EG4 6500EX F90 Error

[JWLV]

Two days ago while I was working on my car in the garage, I heard a click and fan noise ramp down/up on my EG4 6500EX. I didn't think anything of it. Then a minute later, it did the same thing again. And then another minute, same thing. I stopped what I was doing to take a look at the EG4. It had an error "F90" on it, and it would just cycle off/on every minute or so. The inverter remained off as the EG4 kept on power cycling. I turned everything off and disconnected the battery and PV power.

I started looking up the F90 error and found a few threads talking about it here. It has to do with cloned inverters that is using software that it isn't authorized to use. Apparently it's sort of a software time bomb, where it doesn't affect the units until after 1440 hours (60 days). But the thing is, my EG4 is not cloned. It came directly from Signature Solar. For whatever reason, the serial number that is embedded into the unit was not correct and it triggered the software time bomb to fail after 60 days.

So what to do? Well, I called Signature Solar for help. I spoke with a support rep and she had me take a photo of the label on the side of the EG4 that contained the serial number. Then she said their tech group would make a patch file with the correct serial number for me to upload into the EG4. Two days later, she sent an email with the patch file and a software loader called Axpert Tools. Luckily I already had the USB to RS232 to Ethernet cable so I hooked up my computer to the EG4. Clicked a couple of buttons in the Axpert Tools software, and it came back with "Settings Successful." I powered down the EG4 and disconnected the battery. Pressed the power button to drain whatever is left in the capacitors. Reconnected the battery and powered on the EG4. The F90 error is gone. It was a simple fix. I'm glad Signature Solar was on top of it with creating and sending me the patch file. The patch file they sent me isn't something that is going to be useful to anyone else because it contains the serial number to my specific EG4 unit. It has to match the serial number of the EG4 unit. In other words, Signature Solar has to make the patch file for you.

It's kind of a rare error, so there isn't much information about it. Now the info is here, so if you ever get an F90 error you know what to do.

 

[ramseyjack]

I am having the same problem, but cannot contact tech support

 

[ramseyjack]

I was able to contact tech support and they will get me updated software in 48hrs. not what I would consider ideal, but it is what it is. Customer very upset of course

 

[solarHandyman]

Two days ago while I was working on my car in the garage, I heard a click and fan noise ramp down/up on my EG4 6500EX. I didn't think anything of it. Then a minute later, it did the same thing again. And then another minute, same thing. I stopped what I was doing to take a look at the EG4. It had an error "F90" on it, and it would just cycle off/on every minute or so. The inverter remained off as the EG4 kept on power cycling. I turned everything off and disconnected the battery and PV power.

I started looking up the F90 error and found a few threads talking about it here. It has to do with cloned inverters that is using software that it isn't authorized to use. Apparently it's sort of a software time bomb, where it doesn't affect the units until after 1440 hours (60 days). But the thing is, my EG4 is not cloned. It came directly from Signature Solar. For whatever reason, the serial number that is embedded into the unit was not correct and it triggered the software time bomb to fail after 60 days.

So what to do? Well, I called Signature Solar for help. I spoke with a support rep and she had me take a photo of the label on the side of the EG4 that contained the serial number. Then she said their tech group would make a patch file with the correct serial number for me to upload into the EG4. Two days later, she sent an email with the patch file and a software loader called Axpert Tools. Luckily I already had the USB to RS232 to Ethernet cable so I hooked up my computer to the EG4. Clicked a couple of buttons in the Axpert Tools software, and it came back with "Settings Successful." I powered down the EG4 and disconnected the battery. Pressed the power button to drain whatever is left in the capacitors. Reconnected the battery and powered on the EG4. The F90 error is gone. It was a simple fix. I'm glad Signature Solar was on top of it with creating and sending me the patch file. The patch file they sent me isn't something that is going to be useful to anyone else because it contains the serial number to my specific EG4 unit. It has to match the serial number of the EG4 unit. In other words, Signature Solar has to make the patch file for you.

It's kind of a rare error, so there isn't much information about it. Now the info is here, so if you ever get an F90 error you know what to do.

