Solis Hybrid - charge battery using Night rate

graememk · 30-01-2023 1:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120176897#Comment_120176897

If your battery is 5kwh, I'd leave it be,

Discharge limit doesn't matter, it won't be used. (Discharge times will force discharge the battery at them times, no matter the load)

Setting it to go from 2-8 is a good idea, battery should get charged on the cheapest rate, it will also prevent discharge on night rate.

As the battery will likely be empty by 11pm you don't have to worry about blocking out that time.

brendandonlon · 30-01-2023 1:27pm

Hello to all on this thread - I'm trying to work out what sort of battery capacity I can get fully charged in the two hour super-cheap slot between 2am and 4am.

So I've currently got a 3.5kw Pylontech, and I'm looking to add one or two additional 4.8kw Pylontech batteries to get our total battery storage close to our above our average daily use, which is approx 12kwh.

But looking at this charge time calculator, it looks like the limits of how fast I can charge the smaller capacity battery is going to really constrain how much power I can put into the total battery capacity during that two hour slot.

Am I right in my understanding that the 37Ah charging rate for the Pylontech 3000 means it would take nearly 8 hours to fill up all three batteries? Or have I got the maths wrong?

Or does anybody else have experience of setting the charge rate when you're dealing with a mixed group of batteries?

Thanks in advance!

ELM327 · 30-01-2023 2:35pm

You won't have a mixed group of batteries, once you parallel them it will be one big battery. Once the bms realises that then the charge rate would increase accordingly.

brendandonlon · 30-01-2023 3:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120177464#Comment_120177464

Thanks - but what charge limit would I select in the Solis Inverter settings? The default is 050.0A (50 amps, I presume) - and the smaller battery spec sheet says it's charge rate maxes out at 37Ah but the larger has a higher charging rate limit of 80Ah…

Are you saying I just leave the Solis cranking away at 50 amps and let the batteries manage how much power they accept?

Given that, how much of the approx 13kWh in the batteries will be charged in two hours?

(I'm getting maths exam anxiety flashbacks at this point…)

DC999 · 30-01-2023 3:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120177190#Comment_120177190

Would you not be better on a D/N meter? No charge to swap out the smart meter. They have something like 9 hours night rate. Afaik its’s 11pm to morning. Energia D/N night rate is somewhere around 13.5C maybe. Until solar deemed export disappears, I don’t see the downside of moving to a D/N from a smart meter. And with batteries, you’ll export less so getting deemed export is to your advantage. I’ll be moving to a D/N once I get offered a smart meter (I’ve reasons to stay on current 24hr meter).

For people filling a battery (in winter), and charging an EV and load shifting…. 9 hours is so much easier than 2. 2 hour window means everything has to start at the exact same time and go flat out.

With a D/N, you could even plug in electric rads to be on a timer to heat parts of the house on night-rate just before ye get up. Cost less than gas + oil some here suggest.

Our EV only charges at 3.6kW (old Leaf) so 2 hour slot won’t even fill ours.

brendandonlon · 30-01-2023 3:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120177710#Comment_120177710

I looked into this last year (also to charge EV) and I was told it's no longer possible to replace Smart Meter for a Day Night meter.

Initially (in Feb 2022) I was told it was an option, but with a much larger standing charge and a significant installation fee - and an even larger replacement fee if we ever reverted to Smart Meter.

But when I looked to action this later in the year - as I had done the maths and figured it was worth doing - I was told it wasn't possible any more. Didn't pursue why, but it was just after we had our solar PV installed, so I presume that may have triggered something on our account.

ELM327 · 30-01-2023 4:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120177661#Comment_120177661

Yes the default is 50a. assuming you have the 6kW inverter I would set the max to 100a and let the battery bms sync and decide what it can take. Thats what I do. Set it to 100 in the charge timer screen.

brendandonlon · 30-01-2023 4:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120177935#Comment_120177935

So if I've got my calculations right here, that gives me a charge time for a 13kw battery of 2.9 hours - does that sound right?

ELM327 · 30-01-2023 5:19pm

So if you're using a solis 6kW inverter it will drop down to 75A from 100A after 15 minutes. 100A is about 5kW, 50A is about 2.5kW and 75A is about 3.75kW.

I'd base my estimates off 75A or 3.75kW. 13kWh to be added at 3.75kW would take approx 4 hours, allowing for speed tapering at the top end.

DC999 · 30-01-2023 5:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120177824#Comment_120177824

Ah, I was told there is no charge from a 24hr meter to a D/N.

ELM327 · 30-01-2023 5:38pm

There is no charge, and it is possible to do.

alan kelly · 31-01-2023 9:30am

First night hoping for a battery charge at the night rate and nothing.. ahhhhh..

It’s obviously a setting incorrect somewhere despite me following the YouTube video and just updating the charge time.

