Lex de Lange

Txs! Ihave my Raspi plugged in to the USB port on the right (USB-A to USB-square, as you say, like for a printer). That works fine, but that port is for monitoring programs only. So I'm left with a comms port (the one on the left) that is RJ45, like a CAT5/6 network cable marked RS232, ie 2-way comms port. I connected that, with a network patch cable, to the same port on my PC and, voila, smoke was in her eyes. So after I fix/replace my inverter's comms board, I need to try again, with correct cable to the correct port on the PC. Following the logic that a USB-D9 male was indicated for a 2 way comms connection between inverter and PC, I'm thinking RJ45-USB. There's plenty of those cables around, bu they are advertised as being of help in stretching USB-USB over greater distances by using CAT6 instead of USB cable. Hence they come in pairs. I'm not sure that will fulfil my requirements, without smoking the comms board again. Anybody with a ready made solution to this? Txs!

Reason for upgrade is that the inverter does not at all play nice with Lithium Ion batteries. Coulomb and others wrote a firmware update which I want to install, it resolves those issues. Installer is not in the least interested, inverter is about 2 years old, firmware patch is not official, and many more of those good excuses ...

Francois: I did, txs, and I have been in touch with them before, very helpful. But that's not really my problem, see above. In order to update the firmware I need to connect to serial. The instructions in the pack say I need a USB to D9 cable, but the D9 will clearly not connect to the Axpert. But first priority now is to fix/replace my inverter's comms board, but smells quite badly when it is smoking!!

OK, the picture came through now (Vumatel sloooow tonite!). Txs. I see your connections picture. My question is what kind of cable/combination of cables should I use to connect the RJ45 coms port on the inverter to my PC in order to update the firmware of the inverter?

Hi Francois: txs for your response. That's one of the screens I can't see anymore, boohoo! Is there a piece missing in your posting?

For clarity I attach an image that shows the connections on the bottom of my inverter. Mecer Axpert connections.png.pdf

Yes, there is a step by step instruction manual for the software upgrade and it's in the upgrade package!! And I found it!! That out of the way, I finally took the plunge and try to do something about the upgrade. I first decide to load PowerWatch on a somewhat older Windows 10 machine, to see if I could connect to the inverter at all. I had ordered a USB-D9 serial cable (of sufficient quality, I hope, I found the link somewhere in one of these forums, supplied by Communica). Seriously surprised that I could not plug this in! There are 2 ports on the inverter marked 'Parallel', obviously not the ones, since they also have a different number of pins, 3 rows, like a VGA connector, 1 in, 1 out?. The only port that looks like it could be serial (marked RS232 communication port) is an RJ45. So I plugged a cable in and connected the other end to the PC. Not for long, because smoke started pouring out of the inverter... I disconnected everything and switched the inverter off (very quickly!). Then, starting with battery, then load, then solar and then AC, I connected everything back and, luckily, the inverter still works. What does not work, though, is the data connection to my Raspberry Pi, running ICC, so I guess I smoked (literally) the comms board. That should not be to much of a hassle to replace? But that does not bring me further in upgrading the firmware! First question: How do I connect (what cable, connectors either end, 1 end likely RJ45?) the PC with the upgrade package on it to the inverter to run the upgrade process? Clearly not via a CAT5 cable! Second question: Is it likely that I did damage the comms board and can I replace that diy?

I don't suppose there's a step-by-step instruction list for the firmware upgrade?

And then, of course, I will need to read up on, and execute, the firmware upgrade. Let's see if I can find out enough to become somewhat confident, else I will come with more questions on that too!

Txs, FrancoisRabe, I see that clearly developing. I have now set my machinery to the recommended settings and will run it to establish a pattern of how it works. Once I can discern that, I may well have a new list of questions (likely!) and come back!

Txs, Coulomb, that's helpful. I'm learning here, but I feel still along way to go!!

Txs, FrancoisRabe!

Hi Coulomb: I've done some reading on the link that you sent me. Btw I attach the label here that I promised in the previous response and forgot to attach ... Is this one of those where I could update the firmware? The one thing I'm not sure about is the chemistry of the battery. This manufacturer produces an LFP model, but that looks different on their web pictures than this one (is also more expensive). This one does not state anything but Lithium Ion. I read that the voltage reading on the inverter and the battery pack can differ. Voltage seems to be fairly close in my case (i need to cover some distance between the two, so simultaneous readings are not very simultaneous), but SoC is way out and variable: at one point I read 98+% on the pack and around 20% on the inverter ... Mecer inverter label.pdf

Btw, I'm also not entirely sure which Mecer 5kVA I have (it should be about 2yrs old), I attach a picture of the product label. There is a later one, I believe, that's called 'King', I'm not sure whether that's a direct replacement or an additional model. But I'll check the link you provide, txs!

Txs, Coulomb. Seems to me that you pursue the same goal I do, as little as possible utility charging! Although mine still reverts back automatically. I'm still finding out about battery capacity and allowable inverter current, to go totally Eskom-free I may have to go bigger. But at least by that time I hope to understand what I'm doing! Txs for the explanation, that's quite helpful. These may well not be my last questions yet!

Txs, Shadders, that's helpful. The set-up with my battery is actually a RJ45 plug (USB plug on the other end), that fits in a relevant port on the battery, marked RS232? Could that mean that the RS232 go USB is possibly built-in? Enticing thought! But, good advice, I'll contact ICC and see what they say.

