Epever question regarding "SolarStation" for PC

[Dacflyer]

Ok,, i tried something and success,,, the USB to RS485, of the 2nd unit must be bad, because i just had the idea to use the one from 1st unit on the 2nd unit, just to see what happens.. I successfully programmed the 2nd unit... And i am able to see info in the monitoring.. .but i cant figure out why I couldn't see monitoring in the 1st unit a while ago.. Hmmm

 

[Browneye]

My two controllers are both listed in the drop down box for monitoring. If I select one or the other it resets the logging data. I have them both named as devices on the same device number and com port since they use the same cable. So I can stop monitoring one, move the cable, and start monitoring the other.

If you dig around in there my bet is you'll figure it out. And delete those devices for com 3 as you're not using that port - it just adds confusion.

Click on the unit you want to read on the left, then select the right controller unit form the drop down box, then click Start Monitoring.
I do this first before trying to read a parameters settings. You're connected, I just think you're asking it to monitor the wrong device or on the wrong port.

 

[Dacflyer]

I'm a happy camper now, it seems the adapter was the problem the whole time.. Now to see how i can get the program to work on my home laptop again.

 

[Dacflyer]

My two controllers are both listed in the drop down box for monitoring. If I select one or the other it resets the logging data. I have them both named as devices on the same device number and com port since they use the same cable. So I can stop monitoring one, move the cable, and start monitoring the other.

If you dig around in there my bet is you'll figure it out. And delete those devices for com 3 as you're not using that port - it just adds confusion.

Click on the unit you want to read on the left, then select the right controller unit form the drop down box, then click Start Monitoring.
I do this first before trying to read a parameters settings. You're connected, I just think you're asking it to monitor the wrong device or on the wrong port.

The thing was, i have 2 USB RS485 adapters that came with the units. As it was, one was COM3, the other was COM4. and after all this farting around for hours on end i discover that one of them is bad.. I thought it'd be easy to just leave them connected to the CC, so in case I ever wanted to connect to them, i wouldn't have to remove the covers to connect the adapters. Just plug in the USB and go...
As my luck... NOT!
at least i got things set now, i did copy the parameter file, (exported it) then imported it to the 2nd controller, instantly worked.
Thanks again for your time.. I appreciate it..

 

[WYtreasure]

The thing was, i have 2 USB RS485 adapters that came with the units. As it was, one was COM3, the other was COM4. and after all this farting around for hours on end i discover that one of them is bad.. I thought it'd be easy to just leave them connected to the CC, so in case I ever wanted to connect to them, i wouldn't have to remove the covers to connect the adapters. Just plug in the USB and go...
As my luck... NOT!
at least i got things set now, i did copy the parameter file, (exported it) then imported it to the 2nd controller, instantly worked.
Thanks again for your time.. I appreciate it..

Anything else I can do to help? Soda or beer spilled on the computer? Some popcorn or a hotdog in your hair?

 

[Dacflyer]

Anything else I can do to help? Soda or beer spilled on the computer? Some popcorn or a hotdog in your hair?

Lol... I'll pass on that for now... Now if it'll just stop raining here, i can get the other half of my solar panels connected..
The 1 charge controller seems to be doing OK by itself at keeping the batteries charged. I plan to add more batteries later as I find a deal.
Right now ( if my cyphering is correct) I have a total of 5,3kw of solar. 2x 2655w arrays = 3s3p of 295w panels. So with 5hrs peak production i have 26.5kw available.
Batteries i haven't done a full capacity test yet. But BHU estimated them to be about 72ah. So with 14s6p I'll have about 20.7Kwh available.. So i think i have room for more batteries to add.
Each string of 14s has its own BMS.. SO 6 JK BMS units.

 

[WYtreasure]

Lol... I'll pass on that for now... Now if it'll just stop raining here, i can get the other half of my solar panels connected..
The 1 charge controller seems to be doing OK by itself at keeping the batteries charged. I plan to add more batteries later as I find a deal.
Right now ( if my cyphering is correct) I have a total of 5,3kw of solar. 2x 2655w arrays = 3s3p of 295w panels. So with 5hrs peak production i have 26.5kw available.
Batteries i haven't done a full capacity test yet. But BHU estimated them to be about 72ah. So with 14s6p I'll have about 20.7Kwh available.. So i think i have room for more batteries to add.
Each string of 14s has its own BMS.. SO 6 JK BMS units.

Damn glad you hung in there to get it sorted. I thought I saw you carrying the computer and controller out behind the barn at one point there.

I'll trade you my 5 freaking degrees with snow and ice for your rain.

One of these days ya gotta tell me what a "Dac" is. ?‍

 

[Dacflyer]

Damn glad you hung in there to get it sorted. I thought I saw you carrying the computer and controller out behind the barn at one point there.

I'll trade you my 5 freaking degrees with snow and ice for your rain.

One of these days ya gotta tell me what a "Dac" is. ?‍

DAC is short for Pterodactyl ( a type of ultralight i used to own ) and I am the pilot, So Dacflyer I am..

