radiomean
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2022
- Messages
- 83
I have a Solar PV system with Growall SPH5000 and Growatt GBLI6532, and also two AliExpress 60Ah add-on batteries in parallel (so I have about 12.5 kWh of storage). Works well, and I am trying to use mini-PCs to monitor both the battery and the SPH5000.
The batteries have RS485 output, as does the invertor. I have two mini-PCs bought from AliExpress and use an RS485 to USB converter (supplied with the batteries) to connect. Also, I have a couple of self-supplied RS485 to USBs to connect to the invertor. The issue is that both the mini-PCs randomly power themselves off, after a very variable number of hours of monitoring. This can range from a few hours to several days...
I use the supplied monitoring program for the batteries, and a very old Growatt program called 'ShineBus' for the invertor (that still largely works fine). I have ordered an Orange Pi and plan to use Solar Assistant to replace ShineBus. When it works the monitoring is fine but the annoyance is obviously the random shutdown.
a) I initially thought the PCs were overheating, as it's currently getting up to 40C in my loft - where the invertors and batteries are. So I fitted small fans to the PCs, but no change.
b) I tried both PCs and both shut down.
c) I extended the RS485 output with Cat 5e ethernet cable down into my office (maximum current temperature 25C, normally 20C or so) and monitoring was fine, but *still* the random shutdown occurs.
d) I changed the OS from W10 to W11 - but still the shutdown occurs. I wiped and re-installed Windows to be sure of getting a clean copy. These little PCs are great value and work fine - no shutdown occurs if they are not connected to the RS485 and as both show this shutdown behaviour the only common thing is the RS485...
Any thoughts please? I hope that Solar Assistant won't be affected by this!
The PCs can be seen at these pages:
The batteries have RS485 output, as does the invertor. I have two mini-PCs bought from AliExpress and use an RS485 to USB converter (supplied with the batteries) to connect. Also, I have a couple of self-supplied RS485 to USBs to connect to the invertor. The issue is that both the mini-PCs randomly power themselves off, after a very variable number of hours of monitoring. This can range from a few hours to several days...
I use the supplied monitoring program for the batteries, and a very old Growatt program called 'ShineBus' for the invertor (that still largely works fine). I have ordered an Orange Pi and plan to use Solar Assistant to replace ShineBus. When it works the monitoring is fine but the annoyance is obviously the random shutdown.
a) I initially thought the PCs were overheating, as it's currently getting up to 40C in my loft - where the invertors and batteries are. So I fitted small fans to the PCs, but no change.
b) I tried both PCs and both shut down.
c) I extended the RS485 output with Cat 5e ethernet cable down into my office (maximum current temperature 25C, normally 20C or so) and monitoring was fine, but *still* the random shutdown occurs.
d) I changed the OS from W10 to W11 - but still the shutdown occurs. I wiped and re-installed Windows to be sure of getting a clean copy. These little PCs are great value and work fine - no shutdown occurs if they are not connected to the RS485 and as both show this shutdown behaviour the only common thing is the RS485...
Any thoughts please? I hope that Solar Assistant won't be affected by this!
The PCs can be seen at these pages:
