can you post that video here for me as well? or if you can PM it to me. Thanks
Closed Loop Comms between Sol-Ark 15k and EG4 LL batteries
- Thread starter BenFromSignatureSolar
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BenFromSignatureSolar
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tamingilman
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Sol-Ark 15K with 6 LifePower EG4s. Was a firmware released for these to allow closed loop? Is this still in the works? Thanks
I have a Sol-Ark 12K with three 48V EG4 LiFePower bats. I would like to do closed loop comm with these bats and my Sol-Ark.
In the following video, SigSolar shows that comm can be established via CAN to an EG4 LL. Then the LL will act as a master via RS485
to a chain of LifePower bats via RS485. The video shows a Victron as the inverter, BUT SS(Ben) states that this will work with a Sol-Ark as well.
Has anyone tried this?
-TBoone
In the following video, SigSolar shows that comm can be established via CAN to an EG4 LL. Then the LL will act as a master via RS485
to a chain of LifePower bats via RS485. The video shows a Victron as the inverter, BUT SS(Ben) states that this will work with a Sol-Ark as well.
Has anyone tried this?
-TBoone
Lips2000
New Member
Hoping you are still checking on this topic as I am looking for an assist.
I currently have EG4-LL (V2) Mastered to my Sol-Ark 15K in closed loop comms. Works great.
Unfortunately, the 5 other EG4-LifePower4 batteries are not being seen (?) by the Sol-Ark as it only has the limits and total AMPs for the single LL V2.
All 5 EG4-LifePower4 batteries are showing Hardware version 207 since updating with the August 24th firmware from EG4.
I have the LL V2 connected to out of Batt Comm port to the first EG4-LifePower4 and daisy-chained from there. The LL V2 is set to #1 and the other EG4-LifePower4 batteries are #2-6 (confirmed).
Is there a newer firmware version I am missing?
Any help would be most appreciated.
Thank you.
Mark
Yes I am monitoring. However, since I have not verified that it works, I am still waiting to purchase an EG4 LL in addition to the 3 EG4s LiFePowers that I already have. I assume you have contacted SignatureSolar? If so, what do they tell you?
I did purchase SolarAssistant ( https://solar-assistant.io/ ) and it works well as advertised. It allows me to
monitor my Sol-Ark as well as all my EG4s. Not a perfect solution but much better than PowerView.
-TBoone
I did purchase SolarAssistant ( https://solar-assistant.io/ ) and it works well as advertised. It allows me to
monitor my Sol-Ark as well as all my EG4s. Not a perfect solution but much better than PowerView.
-TBoone
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BenFromSignatureSolar
Solar Addict
This video should answer some of the questions that have come up in this thread
linuxdrake
Solar Beginner - Electrician / Hardware Engineer
Video link need seems dead Ben, error: This video isn't available anymore
@BenFromSignatureSolar - I'm also interested in closed loop from EG-4 inverters (2) and EG-4LL v2 batteries... I have them sitting on a bench now.
BenFromSignatureSolar
Solar Addict
Let me see what's going on with that...
BenFromSignatureSolar
Solar Addict
What issues are you having?
I have EG-4LL V2s with 6-position DIP switches.
While just "bench testing" the batteries with BMS. Following the manual directions that indicate battery #1 is set to ID1, this results in "garbage" communication with BMS, meaning it's communicating, but protocol is not correct.
If I set battery #1 to ID2 (subsequent batteries to +1), BMS works fine via the RS485 port. Just for a single battery. None of the other batteries show up without connecting directly to their RS485 ports. This makes me think that closed loop communications with an inverter will be a problem and I see many people posting here to set the inverter(s) to USE mode to work around.
Question:
Are subsequent battery communications (supplied 1 ft green wire) connected from battery port (bat 1) to com port (bat 2), bat 2 battery port to battery 3 com port, etc? Should these show in BMS without connecting directly?
I'd love to see a setup video on the EG-4 inverter(s) and several EG-4LL V2 batteries.