I got the update file from tech support, but I don't have the right cable!!! May I borrow your USB to RS232 cable? I'm having this issue and my unit didn't come with one!!!

 

[SignatureSolarJess]

I got the update file from tech support, but I don't have the right cable!!! May I borrow your USB to RS232 cable? I'm having this issue and my unit didn't come with one!!!

If you need us to send you one out, you can send me a DM!

 

[ramseyjack]

They sent me the Axpert program and file. The fix took less than 3 minutes, then a reboot..all is well

 

[solarHandyman]

Signature Solar is out of stock on these cables and has to order more from China. Just paid $58 including shipping for one from Watts247. Hope it works. Alibaba has them listed but seems bugged when I try to make an account and it would have to come from China. I'm sincerely bummed us EG4 6500 customers are being abandoned when it comes to proper parts and support after all the money we spent on inverters. If the cable works I'll share it with others. I'm sure there is a technical work around with other cables for anyone who understand the programming of RS232, but Signature Solar has obviously not devoted resources to providing complete support beyond what is profitable for them in the short term. Late stage capitalism at it's finest.

 

[SignatureSolarJess]

Signature Solar is out of stock on these cables and has to order more from China. Just paid $58 including shipping for one from Watts247. Hope it works. Alibaba has them listed but seems bugged when I try to make an account and it would have to come from China. I'm sincerely bummed us EG4 6500 customers are being abandoned when it comes to proper parts and support after all the money we spent on inverters. If the cable works I'll share it with others. I'm sure there is a technical work around with other cables for anyone who understand the programming of RS232, but Signature Solar has obviously not devoted resources to providing complete support beyond what is profitable for them in the short term. Late stage capitalism at it's finest.

We have these in stock! If you need one please don't hesitate to DM me and I'll get you taken care of!

 

[traffman2370]

I purchased Sungold power SP 6548. Same F90 issue but their tech support seems to only be by email. 48 hr turn around with them asking for more information. It's not a good scenario. I ordered a 232 usb cable from SG power for the sg 4100 batteries and im hoping it works with the sp6548 inverters as well. Went with SG Power to save a little cash but learned my lesson. Now sitting on a 20,000$ brick waiting for an email. No power and wife telling me " I told you so, just pay the electric bill!". If there is a better solution than waiting on SG Power email please help.

 

[42OhmsPA]

I purchased Sungold power SP 6548. Same F90 issue but their tech support seems to only be by email. 48 hr turn around with them asking for more information. It's not a good scenario. I ordered a 232 usb cable from SG power for the sg 4100 batteries and im hoping it works with the sp6548 inverters as well. Went with SG Power to save a little cash but learned my lesson. Now sitting on a 20,000$ brick waiting for an email. No power and wife telling me " I told you so, just pay the electric bill!". If there is a better solution than waiting on SG Power email please help.

Check out the 4th post of this thread.

Sungoldpower BUYER BEWARE SP6548 DIED after just 6 weeks, another scam victim of sungoldpower F90 code is flashing and shuts down

I really hope someone can help me try to get this fixed, bought a 6500 w inverter (48v) from SUNGOLDPOWER just 6 weeks ago and it DIED - gives an F90 error code and just shuts down, the seller that sold this to me is the sungoldpower website and their customer service (some dude in his moms...

diysolarforum.com

 

[traffman2370]

Hey everyone SURPRISE!!!!! Sungold Power emailed me back and asked me for the Main and Secondary CPU versions as well as the main label information. I emailed that to them and they sent me a communications tool and the current Axpert sn tool also a pdf explaining exactly how to set it up and perform the operation. I tried it and now I am up and running. The problem is support staff don't seem to be working the same hours that I do. That said .... I was able to get email responses after 9:30 pm to 4 am U.S. Eastern standard time.
I was able to use the supplied RS232 9 pin to RJ45 that shipped with the inverters.
If you have the BluePower SP6548 inverters I highly suggest you contact support@sungoldpower to have them send you the information. I tried to put it in here but it said the file was to large.