EG4 18kPV Q+A general thread

"Split" phase is a term i've only heard in wide use recently. If you dump AC at a transformer that is center tapped the wave is consistent across the output windings. At the instant L1=0 and L2=+240, If you were to put a DC meter - on L1 + on CT you will read +120v. If you take the same meter and put - on L2 and + on CT you will read -120v. however if you move both leads up so - is on CT and + is on L2 you will read +120. If you use CT as a common it appears you are 180 out of phase CT to L1/2. This makes sense because in a split phase system we like to ground the CT and make it common, but that is not a requirement from an electrical transmission perspective, a 2-wire 120v a/c device (Hopefully double insulated) just wants to see a 120v sine wave. We ground the CT for safety reasons to help trip breakers and detect when we have wiring faults, and CT to lower the feed voltages. Lightitup bzzzp.

Back to modbus on the 18K. I'm trying to use the 'Meter' connection to talk to the unit.

int inverter_read_485(modbus_t *p485) {
int x;
struct __attribute__((__packed__)) mb_request {
uint8_t device;
uint8_t function;
uint8_t sn[10];
uint16_t address;
uint16_t count;
uint16_t check;
};
union {
struct mb_request r;
uint8_t rsp[MODBUS_MAX_ADU_LENGTH];
} u;
if(g.verbose) {
log_print(g.log,0,"Reading Inverter\n");
}
memset(u.rsp,0,MODBUS_MAX_ADU_LENGTH);
u.r.device = 6;
u.r.function = 0x04;
u.r.address = 0;
u.r.count = 1;
fprintf(stderr,"Command:\n");
mbdump(u.rsp,sizeof(u.r));
mb485_open(p485,u.r.device);
x = modbus_send_raw_request(p485, u.rsp, sizeof(u.r) - 2);
if (x == -1) {
log_print(g.log,0,"%s\n", modbus_strerror(errno));
return -1;
}
x = modbus_receive_confirmation(p485, u.rsp);
if (x == -1) {
log_print(g.log,0,"%s\n", modbus_strerror(errno));
return -1;
}
fprintf(stderr,"Response:\n");
mbdump(u.rsp,x);
modbus_close(p485);
return(1);
}

I've tried playing with the id. I set the 'meter id' on the unit to 6 The command succeeds I just can't get a sane response. Tried id=1, id=2, .. Modified the timeout, blah, blah. I will note I have modbus sensors and relays that work just fine. Is there something I need to do to enable this?
Command:
42 mbdump(u.rsp,sizeof(u.r));
(gdb)
Return/Length = 18
06 04 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00
43 mb485_open(p485,u.r.device);
(gdb)
44 x = modbus_send_raw_request(p485, u.rsp, sizeof(u.r) - 2);
(gdb)
45 if (x == -1) {
(gdb)
49 x = modbus_receive_confirmation(p485, u.rsp);
(gdb)
50 if (x == -1) {
(gdb)
51 log_print(g.log,0,"%s\n", modbus_strerror(errno));
(gdb)
11:08:21 (85088) Connection timed out

I have seen a reponse, things seem to be inconsistent.

Markus_SignatureSolar said:

I just Checked your record for the setting Change log. The CT Reversed setting I set yesterday is still set, the only thing that was changed in the settings since then was battery charge settings and that was by you sir. Maybe the CTs need to be checked to make sure they are attached good this doesnt make any sense because the CT reverse setting is still enabled. I'm going to monitor your system for a while and check the historical data to see if I can find anything else

Click to expand...

I really don't have time for this, it was change back to off on the reverse box and restarted, but now its been reactivated again and the password changed. I showed you it was wrong this am. Did you not see that it even show 1.5kw exported this am, which should be zero as the house used it via EPS. Please reset my password or send me what it's been changed to and turn off that feature. It's no possible to tell right now as house is on solar but just look at these from early today. first pic shows it exporting because you have the CT's reversed. that stopped after I turned of the reverse CT option and rebooted. as shown by the screen shot at the end after I had turned off the CT reverse. Please put it back or when I go back to grid it shows the current direction backwards (hence export when its import). I don't know how it is working in your lab but I know how it's working in CR. If reversing was correct there would be no export listed but it shows 1.5kw from this am when my batteries went dead. Confirm to me but private message that you did this and send me the password now set for my inverter,
thanks

rmacgurn said:

