It seems the Goodwe Ezconverter is tough to get hold of.  Probably with the upgrade of the Goodwe from non-ARM to ARM (whatever that means), the Ezconverter is no longer required and no longer produced.  Local suppliers can't seem to find stock.  I'm talking to Goodwe China to find out if they can send me one.  Of course, if anyone has one lying around, I'd happily take it off your hands...

In the meantime, is there another way to get communication from the Pylontechs?  My thinking is hooking up a computer to them to read SoC, health etc.  I get the feeling that I'm getting way less than the 7kWh capacity from the two and would like a way of checking that.

 

 

41 minutes ago, Niel said:

non-ARM to ARM (whatever that means),

They probably switched from one processor to another for the internal control stuff. Right now ARM is very popular for embedded stuff, and everything uses it. FitBit for example uses an ARM Cortex M0 chip. The CCGX and the Venus-GX uses an ARM Cortex A8, and the Raspberry Pi and Nanopi uses an A7. The smaller M-chips usually aren't powerful enough to run a full OS (other than maybe FreeRTOS) and will usually run bare metal.

So I don't know what Goodwe has inside, but I think all the above means is that they upgraded the CPU board at some point and switched architectures. The old board is probably not getting new firmware, possibly isn't even powerful enough or doesn't have space, and does not support the stuff you need. Happens all the time, even Multichoice switched architectures between the PVR1 and the Explora.

Edited June 21, 20197 yr by plonkster

On 2019/06/21 at 7:45 PM, plonkster said:

I don't know what Goodwe has inside

I have an earlier firmware and it was Texas Instruments C2000 series. They were the go-to processor for inverters and motor controllers, but it seems that ARM are taking over in popularity. I suspect that the Chinese can make their own ARM compatible cores, since the design can be licensed. One less part to import from the USA.

An update:  Segen is waiting for three Ezconverters to reach our shores, one of which is allocated to me.  From what I gather, these weren't included in the package for earlier Goodwe's but now comes standard with the Goodwe.  But if you don't have one, even with a recent Goodwe model, the Pylontech's won't communicate with the inverter.  I don't understand where the ARM/ non-ARM aspect comes in.

And I'm pretty sure it's impossible to get the most out of the batteries if they don't communicate.  The SoC that the Goodwe calculates is way off compared to the lights on the Pylontech's.  It quickly calculates 20% SoC and stop using battery power while the Pylontechs appear to be more than 70% charged.  So without the Ezconverter, you're pretty much buggered.

 

Hi Niel,

Do you have an Goodwe ES or EM inverter? I have a GW5048-EM and it also doesn't have the option to select US3000 batteries. Trying to find out what the latest firmware version is (currently have 04046) and if that will fix it..

On 2019/06/27 at 9:25 PM, Niel said:

From what I gather, these weren't included in the package for earlier Goodwe's but now comes standard with the Goodwe.  But if you don't have one, even with a recent Goodwe model, the Pylontech's won't communicate with the inverter.  I don't understand where the ARM/ non-ARM aspect comes in.

How sure are you about this w.r.t. the newer models? I can find mention of the EzConverter in some of the older manuals, but it's not mentioned in the latest GoodWe ES literature at all.

I would like to be corrected. My 9-series S/N GoodWe 5084-ES is not talking BMS to my US3000s yet.

On 2019/06/29 at 10:59 AM, Allsorts said:

Hi Niel,

Do you have an Goodwe ES or EM inverter? I have a GW5048-EM and it also doesn't have the option to select US3000 batteries. Trying to find out what the latest firmware version is (currently have 04046) and if that will fix it..

We have the ES inverter.  When I started talking to the guys in China, they initially said the firmware upgrade (and latest app version) will do the trick but when I gave the serial number of the Goodwe, they said I require the Ezconverter to accommodate communication.

What happens when you select a Pylontech 2000 battery?  Does the inverter and Pylontech communicate with each other?  If so, do you use the Ezconverter?

 

23 hours ago, cpbotha said:

How sure are you about this w.r.t. the newer models? I can find mention of the EzConverter in some of the older manuals, but it's not mentioned in the latest GoodWe ES literature at all.

I would like to be corrected. My 9-series S/N GoodWe 5084-ES is not talking BMS to my US3000s yet.

I'm not sure at all.  Goodwe in China said I have a non-ARM Goodwe while the newer models are ARM.  They made it sound like I need the Ezconverter because it's an older Goodwe.  From discussions with Segen, earlier models did not ship with the Ezconverter and they later included this in the package.  This MIGHT be what Goodwe China meant, I'm not sure.  It might be worthwhile getting your hands on an Ezconverter and see what happens (or maybe wait and see if it solved my problem first).

6 hours ago, Niel said:

What happens when you select a Pylontech 2000 battery?  Does the inverter and Pylontech communicate with each other?  If so, do you use the Ezconverter?

 

The app says there is communication between the Inverter and batteries (and SOH = 100), but the SOC doesn't make sense if I look at the status on the batteries. And they don't charge regularly... but that could be another problem that I am busy investigating...

