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I had 2x Volta Stage 1 batteries in parallel since May 2023 with firmware v15.44. They were reaching 100% charge together with all cells balanced within 30mV, but the packs SoC drifted apart as the batteries drain, with pack 1 on 25% while pack 2 drops to 20%. The state of health on pack 1 was 100% and pack 2 96%, so pack 2 is now accumulating higher DoD.
The supplier suggested I need a firmware update, so last night I updated them both to v15.58 successfully (each completely isolated and dip switches off), have yet to see if the SoC drift fixes itself but at least the inverter reports the average SoC instead of alternating between the 2 like it did before. Only possible issue is the cycles count for both batteries went up 10x and I'm not sure if that is just the new scaling factor is 0.1 instead of 1? Over a period of about 10 minutes pack 1 went from 260 to 2600 and pack 2 from 249 to 2498 and then they stayed there since, will give it a couple more days and see.

(Updated info further down in the post)
I create a very simple Python script to interrogate the Pace BMS as used in some popular lithium battery brands. I've also packed this as a Home Assistant add-on, but can just as well be used as either a standalone script / within a docker container.
It reports the voltage of cells, temperatures, the pack's current, voltage, SOC, SOH, and a few other metrics.
Use at own risk. 
Either a serial link to the RS232 port or via IP (using some port server over TCP) will work.
Repository: https://github.com/Tertiush/bmspace
The script serves by needs atm, so any further developments can be done by the community.

UPDATE:
I've rewritten most of this script using the official PACE RS232 Protocol definition. The script now supports multiple packs!
I've only implemented informational messages / retrieving data, no commands.
Use at own risk!
Many new fields are now retrieved such as warnings, balancing data, status indications, etc.

I'm really enjoying the card and this feature, just one cosmetic change to this would make me even happier.
Currently when grid is supplying some of the load the essential load icon has the grid colour from the top down with the solar colour from the bottom up.

How easy/difficult would it be to change this to always have the solar colour from the top down? My brain reasons that the the solar is form the sun therefore from high so should be from the top of the icon at all times.
It works, for my brain, when solar and battery are supplying as the solar colour is from the top and the battery colour from the bottom...
I know it's a petty request and you're welcome to tell me it's not worth the trouble😉
Thank you again @slipx for this wonderful card...

Nothing special, the normal [email protected] email. It probably depends who you get on the other side.
I haven't been able to use these files though, the SolarMan and Deye apps don't give the option to upload a file, SolarMan website says "Firmware upgrade function is currently not available", the Logger webUI also just does nothing when I try to upgrade. Not too fussed though, nothing to fix atm.

I receieved the attached firmware files from Deye support today but have not used them to upgrade (SUN-8K-SG01LP1-EU). I was emailing them about a once-off (so far) F18 error which they say was a false alarm, then offered to upgrade my firmware. I asked for the files so that I could choose a convenient time, but also there aren't any issues with the inverter so don't want to fiddle with it. Use at own risk.
MCU1-SG-Ver0000-C367-CK.bin MCU2_6025US_NC_NR8K59V.bin
LSW3_15_FFFF_1.0.9E.bin

The attached file was sent to me by the technical manager of africogroup.com - I have not tried it yet but it seems to be the same as the one shared on the Lux Power Facebook group. Hope it helps.
 
BMS48100_ZWN_V1552_16S100A_.bin

I have tried updating a Stage 1 today but although I could connect to the BMS using the BMS tools beforehand, the Update tool did not want to connect.
I have tried connecting using the BMS Tools again after trying but was not able to connect since. I then noticed that the battery is displaying LED1 (Red) and LED2, 3 and 4 running green. Now not able to switch off the BMS at all as the battery power switch has no effect.
Now what!!? 

All right, it is late and as usual I poked the bear until it woke up....
Here are my steps: 
1. Rig up a USB to RS232 adaptor to connect to the RJ12 port as per the connection information below:
Battery RS232 Port

My USB to RS232 Adaptor pinout

In my case the I had a USB to RS232 adaptor with a D-SUB9 connector as seen above.
The connections I made were as follow:

Please don't just look at pin numbers as the function is more important than the pin number ie. RX, TX and GND. So if your RS232 Adaptor is different to mine rather use the functions to guide your connections.
2. Make sure the driver is installed for your USB to RS232 Adaptor on the PC you plan to use. Check Device Manager to determine if it is installed and also look at which COM Port number is assigned to the USB to RS232 adaptor (see example circled in green -mine is COM4).

