Amine Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 Hello Everyone I have two of MECER SOL-I-AX-5M Inverter connected in parallels, the current CPU version installed is 72.40 and i'm wondering if there is new one for this inverter module and how to install it and is there a chance to mess up the inverters or the system incase of an error during the process. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 7 hours ago, Amine said: I have two of MECER SOL-I-AX-5M Inverter connected in parallels, the current CPU version installed is 72.40 Just like my setup; just a few months older than mine. Quote and i'm wondering if there is new one for this inverter module Yes. You could go to 72.70 factory firmware, or 73.00e patched firmware. Quote and how to install it Instructions here. Quote and is there a chance to mess up the inverters or the system in case of an error during the process. There is. But you have two, right? More seriously, there is always a small risk, and whether it's worth the slight risk depends on what you want from the update. Do you use the LC Display a lot? Want to tinker with dynamic charge currents? Are you suffering from the premature float bugs? Amine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amine Posted June 29, 2020 Author Share Posted June 29, 2020 4 hours ago, Coulomb said: There is. But you have two, right? More seriously, there is always a small risk, and whether it's worth the slight risk depends on what you want from the update. Do you use the LC Display a lot? Want to tinker with dynamic charge currents? Are you suffering from the premature float bugs? Hi Coulomb Thanks for your reply Yes this is my father's in law setup we suing two but they are connected to the AC and we use them all the time if one is off the load sometimes will be higher for it to handle. Im using WatchPower to monitor the system and in my house im using AXPERT MKS 5KVA 48VOLT two of them connected in parallel and the CPU version installed is 74.30 (is there any firmware updates on this model?) The reason asked is in WatchPower with my Axpert inverters i get an extra section of battery equalization settings in parameters that i don't get in the other SOL (5KVA/4KW), and i was wondering if it was the firmware that causing that section not be on. Currently everything is working as we want, i'm just looking to have everything in order with latest updates and try to use it to its fulles. I really don't want to mess it up, i want to make it better not worse. regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 18 hours ago, Amine said: in my house im using AXPERT MKS 5KVA 48VOLT two of them connected in parallel and the CPU version installed is 74.30 (is there any firmware updates on this model?) The 73.00e I mentioned above was for the older models (5 kVA/4 kW). The above shows a 5 kVA/5 kW, the latest firmware for which is 74.40. There is also fully patched firmware 74.40e. 18 hours ago, Amine said: The reason asked is in WatchPower with my Axpert inverters i get an extra section of battery equalization settings in parameters that i don't get in the other SOL (5KVA/4KW), and i was wondering if it was the firmware that causing that section not be on. Yes, all the support for equalisation and its 8 or so settings came out after firmware version 73.00, and they have not back ported it. It's actually possible to run 74.40/74.40e in the older hardware, especially when using two machines in parallel (so it's unlikely that either machine will see more than 4 kW). I ran it myself for a week or two alpha testing 74.40e. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sass Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 @Coulomb is there any reaseon why my Axpert SOL-I-AX-5M inverter is overcharging the batteries? I run this inverter during the day for daytime solar use and also to charge my night time PV system Li-Ion batteries via the power output from time to time. Recently I notice the batteries are getting very hot and I have reverted to dropping the charge current right down on the batteries to 10A, yet they still seem to stay hot. I am concerned about this issue and now turn this PV system totally off during the use of my other PV system. Help me please! Thanks Sass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, Sass said: any reason why my Axpert SOL-I-AX-5M inverter is overcharging the batteries? All Axperts overshoot their targets; battery voltage is one of them. I keep hoping to find and fix the offending code, but I always end up in the weeds. The recommended bulk and float voltages for many LFP batteries (e.g. Pylontech at 53.2 V) are very close to the absolute max, BMS cutoff voltage (54.0 for Pylontechs). That's why I recommend using 52.5 V for bulk/absorb and 51.8 V for float voltage settings (for 15S LFP like Pylontechs). I don't see why this would be causing heating. Maybe when the battery voltage is near but not quite over the limit (say 53.8 V), the MOSFETs used to disconnect the battery actually run in linear mode. This would turn them into resistors, where they would dissipate far more heat than if they were fully on or fully off. That's just a wild guess. Edited February 15, 2022 by Coulomb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sass Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 @Coulombthank you. My Li-Ion set is charged with a different inverter and does not have that problem. This issue is on a flooded bank of floodeds, using the SOL-IX-5M inverter. I really need to do the firmeware update but I am VERY jittery about touching that inverter and do not want to brick the thing, let alone the