EG4 Lifepower4 VERSION 2, integration into existing system with VERSION 1 batteries.

[JimGSolar]

I'm beginning to install some EG4 Lifepower4 VERSION 2 batteries into my system of EG4 6000XP inverter and existing rack of Lifepower4 VERSION 1 batteries. At this point I do not have this all figured out, but have made some good progress so I'll post what I learned so far, and hope that together we can fill in the blanks. FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN WITH ANYTHING YOU CAN ADD FROM EXPERIENCE.

* First, the Quick Start guide ver 1.0 which comes with the Ver 2 battery is not complete, and the online version has additional info that you'll need. Download and print the online version right away. I found ver 1.2.1 on the SS EG4 website: https://eg4electronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/EG4-LifePower4-Quick-Start-Guide.pdf
* Here is a video by Gavin Stone showing unboxing and general overview of Ver 2, along with initial successful connection. I have learned from this video, but there were a few tricks I needed to learn beyond the video, and SS filled in some of that.

*The version 1 batteries used the utility program called BMS Test. The Version 2 batteries use a new utility for firmware updating, called BMS Tools. This is important to remember as you need to update firmware on Ver 1 bats now to use them with Ver 2 bats.

I called SS with questions and got some more background info, but the printed Quick Start Guide also had some info SS didn't tell me:

Call from Signature Solar revealed these points:
- The first battery in your system communication string should be a Ver 2, to use the most advanced features, and it is address 1.
- A special cable is needed to use Comms between the Ver 2 and Ver 1 batteries. Gavins Video briefly discusses this, and I asked SS to verify. They told me to cut all the wires out of the cable on one end, except wires 7 & 8 (brown stripe and brown) out of the cable. I simply built a new cable from scratch using only brown stripe and brown in positions 7 & 8.
- You must update the firmware on the Ver 1 batteries to firmware 3.4 to allow them to communicate with the Ver 2 battery(s).
- Cabling proceeds as follows: Inverter to first Ver 2 battery CAN port. Bat Comm to Bat Comm ports from there on to each Ver 2 battery. Bat Comm to Left 485 port of first Ver 1 battery. 485 to 485 ports on remaining Ver 1 bats, as usual.
- SS did not mention updating the 6000XP inverter firmware, but I was in the mode so did update mine to ccaa-180DOD.

Addressing is a nightmare. The first battery is address 1, and proceed to increment as you are accustomed to do with Ver 1 batteries. But, so far I'm pretty certain that the DIP switches are wired wrong on the Ver 2 battery. The switches themselves are mounted upright, with "ON" wording on top, and numerals 1-6 upright across the bottom, BUT, "ON" IS DOWN. So, example, switch 1 down, all others up, is address "1". This is the opposite of the Ver 1 batteries I own, where up is "ON". The pictures in the Quick Start Guide don't help because they can be interpreted either way. But, it functions if you follow this upside down rule, and it definitely does not function if you assume up is "ON". Also, refer to the Quick Start Guide for proper setting of the Protocol DIP switches, this info is also referred to in Gavins video, but there is a specific order to changing the Protocol settings of the BMS. Refer to page 15 of QSG ver 1.2.1



Status today, Sept 2.
I have succeeded in getting TWO Ver 2 batteries connected to my system (these two batteries alone) and charge them from the 6000XP. I've seen additional info on the Monitor screen showing individual battery SOC, SOH, voltage, etc. for these Ver 2 batteries. `
I have these two Ver 2 batteries charged to the same voltage as my old Ver 1 batteries, so feel comfortable connecting them all together to the bus bars. Finally after sorting out the upside down dip switch wiring, I succeeded in getting all batteries, ver 2 and ver 1, to report and charge together. Updates later. Thanks

 

[Quattrohead]

All of those batteries that use at BMS including the Power pros and the LL2s, the dip switch ON actually means OFF LOL, crazy but true.

 

[JimGSolar]

All of those batteries that use at BMS including the Power pros and the LL2s, the dip switch ON actually means OFF LOL, crazy but true.

My version 1 EG4 Lifepower 4 batteries' dip switches are logical, up is on. So this difference between the ver 1 and ver 2 will probably be a large source of frustration.

 

[JimGSolar]

Integration of two Version 2 bats with my existing Version 1 bats system is now working. Everything I noted in the OP above is valid and Ive corrected a few things. I made sure all bats (old and new) were charged to the same voltage before putting them together on the bus bars, 94% SOC and 54 volts, approx. All four green LED SOC indicators were lit on all batteries before putting them in parallel.

