I will be replacing my Axpert 3K inverter with the Axpert 4K inverter.

My question I am seeking an answer is this:

Currently I connect my Raspberry Pi via the USB port on the Pi,  to the USB port on the Axpert 3K inverter.

How do I connect my Raspberry Pi to the Axpert 4K inverter as it only has an ethernet port?

Do I connect the inverter and pi using an ethernet cable?

If so a straight cable or cross over?

 

Inverter Info:

Axpert Mks 4K 48VDC Inverter.

4 x 370W PV Panels

4 x 12V 200Ah Deltec (Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Gel batteries

Axpert MKS-MKS-1-5KVA manual-compressed.pdf

17 hours ago, TimNiekerk said:

How do I connect my Raspberry Pi to the Axpert 4K inverter as it only has an ethernet port?

It is not an ethernet port.  It is a serial port output.  Did you buy this inverter 2nd hand?  Only really old models only have serial port.

If you bought it new, you should have received a cable that looks like ethernet on the one side and serial port on the other end.

If you bought it second hand, I think you got screwed a bit, but you can make your own cable:

You need a Serial -> USB converter (takealot is your friend)

Edited March 27, 20205 yr by Gnome

58 minutes ago, Gnome said:

It is not an ethernet port.  It is a serial port output.  Did you buy this inverter 2nd hand?  Only really old models only have serial port.

If you bought it new, you should have received a cable that looks like ethernet on the one side and serial port on the other end.

If you bought it second hand, I think you got screwed a bit, but you can make your own cable:

You need a Serial -> USB converter (takealot is your friend)

Thanks a lot. I had figured thru other discussions that I need the RJ45 - RS232 cable (which I have) and then a Serial to USB converter (which I need to get).

Thanks for the validation.

The inverter is new, at lease new from the supplier.

3 hours ago, TimNiekerk said:

Serial to USB converter (which I need to get).

21 days my guy 😭

Also if you find yourself googling for alternatives and realize that Raspberry Pi has a serial port, keep in my in mind the Axpert serial port has voltages that are outside that allowed by the Raspberry Pi (3.3v for RPi).  So it will fry your Raspberry Pi.  But that takealot USB -> Serial converter I posted will work for you.  Other alternatives you'll have to make sure before using it.

Edited March 27, 20205 yr by Gnome

On 2020/03/27 at 12:54 AM, TimNiekerk said:

Inverter Info:

Axpert Mks 4K 48VDC Inverter.

I note that this isn't a real Axpert, it's a clone. So the wiring for the RS-232 port depends on how accurately they copied the 2014 Axpert (I run two genuine 2015 Axperts (PIP-4048MS) with similar specifications except that the 2015 models have the USB as well as the RS-232 serial ports). It's 99% likely that they use the same pinouts as a genuine Axpert. Hopefully it came with an RJ-45 to serial cable, like the Axperts it was copied from. You should then be able to use a standard USB to serial adapter to talk to it.

Use the USB port. You can also download sample Python scripts to read the port (USB-Serial)

 

 

@TimNiekerk: You may want to consider returning it and getting a genuine one.  What is the make you bought & where did you buy it from?

On 2020/03/28 at 6:41 AM, Coulomb said:

I note that this isn't a real Axpert, it's a clone. So the wiring for the RS-232 port depends on how accurately they copied the 2014 Axpert (I run two genuine 2015 Axperts (PIP-4048MS) with similar specifications except that the 2015 models have the USB as well as the RS-232 serial ports). It's 99% likely that they use the same pinouts as a genuine Axpert. Hopefully it came with an RJ-45 to serial cable, like the Axperts it was copied from. You should then be able to use a standard USB to serial adapter to talk to it.

I was wondering why it didn't have a USB port.  That explains it.

Edited March 30, 20205 yr by Gnome