I really don't have time for this, it was change back to off on the reverse box and restarted, but now its been reactivated again and the password changed. I showed you it was wrong this am. Did you not see that it even show 1.5kw exported this am, which should be zero as the house used it via EPS. Please reset my password or send me what it's been changed to and turn off that feature. It's no possible to tell right now as house is on solar but just look at these from early today. first pic shows it exporting because you have the CT's reversed. that stopped after I turned of the reverse CT option and rebooted. as shown by the screen shot at the end after I had turned off the CT reverse. Please put it back or when I go back to grid it shows the current direction backwards (hence export when its import). I don't know how it is working in your lab but I know how it's working in CR. If reversing was correct there would be no export listed but it shows 1.5kw from this am when my batteries went dead. Confirm to me but private message that you did this and send me the password now set for my inverter,
thanks
View attachment 156284View attachment 156283
View attachment 156285

Click to expand...

How about showing us some photos of the CTs connected. Please include the CT Arrow, ID number and corresponding connection point in the inverter.

Cleaning up the debugging code, tweak here or there. . .

NOTE: libmodbus calculates the crc The manual has nary an example. If i poll 6, I get a timeout response from the library but it returns instantly.

06 04 = id 6 command 4 = read, 10 zeros (sn[]) register 1 length/count = 1


snCommand:
Return/Length = 18
06 04 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 00
Response:
Return/Length = -1
06 04 33 31 32 32 36 37 30 31 36 30 01 00 02 97
0a ca 73
11:28:13 (85951) Connection timed out

rmacgurn said:

I really don't have time for this, it was change back to off on the reverse box and restarted, but now its been reactivated again and the password changed. I showed you it was wrong this am. Did you not see that it even show 1.5kw exported this am, which should be zero as the house used it via EPS. Please reset my password or send me what it's been changed to and turn off that feature. It's no possible to tell right now as house is on solar but just look at these from early today. first pic shows it exporting because you have the CT's reversed. that stopped after I turned of the reverse CT option and rebooted. as shown by the screen shot at the end after I had turned off the CT reverse. Please put it back or when I go back to grid it shows the current direction backwards (hence export when its import). I don't know how it is working in your lab but I know how it's working in CR. If reversing was correct there would be no export listed but it shows 1.5kw from this am when my batteries went dead. Confirm to me but private message that you did this and send me the password now set for my inverter,
thanks
View attachment 156284View attachment 156283
View attachment 156285

Click to expand...

Wow. Sorry you're going through this.
Perfect example of why I don't want anyone having remote access to my equipment, I'd be beyond pissed if I were in your shoes. I firmly believe firmware updates via USB make the most sense.
It's my opinion this remote in with a super user account and changing settings is a bunch of nonsense... Let the person that bought the equipment have full control of the equipment. Flash a warning that changing settings in XX menu can let out the magic smoke and void warranty....
Done ranting.

Edit to clarify firmware updates via usb.

more proof if you still need it Marcus that your reversion the CT's was wrong, note this am it exported 1.6Kw the prior days were only a fraction and all before firmware update to 10.11. that export of 1.8 was actually about the same as prior days import before solar took over, again proof that the CT's are not reversed and you need to put them back as normal before I lose the sun and require grid,
thanks
Richard

42OhmsPA said:

Wow. Sorry you're going through this.
Perfect example of why I don't want anyone having remote access to my equipment, I'd be beyond pissed if I were in your shoes. I firmly believe updates via USB make the most sense.
It's my opinion this remote in with a super user account and changing settings is a bunch of nonsense... Let the person that bought the equipment have full control of the equipment. Flash a warning that changing settings in XX menu can let out the magic smoke and void warranty....
Done ranting.

Click to expand...