Note: the Monitor Center screen now shows additional battery information, since installing the Version 2 LFP in the master position, and updating the 6000XP firmware as described in OP. So individual battery IDs and their SOC, SOH, Voltage, etc., are now viewable directly on Monitor Center, which is nice. It does take about 8 minutes for all the batteries to be recognized by the inverter and finally report on the Monitor Center screen.

In my case, all bats should show 94% SOC as they were a few minutes ago before changing the config to allow adding the two new Version 2 bats. BUT, the Ver 1 bats are now showing 51% SOC according to the Monitor center screen, and the Version 2 bats are showing 94%. And all four green LED lites are lit on all batteries. Brandon at SS says this may be normal until they all cycle together and he suggested I run a Lead Acid voltage based charge process for a week or so to allow all BMSs to "recalibrate" (my word). He suggested using Lead Acid battery type, set the Lead Acid Capacity at the number of total Ah for the whole pack, Set Charge Current Limit at 125 amps, Set Lead Acid charge voltage at 56.2, Float at 54, Set Discharge Setting According to Voltage, Battery Warning at 47 volts, On grid EOD volts at 46, Discharge cutoff at 46 volts, Discharge Current Limit 140 amps.
I'll perform this Lead Acid Voltage based charge for a few days and attempt to get all SOC to report accurately. Otherwise, I'm online with the new bats. Hopefully this helps someone.

 

[5ePV]

Integration of two Version 2 bats with my existing Version 1 bats system is now working. Everything I noted in the OP above is valid and Ive corrected a few things. I made sure all bats (old and new) were charged to the same voltage before putting them together on the bus bars, 94% SOC and 54 volts, approx. All four green LED SOC indicators were lit on all batteries before putting them in parallel.

Note: the Monitor Center screen now shows additional battery information, since installing the Version 2 LFP in the master position, and updating the 6000XP firmware as described in OP. So individual battery IDs and their SOC, SOH, Voltage, etc., are now viewable directly on Monitor Center, which is nice. It does take about 8 minutes for all the batteries to be recognized by the inverter and finally report on the Monitor Center screen.

In my case, all bats should show 94% SOC as they were a few minutes ago before changing the config to allow adding the two new Version 2 bats. BUT, the Ver 1 bats are now showing 51% SOC according to the Monitor center screen, and the Version 2 bats are showing 94%. And all four green LED lites are lit on all batteries. Brandon at SS says this may be normal until they all cycle together and he suggested I run a Lead Acid voltage based charge process for a week or so to allow all BMSs to "recalibrate" (my word). He suggested using Lead Acid battery type, set the Lead Acid Capacity at the number of total Ah for the whole pack, Set Charge Current Limit at 125 amps, Set Lead Acid charge voltage at 56.2, Float at 54, Set Discharge Setting According to Voltage, Battery Warning at 47 volts, On grid EOD volts at 46, Discharge cutoff at 46 volts, Discharge Current Limit 140 amps.
I'll perform this Lead Acid Voltage based charge for a few days and attempt to get all SOC to report accurately. Otherwise, I'm online with the new bats. Hopefully this helps someone.

Hey Jim! I'm also (incorrectly) seeing 51% SOC on the LiFePower4 V1 batteries. Did you have any success in getting the number to update properly or hear more from EG4?

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

Is the Complete LINK or Simplified LINK protocol being used?

 

[BarracudaBob]

Question: For 51.2V LifePower4 only users is there any advantage of going from 3.4 from V3.37 ?

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

Question: For 51.2V LifePower4 only users is there any advantage of going from 3.4 from V3.37 ?

The main advantage is the modified MOS fault diagnosis condition. This helps eliminates any false alarms for the CMOS failure. Also, the update would be needed to communicate correctly with the LifePower4 V2.

 

[5ePV]

Is the Complete LINK or Simplified LINK protocol being used?

View attachment 244567

1,5,6 are all down, the rest are up. I also tried changing the battery type from 0 to 1 in the online config (per Jacob @eg4). This did change the V2 battery %SOC value (slightly lower SOC value after changed) but didn't change the V1s from 51%.