3. Download the TOPBMS 6.1 software from the link mentioned in the thread above. https://www.cleverbms.com/news/76.html  Extract the files from the folder downloaded by the TOPBMS 6.1 Link. (Folder name is just a bunch of numbers for me (1688880348148907)... weird.
4. Plug in the USB to the computer and the RJ12 connector to the battery RS232 Port.
5. Open TOPBMS.exe located in the extracted folder.(it takes a moment sometimes to open)
If it is your first time opening it, it will most likely look like this with ????????????????? everywhere. Just select English at the bottom of the screen (circled in Green)
 
It now should look like this:

6. Click on the "Close" button located next to the Serial COM window in the top right. Wait for the button to say "Open". now select your COM port Number in the drop down box to the left of the "Open" button (it is the one from Step 2 above - yours will be different). Once selected, click "Open". You will most likely see a message appear at the bottom below the "English" language selection that says "--6 Invalid Data". 
7. Input the password in the password box on the bottom right. DON'T press change. Simply hit the ENTER key on your keyboard. The Password as per the VOLTA Manual is "green1234".
8.If all went according to plan, the screen should show the battery information circled in green below. The COM light (Blue circle) should also flash GREEN/YELLOW indicating that the communication with the BMS is active.

 
Lastly for those interested the RS232 Baud Rate is 9600bps by default.
Hope this helps
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS JUST A GUIDE ON HOW TO CONNECT! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES MADE TO THE BMS SETTINGS AND THE CONSEQUENCES THEY BEAR! PLEASE DO NOT PLAY WITH THE "LITHIUM OVERLORDS" AND SUFFER THEIR "WRATH OF FIRE!" Also your warranty might be void (don't quote me on that).
 
 

Just a quick update.
This will become version 4 of the SmartDeyeDongle. 
I am in the process of testing the initial batch of 5, thus far they are working fine. The next batch will be 100 and ETA looks like middle-to-end of September.
I will have to raise the cost of a module, the weak rand is also not helping me as everything is priced in USD. The price will be finalised with the next batch.
I have a list of people that gave me a firm commitment, those people will get a discount. If this is you, thank you for your support!
 
Features:
It allows any 38Pin Esp32 Dev board to be connected without any soldering and to be taken apart again (which means one day we might upgrade this have Zigbee support)
It will allow you to power it directly from the inverter 12V output pin terminal (pin 11,12 on my 8kW Deye inverter, imho looks neater) or alternatively a phone charger works just as well.
No Soldering and no RS485 TTL Module as they are proving to be a pain in the behind (as many DIYers can tell you).
3D printed cases will be an optional extra (I have realised that most people are pretty happy put it in their own little case).
Pre-made RJ45 cable will also be optional as most people have no issues to just cut up a network cable and they could then decide on the desired length.
 
 

What you need to have already:
You need to be running a 5kW/8kW/16kW single phase Deye/Sunsynk inverter, Master & Slave configuration supported.  3 Phase Supported   (3Phase inverters not currently supported) You need to run your own home assistant (https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/) on an old PC/VM/Laptop/Rasp Pi or similar must support 64bit. (I even managed to get it running on a netbook from 2010 that does not support UEFI boot, works great for home assistant). You need to have a 2.4GHz wifi network at the inverter with reasonable network coverage.  Not included (must supply your own):
You need to have an old micro-USB (type B  )   phone charger to supply power, even if it is a slo-o-o-ow charger, 500mA it is fine. These are still common even today for most electronic devices  
SmartDeyeDongle Version 2
Price=R700 (EFT) + Courier(R100)/You collect(free) 
Comes with RJ45 network cable (30cm)  that has been plugged into an inverter and verified to be working without issues. Also protected with a heat-shrink cover.
Shipping R100 via The Courier Guy (3-4 business days economy, but most of the times they deliver the next day)
Plug and play device for home assistant that allows most settings on the inverter to be changed via UI/automations.
 
Please note that the firmware is not related to the opensource versions. Considerable effort has been put in to pull all the important data from the inverter and to provide the user with the ability to change most settings on the inverter. 
 
I have 4 dongles for sale. DM me if you would like one and we can arrange the rest
 

For the solarman loggers there is a secret menu where the mode can be switched to station only. 
Access the logger with a browser and log in. Then go to “http://xxxxxx/config_hide.html”
Not sure if the new Sunsynk logger also has this.

Been running for about 2 weeks using my blue wall as UPS, all going well.
Been putting my OCD to work on making the panel look less boring, still going to change some and plaster and paint once all done.
 
