Lux ac battery controller

philologus

I've  had the control software from Benallenuk since 2021 when I used it to test the 4 pylontechs I had then. When I tried it this time it keeps telling me that the port does not exist. I've tried it on all 8 ports.

I've sent Ben a message about this so I might get somewhere soon.

My solars panels are working and providing the house load and exporting to the grid but just not doing anything battery-wise. I wonder if I can force charge the batteries. How did you fully charge yours?

I balanced all 8 batteries overnight before using them.

Heedtheadvice

I just connected them individually in turn on a good solar day. Apart from one of them most were well charged to start off with.

As far as the software is concerned I think there is a updated version. Ben might be able to supply that one to you.

I had a bit of trouble getting a port set up  (on a notebook) as the com one required was not enabled in the 'cut down ' implementation of Windows. I had to go into settings to add in a port.

Perhaps ( if you are Windows) have a look at hardware devices to see of there is  port available?

philologus

When I connect all 8 batteries using the short comms cable links I can turn them all on and then, when I switch the master on by pressing the start button, all the batteries come on in sequence. Does that mean that all the batteries are successfully connected by the com link cable? This would tell me that the batteries are OK and are 'talking' to each other and the master battery. This would tell me that the problem is between the master battery and the inverter. I've used a new comms cable, so is there anything I need to do that will make the inverter recognise the new master battery port?

Heedtheadvice

As far as I am aware...

If you use the correct can cable ( three wires only connected to suit the C type batteries at the batt end - older batts work happily like that too but used to be supplied with all pins wired) then with the correct battery type selected the Lux and the battery/master batt should talk OK. [ actually some cables have four wires connected the important aspect is some wires must not be connected! See link below]

It is important to connect the cable  to the correct equipment. Cables vary how they are identified. One I have just says 'hybrid, another is clearly labelled 'battery' and 'inverter' and has a code to identify it (QR code links to wholesaler https://www.cellsupply.co.uk/pylontech-us2000-us3000-us5000-battery-cable-pack-power-cables-data-cables) that gives the ref for various lengths. The end with some wires not connected on the RJ45 plug must be at the battery end.

Further the comms 'can' work with just that cable alone .....but it is far better to ensure that the main earths to Lux and every battery are connected together as that can improve the comms if the earths are otherwise at slightly different potentials causing a current through the comns cable and potential functional failure.

To sum up correct cable, correctly oriented between inv/batt, common earths.

Non of these might be an issue for you but worth checking?

philologus

When my system was installed the battery was not earthed and I was told that it didn't need to be.

When I increased my batteries to four I was told that they didn't need to be earthed. 

Once I've connected all the battery earth wires - where does the inverter end connect to?

Heedtheadvice

Odd you should be told that.

The battery 48v terminals should not be earthed..but

All exposed metalwork should be earthed as part of safety Equipotential Earthing as required by wiring regs etc.

The batts have front panel screws for this purpose and the inverter has one just close to the round mains input and output connectors. Those need to be connected to the property protective earth. 

The specification for earth connection continuity is quite low, from the Pylon 3000c manual "Battery must connect to ground and the resistance must be less than 0.1Ω". That requires good connection and fairly heavy earthing  cable.

mickyduck55

Anyone have an idea why the inverter is not using the batteries when there is this low demand overnight.  As you can see there is power being drawn from the grid even though the SOC on the batteries is in the high 90s %
TIA

chainreaction

mickyduck55 said:

Anyone have an idea why the inverter is not using the batteries when there is this low demand overnight.  As you can see there is power being drawn from the grid even though the SOC on the batteries is in the high 90s %
TIA

Can you post your account charge and priority charge settings

mickyduck55

chainreaction said:

mickyduck55 said:

Anyone have an idea why the inverter is not using the batteries when there is this low demand overnight.  As you can see there is power being drawn from the grid even though the SOC on the batteries is in the high 90s %
TIA

Can you post your account charge and priority charge settings

Of course here you go

chainreaction

mickyduck55 said:

chainreaction said:

mickyduck55 said:

Anyone have an idea why the inverter is not using the batteries when there is this low demand overnight.  As you can see there is power being drawn from the grid even though the SOC on the batteries is in the high 90s %
TIA

Can you post your account charge and priority charge settings

Of course here you go

Ah I don't have hybrid inverter, I'm guessing this has just started happening. What does the system charge SOC limit%? Shouldn't it be 100%? Only other thought is do you have a CT power offset which is kidding the inverter into thinking the power requirement is <100w. Does this happen every night?