EcoData Solutions EMS System (SmartDog®) & Solis Inverters

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EcoData Solutions EMS System (SmartDog®)

 &

Solis Inverters

Introduction

This article explains how to connect and configure Solis inverters with SmartDog EMS Systems, highlighting how this synergy enhances the efficiency and management of solar energy. EcoData Solutions offers several EMS systems (PowerDog/SmartDog), all compatible with our 4G, 5G, and S6 generations. 

If you'd like to view our compatibility letter, simply scroll to the bottom of the article. There, you'll find a link to download it.

Content

• Required Components

• Connections

• Assembly
• Setting up Internet access
• Electrical connection
• Configuration

• Settings on the inverter

Required Components

A: Eco Data Solutions – SmartDOG 

SmartDog® is available in various configurations. Please check SmartDog for further details: https://ecodata-sl.de/en/produkte.html

Exterior view:

Interior view: 

 B:

Solis Hybrid Inverter (Image example: S6 Series - 4G and 5G series compatible too) 

+ Batteriesystem & Energy Meter

C: 

For internet connection, you will need either a network cable (Cat5 or Cat6), or optionally available accessories such as a WLAN stick, a GSM modem/LTE router, or an analog modem.

D:

Additionally, a shielded bus cable is required for connecting the inverters.

Connections

The manual is structured chronologically to guide the practical process of commissioning.

• Assembly
• Setting up Internet access
• Electrical connection
• Configuration

CAUTION! Before wiring the SmartDog® to the inverters, they must be disconnected from power. First, the AC side must be disconnected, followed by the DC side. After disconnecting from power, a waiting period of at least 5 minutes must be observed to allow the capacitors to discharge!

Assembly of the SmartDog: 

Cable routing inside the housing

Insert the cables into one of the cable glands. Break the corresponding predetermined breaking point on the housing cover using needle-nose pliers. Optionally, trim the breaking point slightly with a knife if necessary.

Electricity supply:

Only use the supplied original power supply. Alternatively, the device can be powered via the 24V IN terminal with 24V DC/1A.

Setting up Internet access:

The following internet connections are possible: LAN / WLAN

LAN Ethernet connection

The internet connection is established using a network cable to the router / hub / switch. The network cable is not included!

WLAN connection (via optional WLAN stick)

Insert the supplied original WLAN stick into one of the two USB ports. The stick will be automatically recognized and can be connected to a desired WLAN network in the configuration.

Electrical connection

When self-assembling the cable connection, connect the wires according to the following scheme:

Smart Dog terminal block: 

Inverter terminal block: 

Example terminal block for the following models:

Solis-25K-5G, Solis-30K-5G, Solis-33K-5G, Solis-36K-5G, Solis-40K-5G, Solis-40K-HV-5G, Solis-50K-HV-5G, Solis-15K-LV-5G, Solis-20K-LV-5G, Solis-23K-LV-5G

Interconnecting inverters:

Connect the first inverter's RS485 terminal block OUT to the second inverter's RS485 terminal block IN.

Connect additional inverters to each other in the same manner.

Terminate the last inverter according to the inverter's instructions.

Assigning communication addresses:

Recommendation: Sequential numbering starting from 1.

Default setting in the inverter: Communication address 01.

Setting: Via the inverter's control display.

 Configuration: 

At this point, we only present the basic configurations of the SmartDog device. For comprehensive information and a complete guide, please contact EcoData Solutions or simply click on the following link: https://ecodata-sl.de/en/powerdog.html

Prerequisites:

SmartDog® is fully assembled

All cables are connected

Inverters are operational and supplying power

Starting up SmartDog®:

Plug in the power adapter

Wait until the device has finished booting up

On-site configuration via touchscreen display:

After the initial startup, SmartDog® doesn't contain any configuration. Therefore, you will be guided through the individual configuration steps via a "Wizard" (Assistant).

1: Language Selection 

            Select the desired language on the display.

2: Online/Offline/Local Mode Setting

            Select "Online Mode" when the system is connected to the internet.

3: Internet Interface

            In the online mode, select your internet connection that you have connected.

4: Import/Export Manager

            In the Import/Export Manager, you have the option to enable periodic backup.

5: Portal

            Specify how often the data from the device should be sent to the portal.

6: Time Setting

7: Bussystems

Selection of the connected bus(es): 

Specify which bus input (1-2-RS232) you have connected the inverters to. Activate the termination resistor if the SmartDog is the last device on the bus.

8: How many manufacturers are connected to the bus?

ATTENTION: The inverter must be feeding power during the search. Otherwise, it will not be found.

9: Manufacturer selection

Choose which inverter manufacturer is connected to the selected bus.

10: Solar Modules

If your photovoltaic system is spread across multiple roofs, you have the option to create these roofs as module fields.

11: Inverter settings

Here you have the possibility to add all of the Solis inverter details. 

12: Exchange of device

For inverters where the bus address cannot be set via the display, in case of a defective inverter, you must assign the address of the old inverter to the new one so that it can take over the collected yield data, etc., from the old inverter.

13: TCP/IP BUS hybrid inverters

Selection of the TCP/IP bus

Once these steps have been completed, the following settings can be adjusted. 

14: Display

15: Solar meter

16: System

17: Password

18: Updates

Please read the SmartDog manual for further information about these settings.  - https://www.smart-dog.eu/SmartDog.pdf

Settings on the Inverter 

On the inverter, all you need to ensure is that the address is set to “1”.

For the 4G and 5G series, you can set the address via the inverter display:

1. Navigate to “Settings”
2. Select “Set Address”
3. Verify that the address is set to “1”

For the S6 series, you can set the address via a direct Bluetooth connection to the inverter.

If you encounter any connection issues, you may consider removing the EMS system and connecting a Datalogger directly to the inverter. If the Logger successfully goes online and sends information to Soliscloud, you can be assured that the RS485 connection on the inverter side is functioning properly.

For detailed instructions and assistance with configuring the SmartDog device, please visit the official SmartDog website at: https://ecodata-sl.de/en/produkte.html. The SmartDog Support team is available to answer your questions and guide you through the configuration process. If you encounter any issues on the Solis side, please do not hesitate to contact your Solis Support.

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