poweroptimal v1.2 Elon Smart Hot Water System User Manual
- September 18, 2024
- PowerOptimal
Table of Contents
v1.2 Elon Smart Hot Water System
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Product Specifications:
- Development Name: Elon Smart Water
- Unit Construction Status: Works
- 1st Level Support Person: [Name]
Product Usage Instructions:
1. Setting Up the Thermostat:
To get started with using the thermostat, follow these
steps:
-
Download the Elon Smart Water app from Google Play or Apple app
stores if not already installed. -
If the thermostat is not in your device list, scan its QR code
to add it to the app. -
Open the thermostat Configuration screen by tapping the
Configure button next to the thermostat.
2. Troubleshooting Steps:
-
Open the Elon Smart app and check for any alarms at the bottom
of the screen. -
If unable to access the thermostat, ensure DC isolator and AC
circuit breakers are closed. -
If still unable to access, visually inspect wiring and check
voltage presence with a meter.
3. Unit Operation:
After powering up, the unit runs a self-test for about 30
seconds. It engages the correct power source based on the heating
policy. If water temperature is below set point, it starts heating,
indicated by a click sound.
4. Installation Faults:
The unit detects various installation faults and displays them
on the configuration screen, preventing power connection until
resolved. These faults include earth wire disconnection, AC-DC
connection, insulation failure, element faults, and component
failure.
FAQ:
Q: What should I do if I encounter an alarm on the
thermostat?
A: If you see an alarm, refer to the list of alarms provided in
the guide and take appropriate actions to rectify the issue.
Q: How do I know if the unit is heating water?
A: You should hear a click sound when the unit starts heating
water after passing the self-test.
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Elon® Smart Troubleshooting Guide for Electricians V1.2
NOTE: This Troubleshooting Guide is intended for electricians and not general users. Users should please refer to the User Manual, which can be found at www.poweroptimal.com/manuals.
Unit no.
Development name
Date
Unit construction status (Works OR Final Completion)
Name: 1st level support person
Resident name
Elon® serial no.
Reported issue (customer)
Reported issue (Level 1 Support)
Troubleshooting Steps
No. Action
Result Units
1
Open the Elon Smart app. (Download the Elon Smart Water app from the Google Play or Apple app stores if you don’t have it installed on your phone)
If you don’t have the specific thermostat in your device list, scan its QR code (on the
2 house DB or on the thermostat itself) to add it by tapping the + button in the Elon Smart
app.
3
Open the thermostat Configuration screen by tapping the Configure (hammer & spanner) button to the right of the thermostat on the app status screen.
4
Check for any alarms at the bottom of the screen and rectify accordingly (See list of alarms at the end of this guide)
If you cannot access the thermostat from the app, confirm that
5
a. the DC isolator / circuit breaker is closed (on);
b. the AC circuit breaker at DB and AC isolator are closed (on).
DC closed AC closed
If you still cannot access the thermostat from the app, remove the geyser end cover and:
a. Visually inspect the wiring ensuring that AC and DC wiring are still inserted into screw
terminals;
6
b. Check using a voltage meter that DC voltage is present on the DC screw terminals and
polarity is not reversed (Figure 1);
c. Check using a voltage meter that AC voltage is present on the AC screw terminals (Figure
2).
Wiring correct
V DC & correct polarity
V AC
7 Write down the conclusion from your testing (What caused the reported issue?) & any other observations:
Figure 1 Checking DC voltage
Figure 2 Checking AC voltage
Elon® Smart Troubleshooting Guide for Electricians V1.2
Things to Remember
After power up, the unit runs a self-test that takes about 30 seconds. Once
the self-test passes the unit will engage the correct power source determined
by the heating policy. If the water is below the temperature set point for the
source (Grid or Solar), it will start heating water. You should hear a click
when this happens.
If the two earth wires are not connected to the earth stud the unit will fail
the self-test and never start the heating process.
The unit will detect the following installation faults and display them on the
configuration screen. These will stop the unit from connecting power to the
element until they are cleared:
1. DC + and DC are reversed (reversed polarity);
2. The earth straps are not connected to the earth stud;
3. AC is connected to DC input;
4. There is a fault between the solar wiring and earth (insulation failure);
5. Element faulty (this may happen if you insert the unit so only a single
spade connector makes contact with the element);
6. Unit component failure.
The unit will also warn the installer if there is:
1. No power on the AC input. The alarm is not shown if heating policy Solar
Only is selected.
2. No power on the DC input and it is daytime. The alarm is not shown if
heating policy Grid Only is selected.
For any Heating policy except Grid Only, solar power is normally engaged
except for the periods listed in the table below.
