Hi All, 

 

I purchased the Sacolar 5Kva Inverter (Axpert Type) and have it setup with 4x 580W JA Solar panels. I'm currently using it with 4x 100ah Lead Acid Batteries ( Until I get the funds to go Lithium). The system works good with no issues, however, I cannot get it to do monitoring via USB. I've tried all sorts of different software including Watch Power & purchasing Solar Assistant. Nothing works. When plugged into a Window Pc, it detects as a USB Serial communication/device however it doesn't show any data at all.
Is there something I'm missing or could I have a fault communication board? 

 

Inverter >
https://shop.thesunpays.co.za/collections/axpert-inverters/products/sacolar-wifi-compatible-5kva-5kw-pure-sine-wave-axpert-type-inverter-100a-high-voltage-mppt-parallel

 

Any help/advice appreciated.

In device manager does the cable install correctly and add an extra "Port"

Often the cheaper cables are "Clones" that make the original drivers unhappy and they need to be manually installed

It does install as USB serial device (COM4).Just doesnt read any data at all from the Inverter. I've tried multiple cables including the original that was included.

12 hours ago, ztec said:

I've tried all sorts of different software including Watch Power & purchasing Solar Assistant. Nothing works.

I see your inverter has a USB port, have you tried to use a 'printer cable' and connect directly to USB on the PC? If you have one you could try multisibcontrol.net which works with most 'Axpert Type' inverters.

I see that the manual for your inverter (https://thesunpays.com/downloads/files/Sacolar Manual/5kw high MPPT voltage_221013_143640.pdf) doesn't actually show what the pinout should be for serial communication. Did you ask TSP for the pinout to be able to check that the supplied serial cable is indeed correct? You can use a multimeter with continuity to check this easily.

 

I'm having the same issue with a Sacolar M5000H-48 inverter. I've pretty much tried everything, nothing works. My last attempt is to try the Wi-Fi kit, however I doubt it is compatible with Iot platforms like HomeAssistant.io,etc.

If anyone manages to solve the connectivity issue, please reach out

I have 2 x Sacolar Sunforce 5kw inverters, they work perfectly fine via Solar Assistant.

Are you sure you're selecting them in the connection menu and enabling the connection?

Hi ztec,

In Solar Assistant.

Model Growatt SPF

INVERTER USB PORTS: USB1.......

BATTERY: USB TO SERIAL RS232/485, USB0......

 

It worked for me on the Blue Sacolar 5kW inverter. Much better than the tspsolarbot.

In Solar assistant,

Select Growatt SPF inverter, USB0.....

Battery, USB to Serial RS232/485, USB1.....

Or use the tspsolarbot on the raspberry PI. 

Hi, please assist. We have installed a Sacolar inverter and would like to manage it remotely. What is the best App to use? We have tried PV Butler, it worked for a few days then stopped working. 

6 hours ago, Jaques said:

Hi, please assist. We have installed a Sacolar inverter and would like to manage it remotely. What is the best App to use? We have tried PV Butler, it worked for a few days then stopped working. 

https://solar-assistant.io/shop/products/device_opi3lts

Hi, just came here to post my issues with the 5kVA sacolar and saw this post. I've tried nearly everything. Connecting to the USB-B brings up a serial converter (tty on Mac/linux) but no data is output using various Python scripts I found on Github. Bought a USB-A to A cable to try the USB dongle port, but I don't even get a tty with that. Last tried using an RJ-45 to DB9 + DB9 to USB converter to use the RS-485 port. On that one I got some gibberish data when using a PC (a serial converter shows up on Mac but no data).

Next I may buy a RS-485 to USB converter. It's possible the gibberish data might be readable with that.

je Use growatt wifi-f dongle, and grawatt app.

everything is ok with my SACOLAR m6000hx-48-bp ( very latest model from SACOLAR.

 

 

 

I had the same problem but with the 'Sacolar - Wi-Fi Module' for remote monitoring and 'PV Butler WiFi' I have no problem. I use to use a pi with 'TSPBOT' and it work mutch better, but it is not supported anymore. I don't like the way 'PV Butler' works. its layout and functions.

Well, it's sometime later now and my Module and PV Butler still up and running. I have progressed with my own app. I am using RPI 3b with busmod lib and is reading all the info from my Sacolar. its up for 3 weeks and drops my data once a while. Still not sure where the problem is, but I am in the process of coding it to a ESP32. Only need to check the pin connections of the usb to RS485