Epever question regarding "SolarStation" for PC

Checkthisout said:

Just a tad....

I do like the CC though. I have no experience with others but for the price it has good customization and you can watch it ramp down current and go into float along with things like being able to set boost charge time period etc.

It can be confusing because you can set "boost" at 14.8 volts and the time for 2 hours. It only counts the time at 14.8 volts towards the 2 hours so it can stay in boost mode much longer if the voltage threshold is not reached which makes you think changing the settings isn't making any difference. Or maybe I am the only one that didn't know this.

Same with equalization mode.

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I had FLA's when I set up my solar - after building a lifepo4 pack I ordered the 'special cable' - I didn't need the MT50 as my controller is mounted on the wall easy to see. But you can only make settings for lifepo with either the MT50 or the cable and a PC.

I've messed with it for quite some time now, enough to have a good handle on what it does and how it works. The biggest change for my system is the way it reads battery voltage - it measures with charging current on top of the battery, so while it may show 14.0V battery, the actual pack voltage may only be 13.7, still charging, accepting current. I had to adjust all my settings based on this voltage reading bump.

Same for float - I have a 'in storage' parameter file with lower values to allow the pack to drift down to about 70% SOC before recharging it. My 'away' parameters are much more aggressive, to be used when we're actually using the system on a trip, and want full solar charging and to keep the pack topped up, service loads, etc.

The boost duration period starts when the battery reaches your boost voltage level. I run a pretty short duration, a lifepo is fully charged as soon as it reaches anything over about 13.8V for 12V system. Mine is in the RV.

If you change the duration of boost while it's in boost mode, it doesn't take affect 'till the next boost session. Charge voltages seem to take affect immediately.

Equalization not used for lifepo4 - set to zero. In fact, I don't think they use any kind of duration for AGM either.

Also worth noting is when you open a control parameter window, if your battery is lifepo you want to choose that window. It turns on or unlocks things specific to lifepo. I had a standard parameters set to 'user' settings and when I changed it for a lifepo parameter it seems to work much better.

The only problem I have left is my smaller 1206AN switches to float early. Supposedly this is a known problem for the older Tracer AN's - I need to dig into that some more. Fortunately, I don't really rely on that one as much, it's an auxiliary controller for my fold-out portable panels - they're just 160W. They work great for my Delta Mini charging.

Checkthisout said:

Yeah. Sounds like it fried. See if they'll warranty it. Did you get off Amazon?

Try all the USUAL stuff first. The pin fit on the back of the MT50 is sensitive. Make sure you're getting good connection. Try a different cable etc.

In your case the MT50 is getting power but the CC isn't responding to requests for info.

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I've done all that.. i have 2 units, i swapped things back n forth, the problem remains with the CC.
The CC works fine otherwise. the built in display is fine. Just the MT50 doesn't work..
I don't Shop Amazon. The 2nd unit i bought off Ebay.. I can't remember where i got the 1st unit.
I'm not sure of the warranty on it either.. But if i have to buy a module, that's fine.. I just don't wanna buy a whole new unit..
I paid too much for these as it was..

Dacflyer said:

I've done all that.. i have 2 units, i swapped things back n forth, the problem remains with the CC.
The CC works fine otherwise. the built in display is fine. Just the MT50 doesn't work..
I don't Shop Amazon. The 2nd unit i bought off Ebay.. I can't remember where i got the 1st unit.
I'm not sure of the warranty on it either.. But if i have to buy a module, that's fine.. I just don't wanna buy a whole new unit..
I paid too much for these as it was..

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When you say it works fine, you have hooked it to panels and watched it charge in it's current state where the MT50 will no longer connect?

When mine failed (when I failed mine) the CC still came on with the green light and without the red warning light flashing (I have the 100 amp model). You could toggle through screens and change settings on the CC but the MT50 wouldn't connect, the PC wouldn't connect and the charge controller would not charge.

It would show PV voltage and battery voltage but not charge.

Checkthisout said:

When you say it works fine, you have hooked it to panels and watched it charge in it's current state where the MT50 will no longer connect?

When mine failed (when I failed mine) the CC still came on with the green light and without the red warning light flashing (I have the 100 amp model). You could toggle through screens and change settings on the CC but the MT50 wouldn't connect, the PC wouldn't connect and the charge controller would not charge.

It would show PV voltage and battery voltage but not charge.