If the unit has no grid power and engaging the element causes the DC voltage
of the solar panels to drop below the voltage required to power the unit, the
unit disconnects the element. If AC power is supplied, then the unit can run
down to 0 V on DC. If the unit disconnects the element, it will stay
disconnected for 2 minutes before connecting to the element again.
If the unit is connected to the grid, it may draw a small amount of power
(<3W) from the grid even if Solar Only heating policy is selected.
How to switch on solar power to element: Select Solar Only heating policy on
the configuration screen.
How to switch on mains power to element: Select Grid Only heating policy on
the configuration screen.
Heating Profile option Grid Only Solar Only Morning Shower
Solar power use
Never Always Always except for 3 5 am
Evening Shower Always except for 5 7 pm
Morning and Evening Shower
Always except for 3 5 am & 5 7 pm
Grid power use Always Never 3 am 5 am
5 pm 7 pm
3 am 5 am & 5 pm 7 pm
Comments
Select this option if you don’t have any solar panels installed.
ONLY use solar power. NEVER use grid power.
Solar power will be used whenever available, and grid power will only be used
early in the morning to boost water temperature to the Grid set point if the
temperature is lower than that.
Solar power will be used whenever available, and grid power will only be used
in the late afternoon to boost water temperature to the Grid set point if the
temperature is lower than that.
Solar power will be used whenever available, and grid power will only be used
in the early morning and late afternoon to boost water temperature to the Grid
set point if the temperature is lower than that.
Elon® Smart Troubleshooting Guide for Electricians V1.2
List of Alarms and How to Resolve Them
The Elon Smart has a helpful alarm system that detects and reports common
issues. See the below list for the various alarms and how to resolve them.
ID Alarm message 0 Element Faulty
1 Switch Failed 2 DC Disconnect Failed 3 No Power on AC Input
How to resolve the alarm a. Check that the thermostat is inserted correctly. b. If that does not clear the alarm, measure element resistance and replace if necessary. Contact technical support Contact technical support This can be due to several reasons: a. There is no AC power connected to the Elon Smart b. AC power is off at the circuit breaker in the DB board or at the AC isolator close by the Elon Smart unit. c. There is a power failure or loadshedding.
This alarm won’t prevent the Elon Smart unit from functioning and heating water with solar (DC) power as long as there is solar power available.
4 Measurement Failure 5 Disconnected for Safety
6 Water Temperature Measurement Failure
7 Ambient Temperature Exceeded
8 DC Wiring Insulation Failure
9 Insulation Self-Test Failed 10 AC Wired to DC Input 11 DC Wired to AC Input
You can clear the alarm by switching the AC power on (where applicable),
setting the Elon Smart heating policy to Solar Only (see Table 4.1) or you can
leave it until AC power returns. Contact technical support When there is a
safety-related alarm condition, the Elon Smart will disconnect power from the
geyser. To clear this alarm, you need to clear the other safety-related
alarm(s). Contact technical support
a. Check the installation. If the geyser is installed in direct sunlight, see
if you can provide shade to the geyser end space area where the Elon Smart is
located. b. Reduce temperature set point by 5 degrees. c. Wait until
temperatures cool down. The Elon Smart will start up again. d. Contact
technical support if the above doesn’t clear the alarm. a. Check solar panels
and DC wiring for insulation faults. b. To operate the Elon Smart whilst the
insulation fault has not been located and resolved, you can set the heating
profile to Grid Only or switch off the DC disconnect switch. a. Check earth
wiring. Make sure both earth straps are connected securely to the geyser earth
stud. Wire AC to correct input (see Chapter 4). Wire DC to correct input (see
Chapter 4).
Elon® Smart Troubleshooting Guide for Electricians V1.2
ID Alarm message 12 No Power on DC Input
How to resolve the alarm This can be due to several reasons: a. There is no DC power connected to the Elon Smart b. DC power is off at the DC disconnect switch close by the Elon Smart unit. c. There is an issue with the DC wiring or solar PV installation. d. It is extremely dark and overcast during daytime. (The alarm is not active when the sun is less than 15 degrees above the horizon.)
This alarm won’t prevent the Elon Smart unit from functioning and heating water with grid (AC) power as long as there is grid power available.
13 DC Input Reversed 14 Hot Connection
You can clear the alarm by switching the DC power on (where applicable), fixing the DC wiring / solar PV installation, setting the Elon Smart heating policy to Grid Only (see Table 4.1) or you can leave it until DC power returns. The wiring on the Solar input has been installed incorrectly (in reverse). The DC+ (positive) wire has been connected to the DC- (negative) terminal on the Elon Smart and the DC- (negative) wire has been connected to the DC+ (positive) terminal on the Elon Smart. Swap the DC wires around (see Chapter 4). Elon Smart not correctly inserted into geyser element. Switch off all power to the Elon Smart and re-seat (reinsert) the Elon Smart.