Relocate Solis Hybrid to Shed

Big Lar · 17-09-2023 06:40PM #1

I am working on a solution to relocate the Hybrid inverter in the utility room to a shed 30m away, having trouble getting data from the CT clamp to the shed thou as the meter cabinet is at the house. I cant run cable.

Current configuration is CT clamp in the Meter Cabinet with 20m or so Cat 5 to Acrel ACR10R-D16TE to inverter via RS285

I have tried 2 Elfin EW11A's as server and client, can get them to connect but see no data coming from RS285 connection

Anyone ever tried this or have any pointers ?

graememk · 17-09-2023 07:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058314218/relocate-solis-hybrid-to-shed

The meter is a serial Rs485 not rs232.

You'd need something like this

https://midsummer.ie/buy/giv-energy/lora-wireless-ct

Big Lar · 17-09-2023 08:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123455#Comment_121123455

Don't understand Elfin is RS485 to wifi ?

graememk · 17-09-2023 08:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123833#Comment_121123833

I didnt search for it, you just said its rs232,

Then it should work..

can you configure the RS485 settings, eg baud rate etc?

graememk · 17-09-2023 08:48PM

Have you got the pinout connected correctly on both sides?

Just to add, RS485 data isnt normally spewed out like rs232. Its more of a case that data is requested and then sent to the requesting host.

Big Lar · 18-09-2023 06:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123872#Comment_121123872

Aha! Soz for the confusion, the first pot should have read "I have tried 2 Elfin EW11A's as server and client, can get them to connect but see no data coming from ~~RS285~~ RS485 connection"

I'll have to do some more checking on the baud rate, connections and report back

graememk · 19-09-2023 10:54PM

I am starting to really "hit the books" regarding rs486, RTU, TCP etc. for control of other things. And looking into the RTU (serial) and the TCP connections. and jumping between the two.

What you are trying to do is

Meter(slave), modbus RTU(rs485) -> modbus TCP(ethernet, wifi) -> modbus TCP -> Inverter, Master, Modbus RTU

your looking for a device to device (D2D) connection.

there is tools here http://www.hi-flying.com/download-center-1/application-notes-1/download-item-industry-products-application-manual

and in that zip file there is a D2D manual. might be a point in the right direction

Big Lar · 21-09-2023 05:02PM

@graememk

I have two Elfin 11A's https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000843861682.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.6e741802i4YJDH

Manual Here: https://shop.marcomweb.it/images/stories/virtuemart/product/Elfin-EW1X_User%20ManualV1.3(20200415).pdf

I have server and client setup that are communicating with each other.

Just playing with trying to get data to and from Solis, am lucky as I have a scrapped inverter that I have harvested an old RS485 female plug from than and a spare lead with a male plug so I will be able to get everything up and running in place at the moment without damaging or cutting any cables, then when I have it working I can make the move.

The Elfin has the same UI as this Eastron here https://diysolarforum.com/threads/wireless-solution-to-feed-ct-clamp-data-to-hybrid-inverter.46853/post-828950

So I am on the right track just needs more fiddling which involves running ethernet temporary cables from Kitchen to Utility - Its a busy area in the house so trying to work around that, also the weather is great so don't want to be disturbing solar production.

Big Lar · 23-09-2023 11:16AM

OK if anyone is interested, have it up and running

Settings for Elfin 11A's below if anyone is interested

https://ibb.co/z6KhLBd

https://ibb.co/Jjz4fKR

Next step is move the inverter and batteries to shed

gtsolar · 03-10-2023 01:42AM

is this a wifi CT clamp?

graememk · 03-10-2023 07:29AM

Sorta.

The solis uses a modbus meter to monitor the grid (via a CT)

Then the elfin devices take that modbus data and transmit it over WiFi (modbus TCP)

Then the other elfin takes that modbus TCP and changes it back to rs485 modbus for the inverter

Big Lar · 03-10-2023 12:25PM

@gtsolar

The cable that used to go into the RS485 connection on the inverter below now goes to Elfin Server then via LAN to Elfin Server then to Inverter located in new location.

ddonq1412 · 13-02-2025 10:23AM

Is this a working solution

Big Lar · 13-02-2025 06:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123166312#Comment_123166312

Yes

bunderoon · 15-04-2025 06:19PM

Does the clamp from the elfin need to be on the esb feed at the meter wall box or can it be on the feed in the house CU? I've no fishable route from CU to wall meter, nor do I want to try!

graememk · 15-04-2025 07:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123360399#Comment_123360399

House CU will be fine.

CT connects to meter, elfin connects to the meter, other elfin connects to solis

bunderoon · 15-04-2025 07:45PM

Great. Just realised then, as I'm running multiple cat6 from house CU and attic to Garage CU (along with SWA), I can simply run RS485 over cat6 to clamp without needing an Elfin pair.

Relocate Solis Hybrid to Shed

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