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

1,5,6 are all down, the rest are up. I also tried changing the battery type from 0 to 1 in the online config (per Jacob @eg4). This did change the V2 battery %SOC value (slightly lower SOC value after changed) but didn't change the V1s from 51%.

I will be getting more information on this from our battery engineers.

 

[JimGSolar]

Hey Jim! I'm also (incorrectly) seeing 51% SOC on the LiFePower4 V1 batteries. Did you have any success in getting the number to update properly or hear more from EG4?

Nope. Here it is a couple weeks later and I've run the whole batch up to 56.4 volts and back down to 47 and back up, then switched back to charge by SOC, etc, and STILL all my Version1 batteries are showing 51% all the time, no matter what the voltage is or what the number of LED SOC lights on the front, even though the Ver 2 batteries seem to report accurately. My first 6 batts are Ver. 2, my last 6 are Ver 1. See photo attached.

 

[JimGSolar]

Is the Complete LINK or Simplified LINK protocol being used?

View attachment 244567

On my setup, both those dip switches are DOWN. When you show pictures like you did above, keep in mind they can be interpreted either way, In other words, I can't tell if the actual switch is white or grey, so I can't tell if the switches are up or down in your pics. And, even though the notes for 9 for example say "switches are on", in the addressing group ON is DOWN. You've got a couple problems here guys!

And, let me add, there's obviously no sense in using the CONTACT page on your EG4 website. I've filled out the form twice with questions and information about how the documentation was incorrect and haven't heard anything back or even a confirmation in 2 weeks.

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

I believe this refers to the visual indicator where the "ON" position is at the top of the dip switches and the "OFF" position is indicated by the numbers at the bottom. I’ll forward this to our technical writing team for review.

And, let me add, there's obviously no sense in using the CONTACT page on your EG4 website. I've filled out the form twice with questions and information about how the documentation was incorrect and haven't heard anything back or even a confirmation in 2 weeks.

Regarding emails, we’re currently facing a high volume that’s causing delays for our email team in responding to new inquiries.

Nope. Here it is a couple weeks later and I've run the whole batch up to 56.4 volts and back down to 47 and back up, then switched back to charge by SOC, etc, and STILL all my Version1 batteries are showing 51% all the time, no matter what the voltage is or what the number of LED SOC lights on the front, even though the Ver 2 batteries seem to report accurately. My first 6 batts are Ver. 2, my last 6 are Ver 1. See photo attached.

I haven’t received any updates on the testing of this issue, but I recommend trying to charge the battery bank to 57.4V in lead-acid mode to see if that resolves the battery information discrepancy between the Lifepower4 V1 and V2.

 

[TerRob]

On my setup, both those dip switches are DOWN. When you show pictures like you did above, keep in mind they can be interpreted either way, In other words, I can't tell if the actual switch is white or grey, so I can't tell if the switches are up or down in your pics. And, even though the notes for 9 for example say "switches are on", in the addressing group ON is DOWN. You've got a couple problems here guys!

And, let me add, there's obviously no sense in using the CONTACT page on your EG4 website. I've filled out the form twice with questions and information about how the documentation was incorrect and haven't heard anything back or even a confirmation in 2 weeks.

thanks Jim for sharing this valuable info. I am considering returning my 2 new(unopened) lifepower4 v2 batteries and absorbing the 15% restocking fee. Our (4) v1 lifepower4 batteries have been trouble free for us. I would have to pay my electrician to try to make it work like you are doing. Your thoughts?

 

[marionw]

Nope. Here it is a couple weeks later and I've run the whole batch up to 56.4 volts and back down to 47 and back up, then switched back to charge by SOC, etc, and STILL all my Version1 batteries are showing 51% all the time, no matter what the voltage is or what the number of LED SOC lights on the front, even though the Ver 2 batteries seem to report accurately. My first 6 batts are Ver. 2, my last 6 are Ver 1. See photo attached.

What software are you using to get these screenshots?

 

[Billybob16]

Integration of two Version 2 bats with my existing Version 1 bats system is now working. Everything I noted in the OP above is valid and Ive corrected a few things. I made sure all bats (old and new) were charged to the same voltage before putting them together on the bus bars, 94% SOC and 54 volts, approx. All four green LED SOC indicators were lit on all batteries before putting them in parallel.

