Sol-Ark Owners what's your Web data update time?

[Ampster]

I honestly don't keep track because I use Solar Assistant for instantaneous data. The daily totals are finally correct on the new MySolArk site and the graphic seems to track with the data I am getting from the SolArk within a few kWs.

[bigfun]

mine is every ten or twenty seconds. i use this homebrew solution:

https://github.com/judasgutenberg/SolArk_Live_Data

[bigfun]

My is like 10 seconds -- I attached a microcontroller to the unpopulated serial port in my SolArk's WiFi Dongle. See the details here:

https://github.com/judasgutenberg/SolArk_Live_Data

[Ampster]

I have a SolArk (Deye) and they just migrated to a US based cloud. I also use Solar Assistant which updates more frequently and is not cloud based.

[Haysdb]

I just had a Deye system installed. I have the same issue with the two monitoring options (Deye Cloud and Solarman Smart) not updating automatically and only updating about every 7 minutes. These are both cloud based systems and they must only poll the inverter every 7 minutes. As mentioned in another reply, a local monitoring solution is the only remedy. I’m just going to live with it.

[robbyg]

Correction on that, the batteries have built in WiFi.
Also the PC software has complete pack monitoring of voltages and currents and then drills down to cell monitoring and cell equalization tools plus you can see a list of faults if they have occurred and how many cycles the battery has had in its life time. It's a pretty comprehensive tool.

[robbyg]

That is great. The video helped me understand what they defined as "closed loop" communication. My open loop system relies on the failsafe mechanism being the contactor controlled by the BMS. My previous experience with an EV conversion had very good communication between the BMS and the motor controller and the battery charger. The production EVs that I now drive also have "closed loop" communication and I was hoping for that with my Skybox since I am using the same Orion BMS as my earlier Ev conversion


My earlier skepticism relates to my Skybox and the only CAN communication they have implemented is with LG Chem packs. Right now that is a non starter because LG Resu packs are off the market.
Earlier you expressed concern about monitoring software messing with your firmware. It sounds like the batteries have the ability to change the inverter charging parameters. If it were my system I would implement some form of monitoring so I could better understand the dynamics of the charging and the interaction of the battery BMS with the inverter.

I am glad that the video cleared up some things for you.
I actually do have an interface that allows me to see and monitor all the cells in the Fortrex eFlex or an eVault battery.
I have been so busy with work and finishing off things with the electrical room that I have not even had a chance to try it yet. My eFlex batteries each have Bluetooth boards in them and I have been asking Fortress when the App is going to be released so I can use it. I have been told for months that it is coming soon. It the meantime I was given an Interface board by my local dealer. It does not have a pretty GUI interface and is wired but it does the basics that the App will supposedly do. You cannot see the cell info in the video below but I am told that one of the tabs brings it up.
You can see it in action here:

[Ampster]

That is great. The video helped me understand what they defined as "closed loop" communication. My open loop system relies on the failsafe mechanism being the contactor controlled by the BMS. My previous experience with an EV conversion had very good communication between the BMS and the motor controller and the battery charger. The production EVs that I now drive also have "closed loop" communication and I was hoping for that with my Skybox since I am using the same Orion BMS as my earlier Ev conversion


My earlier skepticism relates to my Skybox and the only CAN communication they have implemented is with LG Chem packs. Right now that is a non starter because LG Resu packs are off the market.
Earlier you expressed concern about monitoring software messing with your firmware. It sounds like the batteries have the ability to change the inverter charging parameters. If it were my system I would implement some form of monitoring so I could better understand the dynamics of the charging and the interaction of the battery BMS with the inverter.

[robbyg]

What was implemented 6 months ago? CANBUS communication? All I see is some SolArk settings described in some Fortress literature. Plug and Play and Work Withs are marketing terms that have variable meanings depending on who you talk to. Essentially one could plug in any 48 volt battery and it would work with any inverter if you had the right settings on the inverter.