Thanks for your help, Coulomb. In the mean time, the importer that sold me the battery, has given me updated recommended settings for my inverter/battery. But there's something I do not understand. Ok, these settings 'will give you the best use of solar input and battery life cycle', so there would be some stretch for 'opinion' in there, but the battery was advertised to me as '3000 cycles at 80% DoD, 2000 cycles at 90% DoD'. I'm happy with 3000 cycles for the price (was definitely cheaper than Pylontech!), so one would expect to set it up towards 80% DoD. Yet, he recommends 'back to utility' to be set at 48V, with 'battery cut-off' at 47.4V, which he says is 20% SoC. At that 48V, the inverter starts charging the battery from utility early in the morning, before solar has a chance to kick in. Would it not be more logical to set 'back to utility' at 47.4V as well, to target a consistent 80% DoD (obviously, when solar is available earlier, one won't get to 80% DoD, I'll consider that a bonus!)? Or is that making a link where there is none? Same for 'back to battery' which is now recommended at 51V, with 'Float Voltage' at 51.5V. If charging stops at 51V (back to battery) it will never reach Float at 51.5V? Bulk Charge Voltage is now recommended at 51.6V. I (obviously) know nothing about solar and batteries, but logic brings me to these questions

I'm also looking for the correct Bulk Charging Voltage (CU voltage) and Float Charging Voltage settings. In my case both are set @ 54V. I've read some scary comments on the life time reduction a Float Charging Voltage set-too-high can cause ....

Txs, Coulomb: I figured I need a gap between back to grid and back to battery, I guess, I'll start at the parameters from the spec sheet and see where that gets me. I have an SBU setting on my inverter and upon re-reading the explanation you must be correct: SOL switches to grid when no solar available, or battery voltage below certain level, SBU only switches to grid when battery voltage below certain level. I'll set the charging to 40A, if that leaves the batteries not sufficiently charged I could always go higher?

I have recently replaced my unsuitable and all-but-dead lead-acid truck batteries (don’t ask!) with a 10kWh Lithium Ion battery from Hangzhou Kingor New-energy Technology Co.,Ltd., KG48-200FT64, ie 48V, 200Ah. to go with my Mecer 5KVA 48V and 12 Canadian 330W each panels. My target is solar consumption and charging during the day, battery draw down during the night and thanks-but-no-thanks to Eskom (my stove and geyser are still wired to Eskom, until I get a 2nd 5KVA!). After an initial finding of hectic charging/discharging (see below) I ran the battery for a long session with both solar and grid disconnected, performed well. The inverter settings have been changed by the person installing it and the result was charging for an hour, discharging for an hour, this 5 times until the inverter decided to stop the switching and just power the load by grid and keep the battery charged. This clearly does not work for me. The main settings are: SOL for priority (should be correct, Solar first?) but particularly in 'back to battery' and 'back to grid' I have a question mark: both are now set at 50V, that would cause the hectic switching (solar not in play here, this was during night)? The spec sheet for the battery says ‘Maximum charge voltage 54.7V (Overcharge protection voltage not higher than 56V)’, and 'overdischarge final voltage' equal to or greater than 42V. Also the max charging (solar+grid) is set at 20A, spec sheet says max 100A, recommended 40A. I imagine charging mode should be set at ‘max solar + load’? I have some other questions as well, full settings and questions are contained in the attached spreadsheet. I also received a comms cable with the new battery, RJ45 to USB. I have connected this cable between the battery and my Raspi3 running ICC, but nothing happening. Presumably there is a software solution to manage the battery's BMS via this cable. Anybody any ideas? (it's a simple cable, whereas, when I look at images of the Pylontech cable, there is some sort of 'box' in the middle of it. Not the case here). Any help greatly appreciated! Axpert settings.xlsx

I also received a comms cable with the new battery, RJ45 to USB. I have connected this cable between the battery and my Raspi3 running ICC, but nothing happening. Presumably there is a software solution to manage the battery's BMS via this cable. Anybody any ideas? (it's a simple cable, whereas, when I look at images of the Pylontech cable, there is some sort of 'box' in the middle of it. Not the case here)

I have now taken the leap and purchased a 10kWh Lithium Ion battery from Hangzhou Kingor New-energy Technology Co.,Ltd., KG48-200FT64, ie 48V, 200Ah. Ran the battery for a long session with both solar and grid disconnected, performed well. The inverter settings have been changed by the person installing it and the result was charging for an hour, discharging for an hour, this 5 times until the inverter decided to stop the switching and just power by grid an keep the battery charged. This does not achieve what I want: solar consumption and charging during the day, battery draw down during the night and thanks-but-no-thanks to Eskom. Th settings are: SOL for priority (should be correct, Solar first) but particularly in 'back to battery' and 'back to grid' I have a question mark: both set at 50V, that would cause hectic switching? The spec sheet for the battery says Maximum charge voltage 54.7V (Overcharge protection voltage not higher than 56V), and 'overdischarge final voltage' equal to or greater than 42V. Also the max charging is set at 20A, spec sheet says max 100A, recommended 40A. I have some other questions as well, full settings and questions are contained in the attached spreadsheet. Any help greatly appreciated! Axpert settings.xlsx

Hi all! I just bought a Kingor lithium battery that comes with an RJ45-USB cable. I does have its own app to connect PC to the BMS (haven't seen yet, but should be forthcoming next few days), but I was wondering if I can connect this cable between my battery and my Pi and use ICC for this function, like Pylontech can. When I look up the Pylontech cable, I see the same connectors, but also a little box in the cable. My cable has no little box :).

@ Coulomb: Txs!

Txs, Brani!