Note: the Monitor Center screen now shows additional battery information, since installing the Version 2 LFP in the master position, and updating the 6000XP firmware as described in OP. So individual battery IDs and their SOC, SOH, Voltage, etc., are now viewable directly on Monitor Center, which is nice. It does take about 8 minutes for all the batteries to be recognized by the inverter and finally report on the Monitor Center screen.

In my case, all bats should show 94% SOC as they were a few minutes ago before changing the config to allow adding the two new Version 2 bats. BUT, the Ver 1 bats are now showing 51% SOC according to the Monitor center screen, and the Version 2 bats are showing 94%. And all four green LED lites are lit on all batteries. Brandon at SS says this may be normal until they all cycle together and he suggested I run a Lead Acid voltage based charge process for a week or so to allow all BMSs to "recalibrate" (my word). He suggested using Lead Acid battery type, set the Lead Acid Capacity at the number of total Ah for the whole pack, Set Charge Current Limit at 125 amps, Set Lead Acid charge voltage at 56.2, Float at 54, Set Discharge Setting According to Voltage, Battery Warning at 47 volts, On grid EOD volts at 46, Discharge cutoff at 46 volts, Discharge Current Limit 140 amps.
I'll perform this Lead Acid Voltage based charge for a few days and attempt to get all SOC to report accurately. Otherwise, I'm online with the new bats. Hopefully this helps someone.

Hi Jim, Congratulations on getting everything to comunicate. I'm struggling a little bit here getting com right with almost the same setup as you. I have 7 Legacy EG4 LL and 5 lifepower4 V1, both have only the 4 position dip switches. I have updated all batteries using the multi pac software. All are in parallel with 4 new Eg4 6000xp. I had this working by using the revers dip sw settings on the lifepower4 batteries to address sequencaly 12 batteries and setting the LL as master can protocol 6Lux, all reporting HA correctly untell all lifepower4 went into error low voltage but LLs were still at 2 lit LEDs. I thought I would try to make o e of the lifepower4 the master and started changing my dips on all lifepower4 batteries. I could not make it work so I tried to set it back to what worked before. Unfortunately I did not record the switch settings on the lifepower4s and now I can only get 4 of the 5 to be recognized. I have identified the one battery that is not working and have tried several dip settings. Would you mind providing your exact dip settings that are working for you if you have only 4 sw dips? It's got to be an address issue. I think I need to get all the batteries charged and balanced the same. Or maybe they really are not being read and software is not right.

 

[JimGSolar]

I'll try to list my dip settings for you. I may have to edit tomorrow but here goes.
I have 6 lifepower4 version 1 batteries and 6 version 2 batteries. I used the provided orange cable from 6000xp to first ver 2 battery, using CAN plug on battery, addressed as a 1, my master battery. The remaining 5 version 2 batteries are addressed 2-6. Jumper comm cables supplied were run from right output to lsft input, of BATT COMM ports on each battery. Then I used a specially prepared cable from the number 6 version 2 lifepower4, to the first lifepower4 version 1 battery, right BATT COMM port of last version 2, to left BATT COMM port of first version 1 battery. Addressing
Version 1 batteries are "up is on". Switch values are, left to right, 1,2,4,8. So first version 1 battery is the 7th battery in my system so addressed as a 7, so dip switches 1,2, and 4 are up, switch 8 is down on that bat. Next bat is to be number 8 so the fourth dip switch is in (for 8), and the 1,2,4 are all down. Etc.

Version 2 batteries are addressed 1 thru 6. The tricky part is, these dip switches are mounted correctly, but wired upside down. So "down is on" on ver 2 batteries (OPPOSITE OF THE ADDRESSING OF THE VERSION 1 BATTERIES WHICH ARE "up is on". I've tried time and time again to prove this and indeed it's true.
So, the first version 2 battery is my master and so must be address 1, so all the dip switches are up except the first dip switch which is "down for on", making it an address 1. Etc, for remaining five version 2 batteries.
Protocol dip switches
The version 2 batteries are all set with protocol dip switch 1 and 5 and 6 down, all others up, which I believe is correct. See online lastesr version of manual because your printed version is probably wrong.

All this accomplished,, all the batteries show up on EG4 Device Monitor app, but the version 1 batteries ALWAYS show SOC at 51% . Always. While the version 2 bats are showing correct soc values. So I believe I've done everything i can and I believe we need a firmware update to make the soc operate correctly on the version 1 batteries. I've updated all the version 1 batteries and the 6000xp firmware to the latest level. So I'm standing by waiting. Luckily, the batts do function correctly during this time.