Last edited:
BenFromSignatureSolar
Solar Addict
Try it here, it's pulling up on my phone and computer
Lips2000
New Member
BenFromSignatureSolar
Solar Addict
You can find the latest version of all firmware at eg4electronics.com
BenFromSignatureSolar
Solar Addict
Send me your info and I'll get someone in touch to help you out. (Name and email address)
linuxdrake
Solar Beginner - Electrician / Hardware Engineer
@BenFromSignatureSolar Quick question here on topic, I got Closed Loop to work now with my 12x EG4-LL v2's but not sure if the settings for the Float V, Absorb V, Equalize V and Batt Empty V are correct. They are all 56V, do you have correct values to use?
If you're running closed loop, isn't that stuff handled for you? User would mean those values are used.. (please correct me)
linuxdrake
Solar Beginner - Electrician / Hardware Engineer
That's where I am not sure myself. I would of expected it, The EG4-LL manual states:
1. Bulk/Absorption: 56.2V (+/- .2V)
2. Float: 54V (+/- .2V)
3. Low DC cutoff: 47-44V*
But they are 56Float, 56Absorb, 56 Equal in the unit. Should we not disable equalization as well? As that is for Lead Acid to break up sulfur on the plates etc, and not useful on Lithium?
I am also curious as I plan to integrate a Solar Assistant, and if so closed loop will be lost. As you have to change the "Master" battery to ID2 to allow Solar Assistant to work.
As I understand it, typical standard closed loop comm automatically reports this info to the inverter as well as temperature, state of charge, error codes, etc..Basically its the same info that you see when you hook up with BMS Test. Very basic RS232 serial port communications like we had before the internet. It isn't rocket science.
It's a little disconcerting with the EG-4LL V2s as the BMS test cannot currently see more than one battery at once without direct connection to each battery.
Lips2000
New Member
After much hair pulling and a replaced LL V2 battery (bad logic board), I have *finally* gotten closed loop working well with my Sol-Ark 15k.
I currently have a single LL V2 "mastered" to the SA 15K and 5 LifePower4 batteries connected in series to the LL V2 using the BATT/COMMS ports.
The most frustrating part is the manual is wrong on how to select protocol on the LL V2. It says to put it in ID 16 and press and hold the ENTER button for 5 secs. That is wrong.
Place all DIP switches (the newer V2 have 6 DIPs) to the right (away from their number), recycle power on BMS and then press and hold RETURN (!) for 5 seconds. Select the Sol-Ark protocol, place DIPs back to ID1 (LRRRRR from the top down), plug in BATT COMMs to 2nd batt, recycle BMS power and plug in Sol-Ark to CAN COMM port of the first battery.
Seeing what I expected and all good.
I do not fault Signature Solar but I will fault EG4. Terrible manual.
Happy to help if you have questions.
Mark
I currently have a single LL V2 "mastered" to the SA 15K and 5 LifePower4 batteries connected in series to the LL V2 using the BATT/COMMS ports.
The most frustrating part is the manual is wrong on how to select protocol on the LL V2. It says to put it in ID 16 and press and hold the ENTER button for 5 secs. That is wrong.
Place all DIP switches (the newer V2 have 6 DIPs) to the right (away from their number), recycle power on BMS and then press and hold RETURN (!) for 5 seconds. Select the Sol-Ark protocol, place DIPs back to ID1 (LRRRRR from the top down), plug in BATT COMMs to 2nd batt, recycle BMS power and plug in Sol-Ark to CAN COMM port of the first battery.
Seeing what I expected and all good.
I do not fault Signature Solar but I will fault EG4. Terrible manual.
Happy to help if you have questions.
Mark
what battery setting did you choose on sol ark 15K battery setting page. did you choose BMS lithium mode? and if so, what is the number you entered?
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Bfreeskier
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- May 12, 2021
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Im not sure if it's apples to apples, but I got was able to get closed-loop coms going after I placed "0" in my BMS Lithium mode. I'm using a Sol-ark 12k with 5 EG4-LL V1 batteries with the firmware reflash.
Lips2000
New Member
I used Lithium Battery and used a '0' in the BMS Lithium Battery mode.
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