How To: Schneider and EG4 Battery Integration

[SignatureSolarJames]

This video should cover everything, if you have any issues pls let us know in the comments below or share your success system images.

IMPORTANT: you do not need to buy the Schneider battery monitor if you buy these batteries; save yourself some money pls.

 

[Old_Skewler]

This video should cover everything, if you have any issues pls let us know in the comments below or share your success system images.

James,

Could you double check on your end whether the actual firmware file for the EG4 LP4 is available for download or not? I don't want to sidetrack this, but every single time I call SignatureSolar to get an update on the Schneider firmware release for the EG4 LP they tell me they have no idea what I am talking about - literally.

Could you just post the link to the correct EG4-LP4 Schneider firmware update once released?

Thanks!

 

[SignatureSolarJames]

James,

Could you double check on your end whether the actual firmware file for the EG4 LP4 is available for download or not? I don't want to sidetrack this, but every single time I call SignatureSolar to get an update on the Schneider firmware release for the EG4 LP they tell me they have no idea what I am talking about - literally.

Could you just post the link to the correct EG4-LP4 Schneider firmware update once released?

Thanks!

It is now in the firmware posted on the EG4 website, there is no specific firmware, if you have the latest it will work

*Firmware

 

[SignatureSolarJames]

 

[Old_Skewler]

It is now in the firmware posted on the EG4 website, there is no specific firmware, if you have the latest it will work

*Firmware

@SignatureSolarJames,

I wanted to share with you that the firmware file YS00_SW0207_HW0205_Update_For_48V.binc stored in the zip file linked above does not load up correctly with my EG4 LifePower4 48V battery with hardware type 207. During the firmware update I get the following upgrade failed notice: "Inconsistent Hardware Version Number". Please see screenshot below indicating the EG4 LP4 Hardware Type (207) and the matching firmware file.

Could you please run this internally and get back to me with a solution or revised firmware file?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Old_Skewler]

@SignatureSolarJames ,

I posted the screenshot so that you can check what I believe to be the problem: your HW205 file for the 48V EG4 is loading up as HW0502 and therefore not upgrading the battery correctly returning a mismatched hardware version. I suspect the appropriate person on your end should be able to easily confirm the problem assuming the person also downloads from the same link you posted above.

 

[JacksonSolar]

Use this File

 

[Old_Skewler]

Use this File

Who are you and where did you get this file?

 

[JacksonSolar]

I am the R&D manager for Signature solar

 

[Old_Skewler]

I am the R&D manager for Signature solar

Jackson, that is great you were able to jump on this and possibly have the correct firmware file for the EG4 LP4 48V HW0207 batteries.

Could I just ask that you upload this file on Signature Solar website or have another one of your SignatureSolar colleagues confirm the authenticity of this file? Listen, you have two posts in the forum and a generic name. I can't take your file and upload to my battery. I hope you understand how this seems from my perspective.

I would really appreciate though if you could update the SignatureSolar firmware link page with the correct file, after all, this is not only for me but for anyone else looking for this update.

 

[BenFromSignatureSolar]

Jackson, that is great you were able to jump on this and possibly have the correct firmware file for the EG4 LP4 48V HW0207 batteries.

Could I just ask that you upload this file on Signature Solar website or have another one of your SignatureSolar colleagues confirm the authenticity of this file? Listen, you have two posts in the forum and a generic name. I can't take your file and upload to my battery. I hope you understand how this seems from my perspective.

I would really appreciate though if you could update the SignatureSolar firmware link page with the correct file, after all, this is not only for me but for anyone else looking for this update.

I can confirm that the file @JacksonSolar posted is accurate.

We will follow up to make sure that the correct download is available at eg4electronics.com

 

[Old_Skewler]

@BenFromSignatureSolar & @JacksonSolar

A few live updates:

1. The firmware file @JacksonSolar posted worked correctly with my EG4 LP4 HW0207. See screenshot below after firmware upgrade:



2. I was able to also add my EG4 LP to my Schneider InsightHome, following SignatureSolar video tutorial.

3. But something seems to be off: after adding/connecting the EG4 to InsightHome, the inverter has an event "Battery Discharge Overcurrent" while there is not even a load on the inverter. See message error below:



4. After disconnecting the EG4 from the InsightHome, the inverter goes back to normal operation without any event nor faults. See screenshot below showing the inverter in operational mode and the EG4 BMS offline.



Any thoughts on what could be going on here?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hootch406]

@BenFromSignatureSolar & @JacksonSolar

A few live updates:

1. The firmware file @JacksonSolar posted worked correctly with my EG4 LP4 HW0207. See screenshot below after firmware upgrade:

View attachment 120370

2. I was able to also add my EG4 LP to my Schneider InsightHome, following SignatureSolar video tutorial.

3. But something seems to be off: after adding/connecting the EG4 to InsightHome, the inverter has an event "Battery Discharge Overcurrent" while there is not even a load on the inverter. See message error below:

View attachment 120373

4. After disconnecting the EG4 from the InsightHome, the inverter goes back to normal operation without any event nor faults. See screenshot below showing the inverter in operational mode and the EG4 BMS offline.

