EG4 3000 power save mode with solar assistant

Hey all, couldn't find this topic searching, so I'm wondering if it's not possible or I'm just missing something.

I have a fully off grid RV with an EG4 3000, two lifepower4 5kwh 48v batteries, and 12 rich solar panels (well, 6 currently, installing still). I have no generator or shore power available.

I've converted almost all of my loads to DC - chargers, etc. I can run without AC most of the time. The AC inverter on this AIO draws a fair amount of power for doing nothing. From the front panel, I can put it in power save mode which turns the inverter off, but in my install the front panel is not readily accessible most of the time.

I have solar assistant connected and talking to the inverter. Is there some way to remotely enable the power save mode either on a schedule or at will with a setting in SA? Ideally I would turn the inverter off for sure at night, when there is no potential for the microwave or anything else to need AC, but possibly have it off unless specifically turned on.

Thanks!

MattSapp said:

Hey all, couldn't find this topic searching, so I'm wondering if it's not possible or I'm just missing something.

I have a fully off grid RV with an EG4 3000, two lifepower4 5kwh 48v batteries, and 12 rich solar panels (well, 6 currently, installing still). I have no generator or shore power available. mcdvoice

I've converted almost all of my loads to DC - chargers, etc. I can run without AC most of the time. The AC inverter on this AIO draws a fair amount of power for doing nothing. From the front panel, I can put it in power save mode which turns the inverter off, but in my install the front panel is not readily accessible most of the time.

I have solar assistant connected and talking to the inverter. Is there some way to remotely enable the power save mode either on a schedule or at will with a setting in SA? Ideally I would turn the inverter off for sure at night, when there is no potential for the microwave or anything else to need AC, but possibly have it off unless specifically turned on.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Hello,

To remotely enable the power save mode on your EG4 3000 inverter using Solar Assistant or similar monitoring systems, you might need to create a workaround since such a feature might not be directly supported by the hardware. Here's a possible approach:

Smart Plug or Remote Switch: Consider installing a smart plug or remote-controlled switch between the inverter and your AC loads. These can be controlled via smartphone apps or programmed to follow a schedule. When you want to turn off the inverter remotely, you can simply switch off the smart plug or switch.

Automation with Solar Assistant: Integrate the smart plug or switch with Solar Assistant if possible. Some smart devices can be linked to automation platforms like IFTTT (If This Then That) or directly with Solar Assistant. This way, you can set up rules or schedules to turn the inverter off when certain conditions are met, like at night.

Voice Control or Remote Access: Depending on the smart plug or switch you choose, you may also be able to control it via voice commands using voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or through remote access apps.

By implementing this setup, you should be able to remotely enable power save mode for your inverter, especially during nighttime or whenever AC power is not needed, using your smartphone or automation rules within Solar Assistant.

I hope the information may helps you.

Sarahwalker said:

Hello,

To remotely enable the power save mode on your EG4 3000 inverter using Solar Assistant or similar monitoring systems, you might need to create a workaround since such a feature might not be directly supported by the hardware. Here's a possible approach:

Smart Plug or Remote Switch: Consider installing a smart plug or remote-controlled switch between the inverter and your AC loads. These can be controlled via smartphone apps or programmed to follow a schedule. When you want to turn off the inverter remotely, you can simply switch off the smart plug or switch.

Automation with Solar Assistant: Integrate the smart plug or switch with Solar Assistant if possible. Some smart devices can be linked to automation platforms like IFTTT (If This Then That) or directly with Solar Assistant. This way, you can set up rules or schedules to turn the inverter off when certain conditions are met, like at night.

Voice Control or Remote Access: Depending on the smart plug or switch you choose, you may also be able to control it via voice commands using voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or through remote access apps.

By implementing this setup, you should be able to remotely enable power save mode for your inverter, especially during nighttime or whenever AC power is not needed, using your smartphone or automation rules within Solar Assistant.