I agree and only authorized the firmware update. he took it upon himself to flip the CT's without asking me or knowing what direction the arrows were pointing. I had confirm those many days before while working with Colt and Brayden. So I am a bit pissed and even more that the password has been changed!! Perhaps expecting a SS tech to know that importing power shows as negative on the graph and exporting as positive is too much to expect. If this isn't fixed today instead of a big proponent here in CR for these inverters I will be the opposite, which is sad as the equipment is great. its the support that's the issue.

@Markus_SignatureSolar @SignatureSolarJames

I just installed my 18k. How do I get the firmware update for no grid export?

smmarczak said:

@Markus_SignatureSolar @SignatureSolarJames

I just installed my 18k. How do I get the firmware update for no grid export?

Click to expand...

What problem you having on the inverter, we don’t recommend update if there is no issue.

It is exporting to the grid.

GRV0423 said:

What problem you having on the inverter, we don’t recommend update if there is no issue.

Click to expand...

Also- can time of use be set from the app, or just the inverter? There seems to be a needed password for some settings too. Ugh. I'm trying to figure everything out so I can go to time of use with utility. But I can see from my smart meter grid export. Which is a huge problem for me. I've gone through the forum and tried a bunch of things, the response from the pros was a firmware update.

smmarczak said:

Also- can time of use be set from the app, or just the inverter? There seems to be a needed password for some settings too. Ugh. I'm trying to figure everything out so I can go to time of use with utility. But I can see from my smart meter grid export. Which is a huge problem for me. I've gone through the forum and tried a bunch of things, the response from the pros was a firmware update.

Click to expand...

Thru web and inverters for setting of TOU. Do you mind giving me (DM) your inverter SN and ill look into it?

was able to get past the password but had to restart to get it to accept now the reverse option is turned off again, so if you techs are listening DO NOT TOUCH MY SYSTEM MORE remotely please!

rmacgurn said:

was able to get past the password but had to restart to get it to accept now the reverse option is turned off again, so if you techs are listening DO NOT TOUCH MY SYSTEM MORE remotely please!
View attachment 156313

Click to expand...

Are you using the wi-fi dongle to monitor it over the network? Otherwise is there an issue just removing the wi-fi dongle then?

Victron also has this remote configuration ability but they have it OFF by default when you receive the system. The installer or "you" have to turn remote configuration access ON.

But I am assuming the entire reason they accessed your system is to update with the beta firmware to correct the exporting to grid issue. In that case the Beta firmware should be provided for end users to install manually and not require someone else to remotely access your system and install it. I get it that they want to make it easy for tech support to fix or investigate an issue but companies have to be extremely responsible and have a well defined procedure whenever they access a customers system.

I really want a working modbus example.

rmacgurn said:

was able to get past the password but had to restart to get it to accept now the reverse option is turned off again, so if you techs are listening DO NOT TOUCH MY SYSTEM MORE remotely please!
View attachment 156313

Click to expand...

"CT Direction Reversed" - To me means the arrows are facing the wrong direction...

Now if your CT are connected to the wrong Leg...you would need to physically fix that.

Zapper77 said:

"CT Direction Reversed" - To me means the arrows are facing the wrong direction...

Now if your CT are connected to the wrong Leg...you would need to physically fix that.

Click to expand...

Hey zapper I have checked Schneider, Solarc and Solis none mention an order for L1 or L2 as all they do is measure current thru each leg, not following the arrow correctly will flip the sign on what's going into and out of the inverter (meaning it will show import as export and vise versa) flipping them on each leg but with the arrows going correctly made no difference so I think that is all hooey.

rmacgurn said:

Hey zapper I have checked Schneider, Solarc and Solis none mention an order for L1 or L2 as all they do is measure current thru each leg, not following the arrow correctly will flip the sign on what's going into and out of the inverter (meaning it will show import as export and vise versa) flipping them on each leg but with the arrows going correctly made no difference so I think that is all hooey.

Click to expand...

How would the inverter know which leg to push power to if the CT aren't connected to the expected leg?

Zapper77 said:

How would the inverter know which leg to push power to if the CT aren't connected to the expected leg?

Click to expand...

if you mean output power its based on the loads connected so if you draw 10amp in L1 and 15 on L2 that is what it supplies. if you mean output power to feed back to grid I assume it sends a balance output to each leg. those are separate functions.