3 hours ago, Allsorts said:

The app says there is communication between the Inverter and batteries (and SOH = 100), but the SOC doesn't make sense if I look at the status on the batteries. And they don't charge regularly... but that could be another problem that I am busy investigating...

Please keep me updated.  It will be very concerning if the Goodwe's don't read a correct SoC. 

 

So I received the Ezconverter today.  No cables.  No instructions.  Not very impressed at the moment.

I think I know what to do after doing some online searching and looking at the Pylontech manual.  From the Pylontech to the Ezconverter seems simple enough:  identify pins 2, 4 and 5 and connect them to the 3 CAN pins on the Ezconverter.  The connection between the Goodwe and the Ezconverter is not that straight forward.  I looks like a regular network cable connection but it may not be that straightforward.  It looks like both ends need to be T568B, whatever that means.  I have the wires' colour-coding from a diagram so will check that and hope for the best.

 

Hope this helps.

5 minutes ago, GVC said:

Hope this helps.

Thanks, yes.  That's how I understood it as well.  I appreciate the confirmation.

Slide 35 is my source:  https://portal.segensolar.co.za/reseller/docs/GoodWePresentationUpdated.pdf

 

So I got the cables and did the installation according to the Pylontech and Goodwe manuals I could find, trying both the CAN and RS485 methods.  No luck.  What is unexpected is that neither the inverter nor batteries lights go on which I take to mean that the Ezconverter is not communicating with the batteries or the inverter.  I would think that at least comms with the inverter should be possible as they are both Goodwe.

Has anyone here actually got a Goodwe inverter and Pylontech batteries communicating?  I starting to wonder whether it is actually even possible.

 

9 minutes ago, Niel said:

Has anyone here actually got a Goodwe inverter and Pylontech batteries communicating?  I starting to wonder whether it is actually even possible.

I have a Goodwe GW5048-EM inverter talking with Pylontech US300s, but am still frustrated with some settings, or I am just slow..

I recently upgraded my Firmware which seemed to help (and no, I am not using an EZconverter). Currently I am running on Economic mode where the battery charge and discharge times are set for specific periods and it seems to behave as I expect it - whereas if I use the Backup mode it doesn't seem to behave as I expect it to.

Not sure if any of this helps, good luck though.

24 minutes ago, Allsorts said:

I have a Goodwe GW5048-EM inverter talking with Pylontech US300s, but am still frustrated with some settings, or I am just slow..

I recently upgraded my Firmware which seemed to help (and no, I am not using an EZconverter). Currently I am running on Economic mode where the battery charge and discharge times are set for specific periods and it seems to behave as I expect it - whereas if I use the Backup mode it doesn't seem to behave as I expect it to.

Not sure if any of this helps, good luck though.

Thanks, that helps.  At least I know it is possible (albeit with a more modern Goodwe).

Regarding back-up mode, I understand this to mean that the batteries are not cycled but kept fully charged for mains outages only.  Our Goodwe works quite well under the "self-use first" mode but does not seem to know the SoC of the batteries which means it's not efficient.

 

27 minutes ago, Niel said:

Regarding back-up mode, I understand this to mean that the batteries are not cycled but kept fully charged for mains outages only.  Our Goodwe works quite well under the "self-use first" mode but does not seem to know the SoC of the batteries which means it's not efficient.

Ok, let me re-phrase, I should have said:  I used to run on Self-use mode (use batteries up to say 60% DOD, and keep 40% for Backup), but also did not get the correct SOC. The reason I state that I did not get the correct SOC is:

1. The value on the PV Master (or SEMS portal) compared to the lights on the batteries did not quite match

2. The system would sometimes run in Self-use mode after I restarted everything, but after one cycle the SOC stayed at its backup cut-off value (40% in my case) and wouldn't charge the batteries (or so it says - but if I restart everything then suddenly the SOC is 100% - go figure)

After the FW upgrade it seemed to work, but then not anymore... On the economic mode at least I can see that the batteries are cycling according to the settings, but how efficient this is I am not sure - unless I can actually monitor the batteries separately and compare it to Goodwe's SEMS portal data.

That is also why I state that it behaves as expected - this is not 100% measured behaviour..

In saying that, it still bugs the living daylights out of me why the system doesn't behave as expected based on the set operation modes... my installer says I am simply using too much power and that the PV doesn't get time to charge the batteries based on the SEMS data.

Also, according to the Segen Solar, my selection for the US3000's are correct - US2000+ (there isn't a US3000 selection).

I am considering getting a new EZ Meter and CT to check if their replacement doesn't make a difference (based on a separate topic on this forum).

Isn't there somewhere and independent Goodwe know-it-all that can help us!?

42 minutes ago, Allsorts said:

Isn't there somewhere and independent Goodwe know-it-all that can help us!?

try Goodwe support. 

