Axpert invertors

Gnome said:
You need to add two things
1) Connect your Earth and Neutral together at the Axpert output (bridge earth and neutral).
2) You need to sink an earth pole into the ground. Generally a copper rod about 1.5 meters into ground and a wire running from that and connect to the earth of your Axpert.

Number 2 is because the stuff in your house are at earth potential. So you need to make sure you Axpert neutral and earth are both also at your local earth potential. Therefore if anything touches earth, it'll cause the current to "leak" and the EL to trip.
Click to expand...

There's already an earth spike in the ground, with earth to the DB and the Axpert. I just wasn't sure of the Neutral-Earth bond, as many people said it shouldn't be done on the Axpert and can cause permanent damage.
Can anyone confirm that this works, without damage?
 
Gnome said:
Ok so I've written a small library for interaction with the Axpert

It is still work in progress but if you'd like to try, give it a bash.
I have only tested on Mac and Linux. I haven't tested Serial Port libraries for Windows. It is on my "todo" list.

Instructions:
Requirements:
- Ruby (google for instructions to install, think it is default installed on most flavors of Linux and Mac)

Rubygems: (These instructions are for Mac and Linux)
Code: 
gem install serialport # may require sudo
gem install axpert_rs232 #may require sudo

Sample code: (run 'irb' in terminal/command line/bash)
Code: 
require 'serialport'
require 'axpert_rs232'

# => Set your serial port location, ls /dev/ and search for something that makes sense
serial = SerialPort.new('/dev/tty.usbserial', 2400, 8, 1, SerialPort::NONE)

# => Show available commands
AxpertCommands.constants

# => Some current device status info
AxpertCommands::DEVICE_STATUS.issue_command(serial)

# => Some current device rating info
AxpertCommands::DEVICE_RATING.issue_command(serial)

# => Set battery type to user agm
AxpertCommands::SET_BATTERY_TYPE.issue_command(serial, :agm)

There are plenty of commands but I don't iterate over all of them here.

Testing and comments would be welcome.

This was written pretty quickly, so there is probably quite a bit more work required and there will certainly be bugs.

My hope is to move forward with this to something that can upload data to a web-page or perhaps run a local web server.

Btw. Ruby runs on Raspberry Pi which was part of the choice for the language (other being portability is pretty decent)

EDIT: Apparently serialport (Rubygem) is supported in Windows also...
Click to expand...

As matter of interest, how do you connect from the Pi to the Axpert? Mine only has a RJ45 interface, so I'll probably need a serial to USB converter.
 
SoftDux-Rudi said:
As matter of interest, how do you connect from the Pi to the Axpert? Mine only has a RJ45 interface, so I'll probably need a serial to USB converter.
Click to expand...

I bought one of these quite some time back: http://www.takealot.com/trendnet-usb-to-serial-converter/PLID29271821
That converter is a Prolific PL2303HX which is sold under many brands (So support is pretty decent)

The Raspberry Pi does have a built in serial port but I haven't gone as far as to test it.
My Axpert also has a built in USB but I haven't gotten round to that either.

At this point I'm trying to make forward progress quickly and messing with USB/serial, etc. is for later :)

EDIT: Actually it is easier than falling out of a tree: http://www.mathworks.com/help/suppo...erial-interface-on-raspberry-pi-hardware.html

EDIT2: Ok I have this working with the standard Raspberry Pi Serial port. Which means you only need a Raspberry Pi and make your own RJ45 (8p8c) to 3 cable RPI cable which is easy. Will update more tomorrow or Friday
 
Last edited:
Gnome said:
I bought one of these quite some time back: http://www.takealot.com/trendnet-usb-to-serial-converter/PLID29271821
That converter is a Prolific PL2303HX which is sold under many brands (So support is pretty decent)

The Raspberry Pi does have a built in serial port but I haven't gone as far as to test it.
My Axpert also has a built in USB but I haven't gotten round to that either.

At this point I'm trying to make forward progress quickly and messing with USB/serial, etc. is for later :)

EDIT: Actually it is easier than falling out of a tree: http://www.mathworks.com/help/suppo...erial-interface-on-raspberry-pi-hardware.html

EDIT2: Ok I have this working with the standard Raspberry Pi Serial port. Which means you only need a Raspberry Pi and make your own RJ45 (8p8c) to 3 cable RPI cable which is easy. Will update more tomorrow or Friday
Click to expand...

nice work! I thought the serial from the axpert ran at a higher voltage than the pi? Which pins did you connect? Somebody showed that the USB connector is controlled by a micro controller, I wonder if they will ever release the details on this for third party use...
 
john33 said:
nice work! I thought the serial from the axpert ran at a higher voltage than the pi? Which pins did you connect? Somebody showed that the USB connector is controlled by a micro controller, I wonder if they will ever release the details on this for third party use...
Click to expand...