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The CC is working fine,, charging the batteries etc.. only no comm with the MT50..
the CC has green led...No Red led.. the amps are about 35A, which is normal...

OK UPDATE TIME >>> I got things fixed finally..But i don't know why or how it got messed up in the 1st place..
China Tech support finally replied.. I had to right click the program icon and go into properties and select Compatibility mode.
This fixed the issue.. now it works good..
I also had a small brain fart as well, after i got the program working, I couldn't connect to the controller..the USB was detected, but just no com..
I later figured out that i forgot to turn on the RS485 Function..
so now everything is functioning..for the #2 CC
The #1 CC will not communicate, tech thinks the RS485 unit is not working anymore,, and it might need to be fixed under warranty..
I'll keep y'all updated..

A lot of similar discussion on this thread, more on settings I learned about on the last page(s):

I just hope I can get the Communication fixed without too much pain...

Browneye said:

I have two tracers using the EPEver software, loaded on three different computers, no issues, works fine.
Just contradicting the claims here, should anyone be looking for product feedback and reports.


EDIT: Just looked at OP's images again, and somehow I don't think he has the right program installed. It doesn't look like what I have. Download link here: https://www.epever.com/support/softwares/

The 'solar station monitoring software' version is 1.95 Windows, 11K downloads. It's the first link on the righthand column.
Just now downloaded and installed without issue on my work client, WIN10 machine.

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What has your experience been with the CC-USB-RS485-150U cable? I can't find pinout information from epever to determine if my cable is bad or not.

Did you get a genuine EPEver cable? They are proprietary.
I got one here:

I actually got my ebay seller to give me a replacement cable at no charge. they did not want the bad one back, so i'll dissect the old bad one and tell ya'll the pinout.
Also the other issue where my other CC stopped communicating, turns out the RS485 unit in the CC is bad, so My ebay seller is working to get me a whole new unit,, I asked about possible repair, and it might not be possible, they have a house marked chip for the com, I'm betting it's a MAX485 chip.. I told the seller, i'd return the unit as soon as the other comes in,,and he said no need to, Epever does not want it back, it would cost to much..
So guess what ? I'll try repairing it myself ( i have a lotta electronic experience ) It's surface mount tech..
The unit works fine otherwise..just no RS485 comm can't monitor with the MT-50 or laptop.

Update >>> I finally got the replacement board for my controller.. I thought the board was just for communication. turns out it is also the Main CPU board. I was told that this would be an easy repair job.. Nooooooooo
when i got the board, it looked like it'd be a plug n play. Nooooooooo
Had to take the whole unit apart. That wasn't too hard to do, but be cautious removing the cover, the display cable to the main board is short.
Looking further into the unit, I discovered that the header pins weren't socketed, dual row 19 pins ( 38 total) This wasn't going to be an easy job.
Luckily, I am very Experienced in electronics and was able to unsolder them without destroying the board. I got the new board installed.
total job took me about 3 hrs.

I got the unit reinstalled, tested it,, Had to reload all my parameters. All is working now, but the voltage reading is 0.9V off compared to my other charge controller and my meter..

I sent a message to the tech and asked if there is a way to calibrate the voltage..I'm sure I'll have to calibrate currents as well.

Anyone here know how to ? I see no info in the "SolarStation" program..or the MT50..

Dacflyer said:

the MT50

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I didn’t like that thing.
Half the time or more you’d save parameters you’d find it back to the prior the next time you looked.
Using the laptop seemed to be 100%

Dacflyer said:

Update >>> I finally got the replacement board for my controller.. I thought the board was just for communication. turns out it is also the Main CPU board. I was told that this would be an easy repair job.. Nooooooooo
when i got the board, it looked like it'd be a plug n play. Nooooooooo
Had to take the whole unit apart. That wasn't too hard to do, but be cautious removing the cover, the display cable to the main board is short.
Looking further into the unit, I discovered that the header pins weren't socketed, dual row 19 pins ( 38 total) This wasn't going to be an easy job.
Luckily, I am very Experienced in electronics and was able to unsolder them without destroying the board. I got the new board installed.
total job took me about 3 hrs.

I got the unit reinstalled, tested it,, Had to reload all my parameters. All is working now, but the voltage reading is 0.9V off compared to my other charge controller and my meter..

I sent a message to the tech and asked if there is a way to calibrate the voltage..I'm sure I'll have to calibrate currents as well.

