Sofar ME3000SP

randombar · 23-02-2023 9:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120280633#Comment_120280633

I know one of the lads got another shipped to him so hopefully you should be good.

Managed to do something to the Seplos so need to hard wire the batteries in 16Sp1

Anyone have the settings to hand for the default battery?

spose · 23-02-2023 9:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120280633#Comment_120280633

Found them very good. Went through some troubleshooting and when couldn’t resolve said because they have no on site technical support in Ireland they’d replace it. Brand new to the door in a few days

championc · 23-02-2023 10:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120280633#Comment_120280633

You MUST power up the DC side first @Jnealon

championc · 23-02-2023 10:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120280688#Comment_120280688

You may need to snip one of the four wires in the Seplos to ME3000.

Or if it turns on and then turns off, it's likely the BMS cables are miswired.

These are the last Default settings I ever used

Here's my latest settings

Type Default

Capacity 185Ah

Discharge Depth 80% (EPS) 80%

Max Charge 40A

Over Protection 58.5v

Max Charge 58.4v

Max Discharge 60A

Low Protection 42.5v

Min Discharge 49.7v

Empty Discharged 51.1v

Fully Charged 53.6v

But was a bl00dy nightmare

randombar · 23-02-2023 10:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120281165#Comment_120281165

So tested the Seplos with a tester, the two ports that had cables going into them are dead. Third RS485B is ok.

https://capture.dropbox.com/4cm6ToeFzvvkuXuL

So I'll have to hard wire for a while until I get the seplos repaired somehow.

I think I'll have to take off the ethernet port and replace with another one . .

randombar · 23-02-2023 11:33pm

Tested all pins. Bottom row are ok, top row are dead.

https://capture.dropbox.com/AVbV5l76T20veZYN

Need to see where I can order the socket and get it resoldered, anyone know anyone in Cork? I know a decent guy with a soldering Iron but he's all the way up in Donegal :D

graememk · 24-02-2023 12:19am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120281620#Comment_120281620

I've nothing on hand to de solder currently! 😂

But wait, what is broken/what's going on/how did it break

On the canbus only pin 4 and 5 is used for the can communication.

randombar · 24-02-2023 12:24am

So didn’t get around to putting the nice protective case on the bloody thing.

young fella amazingly bounced a ball off the cables coming off the board

network sockets have come off the board slightly from the top, connection is broken from top row of 4 pins

no communication with the sofar since.

graememk · 24-02-2023 12:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120281805#Comment_120281805

Yep, that would do it, Even just one of them broken would screw it up.

championc · 24-02-2023 1:13am

Best way then is to solder wires for an RJ45 socket onto just the points on the PCB of the 3 pins needed

Jnealon · 24-02-2023 9:21am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120281064#Comment_120281064

I had tried that too, similar result, end up with a blank but backlit screen and the alarm light comes on

championc · 24-02-2023 9:32am

So have you checked your battery voltage arriving to the inverter ? Has a fuse between the BMS and the inverter tripped or blown ? Is DC voltage even leaving the BMS ?

randombar · 24-02-2023 12:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120281927#Comment_120281927

Yup, any idea which pins? Might be a temp solution until I can replace the port.

Mr Q · 26-02-2023 3:14pm

I only installed a ME3000 over the Christmas holiday but now am noticing an issue that I think has been happening for at least a few weeks. I can constantly hear the unit clicking when in the same room.

It keeps going from "Charge" to "Standby" to "Check Charge" to "Charge"

The battery is currently at about 80% and there is plenty of excess solar power to charge the battery but it keeps cycling between the above.

It is set to Time of Use Mode but also does it in Auto Mode. The BMS I use does not communicate with the Sofar.

This morning it showed a ID77 error unrecoverRelayFail Relay has happen permanent fault. This is the first time I have seen this and a restart cleared it.

Has anyone had any similar issues or know if there is a setting I may have wrong to cause this.

championc · 26-02-2023 4:52pm

So without a linked BMS, I assume your batteries are setup for the Default type, meaning the inverter "thinks" they are Lead-Acid's while I assume they are LiFePO4's? If that's the case, the charge curve for Lead-Acid's is quite different to LiFePO4's.

Mr Q · 26-02-2023 5:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120290773#Comment_120290773

Yes, it is set to default for the battery and they are LFP. But would it cause the issue even when the battery is at a lower SOC?

I'm not to concerned if it's not an equipment issue. But I have exported nearly 6kWh today which is annoying.