fact that I do not fully inderstand the upgrade procedure as per your posts on the Australian power forum. (I am not that technically inclined) The kettle bug would really solve many issues, but what gets to me is this damn inverter defaults to a bulk charging of near 60V on a 48V bank. To me that is dangerous. Any suggestions? Perhaps you have a simplified firmware upgrade procedure somewhere? You help, as always, is invaluable and appreciated! Sass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 13 hours ago, Sass said: Any suggestions? Does the voltage reported by the inverter when lightly loaded or lightly charged agree with a multimeter at the battery terminals of the inverter? Either from the front panel or from a monitoring program. If the voltage reads low, that could explain the over-charging. The reading can be calibrated, but if it's inconsistent / intermittent, then it needs repair. It's a simple repair for anyone familiar with electronics; the parts cost well under $US1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sass Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Good morning @Coulomb No, the voltage differs. Please guide me with the procedure to repair the inverter? I have a lot of expertise working on electronic circuitry and the only thing I really do not like touch are those pesky SMC components. I do not mind attempting a dismantling and repair otherwise. Thank you Sass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 5 hours ago, Sass said: the only thing I really do not like touch are those pesky SMC components. Sorry, all electronics these days, with a few notable exceptions, are full of SMD components. Axperts (at least under the main board) are no exception. Quote Please guide me with the procedure to repair the inverter? I have a lot of expertise working on electronic circuitry You will be looking for the 8 resistors in 2 strings near the battery terminals. This photo is from an older model with the reverse polarity protection which no longer exists on the later models, but the basics will be the same, probably down to the part number designations (i.e. they will probably be labelled R29 - R36). My disassembly and reassembly guide is similarly dated, but should act as a reasonable guide. You might be lucky and find that one or more of the resistors is just off a little in value, and replace that that one or two. But the cost of the resistors is of the order of one US cent each, so you may as well replace them all, except that this increases the chances of needed to recalibrate the reading. Actually, if the measured value is consistent, you could probably get away with ONLY recalibrating the battery voltage measurement. I believe that you have a model without the removable display, so that simplifies the recalibration. But replacing the above resistors and spraying with a good conformal coating should future proof your inverter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sass Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Aaah, okay. I don't mind replacing those resistors. There is ample space to desolder and resolder based on the photograph. I will take a look and see what's required. You do list the resistor values I presume? Should not have an issue getting those. We have a large electronic component company a few kilometers away. Cheers mate, and thanks for the guidance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sass Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 @Coulomb Hmmm, just checked the post. There's no mention of the resistors/values? But what you said makes a lot of sense now. I always suspected the MPPT on this inverter wasn't functioning like it should! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 (edited) 10 hours ago, Sass said: There's no mention of the resistors/values? The values can vary depending on the model. In the photo, you can see that mine are all marked 1004, i.e. 100 x 10⁴ ohms, or 1MΩ. Check your actual marked values; sometimes one on the end of the string is a different value. Edited February 19, 2022 by Coulomb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulomb Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 10 hours ago, Sass said: We have a large electronic component company a few kilometers away. You might find that you need to order SMD parts online, or purchase a reel of 5000 parts if it's a really good store. There are so many values, sizes... I believe that these are M3216 size (imperial 1206), but again check with a calliper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sass Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 On 2022/02/19 at 2:57 AM, Coulomb said: The values can vary depending on the model. In the photo, you can see that mine are all marked 1004, i.e. 100 x 10⁴ ohms, or 1MΩ. Check your actual marked values; sometimes one on the end of the string is a different value. Aaah, thanks @Coulomb Silly me, I could have looked at the resistor markings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sass Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 On 2022/02/19 at 3:05 AM, Coulomb said: You might find that you need to order SMD parts online, or purchase a reel of 5000 parts if it's a really good store. There are so many values, sizes... I believe that these are M3216 size (imperial 1206), but again check with a calliper. The company in CT will sell those parts loose. They simply have a minimum charge, which is really not much. May pay me to buy all I can det for the minimum price and check each beforehand to select the ones with identical measurements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.