Ha Long Bay · 31-01-2023 5:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120180802#Comment_120180802

After setting the charge time did you change the optimal income setting from self use to run and allow charging from the grid?

Here is a good guide on it hope it helps.

https://blog.jonsdocs.org.uk/2022/08/07/solis-hybrid-inverter-charging-from-the-grid/#:~:text=Enable%20charging%20from%20the%20grid,ENT%20you'll%20see%20Done!

alan kelly · 31-01-2023 6:49pm

Will take a read. I think I did but I’ll read. Thanks.

Ha Long Bay · 31-01-2023 6:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120183566#Comment_120183566

Check the discharge time as well by default it has values set and it caught me out. Should be set like this 00:00 ---- 00:00

alan kelly · 31-01-2023 6:59pm

👌👌

brendandonlon · 05-02-2023 7:22pm

Has anyone found a simple way to change the Solis Inverter settings remotely?

Our inverter is in the attic, and it’s a pain to think of the up-and-down visits that would be needed throughout the year to adjust battery night-charging settings depending on the amount of solar generation we’re typically getting during the day…

I’ve had a brief look at a huge thread on using Home Automation to do exactly this - but it looks well beyond my technical capabilities!

But perhaps those are my only two choices? Or has anyone found a (relatively) straightforward way to adjust Solis settings without tapping on the physical inverter buttons?

Ha Long Bay · 05-02-2023 7:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120205791#Comment_120205791

I believe the newer S3 data logger stick can do this now via the app once Solis enable it. A few users here I think have this setup.

https://www.ginlong.com/accessories5/WiFi_Data_Logging_Stick_11231607.html

brendandonlon · 05-02-2023 7:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120205808#Comment_120205808

Interesting - that’s the data logger I have (as far as I can tell!) an it’s definitely a one-way traffic flow of data - there doesn’t seem to be any way to send data to the stick, according to that website and in my experience…

con747 · 05-02-2023 7:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120205791#Comment_120205791

As said above, you need to contact Solis support and they will remotely update the inverter to allow you to change settings via the Solis Cloud app. Then you just need the data logger mentioned above if you have an earlier version. I think this is the Solis email address euservice@solisinverters.com

Ha Long Bay · 05-02-2023 7:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120205862#Comment_120205862

The email address is euservice@solisinverters.com

con747 · 05-02-2023 7:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120205872#Comment_120205872

I found it just as you posted!

brendandonlon · 05-02-2023 8:39pm

Brilliant - I’ve just sent off an email to this address. I’ll let you know how I get on! It seems to be a well-kept secret that this is achievable at all - the only clue I could find online is that the installers have this capability, so that reassured me that it was at least technically possible!

yankinlk · 05-02-2023 11:09pm

I got the right data logger and enabled it. But for the life of me I can't recall how to use it.

jkforde · 06-02-2023 12:17am

@yankinlk open your plant > Device > Inverter > tap on Inverter info box > (Inverter Details page opens) tap ... top right > Inverter Control

Screenshot_20230205-231234~2.jpg

yankinlk · 06-02-2023 12:43am

Thanks. Yeah it's missing from there again. Not sure when I lost it....

Bobeagleburger · 06-02-2023 1:27pm

If the data logger isn't compatible, is it possible to update the current logger? Or is a new one required?

jkforde · 06-02-2023 2:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120207824#Comment_120207824

for remote control of the inverter, a new data logger (wifi stick) is needed, one of these:

https://www.ginlong.com/accessories5/GPRS%26WiFi_Data_Logging_Stick_in.html

and you also need to request access by emailing Solis EU support

you can sell your previous data logger, there's a decent market for them, I sold mine to a lad in Canada.

crisco10 · 06-02-2023 8:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120205872#Comment_120205872

This place is a treasure trove.

I got my installation on Friday, and was just starting to idly have thoughts of accessing inverter controls remotely, then boom here it is. Sent an email last night, remote control granted about 11.30am this morning.

Ps; is that the same setting enabled that I'll need for Home Assistant?

Nuphor · 09-03-2023 10:22am

Have been seeing an odd thing that I haven't been able to get to the bottom of. I have 5x 5kWh Cerrnss LiFePo4 batteries (with user-defined settings from the manufacturer), and a 6kw Solis Hybrid inverter. I've set the charging settings to 97.5A for timed charging, but I never seem to see the inverter output a full 5000W. Mostly what I see is a brief period of charging at about 4300, then this can drop down to 3700 or (last night) 3100. I thought perhaps this may be down to temperature, but the batteries are in a well-insulated garage that typically sits at around 12 degrees, and doesn't fluctuate much (even with the recent cold snap).

SD_DRACULA · 09-03-2023 10:35am

What you're seeing is Solis false advertising and lies at its best.

100A is a joke, they have confirmed it is 100A for 15 mins then 70A, then if load is under 60A for 25 mins or more, back to 100A for 15 mins and so on.

You want a Sunsynk inverter which can actually keep the charging/discharging at 100A-200A continuously.