 

Installed for a month now. All good, no complaints so far. Hoping for the best✊ got 2 of them running with DEYE 8 KW inverter and 8 Canadian 540's on the roof

Another thing if you're connecting with the VRM portal try and put your Internet router on a converter supplied from the solar batteries. I was messing around today and I was out and the Mrs was home so I thought I'd do a quick demo for her on what load shedding looks and feels like so I remotely turned the inverter off. Only glitch was my router is powered off the inverter so I couldn't turn it back on........ I had to come home to a not so happy lady.

Good afternoon Tsa
As per SANS 10142:2006 the maximum allowable current for PVC insulated cables in a single phase installation when the cable is enclosed in conduit fixed to a wall or trunking fixed to a wall are as follows. For Multi-Phase the currents are lower.
For GP cable - That is the individual Black, Red, Blue, White, Yellow, Yellow and Green cables which are not bundled together with a second insulation over the individual cores and with 1 solid core or multiple thick strands
1.5 mm2: 17.5A, 2.5 mm2: 24A, 4.0 mm2: 32A, 6.0 mm2: 41A, 10.0 mm2: 57A, 16.0 mm2: 76A, 25.0 mm2: 101A
For Surfix and Twin and Earth  - A cable with more than 1 cores with 1 solid core or multiple thick strands individually insulated with a second insulation over the individual cores
1.5 mm2: 16.5A, 2.5 mm2: 23A, 4.0 mm2: 30A, 6.0 mm2: 38A, 10.0 mm2: 52A, 16.0 mm2: 69A, 25.0 mm2: 90A
The maximum cable operating temperature are not allowed to exceed 70 degree Celsius, if the temperature exceeds 70 degree Celsius a thicker cable must be used.
Cabtyre -A flexible cable with thin strands used for appliances, power tools, extension leads etc are not allowed in a DB.
The gap between the clamp of the MCB and the start of the insulation may not exceed 2mm.
There is also a limit of the number of cables entering or leaving an MCB and that limit is 3.
Another point that is misunderstood is that the MCB protects the cable and not the load supplied by the cable.
If a cable leaving the DB is joined and the cable that is joined is thicker or thinner than the other cable then the MCB must be rated for the thinner cable, for example a gate motor is to be installed and the cable leaving the house is 2.5 mm2 but you cannot get a 2.5 mm2 cable only 1.5 mm2 is available then the MCB must be rated for the 1.5mm2 cable.
Circuits are not allowed to be mixed on the MCB's eg Lights and Socket outlets on the same MCB.
Open spaces in the cover of the DB must be closed off so that you are protected from a electric shock and to keep insects, bugs, spiders, bees and wasps out of the DB.
MCB's must be marked with indelible ink or a proper label which is not easily removed.
If a DB is supplied by another DB then the sub DB and the supplying DB must be properly marked the same way MCB's are marked.
A Switch Dis-connector (isolator) must disconnect both L & N for single phase installations and all P's & N for multi-phase installations.
A 2 pole or 4 pole MCB are not allowed to be used as a switch dis-connector (isolator).
A MCB must trip all P's for multi-phase installations if there is a over current in any of the phases.
An Earth leakage must disconnect both L & N for single phase installations and all P's & N for multi-phase installations
PS CB is short for Miniature Circuit Breaker.

Reminds me of the following XKCD webcomic 🙂

I was also looking for a solution here
If you have some energy meter (measuring total consumed kWh). You can try the following (I use it in packages\prepaid.yaml). My energy from the grid is measured by the sunsynk inverter, but any meter should work
You can now create an automation if sensor.prepaid_units_left<20 to send you a message etc...
 
# A sensor that indicates how many prepaid units you have left # # 1. Enter the units using "input_test.prepaid_units" # 2. An automation save the sum of the enetered units + grid total # 3. The sensor displays the saved value - the current grid total automation: - id: "prepaid-set-units" alias: Prepaid - set units initial_state: true trigger: - platform: state entity_id: sensor.prepaid_units_left condition: "{{ states('sensor.prepaid_units_left') | float < 0 }}" action: - service: input_text.set_value target: entity_id: input_text.prepaid_units data: value: > {% set units = states('input_text.prepaid_units') | float %} {% set total = states('sensor.ss_total_grid_import') | float %} {{ (units+total) | round(2) }} input_text: prepaid_units: name: Enter Prepaid units from meter pattern: '\d+(\.\d+)?' mode: password icon: mdi:home-lightning-bolt-outline min: 1 max: 10 template: - sensor: - name: "Prepaid units left" icon: mdi:home-lightning-bolt-outline unit_of_measurement: "kWh" state: > {% set units = states('input_text.prepaid_units') | float %} {% set total = states('sensor.ss_total_grid_import') | float %} {% if (units-total) > 999 %}999.999{% else %}{{ (units-total) | round(1) }}{% endif %}