It does, I have an oscilloscope and used a resistor but it seems to have killed my serial port now (that or I'm doing something wrong) :p

Went back to using the USB one I have. At this point I want to focus on what works.

I've created a web interface and a RoR application that just provides a simple API which my static HTML queries using AJAX.

Next step, log in intervals for history.
 
I have an axpert 5kva and planning on running 2 to get 10kva. I have now found out that the estate I live at will buy back any excess power I generate... Can i do it with the Axpert?

Savage previously suggested that i look at the InfiniSolar as my primary objective is to generate power, second to a back up for load shedding. I know the infinisolar is grid tied and i wont have a problem to feedback but will cost me R50k for 10kva as opposed to R20k for the same from 2 Axperts...

The Infini looks awesome but since i am a newby I would like to keep my cost down in case I mess it up somewhere... Can the Axpert feedback as i have previously read threads that seemed if guys where feeding back on the grid with the Axpert?
 
Polv said:
I have an axpert 5kva and planning on running 2 to get 10kva. I have now found out that the estate I live at will buy back any excess power I generate... Can i do it with the Axpert?

Savage previously suggested that i look at the InfiniSolar as my primary objective is to generate power, second to a back up for load shedding. I know the infinisolar is grid tied and i wont have a problem to feedback but will cost me R50k for 10kva as opposed to R20k for the same from 2 Axperts...

The Infini looks awesome but since i am a newby I would like to keep my cost down in case I mess it up somewhere... Can the Axpert feedback as i have previously read threads that seemed if guys where feeding back on the grid with the Axpert?
Click to expand...

No man the Axpert can't
 
Hi guys.

Please can you give me some advice here. I am installing an Infinisolar inverter, which has an input voltage of 250 to 450V on the PV side with a MAX of 500V. I have 10 x 300W PV panels, each with 45V open circuit voltage and 37V nominal voltage. I intended to string all 10 panels together. Now I am looking for a DC circuit breaker , together with a fuse , so that one can safely disconnect the PV panels if they ever need maintenance, and also maybe a surge protection may be good idea.

Any suggestions or advice regarding this setup please? I haven't found a source yet for a 600v DC circuit breaker..if such a thing exists.:)

Thanks.
 
voipjunky said:
Hi guys.

Please can you give me some advice here. I am installing an Infinisolar inverter, which has an input voltage of 250 to 450V on the PV side with a MAX of 500V. I have 10 x 300W PV panels, each with 45V open circuit voltage and 37V nominal voltage. I intended to string all 10 panels together. Now I am looking for a DC circuit breaker , together with a fuse , so that one can safely disconnect the PV panels if they ever need maintenance, and also maybe a surge protection may be good idea.

Any suggestions or advice regarding this setup please? I haven't found a source yet for a 600v DC circuit breaker..if such a thing exists.:)

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Those breakers do exist, but are usually pricey. The cheaper solution would be a fuse and fuse holder rated at 600V or more.
 
superdiy said:
Those breakers do exist, but are usually pricey. The cheaper solution would be a fuse and fuse holder rated at 600V or more.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.
Pardon my ignorance, but if I open the fuse holder on a live system, I would be breaking the circuit, and risk having some fireworks? or is the fuse holder made to allow this?

450V dc circuits are scary imho :)

Thanks
Clive
 
voipjunky said:
Thanks for the reply.
Pardon my ignorance, but if I open the fuse holder on a live system, I would be breaking the circuit, and risk having some fireworks? or is the fuse holder made to allow this?

450V dc circuits are scary imho :)

Thanks
Clive
Click to expand...

Yes, you don't really want to open the fuse holder under load - usually they have warnings printed on them in this regard. The solar fuse is still not too bad, since it is low current, but don't do it with the battery fuse while the inverter is running and supplying a hefty load. :D
 
voipjunky said:
Pardon my ignorance, but if I open the fuse holder on a live system, I would be breaking the circuit, and risk having some fireworks?
Click to expand...

Yes you will most likely see arcing if you do it this way. Install a battery isolator switch (or any suitable switch) in-line with the fuse.
 
desiganp said:
Yes you will most likely see arcing if you do it this way. Install a battery isolator switch (or any suitable switch) in-line with the fuse.
Click to expand...

Just don't use these battery isolators. They're cheap and easily available but they suck. There's only a little spring to separate the contacts so it easily welds itself closed circuit.
IMG_20150423_171146021.jpg
IMG_20150423_171215968.jpg
 
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