Anyone here know how to ? I see no info in the "SolarStation" program..or the MT50..

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No but look for an adjustment screw on the board.

On the Chinese stuff they can be just a little chrome screw that looks like it's holding the board down or a plastic pot screw.

An SCC isn't a good gauge for battery voltage - it reads it on top of the charge current.
Mine aren't even close to actual battery voltage - it's just reading on the circuit. Adjust parameters to reach your actual voltage/desired SOC levels.

Also make sure you have a quality vm. Fluke or something equivalent.

Browneye said:

SCC isn't a good gauge for battery voltage - it reads it on top of the charge current

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Except when you turn panels off

I found a fix.. there is a set of terminals to connect to, Voltage sense , I connected to thoes and the buss bar, and now voltage reads within 0.1V or less.. The other unit doesn't need this. only the one i repaired with uncalibrated factory board.
So all is good now.. I have my CC set to stop charge at 4.1Vpc, And My BMS set for OVP at 4.15Vpc.
Will see how this does..

And yes I have a Fluke meter,

Browneye said:

I have two tracers using the EPEver software, loaded on three different computers, no issues, works fine.
Just contradicting the claims here, should anyone be looking for product feedback and reports.


EDIT: Just looked at OP's images again, and somehow I don't think he has the right program installed. It doesn't look like what I have. Download link here: https://www.epever.com/support/softwares/

The 'solar station monitoring software' version is 1.95 Windows, 11K downloads. It's the first link on the righthand column.
Just now downloaded and installed without issue on my work client, WIN10 machine.

Click to expand...

You seem to be an expert on Epever’s monitoring software, so I thought I’d make a request.

I got the monitor working with my Tracer 6420AN nearly a year ago and it has pretty much worked flawlessly.

Recently, whether it had something to do with rebooting my laptop or something to do with cycling power on the Tracer SCC, the monitoring software started using a strangely-numbered COM port that it then could not find.

I’d rebooted and restarted the application SW so many times to no avail that I went back to reading the installation instructions getting prepared to to a reinstall.

I checked Device Manager to confirm the COM port assignment was correct at that level, restarted the application manager one last time and surprise - it now showed COM3 as it used to before and everything is working fine again.

So first, it seems surprising to me that just by checking Device Manager I could have resolved whatever issue I’d encountered but I thought I’d ask in case you have any idea of what was actually going on (and the best way to resolve the issue if so).

And second, having found this thread as I was preparing to post for help, it’s pretty clear that having Epever’s monitoring app get stuck in a bad state is a common-enough problem that if you understand well enough to provide a simple set of steps to uninstall and reinstall (or whatever) to get it running properly again, the community of Epever owners using their monitoring SW would probably find that very valuable.

I’m fine now but suspect this is not the last time I’ll run into this sort of snafu with the SW, so knowing there is a place I can find simple and clear guidance on the recommended recovery actions would be invaluable.

(PS. By the way, I’m using an old Windows 8 laptop, in case that may have co tributes to my particular COM port issue…).

Browneye said:

Uh, yes it does. This is ridiculous. You're probly using the wrong version as well.
You may well need to buy something else.

Importing a configuration does not update your controller - it only opens the file in the configuration window.

I think people generally just have a difficult time with software - I see this across the board in all types of applications.

I just did a quick search for some 'how-to' on this, and this blog came up, perhaps it will help:

How to install, configure and use the EPEVER PC software

Detailed step-by-step guide on how to connect, install, configure and use the EPEVER/EPSolar charge controller monitoring software.

www.diyrenewable.com

There was a tutorial on how to update a Tracer charge controller, but I don't know where to find it again. I printed it out and it went in my 'OverKill' manual - a 3-ring binder of over a hundred pages now.

Some of this stuff is complicated. I get that. Saying it doesn't work just because you can't figure it out is silly.

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This is a fantastic resource and pretty much addresses my request.

I’m still mystified why my com port had a strange number but one thing I was doing wrong was not immediately closing the dialog box when the SW started up as that tutorial indicates.

I got everything working ~9 months ago and have basically just let the application run continuously for that time so nuances about how to start the application up properly were long forgotten when whatever it was forced me to restart my laptop…

I find the usb cable needs to be plugged in before starting the program or it pops a com error.
And if you don’t check the rs485 box on the port settings it won’t read either.