I need to change the BMS anyway as currently the Sofar doesn't use enough of the batteries capacity.

randombar · 27-02-2023 12:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120281927#Comment_120281927

Anyone have any idea where I could pick up a couple of these?

https://capture.dropbox.com/ZyxXwh4jbGGdFT1y

graememk · 27-02-2023 12:12pm

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connector-Breakout-Compatible-Ethernet-Unassambled/dp/B094HSL3DJ/ref%3Dmp_s_a_1_4?crid=3K5C8ZWME1S1Z&keywords=rj45+breakout&qid=1677496244&sprefix=rj45+break%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-4

it comes unsoldered

randombar · 27-02-2023 12:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120293371#Comment_120293371

looks like the pins for those are at the bottom and not the back.

graememk · 27-02-2023 1:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120293404#Comment_120293404

Ah yes your right, they are at the bottom didn't realise that

Jnealon · 14-03-2023 9:10am

I sent an email to Sofar technical at the end of Feb with a few readings, some screen shots from the inverter and a few other details. They replied a few days later to say they would ship out a new unit, ended up getting an EP as the faulty ES is out of stock. Took 2 weeks from initial email to receiving replacement from the Netherlands

randombar · 14-03-2023 9:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120293691#Comment_120293691

Meant to put this up also, Got the socket replaced (didn't trust my own soldering skills). Working away perfectly again. Happy days.

Jpsbbtt · 29-03-2023 5:06pm

Hi All,

Great thread. I've an me3000sp sourced for fitting to help consume more of my generated power. Unfortunately can't go down the diy battery route for a variety of reasons... mainly batter will be visible, no space, etc.

Anyway, was looking at 2 x pylontech us3000. Where are people sourcing these. Can't get stock in Ireland, and where I can, they are us2000 and mad money. Have 1 or 2 in the UK, but Brexit has closed that door... and they wouldn't ship to Northern Ireland either...

There's a few Spanish companies, but given the cost, want to go with someone reputable...

Any recommendations??

Thanks in advance.

championc · 29-03-2023 5:16pm

I assume you are aware that an ME3000 can go anywhere. It doesn't have to be anywhere near the Solar PV inverter

Jpsbbtt · 29-03-2023 5:24pm

Yep... but I've no additional cables, including data, from the CU to anywhere more suitable... my string inverter is in a storage room upstairs and the CU is in the utility downstairs....

If I even dream of trying to route cables, I'll be shot!! Spent ages looking at it and will end up wrecking the place to get a 4 or 6mm cable and data to anywhere more suitable....

Have a small area for max two batteries out of the way, with the inverter beside it, all less than a meter from the CU... but still in view hence the pylontechs. Also, consumption is low at night, as we self consume a lot, so dont need huge storage. But just kills exporting, FIT or not....

championc · 29-03-2023 6:11pm

Is a shed not an option for you ? It's just that Pylontechs really are, imo, sh1te

Jpsbbtt · 29-03-2023 6:22pm

That's out as well... accross a yard, with no data...

Did a bit of rooting and I've 3 x 2.5 t&e from the attic to the CU free, but I'm conscious that they're on the small side, and it's the best part of 10meter run from CU to attic... given cable route...

I've a spark to look at it before commissioning and do the connection to the CU, but I suspect that they're not up to the job, given the specs of the inverter... I know it would be a different story if it was a short run...

PS - agree on off-the-shelf being largely dung... but the wife will have a melt if she sees me at any more of this!!.

graememk · 29-03-2023 7:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120416865#Comment_120416865

2.5 is more than ample for the me3000, it's only 13 amps.

Jpsbbtt · 29-03-2023 7:28pm

That's what I was thinking, but the manual has it down as minimum of 3.3 (12AWG)...

As you said, it's only 13amps....

I'll run it by my sparky first anyway!!

Cheers folks... much appreciated!!

championc · 29-03-2023 7:33pm

We're all rooting for you 🤞

Jpsbbtt · 29-03-2023 8:58pm

Just have to work out getting a data cable down through the house... I hate trunking with a passion!!

Thanks again everyone!! Hopefully it will be plug and play!! Loads of advice on this thread to get me started anyway!!

PCDub · 29-03-2023 9:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120416576#Comment_120416576

https://eu.nkon.nl/pylontech-us-3000-c-48-v.html

Jpsbbtt · 29-03-2023 10:03pm

That's one I was looking at... seemed legit... Thanks for coming back to me!