Waiting to install mine in the next few weeks.

Mickeroo · 09-03-2023 11:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120208050#Comment_120208050

When you have that installed can they update the inverter firmware? Or can the do that with the old data logger even (which is the one I have).

I don't think my inverter currently has capability to charge from night rate so I assume it needs a firmware update of some kind.

SD_DRACULA · 09-03-2023 11:21am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120333762#Comment_120333762

It certainly can (on any firmware) but you need to set it directly on the inverter.

jkforde · 09-03-2023 11:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120333762#Comment_120333762

Advanced settings (0010: down, down, up, down) - Storage Energy - Storage Mode Select - Self Use Mode ON - Time of use

refer to your Solis manual, in Appendix 10.4

can you navigate the above series of menus on the Solis?

Mickeroo · 09-03-2023 12:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120334044#Comment_120334044

I'm pretty sure I have tried that before and that option isn't there, but will see can I get into the attic for another look today.

con747 · 09-03-2023 12:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120334060#Comment_120334060

Make sure you leave the discharge set at 00.00 or it discharges to the grid if you put a time on it. It's really only for selling power back to the grid like in the UK. Plenty of YouTube videos on how to set it correctly.

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=set+solis+charge+times+youtube&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:3d043981,vid:qCtriOPoS_Y

Mickeroo · 09-03-2023 3:17pm

Below is what I have in my storage energy menu, I haven't changed anything in it since the install.

Unless I'm missing something the options mentioned for setting it up to charge on night rate aren't there? Or is there something in the below I need to change to get them to appear?

jkforde · 09-03-2023 6:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120335252#Comment_120335252

so if you use the up or down buttons in the storage mode select screen, do you get any more mode options? if not, defo need a firmware update, which can be requested from Solis EU support with either data logger as mentioned before

ELM327 · 10-03-2023 10:08am

Thats an older software but if you set optimal income to RUN, then set charge limit to 50a and charge time to the night rate time. Set discharge time to 00-00

Mickeroo · 27-03-2023 4:38pm

I got one of the newer type of data loggers but it doesn't seem to have as much info available on the portal? I can't see my batter charge for example. Any ideas?

johndoe11 · 18-05-2023 11:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120333549#Comment_120333549

Good to see someone else with Cerrnss batteries, i have an initial 2 on the way from Alibaba. How did you find them? Any issues?

Nuphor · 25-05-2023 3:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120611572#Comment_120611572

All good! I was seeing some odd issues with certain batteries discharging more than others, but on advise from support, I switch the inverter from user-defined settings to Pylon, and they've been working flawlessly ever since. Very happy with them.

portach king · 17-07-2023 12:03pm

Hey folks,

I have a Solis hybrid inverter, and I'm trying to figure out how to set it up so that it charges my battery at night. I'm on a smart tariff, so I want to take advantage of the cheaper night rate to charge my battery.

I've found the settings for the charge time, but I'm not sure if this will prevent the inverter from charging the battery using excess that is generated by the PV panels during the day.

Can anyone help me understand this?

Thanks!

Inverter model: Solis RHI-5G Series Hybrid Inverter
Battery type: Dryness 5kWh (planning to add a further 5KWh to this before Sept)

jkforde · 17-07-2023 1:06pm

In the inverter manual, have a read of Appendix 10.4.. Advanced setting - self-use mode... set charge time From and To (eg 02:00 to 04:00) and leave discharge times 00:00 (inverter will handle when to discharge)

portach king · 17-07-2023 1:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120862394#Comment_120862394

Yes.

I might not have been clear enough. Sorry.

I see how to do that, but I'm wondering if that will prevent it from also topping the battery up during the day from the PV production. I have an 8kW system, and it is producing 5.4kW at the moment. More than the house needs. Some of that is currently charging the battery. Some for the house, and some being sold to the grid.

If I set up the timer, will that prevent the inverter from charging the battery using that solar energy?

ELM327 · 17-07-2023 1:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120862425#Comment_120862425

No, you cannot do that. More specifically you cannot combine the two, as both are different modes. Self use (needed to charge the batteries) is one mode and FIT priority (needed to export rather than charging battery) is another mode.

portach king · 17-07-2023 1:36pm

So, FIT during the summer and Self-Use as daylight hours reduce?

This is a new system, so I'm still getting my head around it.

ELM327 · 17-07-2023 1:46pm

No. Self use all the time. Add the timer when you need it (ie bad weather forecast or in the winter).

portach king · 17-07-2023 2:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120862570#Comment_120862570

Thanks for the help. It looks like I'm misunderstanding things though. Isn't Self-Use timer only in that case?

ELM327 · 17-07-2023 3:39pm

Self use is the mode, meaning the priority is 1) load 2) battery 3) export; then within self use you have options like charge from grid Y/N and charge/discharge timer.

Solis Hybrid - charge battery using Night rate

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