS3-L dual microinverters recently been sold in the U.S being
characterized by a higher Peak Power Tracking Voltage range of 34Vmp. We have been able to correct
much of this discrepancy through a firmware update which will bring existing units to 31Vmp and usable
with most PV modules available on the market today.
Another critical part of the previous notice was that the microinverters and ECU gateway require updating
prior to connection to the grid. The ECU must be updated by connecting it to the internet. We recommend
this be done prior to visiting the jobsite. The updates are downloaded automatically.
Once this is complete, use the instructions below to connect the ECU to the microinverters and the micros
will then be automatically updated. Please see the note for customers with Comcast/Xfinity.
Our team remains at your disposal if you should have any questions. Please reach out to us at 844-666-
7035 or support.usa@apsystems.com.
We truly appreciate your continued business, understanding and support.
Sincerely,
APsystems

8701 N Mopac Expy, Ste. 160, Austin, TX 78759
844.666.7035 | usa.APsystems.com
APsystems

ECU/Microinverter Update Instructions
STEP 1: PRIOR TO VISITING THE JOBSITE:
APsystems highly recommends updating the ECU device prior to visiting the job site.
1. Connect the Ethernet cable FIRST, and then plug-in power to the ECU-R or ECU-C gateway units.
Connecting the Ethernet cable first will automate the updates.
2. For ECU units beginning with prefix 2162: Wait 20 minutes after connecting, firmware will be
automatically updated.
3. For ECUs with prefix 2160/215: Wait AT LEAST 20 minutes after initial connection and reboot
the ECU unit. Be sure the Ethernet cable remains connected during this time. Once rebooted,
the firmware will take an additional 30 minutes.
STEP 2: AT THE JOBSITE:
Be sure to complete Step 1 above prior to connecting the ECU at the jobsite.
1. DO NOT CONNECT AC POWER UNTIL STEPS 1-10 ARE COMPLETE.
2. Connect the ECU via Ethernet cable to the system owner’s router (Note: Connect ECU via Wi-Fi
for customer with Xfinity/Comcast), then connect power to the ECU.
3. Press the “AP” button on the side of the ECU.
4. Using your smartphone, go to your Wi-Fi network settings and connect to the ECU device (Wi-Fi
SSID begins with ECU...). The password is 88888888 (8, eight times).
5. After connecting your phone to the ECU via Wi-Fi, use your smartphone to download/open the
EMA Manager app from the app store.
6. On the log-in screen, touch the “ECU APP” link to begin system registration.
7. Under ID Management, scan the microinverter barcodes (find barcodes on each microinverter
or their boxes).
8. SYNC all inverters.
9. Finish entering all settings in the ECU app (time zone, power profile, etc).
10. Inverter firmware update will begin immediately and update overnight.
11. Complete ECU commissioning in the EMA by creating homeowner account, connecting it with
installed ECU (enter serial number) and completing the site profile.
Be aware that the inverters may not show energy production in the EMA while they are updating. If you
have any questions during this process, please contact our technical support team at 844-666-7035. You
can also find the full ECU step by step video on our YouTube channel, YouTube.com/APsystemsSolar—
just be sure for the update to follow Step 1 above to update the ECU prior to visiting the jobsite.

I copied the URLs for the original post from my phone, which had them all starting with "https:". But I checked on my PC, and they are just "http:". The "https:" links bring up a warning on the PC even though they work on the phone. So maybe try them again as http vs. https and see if that helps?

Update: received 24 new inverters. First 8 are replaced and it seems to work fine now.
​​It's cloudy at the moment and the output is approximately 1kwh a day, so I should wait for a sunny day and check if the inverters are still working fine.

Good news! Just wondering… What is the production date of the new inverters? And are the serial numbers higher than those in the bad batches? Do you need to return the non-working inverters?

Mine replacements are arriving today as well. They sent me a return label to send back the old ones.

Question, are you a professional installer?

I am a DIY installer.

Ok thanks. I'm a professional installer and I'm curious how to compensate my hours with Apsystems

123Jay....Did APSystems give you any hassle as a DIYer? I've had a Tech Support request submitted for almost two weeks with no response beyond the initial confirmation and assignment of a case number. Any ideas to break through?

They didn't give me any hassle. I emailed support.usa@apsystems.com.

They emailed me back the next day asking if I purchased from a distributor or self installed. And if I self installed to reply with my sales receipts to activated my limited warranty.

Then then they said they were replacing the inverters. This all transpired over 4 business days.

I would send my sales receipt info to them if you haven't yet, but there was no push back from them for me.

Thanks 123Jay for the update!

I did the warranty registration a couple months ago, and at that time they were responsive. I'm figuring the holidays are probably slowing response.

Were the original DS3-L units you received Made in China? And the replacements Made in Taiwan? I heard there was a defect in the first batch...which I likely received because I ordered them as soon as they arrived at the distributor back in July.

I replaced all the bad inverters today and they are all working now. The new inverters were made in Taiwan and all the bad ones were made in China.

Thanks for the update 123Jay!

It could be that APSystems is prioritizing customers like you, and others in this thread, who have completely non-functional systems.

For whatever reason, our system functions normally much of the time, but experiences episodes of trip-outs. It seems to be related to the MPPT behavior, as others have mentioned. During full sun near noon, it seems to work fine and achieves full capacity (a little over actually). But during times of variable sun or lower sun in mornings and afternoons, it experiences trip-outs where 1/2 or more of the units trip offline.

I've been told its caused by defective components in the initial Made in China batch of units. However, the behavior of many of the units seems very similar, so I wonder if its actually design or software related. In either case, I'm glad APSystems is doing the right thing by replacing units.

Despite this, I would still recommend these microinverters...assuming they replace them. They generate more power than Enphase, and our system came in under 1/2 the price of an Enphase IQ7A system. The software isn't quite as polished as Enphase, but its still pretty good...certainly it would be hard to justify thousands more for a few software features. Also the zigbee communication is better for ground mounts like we have. With Enphase we would have needed a fiber optic connection to maintain communication due to the length. The APSystems units have plenty of signal with the ECU inside the residence, which is over 300' from the farthest unit.

It almost seems like there were multiple problems. I've seen a number of people report their units failing to start up, but they work again later at some point either on their own or via manual intervention. However, mine worked fine in dim late-afternoon light for the first 20-30 minutes or so after installation, then once they linked up to the ECU / internet they all died almost simultaneously, never to work again. A second set of replacements (in the same serial number range) also permanently bricked themselves - 100% dead, no LED, nothing. So this seems like it could be a different issue than the intermittent operation. We'll probably never know the whole story, since they don't seem to publish any useful level of detail (see attached for their official software release notes, yes this is for real).

But, the good news is that I received and installed my replacement DS3-L inverters last night. All are serial number 7030004xxxxx (made in China), whereas the failed ones ended in 2xxxxx (also made in China). So far they seem to be working, and this afternoon my house was 100% powered by solar! I am very grateful that my distributor was so helpful regarding the replacement process.

Agreed. When I was getting no feedback as to the solution to this issue, I looked into other options; there really is nothing else at this price. Enphase seems to be good quality but would have been more than double the cost. My local utility rates are fairly low, so with Enphase the system would have no hope of ever paying itself off in energy savings.