Installation · SolaX

Install GridZeno on SolaX X1-AC.

X1-AC is SolaX's single-phase battery inverter, which is connected to an existing solar system on the AC side. It has its own RJ45 port, 485, with RS485 on pins 4 and 5 and GND on pin 3. Pin 2 can switch the inverter off, so the cable must be made with only the three wires that are needed.

Applies to: X1-AC-3.0 to 5.0
Connection: Network cable with RJ45 plug
Time: About 25 minutes

GridZeno shows the system and the battery charge level. The battery can't be controlled on the third generation, and the export limit comes later. What GridZeno can do on SolaX X1-AC

How the dongle recognises it: The serial number starts with XAC: SolaX' third generation, AC-coupled.

GridZeno Dongle for SolaX X1-AC

What you need

GridZeno Dongle: The device ID is on the label, e.g. GZ-A1B2C3.
Cable: A network cable that's re-crimped at the inverter end with only three wires.
RJ45 plug and crimping tool: For the inverter end. The waterproof connector with RJ45 is in the accessory bag.
USB power: A 5 V USB charger and a cable with USB-C.

The port

On the underside of the inverter, in the bottom row by the earth screw and the BMS port. The energy meter has its own port, Meter, in the top row.

Port: 485

The 485 port, with the pins numbered as SolaX numbers them. Pin 2 is Shut Down and must not be connected. The plug shown with the contacts facing you and the locking tab at the back: pin 1 is furthest to the left.

Pin 4 A, 485A
Pin 5 B, 485B
Pin 3 GND, GND
Pin 2 Must not be connected, Shut Down

The cable

A network cable where the inverter end is crimped with only three wires: the dongle's A on pin 4, B on pin 5 and GND on pin 3. The rest of the positions in the plug are empty. A and B are on the same pins as in the dongle, but make the cable with only the wires that are needed anyway, so that no other pins in the inverter's port are connected.

From the dongle to the inverter
Dongle end	Inverter end
Dongle pin 4, blue (A)	SolaX pin 4, 485A
Dongle pin 5, white/blue (B)	SolaX pin 5, 485B
Dongle pin 3, white/green (GND)	SolaX pin 3, GND
The other wires	Cut off and insulated, especially the one on pin 2

Settings

On the inverter

Setting > RS485/Modbus: The address must be 1. Read off the baud rate: if it's set to 115200, as in the manual, set it to 19200. The menu doesn't require an installer code.

In GridZeno's Welcome

The inverter is chosen in GridZeno: in Welcome the first time, and later under System, Change inverter. The dongle fetches its setup from there.

Manufacturer and model: SolaX, X1-AC
Connection: By cable (RS485)
RS485 settings: The same baud rate and address as the inverter, 8N1, for example 19200 and 1.

Step by step

Each step has a small drawing that shows what to do.

1
Check the baud rate and address
In the display, go to Setting and RS485/Modbus. The address must be 1. If the baud rate is set to 115200, set it to 19200. Note it down: the dongle must have the same.
2
Pass the cable through the waterproof connector
Switch the inverter off first: switch off the AC breaker and the battery's breaker. Take apart the waterproof connector with RJ45 from the accessory bag. Cut off the plug at the inverter end, and pass the cable through the connector's parts.
3
Crimp the inverter end with three wires
Crimp a new plug on with blue (A) on pin 4, white/blue (B) on pin 5 and white/green (GND) on pin 3. The other wires are cut off and insulated, especially the one on pin 2.
4
Plug it into 485
Press the plug into the 485 port on the underside until it clicks, and tighten the waterproof connector by hand.
5
Plug the RJ45 end into the dongle
The cable's other end goes into the dongle's RS485 port. Place the dongle somewhere dry and close to the inverter, so the cable doesn't hang from the plug.
6
Connect power to the dongle
Plug the USB-C cable into the dongle and the charger into a socket. The dongle starts by itself. It gets power from the charger, not from the inverter.
7
Connect the dongle to the network
Over Wi-Fi: the first time, the dongle creates its own Wi-Fi, GridZeno-Setup- followed by the last characters of the device ID. Connect your phone to it, choose your own network, enter the password, and press Save and connect. When it says Connection OK, press Go to GridZeno. Over cable (LAN): plug a network cable from the router into the dongle's network port.
8
Log in, and choose your inverter
Log in to GridZeno. Welcome pairs the dongle with its device ID. Then choose your inverter, SolaX X1-AC, and the connection By cable (RS485). Set the inverter's baud rate and address under RS485 settings. Press Save inverter, and the dongle fetches its setup and reads the inverter.

The dongle's own setup is described with screenshots in The user guide, and the pairing in Getting started.

Take care

Pin 2 in the 485 port is Shut Down. An ordinary network cable would put the dongle's GND on it, so the inverter end must be crimped with only the three wires.

Use only the 485 port. Meter is the energy meter's port, and the meter must stay in place. BMS is the battery's, and DRM isn't for the dongle.

The Dongle port is for SolaX's own Pocket WiFi. The GridZeno dongle doesn't go in it.

The 485 port isn't a network port. Never plug it into a router or switch.

What GridZeno can control on SolaX X1-AC, and how, is on the page about SolaX X1-AC. If you're stuck, write to us with the model name.

Source

Ports, pins and menus are from the manufacturer's own manual: SolaX X1-AC User Manual (EN), V04 (2023-01), The section on ports on the underside (G: 485), the pin table for 485, and Setting, RS485/Modbus.