 

[WYtreasure]

DAC is short for Pterodactyl ( a type of ultralight i used to own ) and I am the pilot, So Dacflyer I am..

Those things make my private parts shrink.
Check this out:

Helicopter rotor blades to build wind turbine? I have 4 rotor blades from a Bell helicopter.

I have 4 timed out blades and want to build a wind turbine. Each are 17 ft long and a foot wide and weigh about 90 lbs. my plan is to use a final drive from a combine I have laying around to mount the rotor head on. I’ll be able to adjust the pitch of the blades with a stepper motor. The output...

diysolarforum.com

 

[Browneye]

That is how I started flying as well. Quit soon after - I’m a crash waiting to happen. ?

 

[Dacflyer]

Interesting, rotor blade turbine,,, hmmm
I have always flown ultralights, they are a lot of fun, aber are just as safe as any other plane, and the view is much better..

 

[Checkthisout]

That adapter cable is critical as I found out myself.

I accidentally plugged the RS485 cable directly into the mini PC I use for monitoring and it fried my Epever controller.

New one works like a champ. I get comm errors on occasion. I was told this happens when the controller sends/recieves data from the MT50 and connected PC at the same time. Setting the sample rate lower helps but still get errors on occasion. No big deal. Just close and reopen solarstation.

None of this olde skool software is user friendly for software dotards like myself but practice makes perfect.

 

[Dacflyer]

That adapter cable is critical as I found out myself.

I accidentally plugged the RS485 cable directly into the mini PC I use for monitoring and it fried my Epever controller.

New one works like a champ. I get comm errors on occasion. I was told this happens when the controller sends/recieves data from the MT50 and connected PC at the same time. Setting the sample rate lower helps but still get errors on occasion. No big deal. Just close and reopen solarstation.

None of this olde skool software is user friendly for software dotards like myself but practice makes perfect.

I think the RS485 module in mine went belly up this weekend.. Where did you order a new one? The CC still works fine,, just no comm to the MT50.. it only says connecting..

 

[Checkthisout]

I think the RS485 module in mine went belly up this weekend.. Where did you order a new one? The CC still works fine,, just no comm to the MT50.. it only says connecting..

I Replaced the charge controller. I don't think you can get service parts.

Disconnect power and reconnect and see if your MT50 connects. Make sure nothing else is plugged in.

If you plug the CC directly into an RS485 jack instead of using the included USB adapter cable, then the CC is probably damaged.

 

[Browneye]

The EPEver cable is proprietary?
What is a 'RS485 jack'? I'm not aware of a PC or laptop with such a port.

I got the 'special adapter cable' and no issues.

 

[Checkthisout]

The EPEver cable is proprietary?
What is a 'RS485 jack'? I'm not aware of a PC or laptop with such a port.

I got the 'special adapter cable' and no issues.

I think so? Would have to check the PINOUTS to be sure. I am recalling from memory things I did two years ago as part of a much larger project.

And my bad. I mean RJ45 or CAT5 connector to USB, not RS485.

My monitoring PC and MT50 is some distance from my controller so I have an extension cable to the MT50 and PC.

I accidentally plugged this cable directly into the "RJ45/Cat5" port on the PC which damaged the Epever controller and I had to replace it. Now that I think about it, I may have accidentally plugged it into the POE switch and not the PC.

 

[Browneye]

Ah well, a POE switch might well make a difference eh?? LOL

 

[Checkthisout]

Ah well, a POE switch might well make a difference eh?? LOL

Just a tad....

I do like the CC though. I have no experience with others but for the price it has good customization and you can watch it ramp down current and go into float along with things like being able to set boost charge time period etc.

It can be confusing because you can set "boost" at 14.8 volts and the time for 2 hours. It only counts the time at 14.8 volts towards the 2 hours so it can stay in boost mode much longer if the voltage threshold is not reached which makes you think changing the settings isn't making any difference. Or maybe I am the only one that didn't know this.

Same with equalization mode.

 

[Dacflyer]

I Replaced the charge controller. I don't think you can get service parts.

Disconnect power and reconnect and see if your MT50 connects. Make sure nothing else is plugged in.

If you plug the CC directly into an RS485 jack instead of using the included USB adapter cable, then the CC is probably damaged.

My controller is barely a year old..
I have disconnected it totally to see if it would reset.. Nothing....
The MT50 was always disconnected before i connected and used the USB / 485cable.
The MT50 was fine for months, and then one morning i go to check on things, and it just says CONNECTING........
I'm hoping the module inside the CC can be replaced..

 

[Checkthisout]

My controller is barely a year old..
I have disconnected it totally to see if it would reset.. Nothing....
The MT50 was always disconnected before i connected and used the USB / 485cable.
The MT50 was fine for months, and then one morning i go to check on things, and it just says CONNECTING........
I'm hoping the module inside the CC can be replaced..

Yeah. Sounds like it fried. See if they'll warranty it. Did you get off Amazon?

Try all the USUAL stuff first. The pin fit on the back of the MT50 is sensitive. Make sure you're getting good connection. Try a different cable etc.

In your case the MT50 is getting power but the CC isn't responding to requests for info.