View attachment 120374

Any thoughts on what could be going on here?

Thanks in advance!

I am going to integrate my Lifepower4 batteries as well. Did you ever get an answer?

 

[Hootch406]

@BenFromSignatureSolar & @JacksonSolar

A few live updates:

1. The firmware file @JacksonSolar posted worked correctly with my EG4 LP4 HW0207. See screenshot below after firmware upgrade:

View attachment 120370

2. I was able to also add my EG4 LP to my Schneider InsightHome, following SignatureSolar video tutorial.

3. But something seems to be off: after adding/connecting the EG4 to InsightHome, the inverter has an event "Battery Discharge Overcurrent" while there is not even a load on the inverter. See message error below:

View attachment 120373

4. After disconnecting the EG4 from the InsightHome, the inverter goes back to normal operation without any event nor faults. See screenshot below showing the inverter in operational mode and the EG4 BMS offline.

View attachment 120374

Any thoughts on what could be going on here?

Thanks in advance!

Did this get resolved?

 

[Old_Skewler]

Did this get resolved?

The short answer is yes:

- I was able to connect the EG4 to the Schneider Conext
- Conext reads battery info correctly
- I can read EG4 data on InsightHome local network

The issue I thought I was having seems to be random and it hasn't happened again.

The only issue I seem to have is the fac that I can't control inverter charger based on EG4 SOC. Apparently the SW4048 does not support that, which makes no sense to me since the menu options are there.

At this point I am satisfied with the combo and don't even care that much to follow up on this last thing, so I feel like my setup has been basically commissioned.

 

[GVSolar]

The short answer is yes:

- I was able to connect the EG4 to the Schneider Conext
- Conext reads battery info correctly
- I can read EG4 data on InsightHome local network

The issue I thought I was having seems to be random and it hasn't happened again.

The only issue I seem to have is the fac that I can't control inverter charger based on EG4 SOC. Apparently the SW4048 does not support that, which makes no sense to me since the menu options are there.

At this point I am satisfied with the combo and don't even care that much to follow up on this last thing, so I feel like my setup has been basically commissioned.

Exactly what data are you able to read from the EG4? SOC, voltage, cell deviation, etc? Thx.

 

[Old_Skewler]

Exactly what data are you able to read from the EG4? SOC, voltage, cell deviation, etc? Thx.

I am not in my cabin to give you a print screen but IIRC it provides everything I need but the individual cells: SOC, Temp, current, health.

Maybe it gives cell deviation but i'd need to confirm.

 

[n2aws]

I've got an XW pro, with a couple of the schneider charge controllers. I've set them as the manual says for the lifepower4. 56.2v for bulk and absorb, 54 for float.

before the bank (of 6) gets to 56.2v, the batteries go into overvoltage protection, and shuts my inverter down.
I notice in the manual for the LL's, that it recommends 55.5 for bulk and absorb, and 54v for float. I believe they use the same cells.. so I suspect that 56.2v is a mistake in the manual. Can someone confirm? Is it supposed to be 55.5 or 56.2 for the lifepower4? (I've tried both. 55.5 doesn't cause an issue, and allows the CC's to float/export energy. 56.2 consistently causes the inverter to fault due to the BMS reporting an overvoltage.

 

[Old_Skewler]

I've got an XW pro, with a couple of the schneider charge controllers. I've set them as the manual says for the lifepower4. 56.2v for bulk and absorb, 54 for float.

before the bank (of 6) gets to 56.2v, the batteries go into overvoltage protection, and shuts my inverter down.
I notice in the manual for the LL's, that it recommends 55.5 for bulk and absorb, and 54v for float. I believe they use the same cells.. so I suspect that 56.2v is a mistake in the manual. Can someone confirm? Is it supposed to be 55.5 or 56.2 for the lifepower4?

It is frustrating and absurd that the vendor, which sells both batteries and inverters, would not put an end to this question. The battery manual has one information, the battery spec sheet another setpoints, the battery website lists yet other settings, and every time I call for support they give me different settings. I just don't understand why they would not get to the bottom of this and lock the correct settings for the EG4 + Conext system. I've struggled with this since purchasing my system.

In any case, for what's worth here are the settings that currently are working for me:

CONEXT SETTINGS_INVERTER
Maximum Charge Rate: 75%
Bulk/Boost Voltage Set Point: 57.6V
Bulk Termination Voltage: 56.8V
Absorption Voltage Set Point: 56.8V
Recharge Voltage: 51V
Low Battery Cut Out: 47V
High Battery Cut Out: 58V

 

[n2aws]

Exactly what data are you able to read from the EG4? SOC, voltage, cell deviation, etc? Thx.

It doesn't show cell deviation, but here is a screenshot.