John mac · 07-05-2023 11:42am

Hi All, Finally got my me3000sp running , since friday

i am having issues though ,

it charges the battery up fine , and discharges as needed during the day ,

was powering the house hen the sun went down . i noticed though at 12:00 the unit went into standby

even though there was plenty of juice left , reporting 90% at 23:00 but at midnight reporting 23%

in the morning was still in standby even though the sun was shining .

its set to Auto mode ,

when i check the battery type its showing pylon

however if i try and change it to lithium the settings dont save .

i have a REC BMS set , so i thought this should be running the sofar ,

battery is a 16p2 x 200 ..

any suggestions as to what could be stopping discharge ,

graememk · 07-05-2023 12:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120565109#Comment_120565109

Do you have any graphs or history of the SOC from the me3000, may shed some light in this.

A bit of background with my experience with the me3000.

It doesn't like having multiple protocols active on the canbus. And also if it detects say pylontech can messages it will switch to the pylon setting (I had this issue with the zeva, and and to pull all the pylontech messages out)

It will then display the battery name of whatever is sent from the bms.

Is there any protocol selection in the rec bms, is there a SMA/Victron setting?

To really get to the bottom of these problems you need to be watching it or have some way of looking back at what happened.

randombar · 25-05-2023 10:59am

Hi Folks,

Another issue at the moment, looking for some help.

So a two days ago I received an overvoltage error on the Sofar which stopped the battery discharging. I switched over to back up mode and disconnected the grid.

Yesterday morning I switched back on the grid, all seemed fine however this morning the CB is tripped and I see the earth fault indicator is showing yellow.

Sooo thinking I'll replace the CB but wondering if my network is dodgy? None of the other CBs have the earth fault indicator light gone.

Thanks,

Gary

graememk · 25-05-2023 4:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120638393#Comment_120638393

Was it a grid over voltage error? Do you have any logging of the grid voltage.

Depending on what standard it is set to (there is multiple now from different years, ) It could be as low as 253V Later Irish standards is a little bit higher.

randombar · 25-05-2023 5:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120639831#Comment_120639831

Don't think I've any logging of that but I'll have a look. Might have something in sofar maybe.

The CB unit won't switch back on (well this morning) so not sure if the CB is now faulty or is the grid still faulty.

Wondering though if all CBs should be tripped i.e. car, pv inverter and battery inverter and not just the battery inverter if it was a grid issue?

graememk · 25-05-2023 6:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120639861#Comment_120639861

The grid won't trip a rcbo or a mcb. Only something downstream of it will.

Have you moved off the backup mode? Is everything back the way it was?

randombar · 25-05-2023 11:57pm

So this is wrecking my head.

rcb is ok again this evening, enabled it and stayed on ok

Tonight inverter is not discharging battery because of ID01 error.

Could switch to back up power and I’m sure it would behave fine.

graememk · 26-05-2023 12:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120641417#Comment_120641417

Grid over voltage

Check your grid settings/check grid voltage

randombar · 26-05-2023 8:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120641482#Comment_120641482

So back working this morning.

Not sure what constitutes a bad grid?

Hopefully it was the grid having a wobble and not anything on my end.

Another reason I think it's the grid, my zappi (on a different CB) went nuts a couple of days ago with a "Self Test Failed" error repeating.

championc · 26-05-2023 8:47am

In the Solarman app, you should be able to see graphs of the grid voltage, in Device > History

randombar · 26-05-2023 9:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120641789#Comment_120641789

yesterday and today so far.

championc · 26-05-2023 10:23am

So is your country set to EN50438-IE ? If so, you can change it to something else nearer to EN50549 (maybe there is an EN50549 option ?)

randombar · 26-05-2023 10:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642165#Comment_120642165

I changed the country from Ireland to "22" on the inverter last night, it didn't seem to take it out of the overvoltage alarm at the time though.

randombar · 26-05-2023 1:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642165#Comment_120642165

Found it.

nasty enough.

This has been working away fine for over a year now.

That cable definitely wasn't loose when I put it in.

slave1 · 26-05-2023 1:42pm

Why necessary for such a short length?

randombar · 26-05-2023 1:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642996#Comment_120642996

it's not feeding into the other connector, there's two, the back one was half melted.

Watercleaves · 01-06-2023 4:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120051990#Comment_120051990

I've been fighting this passive mode setup for a few days, and have it running reasonably well by overstating my battery capacity. Currently have it set at 800Ah for a 160Ah LiFePO4 so as to reduce the charge slope it calculates by a factor of five, then choosing full and empty voltages in the right region for my Eve prismatics discharge curve. It tails off charging nicely at the top end, but I haven't seen the empty behaviour yet. My battery has a JK bms, which will shut off if voltage gets too low (I hope!)

What code are you referring to? Is there a software interface anywhere, or a command protocol port other than CAN? I have RS485 but no info about the Seplos command structures.

Sofar ME3000SP

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