Solis S3-WIFI-ST External WiFi Data Logger for Remote System Monitoring User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- solis
Table of Contents
Solis S3-WIFI-ST External WiFi Data Logger for Remote System Monitoring
Important Notes
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This device should only be installed by professional personnel who are qualified to operate Solis equipment.
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Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Every attempt has been made to make this document complete, accurate and up-to-date. Individuals reviewing this document and installers or service personnel are cautioned, however, that Solis reserves the right to make changes without notice and shall not be responsible for any damages, including indirect, incidental or consequential damages caused by reliance on the material presented including, but not limited to, omissions, typographical errors, arithmetical errors or listing errors in the material provided in this document.
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Solis accepts no liability for customers’ failure to comply with the
instructions for correct installation and will not be held responsible for upstream or downstream systems Solis equipment has supplied. -
The customer is fully liable for any modifications made to the system; therefore,
any hardware or software modification, manipulation, or alteration not expressly approved by the manufacturer shall result in the immediate cancellation of the warranty. -
Solis will not be held liable for defects or malfunctions arising from:
- Improper use of the equipment.
- Deterioration resulting from transportation or particular environmental conditions.
- Performing maintenance incorrectly or not at all.
- Tampering or unsafe repairs.
- Use or installation by unqualified persons.
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This manual is to be used for the S3-WIFI-ST data logger only. It should not be used for any other Solis device.
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For additional assistance with SolisCloud, please go to the Ginlong US website and download the SolisCloud user manual: www.ginlong.com/us
Contacting Solis Technical Support
Solis Support can be reached by calling +1(866)438-8408 or by sending an email direclty to [email protected] Please provide the support team with the data logger serial number, inverter serial number, and a detailed description of the issue that you are having. The support team will assist you in a timely manner. .
FCC Certification
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- This device may not cause harmful interference
- This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation
FCC Warning:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class
B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures: (1) reorient or relocate the receiving antenna (2)
increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver (3) connect the
equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected or (4) consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits
set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed
and operated with a minimum distance of 20 centimeters (7.87 inches) between
the radiator and your body.
Introduction
Data Logger Description
The Solis WiFi Data Logger is an external device which plugs directly into
to a port on the bottom of a Solis inverter. The logger relays information
from the inverter to the Solis monitoring platform, called SolisCloud. This
logger connects to a local 2.4GHz WiFi network, it is incompatible with 5GHz
networks. Up to ten Solis inverters can be daisy-chained together with RS485
to communicate through one WiFi logger. This logger works with any Solis
inverter that has a 4-pin COM port, please reference the list below for all
compatible Solis US inverter models.
Compatible Solis US Inverter Models
- Solis-1P(2.5-6)K2-4G-US
- Solis-1P(6-10)K-4G-US
- RHI-1P(5-10)K-HVES-5G-US Solis-(25-40)K-US
- Solis-(50-66)K-US
- Solis-(75-100)K-5G-US
- S5-GC(75-100)K-US
- Solis-(125-255)K-EHV-5G-US-PLUS
Note
The S6-EH1P(3.8-11.4)K-H-US hybrid inverter series does not support the Solis
S3-WIFI-ST WiFi data logger.
LED Indicator Lights
The Solis S3-WIFI-ST data logger has three LED indicator lights. These lights
depict the status of the logger. There are three lights: NET, COM, and PWR.
The chart below explains what the lights mean when they are flashing, solid,
or off. lf the LED lights are all off when the inverter is getting proper
voltages, please contact Solis Support.
Normal Operation:
Once the logger has been configured properly, all three LED indicator lights
should be solid.
Every Five Minutes:
The logger will transmit a data package to SolisCloud. When this happens, the
COM light will flash for a few seconds. This is normal behavior and should not
cause any concern.
Description
LED Indicator| Description| LED
Status
| Meaning
---|---|---|---
Internet Connection
NET
|
Connection status between the data logger and the local WiFI network
|
Flashing
|
Attempting to connect to the WiFi network
Solid
|
Successfully connected to the WiFi network
Off
|
Not connected to the WiFi network
Inverter Communication
COM
|
Communication status between the logger and the inverter
|
Flashing
|
Attempting to communicate with the inverter
Solid
|
Communicating with the inverter normally
Off
|
Not communicating with the inverter
Logger Power PWR
|
Power from the inverter to the logger
|
Solid
|
Data logger is powered up normally
Off
|
Data logger is not getting enough power
Installation
Pre-Installation Steps
Prior to installing the S3-WIFI-ST logger, the following steps must first be
taken to ensure that the logger will function properly once it has been
installed.
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The Solis inverter is completely installed and commissioned
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The inverter address is 1: Go to Settings, then to Address, verify the number is 1,
if the number is not one, use the down button to change it to 1 and then press enter -
Turn the inverter on with both AC and DC power
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Ensure the WiFi network is 2.4 GHz, the logger does not support 5 GHz
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Verify that WiFi network password is correct – check it by connecting with your phone
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Check the signal strength of the WiFi network you plan to connect the logger to by performing a network speed test.
