EG4 6500 Firmware Changelog

It looks like EG4 finally pulled the 6500 off their website. That means there's no way for people to update to the latest firmware (if they already hadn't) or get a copy of the most up-to-date manual outside of contacting SS or EG4.

I have kept copies of most of the firmware files just in case I had needed to rollback to a prior version. Unfortunately there's no way to upload zip or pdf files on the forum.

Here's a link to the latest firmware version (79.71) as well as the latest copy of the manual (2.3.2).

• https://going-off-grid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/EG4-6500-Firmware-7971-61.12.zip
• https://going-off-grid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/EG4_65_Manual_232.pdf

Hopefully it can help someone out.

Edit: Wade H. pointed out that the files are still on the EG4 site located under Resources.

Resources - EG4 Electronics

EG4 Electronics

eg4electronics.com

If you had removed the bonding screw during your installation to correct the issue of having multiple ground/neutral bonds in your environment, you may want to look at adding it back in.

Code:

The last firmware update that was released was 79.71 and it was a fix to get rid of the need for having two different firmware versions based on if you were using the inverter in a stationary/residential install vs a mobile install. It also removed the need for opening up the unit and removing the bonding screw.

It added a new menu option (42) to control the ground/neutral relay inside the inverter.
- ENA (stationary environments) will disable the G/N bond relay inside the inverter and create a common neutral where the AC In and AC Out neutrals are connected together. In this instance you have to add your own G/N bond (whether that comes from your main grid panel through the AC IN connection or you add it to a sub-panel just after the inverters).

- DIS (mobile environments) will enable the G/N bond relay. If you have AC IN power and your inverter is in a "utility/grid" mode, the G/N bond relay will dynamically be disabled. When your inverter switches to battery mode, the G/N bond relay will be enabled, creating the bond inside the inverter.

Keep in mind you only want 1 G/N bond in an environment.

According to Markus at EG4, the bonding screw actually seems to do more and adding it back in (after you update to 79.71) might resolve some other issues you're experiencing:

"This bonding screw actually grounds the MPPT board in one area. It looks to get rid of noise at the same time. By adding this screw back to in the inverter we have seen F80s clear. The voltage stay stable when high PV voltage is being used, other nuisance problems that randomly accrued"

EG4 6500ex and 6000ex flickering lights and firmware

Concerning the 6500ex and 6000ex firmware updates. I want to inform our customers that our 6500ex and 6000ex inverter models may not be able to receive firmware updates in the future. However, we want to assure you that our commitment to providing excellent customer support remains unwavering...

diysolarforum.com

EG4 has "sunset" the 6500EX inverter (along with the 6000EX and 8K) and will no longer be providing future firmware updates.

EG4 6500ex and 6000ex flickering lights and firmware

Concerning the 6500ex and 6000ex firmware updates. I want to inform our customers that our 6500ex and 6000ex inverter models may not be able to receive firmware updates in the future. However, we want to assure you that our commitment to providing excellent customer support remains unwavering...

diysolarforum.com

Add N-G relay control function.

I’ve been asking for this option since the end of last year! Glad to see it’s finally implemented.

Unfortunately what I posted in my changelog is exactly what came out of their change log. I think someone messed up when they typed it.

There’s a powerpoint in the firmware download that seems to walk you through the steps and explain a little bit better. Only a little bit though. Disable seems to enable and enable seems to disable…

• 5/5/23
• Improved F11 detection
• Improved EEprom broken issue, confirm that the setting option can be saved after inverter shut down and restore.
• Improved the issue that when inverters are in parallel, put heavy loads instantly will make inverter shows F08/F60.

I received a message from SS support this morning that going forward a change log should be included in all the firmware updates.

Here's an example of the change log included.

Fix inverter disparity between reported consumption/load vs PV production data.
Courtesy of @Sundown