I hope the information may helps you.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately none of this applies. Any of the stated options would still leave the inverter itself "on" and not switch the inverter to power save mode. When "on", it draws parasitic load even if nothing is connected. I'm looking for an option to change the inverter configuration remotely. I know it is possible because the SmartESS/DessMonitor systems that the EG4-supplied wifi dongle works with can remotely change the power save configuration and disable/enable the inverter, so I'm hoping there is some way to do so in SolarAssistant.

I did look at MQTT in SolarAssistant as well, and none of the topics appear to be related to the power save mode. I've reached out to the SolarAssistant folks to see if they have any ideas, or if they could add this capability, but still open to suggestion here if anyone knows.

Just to close the loop if anyone runs into this type of situation in the future...

I contacted the Solar Assistant support email and explained what I was looking for. Within 24 hours, i received a reply that an option to change the power save mode on the EG4 3000EHV inverter had been added to SA and would be posted with the next beta release.

So, short answer is that it _is_ possible, but the ability hadn't been developed yet, and the Solar Assistant developer is amazing.

Sarahwalker said:

Smart Plug or Remote Switch:

Click to expand...

Not really the best option since these tend to 10 or 15 amp devices. Work fine for controlling a light or something similar, but I wouldn't use one for an entire circuit.

MattSapp said:

Hey all, couldn't find this topic searching, so I'm wondering if it's not possible or I'm just missing something.

I have a fully off grid RV with an EG4 3000, two lifepower4 5kwh 48v batteries, and 12 rich solar panels (well, 6 currently, installing still). I have no generator or shore power available.

I've converted almost all of my loads to DC - chargers, etc. I can run without AC most of the time. The AC inverter on this AIO draws a fair amount of power for doing nothing. From the front panel, I can put it in power save mode which turns the inverter off, but in my install the front panel is not readily accessible most of the time.

I have solar assistant connected and talking to the inverter. Is there some way to remotely enable the power save mode either on a schedule or at will with a setting in SA? Ideally I would turn the inverter off for sure at night, when there is no potential for the microwave or anything else to need AC, but possibly have it off unless specifically turned on.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Here's another option that I think would work. Forget about software or apps ... and find a off on remote switch; and find a way to wire it to your inverter switch. I would think that would work out ;+) ... my two cents
... P.S. ... I just obtained the EG4-, and finding some quirks while testing it out with "User Defined" Battery settings. I get maybe 0.1 amp idle draw in Power Saving mode, and about 0.9 amps in inverter on mode. But when grid charge cycle kicks in while on power savings mode, I got off and on cycling of grid powered battery charging (kind of scary). I resolved my issue by disabling the power savings mode. I also changed bulk charge time for c.v from automatic to 15 mins (which may have also been a factor in my resolution). In asking if there might be a firmware update, I got no response yet from signature Solar, who appear to have good reputation.

MattSapp said:

Just to close the loop if anyone runs into this type of situation in the future...

I contacted the Solar Assistant support email and explained what I was looking for. Within 24 hours, i received a reply that an option to change the power save mode on the EG4 3000EHV inverter had been added to SA and would be posted with the next beta release.

So, short answer is that it _is_ possible, but the ability hadn't been developed yet, and the Solar Assistant developer is amazing.

Click to expand...

Did you get the SA assist update working? I have a similar EG4 setup and just ordered the SA package with the Orange Pi and software.

MattSapp said:

Hey all, couldn't find this topic searching, so I'm wondering if it's not possible or I'm just missing something.

I have a fully off grid RV with an EG4 3000, two lifepower4 5kwh 48v batteries, and 12 rich solar panels (well, 6 currently, installing still). I have no generator or shore power available.

I've converted almost all of my loads to DC - chargers, etc. I can run without AC most of the time. The AC inverter on this AIO draws a fair amount of power for doing nothing. From the front panel, I can put it in power save mode which turns the inverter off, but in my install the front panel is not readily accessible most of the time.