See section 2.3 for instructions on how to connect multiple inverters to one logger
Note
The minimum WiFi signal strength for the logger is -90 dBm (20% RSSI) which
equates to approximately 11 Mbps upload speed. Distance from the router to the
logger should be no more than 300 feet with no obstructions. If there are
obstructions, this distance is significantly less. Please install a WiFi range
extender if the upload speed is under 11 Mbps
Locate the COM port and remove the protective cap
The data logger plugs into the 4-pin COM port on the bottom of the inverter
wire box. This port is protected by a black cap that screws on. The first step
is to unscrew the cap. Figure 2.1 shows the Solis-1P10K-4G-US inverter wire
box as an example. Other Solis inverters will have a similar green COM port on
the bottom of the wire box.
Attach the antenna and plug the logger into the COM port
- A.Screw the antenna onto the logger. Then plug the logger into the COM port. Be sure the LED indicator lights are facing forward. The logger will only plug in if the joint matches.
- B.Twist the black lock ring at the top the logger clockwise until it feels snug against the bottom of the inverter. Be careful not to rotate the silver casing during this step.
Connecting Multiple Inverters to One Data Logger
First, the inverters must first be daisy-chained together with RS485. The
logger can support a maximum of ten inverters. If there are more than ten
inverters on the same system, then additional loggers must be installed.
Please see the inverter manual for instructions on how to complete the daisy
chaining.
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Step 1 : Daisy chain the inverters together with RS485 communication cable.
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Step 2 : Plug the data logger into the first inverter in the daisy chain.
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Step 3 : Adjust the address for each inverter.
Note : The first inverter should be set to 01. Each of the other inverters in the chain must be set to a number other than 1.To do this,follow the steps: -
A. Go to the Settings menu of each inverter and then to the Address submenu.
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B. Use the up/down buttons to change the address number
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C. Press enter to save the new address of the inverter
For example : Inverter 2 = address of 2, Inverter 3 = address of 3… Inverter 10 = address of 10 -
Step 4 : Commission the logger like normal. Each inverter in the daisy chain will populate into SolisCloud once the logger transmits the first data packet.
The logger will collect and transmit information from all of the inverters in the daisy chain to SolisCloud. Only the logger gets added to the new plant on SolisCloud. The inverters will automatically populate into the plant once the logger starts to report to SolisCloud.
Configuration
Configuration and Commissioning Overview
Connect your phone to the data logger’s access point network
Open your phone WiFi settings and look for the WiFi network that starts with
“Solis_” followed by the data logger serial number. Tap that network to
connect to it. Enter the password and then tap Join. This is the logger a
123456789 ccess point (AP) network
If you get a message stating that the password is incorrect or if the logger WiFi network does not appear in the list of nearby networks, press and hold the Reset button on the back of the data logger for 15 seconds. If the AP network still does not appear or if the password fails again, contact Solis Support
Open a browser app and then go to the data logger configuration page
Open a browser app such as Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc., then
enter into the address bar and tap go. F 10.10.100.254 or the user name enter
admin and for the password enter 123456789, then tap Log In. You should now be
at the configuration page on the Status tab. If you get a message stating that
the login information is incorrect, please try holding the Reset button down
for 15 seconds. Then go through the configuration steps once more. If the
message occurs again, please contact Solis Technical Support.
Connect the data logger to the WiFi network
Tap Quick Set on the left side of the page. Then tap the orange Search button
to view the nearby WiFi networks. Tap the circle to the left of the network
that you want to connect the logger to. Finally, tap OK. If you do not see any
nearby networks, tap Refresh.
Enter the WiFi network password. To view the password as you are entering it, tap on the semicircle that is in the password field. Once the password has been entered, tap Save. A message stating that the set up is finished will appear. If the logger is able to connect to the WiFi network, your phone will automatically be disconnected from the logger access point network and the green light should go solid. If the green light continues to flash and the access point network is still available, re-enter the WiFi password.
Hint
If the logger AP network disappears but the green light flashes for longer
than ten seconds, it is likely the network that you connected the logger to is
5 GHz and not 2.4 GHz. The logger only supports 2.4 GHz networks, so you will
need to select a different WiFi network to connect the logger to. If there are
two nearby networks with the same name, try connecting to the other network
Hint
If the logger AP network does not disappear and the green light flashes for
longer than ten seconds, you likely entered the wrong password for the WiFi
network. Try connecting your phone to the same network to verify that the
password is correct. Some passwords are long and complex, which increases the
chances that the password was entered improperly. Sometimes the password for
the WiFi network is printed on the router specification label.
Download SolisCloud and Register an Account
SolisCloud is the monitoring platform for Solis inverters. SolisCloud is a
mobile-app that can be accessed with a smart-phone and also a website that can
be accessed through a web browser. This guide is for the mobile-app, but the
commissioning process can also be done on the website if that is preferable .
