Closed Loop Comms between Sol-Ark 15k and EG4 LL batteries

[BenFromSignatureSolar]

We get a ton of calls and messages regarding how this is done. Here is a full video showing how to close loop communicate with the Sol-Ark 15k. James will also show here how to update the LLV1 to communicate with the solark. This protocol is also used for Victron, Deye, Megarevo, Luxpower, Growatt, and EG4. I hope this helps clarify!

 

[Clint-L]

Super exciting. Has anyone flashed their EG4-LL V1’s yet successfully??

 

[nagender03]

I did flash all my 6 batteries. They do now talk to my sol-ark 15k. One thing to remember is that to use the address for the batteries other than zero when connecting to sol-ark. I initially had it set to start at zero and did not work but once i started at 1 they all started to talk.

 

[Clint-L]

Did you then just start at 1 then go to 6 on them?

 

[nagender03]

Did you then just start at 1 then go to 6 on them?

Yes

 

[Clint-L]

Yes

Awesome. Signature Solar didn't seem to have the cable, but I bought it on Amazon a couple days ago. It should arrive today. This shall be my Saturday night project!

 

[nagender03]

Awesome. Signature Solar didn't seem to have the cable, but I bought it on Amazon a couple days ago. It should arrive today. This shall be my Saturday night project!

I ordered one too, but listening to the pinouts couple times striked me that it was same cable I use for solar assistant

 

[tyrone]

Does anyone know if flashing the EG4-LL V1 to the new firmware make it work in closed loop with Schneider XW Pro and their Insight Home device?

 

[awindenberger]

I did flash all my 6 batteries. They do now talk to my sol-ark 15k. One thing to remember is that to use the address for the batteries other than zero when connecting to sol-ark. I initially had it set to start at zero and did not work but once i started at 1 they all started to talk.

So just to confirm, all 6 of your batteries are the EG4-LL V1? You don't have any of the V2 to act as the master like they mentioned in the video.

 

[Clint-L]

So just to confirm, all 6 of your batteries are the EG4-LL V1? You don't have any of the V2 to act as the master like they mentioned in the video.

Yep. I’m on my second one right now. Didn’t get cable until late yesterday. First one went perfectly. Once I get all done, I’ll connect them. Fingers still crossed! ??‍???

 

[Clint-L]

I did flash all my 6 batteries. They do now talk to my sol-ark 15k. One thing to remember is that to use the address for the batteries other than zero when connecting to sol-ark. I initially had it set to start at zero and did not work but once i started at 1 they all started to talk.

I flashed mine this morning. Solark 15k sees them, but it is only seeing as one battery. I’ve got the dip switches configured for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Solark is plugged in to CAN of pack number 1.

Question - Are you able to get the additional screen on your Solark that shows each battery ID? I’ve seen it when I’ve connected other battery manufactured.

 

[awindenberger]

I flashed mine this morning. Solark 15k sees them, but it is only seeing as one battery. I’ve got the dip switches configured for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Solark is plugged in to CAN of pack number 1.

Question - Are you able to get the additional screen on your Solark that shows each battery ID? I’ve seen it when I’ve connected other battery manufactured.

Looking at this video from EG4, it seems that you should have the Sol-Ark plugged into the RS485 port instead.

 

[Clint-L]

Looking at this video from EG4, it seems that you should have the Sol-Ark plugged into the RS485 port instead.

@awindenberger these batteries do NOT communicate to Solark over RS485. It is CANbus to CANbus. You cannot mix said protocols.

The video you posted is not a Solark.

 

[BenFromSignatureSolar]

Does anyone know if flashing the EG4-LL V1 to the new firmware make it work in closed loop with Schneider XW Pro and their Insight Home device?

Yes, it will.

 

[BenFromSignatureSolar]

Looking at this video from EG4, it seems that you should have the Sol-Ark plugged into the RS485 port instead.

This video is dated and no longer viable.

 

[Clint-L]

@BenFromSignatureSolar - I have 6 of the V1 EG4-LL communicating with a Solark 15k.

Question - is the only screen we should see available on the Solark is the one screen that simply shows the combined battery AH (600AH for 6 of them) or should we be able to see the secondary screen that would show each pack? On some other batteries I’ve worked with on Solark I’m able to see a secondary screen that breaks out each battery SOC, V, A, etc. just wanting to ensure I’m not missing something. I’m going to be updating two of my other Solark customers in the next week or so that have the EG4-LL packs.

FYI - I have pack one addressed as “1” and then so on through “6”.

Thank you!!!!

 

[BenFromSignatureSolar]

@BenFromSignatureSolar - I have 6 of the V1 EG4-LL communicating with a Solark 15k.

Question - is the only screen we should see available on the Solark is the one screen that simply shows the combined battery AH (600AH for 6 of them) or should we be able to see the secondary screen that would show each pack? On some other batteries I’ve worked with on Solark I’m able to see a secondary screen that breaks out each battery SOC, V, A, etc. just wanting to ensure I’m not missing something. I’m going to be updating two of my other Solark customers in the next week or so that have the EG4-LL packs.

FYI - I have pack one addressed as “1” and then so on through “6”.

Thank you!!!!

To the best of my knowledge it is only the one screen. You will need to connect a laptop to each battery and use the BMS software to isolate them. I'll look more into it tomorrow, I'm not as familiar with Solark inverters as I probably should be.

 

[Clint-L]

To the best of my knowledge it is only the one screen. You will need to connect a laptop to each battery and use the BMS software to isolate them. I'll look more into it tomorrow, I'm not as familiar with Solark inverters as I probably should be.

Thank you. Sounds good. Yes we use the BMS software on a laptop. We set the time/dates etc.

Before getting connected to Solark with CANbus, I had a laptop setup that I could Remote Desktop in to so I could see all of the packs remotely. . I had to build a cable with some keystone jacks that basically made them share the same Ethernet pair for all packs. Unfortunately, that will no longer work for battery pack number 1 that has the CAN cable plugged in to it. It seems like they don’t like having both. The other packs still let the BMS software connect from Windows while in closed communication with the Solark.

Thank you again! You guys have been great to get this all figured out!!!

 

[tyrone]

Yes, it will.

Thanks.

 

[BenW]

I flashed mine this morning. Solark 15k sees them, but it is only seeing as one battery. I’ve got the dip switches configured for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Solark is plugged in to CAN of pack number 1.

Question - Are you able to get the additional screen on your Solark that shows each battery ID? I’ve seen it when I’ve connected other battery manufactured.

My 15K only shows the one screen. On page 5 of https://www.sol-ark.com/wp-content/...y-Communications-Integration-Guide-V2.8-1.pdf, it shows that for CanBus it will only show limited data. Page 6 is for RS485 connections and they get detailed battery data.
Also, for others, when updating firmware I had to use comm port 3 on the PIC Update 9600 screen. On Sol-Ark select (“BMS Lithium Batt 00”).
The cable that Signature Solar sent to me for computer to battery comms back in February works for the update. Doesn't look like the one in the video above.