I have solar assistant connected and talking to the inverter. Is there some way to remotely enable the power save mode either on a schedule or at will with a setting in SA? Ideally I would turn the inverter off for sure at night, when there is no potential for the microwave or anything else to need AC, but possibly have it off unless specifically turned on.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I have been dialoguing w Timothy @ Tech Support over at Signature Solar ... and gained insights about my EG4- 3000 . 48v .. and its' Power Saving mode. I am getting/ hearing Power Savings mode is for Solar Input Only; ... and believe a night time load or morning solar input will wake the inverter up from standby. I believe, if you are using Grid IN, or Inverter Generator INput, ... for anything, a Battery Charge Cycle, and/or Grid bypass or backup to your Loads; then you must leave Power Savings mode Disabled. I intend to write more about my learning curves ... from this, plus a couple of other config challenges I had in setting up and testing out my first EG4- 3000 unit. I Do Like my EG4. ... More Later.

Cardude said:

Did you get the SA assist update working? I have a similar EG4 setup and just ordered the SA package with the Orange Pi and software.

Click to expand...

Yep, I did, and it works as expected.

That being said, after living with it further, it may or may not be needed depending on the situation.

In my case, the solar system is in an RV. I have tried, and continue to, run as much off the DC side directly from battery as possible. The only things that require AC at this point are the microwave, water heater (if not using propane), fridge (also if not using propane), AC (which generally I don't need where I use my RV, or if I do, the sun is shining bright), and the misc 120v outlets in the RV. To minimize AC usage, I've added DC-DC usb-c PD chargers all over the place, so we're not doing DC->AC->DC - I can leave the inverter off for the most part.

That being said, I've found that the EG4's "smart power save" mode or whatever it is called actually works relatively well in certain cases. I have a workstation-replacement laptop with a 200w power brick, the load from it is consistent enough to make the power save mode work - if nothing else AC is connected, when the laptop is plugged in, the inverter will identify the demand, fire up the inverter, and when I unplug the laptop, it'll turn the inverter back off. However, the microwave is a different story. It will draw enough to cause the inverter to power up, and then it goes into a lower power mode and the inverter shuts off, microwave shuts off, tries to (i assume) refill some supply caps inside, fires up the inverter, powers on, inverter shuts off, rinse and repeat.

I'm not going to be back in the RV till mid-Spring, but when last I was there, I mostly just flipped the breaker for the microwave off, and when I wanted to microwave, plugged my laptop in to keep the inverter turned on, and then turned the microwave breaker on. It's annoying, but it's better than turning the power save mode off and on, leaving power save mode off and having it burn ~2kwh per day sitting idle, or having the microwave continually bring the inverter off and back on.

Other people's situation will definitely be different.

Capt Bill said:

I have been dialoguing w Timothy @ Tech Support over at Signature Solar ... and gained insights about my EG4- 3000 . 48v .. and its' Power Saving mode. I am getting/ hearing Power Savings mode is for Solar Input Only; ... and believe a night time load or morning solar input will wake the inverter up from standby. I believe, if you are using Grid IN, or Inverter Generator INput, ... for anything, a Battery Charge Cycle, and/or Grid bypass or backup to your Loads; then you must leave Power Savings mode Disabled. I intend to write more about my learning curves ... from this, plus a couple of other config challenges I had in setting up and testing out my first EG4- 3000 unit. I Do Like my EG4. ... More Later.

Click to expand...

Power saving mode is definitely not well understood or documented. I did not contact signature solar to work on it at all - my install is in another state and when I was there, i was only able to really test anything in the evenings as I was busy with projects during the day. I have certainly been able to make use of the power save mode when on battery, but in my case I do not have grid or gen power, only solar and only during the day. The idle draw of this inverter is so high that I am doing everything I can to keep the inverter turned off unless there is significant excess solar and my batteries are full or I anticipate enough sunlight to fill the batteries before sunset.

See my post above for some additional details, but the key takeaway for me is that the inverter requires a minimum amount of draw for the power save mode to work reliably, and in my situation i don't necessarily have, or want, that. I can understand why they would say it does not work with inverter or grid input - I believe the inverter must be turned on in order to convert AC to DC, but for the MPPT charger from Solar->battery, the inverter can be offline and batteries will charge just fine.

I'm also happy with the EG4 overall. I wish it had a lower parasitic draw on the inverter, but I knew going into this what I was getting into. I could have gone with like a Victron for lower draw, but at a significant additional cost. Trade-offs are everywhere.