Download the SolisCloud application or go to the SolisCloud website
Search “SolisCloud” in the app store and download the app. If you search
“Solis” many apps will appear, please see figure 4.1 for the correct app
SolisCloud. Website:
www.soliscloud.com/#/homepage
Register a new account with SolisCloud
Skip this step if you already have a SolisCloud account. If you do not yet
have an account, follow these steps to create one:
- Tap Register in the top right corner
- Select Organization if you are an installer, select Owner if you are a homeowner
- Enter in the organization information, be sure to set the time zone correctly
- Tap Send and then enter the verification code or complete the puzzle verification
- Go to your email and retrieve the code that was sent there
- Return to the app and enter the code into the “Input Verification Code” field
- Tap Register at the bottom to complete the registration process – you can now log in
Create a New Plant for the System
Once you are logged in you will need to create a new plant for your system.
After that, you will be able to add the data logger to the plant. The inverter
will automatically populate into the plant as soon as the logger reports to
SolisCloud.
- Tap Plant in the bottom left corner
- Tap the + symbol in the top right corner
- Tap Add Plant
- Enter in the plant info
- Set the location
- Set the time zone
- Fill in the Organization Code if your company already has a SolisCloud account
- Tap Next at the bottom once you have finished
For Tariff Management, enter in the average rate at which the utility charges for power. Linked Accounts allows you to add guests to the plant so they can view it. This is when you would add in the homeowner’s email address.
Add the Data Logger to the Plant
At the new plant main page, tap the three dots in the top right corner. Then
tap Add Device to bring up the scanner. You can either scan the bar code on
the logger or tap Manual Input to manually enter the logger serial number.
Placing a hand behind the logger makes the scanning process easier. Once the
serial number has been entered, tap OK in the top right corner. You will given
the message “Bound Successfully”, tap View Plant to go back to the plant main
page. The inverter(s) will auto-populate into the plant after a few minutes
Decommissioning
Decommissioning of the logger must be done if one of the following situations occurs:
- The logger is being replaced under RMA or being swapped for another reason
- The inverter is being replaced or upgraded
- The logger is being relocated to another inverter
- The logger is being removed altogether
Remove the logger from the plant on SolisCloud
First, the logger must be disassociated from the plant on SolisCloud. From the
plant main screen, tap Device, then tap Datalogger. Swipe left on the logger
that you wish to unpair from the system. A small trash can icon will appear on
the right side of the screen, tap this. When the message “Disassociate
SN:XXXXXXXXX datalogger” appears, tap Delete. Finally, tap Delete again and
not Reserved, this will remove the logger from the plant.
Remove the logger from the inverter
Once the logger has been disassociated, you can physically remove it from the
inverter. Do this by twisting the black lock ring counter-clockwise until it
is loose. Then gently pull down on the logger until it comes out of the COM
port.
Store or ship the logger
Now that the logger has been removed, it can now be installed on another
inverter or shipped back to Solis. To pair the logger with a different
inverter, please follow the same steps that have beenoutlined in this manual.
If the logger will not be immediately reinstalled or shipped, please store the
logger in a moisture-proof environment. It is recommended to keep a desiccant
packet stored with the longer to ensure the internal components of the logger
are not exposed to moisture
What to do if there is a new WiFi network or WiFi password
You will need to reconfigure the data logger. First press and hold the Reset
button located on the back of the data logger for 15 seconds. Doing this will
reset the logger and enable the logger access point. Use your phone to connect
to the logger access point network and then go to the browser configuration
page by entering the address 10.10.100.254. See page 6 for the complete
instructions on how to configure the data logger to the WiFi network.
Technical Specifications
Models /S3-WiFi-ST
- Supported device type Solis inverter (all models except S6-EH1P(3.8-11.4)K-H-US)
- Number of connected inverters 10
- Data collection intervals 5 minutes
- Status indicator LED × 3
- Communication interface 4 Pin
- Wireless communication 802.11b/g/n (2.4G—2.483G)
- Configuration method Mobile App/Website
Electrical
- Operating voltage DC 5V(+/-5%)
- Operating power consumption W
Environment
- Operating temperature -22°F to 149°F (-30 ~ +65°C)
- Operating humidity 5%-95%, relative humidity, no condensation
- Storage temperature -40°F to 158°F (-40 ~ +70°C)
- Storage humidity < 40%
- Operating altitude 4000 m
- Protection degree NEMA 4X
Mechanical
- Dimensions (L x W x H) 5 x 2 x 1.3 in (128 x 50 x 34 mm)
- Installation method Plug-in to external port
- Weight 0.18 lb (80 g)
Others
Certification CE, FCC
Ginlong Technologies Co., Ltd. No. 57 Jintong Road, Binhai Industrial Park, Xiangshan,Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315712, P.R. China.
- Telephone : +1(866)438-8408
- Email : [email protected]
- Website : www.ginlong.com/us
If you encounter any problems with the logger, please take note of the logger serial number and then contact us using the phone number or email listed above.