The setup

1 x Kodak OGS5.6 inverter
6 x 545 JA solar panels

1 x Pylontech US3000C battery

Using Comms cable supplied with inverter connected to BMS port on inverter and CAN port on the battery.

I know this cable works as I’ve previously used it with a Kodak OG-Plus 5.6 inverter to the same battery.

Inverter settings

01 = SbU
05 = PyL

All other settings are default

Firmware version 52.00

Error

After switching everything on as specified in the manual.

The manual states that after 1 minute or longer the battery icon should flash to indicate successful communication. This doesn’t happen.

After about 3 minutes the inverter starts beeping, flashing red and displays the error 61.

What I’ve tried

A different cable, same error.

The cable that came with the battery, same error.

To use 05 as USE with settings specified somewhere on this forum, same error.

Questions

Anyone know what the latest firmware version for this inverter is? If it’s later than 52.00 where do I get the latest?

Any other suggestions in trying to solve this issue?

 

Edited May 2, 20224 yr by JUA Solar
Spelling

Does this inverter not make use of RS485 Comms & not CAN Comms from the Pylontech?

According to their manual, it makes use of RS485 port on the battery. Also most importantly if parallel operations are sought, then one machine must have PYL setup on setting 5 and the others on USE. The one that has the battery RJ45 connected must have PYL.

 

Thank you. I did try the RS485 port with 1 dip switch on both settings no luck with provided cable or my own hopemade cable. I even tried it with a pylontech cable as recommended. No luck. Reason I listed the CAN connection is this is what worked on the OG-Plus.

Edited May 2, 20224 yr by JUA Solar

8 hours ago, JUA Solar said:

Anyone know what the latest firmware version for this inverter is? If it’s later than 52.00 where do I get the latest?

This is a fairly new model, hence the .00 firmware version. I am not aware of any firmware updates; the manufacturer will only give updates to customers that can prove beyond reasonable doubt that they desperately need it. This is presumably due to the clone situation.

The Axpert Max IIs have at least version 54.01, so there may be at least one minor revision later firmware on some units, but that's a guess. The MAX IIs are similar to the MKS IVs, but higher in power. So I guess that the firmware would be similar. The Kodak OGS5.6 seems to be an Axpert MKS IV in a yellow and red box, with warranty etc handled by Kodak South Africa.

Edit: as a point of interest, do these models with the (slightly) colour display have a U2 firmware version?

Edited May 2, 20224 yr by Coulomb

Yes they do, U2 = 22.01

Morning, still don’t know what to do now. With USR settings the inverter does not manage the battery. Hopefully Segen will get back to me today. The versions from the WatchPower app below.

Quote

Secondary CPU Firmware Version   00136.01

I'm curious how that displays on the front panel, since there are only 4 digits after the "U2".

So, An update from my side. 

The problem was as Segen told me an incompatibility between the battery firmware and the inverter firmware.

They downgraded the Secondary CPU Firmware and the communication worked.

 

Then everything seemed to be working fine until I connected a raspberry PI with SolarAssistant as a better visual monitoring system.

After this was connected however, overnight the Inverter failed and switched off WiFi and the USB port.

Segen then told me that the USB port is not for monitoring and that Is should buy an R232 port to connect the PI.

I did this. However, after this was connected the inverter stopped detecting the Grid connection. Even though there is 230V on the AC input cables to the inverter the inverter doesn't detect the Grid connection at all. No errors no warnings no flashing lights. The inverter supplies power to the loads from PV and battery and the PV charges the battery. It just does not detect the Grid. Segen and I are at a loss for what else to check. So any assistance would be appreciated. Been through the following trouble shooting steps. No flashing LED though.

On 2022/05/03 at 1:49 PM, Coulomb said:

I'm curious how that displays on the front panel, since there are only 4 digits after the "U2".

 

Awesome outcome, the guys at Segen are worth their salt!! I have only had good experiences with them also so far especially the Tech Boys. This is a good pairing with the Inverter and direct Comms. As many would say, you have accomplished the 1st Prize in Inverter and Battery pairing. 

4 hours ago, JUA Solar said:

So, An update from my side. 

The problem was as Segen told me an incompatibility between the battery firmware and the inverter firmware.

They downgraded the Secondary CPU Firmware and the communication worked.

 

Then everything seemed to be working fine until I connected a raspberry PI with SolarAssistant as a better visual monitoring system.

After this was connected however, overnight the Inverter failed and switched off WiFi and the USB port.

Segen then told me that the USB port is not for monitoring and that Is should buy an R232 port to connect the PI.

I did this. However, after this was connected the inverter stopped detecting the Grid connection. Even though there is 230V on the AC input cables to the inverter the inverter doesn't detect the Grid connection at all. No errors no warnings no flashing lights. The inverter supplies power to the loads from PV and battery and the PV charges the battery. It just does not detect the Grid. Segen and I are at a loss for what else to check. So any assistance would be appreciated. Been through the following trouble shooting steps. No flashing LED though.

@Steve87 I think you missed this. I have a bigger issue than the battery pairing now. The inverter does not see the Grid connection at all now. 😔 Not getting any replies from Segen Tech even though I've logged a call and spoken to them directly.

Im sorry yes I did not read the display. What I can say is that the 7.2MAX does have a Eaton Busman fuse for the input AC. So I assume the 5.6kW MKS4 will have something similar. Maybe have a look for it and check continuity...

I will check this. 

I know there is a 40A circuit breaker at number 10.

Not quite sure how this circuit breaker works though.

58 minutes ago, JUA Solar said:

Not quite sure how this circuit breaker works though.

If it trips, it pops out and you press it in to reset it.

Edit: if you have the breaker, I think you won't have the fuse (on AC-in).

Can you see ≈220 VAC at AC-in, measured carefully with a multimeter?

Does the inverter show non-zero volts for AC-in? I'm guessing that your photo shows AC-in as 0 V, 0 Hz, under "APL" at the left. 

Edited May 17, 20224 yr by Coulomb

2 minutes ago, Coulomb said:

If it trips, it pops out and you press it in to reset it.

Would this stop the inverter from detecting the grid connection?

6 minutes ago, JUA Solar said:

Would this stop the inverter from detecting the grid connection?

Please see edits to my post.

Yes, it would stop detection of AC-in, grid in your case.

23 minutes ago, Coulomb said:

If it trips, it pops out and you press it in to reset it.

Edit: if you have the breaker, I think you won't have the fuse (on AC-in).

Can you see ≈220 VAC at AC-in, measured carefully with a multimeter?

Does the inverter show non-zero volts for AC-in? I'm guessing that your photo shows AC-in as 0 V, 0 Hz, under "APL" at the left. 

Yes I get 225 volts on AC-in.

The inverter shows 0 volts at AC-in. You are correct.

We have tried pressing the black button on the breaker but nothing happened. Is there a certain order to follow or length of time it should be kept in?

Edited May 17, 20224 yr by JUA Solar

1 hour ago, JUA Solar said:

... but nothing happened. Is there a certain order to follow or length of time it should be kept in?

No. A brief but firm press should reset it. I have to say I've never heard of that breaker actually tripping, but there could always be a first time. And of course, I don't hear of everything that happens to every Axpert. (Just most of them, it seems sometimes 😓).

Either I'm wrong and there is also a fuse in there, which has blown (this was not uncommon with early Axpert MAXs I think), or something is loose or broken inside.

Edited May 17, 20224 yr by Coulomb

This is the said fuse for the MAX 7.2kW inverter and it sits in a place that is not accessible without breaking the warranty sticker on the side. 

I have installed a few MKS4's but I can't recall if it has the older design with the push in trip switch of the Max type design.