Yes closed loop Canbus communication. You daisy chain the data cables to each of your batteries and then plug it into the Sol-Ark and select Lithium BMS mode in the settings and it will go into closed loop mode with the battery pack. All of the battery info in the inverter is change by the BMS itself. Voltages and charge currents plus system capacity and discharge max etc. I show a max capacity of 315 Amps and if I unplug one of the batteries data cables it drops to 210 Amps capacity and Max discharge drops. Keep in mind I am just getting familiar with the system but there are several Sol-Ark videos on the topic.

As far as I know all the Battery companies in that Link I gave you work in closed loop communication with the Sol-Ark.

Here is Fortress video on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miBhLeDRpc4

[Ampster]

It was implemented about 6 months ago. I use Fortress eFlex batteries and it is basically plug and play. .......

What was implemented 6 months ago? CANBUS communication? All I see is some SolArk settings described in some Fortress literature. Plug and Play and Work Withs are marketing terms that have variable meanings depending on who you talk to. Essentially one could plug in any 48 volt battery and it would work with any inverter if you had the right settings on the inverter.

[robbyg]

I do not share your concern about data gathering software messing with the critical firmware of an inverter. I would be more concerned with CANBUS communication between a BMS and an inverter but as far as I know that has not been enabled.

It was implemented about 6 months ago. I use Fortress eFlex batteries and it is basically plug and play. The only thing I am missing at this point is remote real time monitoring, although admittedly I will probably not be so concerned with all of data watching 3 months from now when the newness has worn off.


Some info: https://www.sol-ark.com/battery-partners/

[Ampster]

I do not share your concern about data gathering software messing with the critical firmware of an inverter. I would be more concerned with CANBUS communication between a BMS and an inverter but as far as I know that has not been enabled.

[robbyg]

Not a Solark but a Deye owner and see the same issue with the app.
Purchased software and Ri from SolarAssistant and working like a dream update in real time.

Thanks, I wish that software worked with the Sol-Ark. I know it says Sol-Ark compatible on his website but when I emailed him he did not seem so certain, he said try it for free and let me know!
I really do not want to risk a $7K inverter beta testing software. And yes there are differences in the Deye firmware and the Sol-Arks.

[wanabee solar]

Just got my Sol-Ark 12K system somewhat up and running but still have some hardware issues and settings issues to work out. This is my first time playing with Powerview and I am already a bit frustrated at how long it takes to update the data on my Browser or the App. Currently it seems to be anywhere from 5-10 minutes! I had expected 5 Minutes but 10 is kind of crazy, I am wondering if it just misses an update during certain times?

The last thing that is a bit frustrating is that neither the Web page or the App seem to Auto refresh the screen even when new data comes in. I have to manually refresh it. I was hoping to have a tablet mounted in the kitchen that would constantly display the status. I can do work around with third party tools for Auto refreshing the webpage, I just find it odd that it does not do that on it's own!

Also noticed that it draws 20W from the battery even when the battery is not in use! This is a Grid tied system so I did not expect a draw from the battery.
I got the battery up from 25% to 50% before the PV power dropped off, so I have not set any "time of use" yet. PV Power was flipped on at 4:30 PM and I was very happy that on a completely over cast day I was getting 3KW from the 10.2 KW array. Can't wait to see what she will do tomorrow, although we are expecting bad weather so it might be two days from now that I get a day of clear skies and can see the full output at peak times.

Not a Solark but a Deye owner and see the same issue with the app.
Purchased software and Ri from SolarAssistant and working like a dream update in real time.

[Ampster]

Thanks for the help, It's a pity this place is not more active. I guess most people who buy high end equipment really don't feel a need to get on a forum once their system is setup and running.....

This forum exists as a lead generating device for the forum owner. We are merely content providers.

That being said, I did get some very useful input from this forum as I was navigating the PGE labyrinth regarding a main service panel upgrade. My electrician is not well versed on the intricacies of the calculation of backfeeding a service panel. Based on input received here I concluded to increase my main panel panel to provide flexibility for Phase Two which will include a 6kW hybrid inverter and 42kWh of batteries to support prioritizing the system for self consumption while grid tied. Plus that will give me some resiliency to get through the frequent power outages we experience in this location.