Hope this helps.

 

[Billybob16]

I want to thank you for taking the time to cover your configuration for me. It will be a few days before I can get to work on this but I think your info will help. It's unfortunate that the switches are messed up, it sure makes things difficult. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

 

[JimGSolar]

Saw this video, which got me excited to try the idea he shows.

And after doing exactly what he shows, i still have the perpetual 51% soc on all V1 batteries as reported to the EG4 Monitor Software. A call to SS next week is on my list.

 

[Billybob16]

Thanks for the video! I was able to get back to my problem yesterday and finally figured it out. Now all 5 lifepower4 and all 7 EG4 LL V1 4 dip sw batteries are communicating and reporting correctly. Here is how I figured out the problem which was a bad switch on one of the lifepower4's.

I used BMS Test to address and read the batteries. You can not read them when the com cable is active. I started out trying to address all batteries and I couldn't. I had set all switches sequencaly so then I isolated the LLs and those I could read so I moved to the lifepower4 group but couldn't read 2 of them so I separated those from the group. Individually I tried addressing them according to their switch settings. It was by doing that that I discovered which one was causing duplicate addresses. That battery's switch #2 and #3 will only work for "0" or off. Because of that I could only set it to 0,1,8 or 9. I set it to a unique address 9, put all switches 1-12 , made the LL (#1) the master, hooked coms up and bingo, all is good. All have been updated.

Note the switch positions are opposite on the lifepower4 compared to the legacy LL V1 4 dip. The LLs have the blue switch in the picture.

Hope this helps others.
Thanks!

 

[Chrisger]

My V1 baterries are also showing %51 SOC. I just spoke with a signature solar tech about the monitoring center showing %51 SOC on V1 batteries when interconnected with V2 batteries and he informed me it is an application issue and that they are aware and working on the issue.

 

[Billybob16]

My V1 baterries are also showing %51 SOC. I just spoke with a signature solar tech about the monitoring center showing %51 SOC on V1 batteries when interconnected with V2 batteries and he informed me it is an application issue and that they are aware and working on the issue.

View attachment 250014

That is interesting. I have been wondering if things are all being read and reported correctly.

 

[JimGSolar]

I spoke with SS today. The nice guy on tech support did not know the answer (to why the lfp4 version 1 batteries always show 51% SOC on the eg4 monitor app on computer, when communicating thru the lfp4 version 2 master battery). He asked around to the other techs, nobody has seen that yet. So he offered to email me back with any info he could get direct from EG4. I said great, that's fine. A few minutes later I had an email and the answer direct from EG4 is; it's a known problem with the device monitor app itself, they are working on a new version of that, and when its ready we'll see it automatically.

 

[apexnexus]

I spoke with SS today. The nice guy on tech support did not know the answer (to why the lfp4 version 1 batteries always show 51% SOC on the eg4 monitor app on computer, when communicating thru the lfp4 version 2 master battery). He asked around to the other techs, nobody has seen that yet. So he offered to email me back with any info he could get direct from EG4. I said great, that's fine. A few minutes later I had an email and the answer direct from EG4 is; it's a known problem with the device monitor app itself, they are working on a new version of that, and when its ready we'll see it automatically.

Thank you Jim for your hard work on this issue and sharing. How are your charge / discharge rates on new vs old batteries? I currently have 4: v2s and 2: v1s and I see 10-30% higher rates at all times on the old batteries, hopefully it wont cause damage to BMS due to some miscommunication via BATT COM hack.

 

[TerRob]

Thank you Jim for your hard work on this issue and sharing. How are your charge / discharge rates on new vs old batteries? I currently have 4: v2s and 2: v1s and I see 10-30% higher rates at all times on the old batteries, hopefully it wont cause damage to BMS due to some miscommunication via BATT COM hack.

for anyone reading these threads regarding pairing v1 and v2 lifepower4 I am going to offer my 2 cents here. I called to order 2 more v1 batteries(I have 4 currently). Told no more v1 but they have v2. I asked if there are any issues pairing them together. The lady taking my order put me on hold and returned to tell me there should be no issues so I order 2 v2's. Then I learned that there are issues. Known issues that existed at the time I ordered. My opinion is do not order v2 to pair with v1 unless you are willing to accept the long term consequences of doing so. I returned my v2's and ate the restocking fee. Just my opinion.