[email protected]

 

5 hours ago, Allsorts said:

Ok, let me re-phrase, I should have said:  I used to run on Self-use mode (use batteries up to say 60% DOD, and keep 40% for Backup), but also did not get the correct SOC. The reason I state that I did not get the correct SOC is:

1. The value on the PV Master (or SEMS portal) compared to the lights on the batteries did not quite match

2. The system would sometimes run in Self-use mode after I restarted everything, but after one cycle the SOC stayed at its backup cut-off value (40% in my case) and wouldn't charge the batteries (or so it says - but if I restart everything then suddenly the SOC is 100% - go figure)

After the FW upgrade it seemed to work, but then not anymore... On the economic mode at least I can see that the batteries are cycling according to the settings, but how efficient this is I am not sure - unless I can actually monitor the batteries separately and compare it to Goodwe's SEMS portal data.

That is also why I state that it behaves as expected - this is not 100% measured behaviour..

In saying that, it still bugs the living daylights out of me why the system doesn't behave as expected based on the set operation modes... my installer says I am simply using too much power and that the PV doesn't get time to charge the batteries based on the SEMS data.

Also, according to the Segen Solar, my selection for the US3000's are correct - US2000+ (there isn't a US3000 selection).

I am considering getting a new EZ Meter and CT to check if their replacement doesn't make a difference (based on a separate topic on this forum).

Isn't there somewhere and independent Goodwe know-it-all that can help us!?

Interesting, I also find that the lights on the Pylontechs don't correspond to what the PV Master tells me and I assumed that was because the Goodwe is trying to estimate the SoC.  It seems that may not be the case.

I have a question on the SoC lights on the Pylontechs.  Does 0/6 lights imply it's reached the 20% SoC limit or has the batteries run down to zero SoC?  In other words, do the lights refer to the 3552 Wh nominal capacity or the 3200 usable capacity?  At the moment I seem to get about 5kWh out of the two US3000's which is much less than I was hoping for.

While a local expert would be nice, Luke at Goodwe have been quite helpful in the past:  [email protected]

 

 

 

And I finally got it to work.  It turns out the little switches on the Ezconverter (0 to 5) was incorrect.  The communication is working and I see the charge/ discharge current limit was updated.

The battery is still set up as "self-defined" Li ion.  I'm not sure what to change this to as the US3000 is given as an option and I might just leave it as is for the time being.

A thank you to Segen, they were very helpful.  If anyone wants more info, I now have some experience on the Ezconverter!

 

I would like to report back on my post-March 2019 model GoodWe GW5048-ES + PylonTech US3000*2 adventures:

It turned out that firmware 151507 had a bug w.r.t. the BMS communication with these batteries.

After a quite painful process of getting the thing upgraded, we the BMS communication working perfectly.

Here also Segen was super helpful.

Notes to others: Although the manual says explicitly that one should NOT use EzFlash on post-March 2019 versions of this inverter, and only to use DataSend, the advice we got from Segen was that sometimes, if a flashing procedure went bad, one HAS to do the whole procedure: EzFlash master.out, EzFlash slave.out, datasend .bin, wifi firmware upgrade, reset to factory. In my case, this took the inverter from red fault led always on, to an almost 100% working state.

I say almost, because at the moment, the WiFi went a bit wonky (it's mostly up, but sometimes mysteriously down), and the PV Master app is reporting my non-backup-circuit loads as being on the backup circuit.

27 minutes ago, cpbotha said:

I say almost, because at the moment, the WiFi went a bit wonky (it's mostly up, but sometimes mysteriously down), and the PV Master app is reporting my non-backup-circuit loads as being on the backup circuit.

Update: Thanks to the GeyserWise manual switches I have just now established that indeed one of the geysers was accidentally moved to the backup circuit during the 60A -> 80A upgrade work. One of the uber patient electricians will hopefully remedy this tomorrow.

By the way, GoodWe with BMS and correct SOC works substantially better than out.

On 2019/07/16 at 8:13 PM, Niel said:

And I finally got it to work.  It turns out the little switches on the Ezconverter (0 to 5) was incorrect.  The communication is working and I see the charge/ discharge current limit was updated.

The battery is still set up as "self-defined" Li ion.  I'm not sure what to change this to as the US3000 is given as an option and I might just leave it as is for the time being.

A thank you to Segen, they were very helpful.  If anyone wants more info, I now have some experience on the Ezconverter!

 

I would like to have a chat. Also have an ES5048 - older version, plus Pylontech US2000 P LI... And just received the Ezconverter. Not sure how to wire and power it!

3 hours ago, Octerain said:

I would like to have a chat. Also have an ES5048 - older version, plus Pylontech US2000 P LI... And just received the Ezconverter. Not sure how to wire and power it!

Send me your email address and I'll send you some documents and photos.

 

 

It's almost a week and everything seems to be working fine.  It is however interesting to see how the BMS manages the batteries.  When the SoC is under 50% (approx), the charge current is limited to 29A (that is for both US3000's).  As the SoC increases, this increases to the max of 76A.  I'm sure this is to prolong the battery life, probably charging too quickly when depleted causes damage/ wear.  It does however mean that they don't charge at full capacity in the morning and significantly quicker in the afternoon.  So if you have a NE and NW facing roof and plan to use Pylontech's, place more panels on the NW and less on the NE.  And/ or move some more load to the morning and less to the afternoon.