Installation · SolaX

Install GridZeno on SolaX X1-Mini G3, X1-Boost G3, X1-Smart G1.

X1-Mini G3, X1-Boost G3 and X1-Smart G1 are single-phase grid inverters without a battery, so GridZeno can show the production and, where the protocol allows it, limit export. RS485 is on pins 4 and 5 of the RJ45 port for RS485 and energy meter, and GND on pin 3. Pin 2 is DRM0, so the cable must be made with only the three wires that are used.

Applies to: X1-0.6-3.6K-S (Mini G3), X1-3.0-6K-T (Boost G3) and X1-6.0-8.0-T (Smart G1)
Connection: Network cable with RJ45 plug
Time: About 25 minutes

A grid inverter without a battery. GridZeno shows what it produces but can't control anything on it. What GridZeno can do on SolaX X1-Mini G3, X1-Boost G3, X1-Smart G1

How the dongle recognises it: The serial number in holding 0x300 starts with, for example, XM2, XM3 or XMA (X1-Mini G3) or XB3, XBE or XBU (X1-Boost G3). The X1-Smart G1 has no public register map and isn't recognised yet.

GridZeno Dongle for SolaX X1-Mini G3, X1-Boost G3, X1-Smart G1

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. An RJ45 plug comes with the inverter in the accessory bag.
Phillips screwdriver (PH1): For the screw on the port.
USB power: A 5 V USB charger and a cable with USB-C.

The port

On the underside of the inverter. SolaX calls it RS485/CT/Meter/DRM on X1-Mini G3, port F on X1-Boost G3 and RS485/Meter/DRM on X1-Smart G1. The port has a screw or a waterproof connector that the cable is passed through.

Port: RS485/Meter (RJ45)

The RS485 port, as SolaX numbers the pins. Pins 4 and 5 are RS485, pin 3 is GND_COM, and pin 2 is DRM0. 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, 485_A
Pin 5 B, 485_B
Pin 3 GND, GND_COM
Pin 2 Must not be connected, DRM0
Pin 6 Must not be connected, E_Stop (DRM1 on Smart G1)

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, 485_A
Dongle pin 5, white/blue (B)	SolaX pin 5, 485_B
Dongle pin 3, white/green (GND)	SolaX pin 3, GND_COM
The other wires	Cut off and insulated, especially those on pins 2 and 6

Settings

On the inverter

X1-Boost G3: ModbusRTUEnable: Enable. From the factory it's set to Disable. ModbusAddress must be 1.
X1-Mini G3 and X1-Smart G1: Has no Modbus menu. The address is 1.

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-Mini G3 / X1-Boost G3 / X1-Smart G1
Connection: By cable (RS485)
RS485 settings: Address 1 and 8N1. SolaX doesn't mention the baud rate in the manuals: start with 9600, and try 19200 if the dongle gets no response.

Step by step

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

1
Turn on Modbus on X1-Boost G3
Only on X1-Boost G3: in the display's settings, go to ModbusRTUEnable, and set it to Enable. ModbusAddress must be 1. X1-Mini G3 and X1-Smart G1 have no Modbus menu, so go on to the next step.
2
Open the RS485 port
Switch off the inverter: switch off the AC breaker, set the DC switch to OFF, and wait 5 minutes. Undo the screw on the RS485 port with a PH1 screwdriver, and remove the waterproof cable gland.
3
Pass the cable through the cable gland
Cut off the plug at the inverter end, and pass the cable through the waterproof cable gland before the new plug is crimped on.
4
Crimp the inverter end with three wires
Crimp on a new plug 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.
5
Plug it into RS485
Push the plug into the RS485 port until it clicks. Tighten the screw, and tighten the cable gland by hand.
6
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.
7
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.
8
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.
9
Log in, and choose your inverter
Log in to GridZeno. Welcome pairs the dongle with its device ID. Then choose your inverter, SolaX X1-Mini G3 / X1-Boost G3 / X1-Smart G1, and the connection By cable (RS485). Press Save inverter, and the dongle fetches its setup and reads the inverter. If the dongle gets no answer, go to System, press Change inverter, and set the baud rate to 19200 under RS485 settings.

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

Take care

Pin 2 is DRM0 and pin 6 emergency stop (on X1-Smart G1 DRM1). An ordinary network cable would connect them to the dongle, which is why the inverter end must be crimped with only the three wires.

The port is the inverter's only RS485 port, and SolaX uses the same pins 4 and 5 for the energy meter. If the inverter uses a SolaX energy meter for export limitation, write to us before you connect the dongle.

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

The RS485 port isn't a network port. Never plug it into a router or switch.

What GridZeno can control on SolaX X1-Mini G3, X1-Boost G3, X1-Smart G1, and how, is on the page about SolaX X1-Mini G3, X1-Boost G3, X1-Smart G1. 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-MINI G3, X1-BOOST G3 and X1-SMART G1 User Manuals (EN), The pin tables for the RS485/Meter port (X1-Mini G3 p. 25, X1-Boost G3 p. 26, X1-Smart G1 p. 25) and X1-Boost G3: ModbusRTUEnable and ModbusAddress.