Install GridZeno on SolaX X1/X3-IES.
IES is SolaX's hybrid inverter that stands on a tower of battery modules, single-phase as X1-IES and three-phase as X3-IES. It has no RJ45 port for an external controller. The dongle is connected with three wires in the COM connector's terminal block: terminals 11 and 12, which SolaX has set aside for other devices with Modbus RTU, and GND on terminal 10.
- Applies to
- X1-IES and X1-IES-A, X3-IES, X3-IES-A and X3-IES-P
- Connection
- Wires in the inverter's terminal plug
- Time
- About 30 minutes
The battery is controlled with SolaX' remote control, which stops by itself if the dongle goes silent. What GridZeno can do on SolaX X1/X3-IES
How the dongle recognises it: The start of the serial number: H53, H55, H56 or H58 is X1-IES (H55-H58 with three MPPTs). H35A, H35F, P35A and P35G1 are X3-IES.
What you need
- GridZeno Dongle
- The device ID is on the label, e.g. GZ-A1B2C3.
- Cable
- GridZeno's Modbus cable with one end cut off, or another network cable with one plug.
- Ferrules and crimping tool
- Wire ferrules for the three wires.
- USB power
- A 5 V USB charger and a cable with USB-C.
The port
COM is a waterproof shared connector on the underside of the inverter, by CT/Meter and Dongle. Inside the connector there are two RJ45 ports, P1 and P2, for parallel operation, and a terminal block with P3 (terminals 1 to 8) and P4 (terminals 9 to 16).
- Port
- COM (terminal block P4)
- Pin 11 A, MODBUS_485A
- Pin 12 B, MODBUS_485B
- Pin 10 GND, GND_COM
- Pin 9 Must not be connected, 12V_COM
The cable
A network cable with an RJ45 plug for the dongle at one end and the other end cut off. At the inverter end, only the three wires from pins 4, 5 and 3 are used, with ferrules fitted.
| Dongle end | Inverter end |
|---|---|
| Dongle pin 4, blue (A) | COM pin 11, MODBUS_485A |
| Dongle pin 5, white/blue (B) | COM pin 12, MODBUS_485B |
| Dongle pin 3, white/green (GND) | COM pin 10, GND_COM |
| The other wires | Cut off and insulated |
Settings
On the inverter
- Settings > Advance(d) Setting(s) > Modbus
- Read Baud Rate and Address. The dongle must have the same. From the factory they are 19200 and 1. The menu requires the installer code.
- Internal485 (InternalModbus on X1)
- Don't touch it. It controls terminals 7 and 8 for SolaX's own accessories.
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, IES
- Connection
- By cable (RS485)
- RS485 settings
- The same baud rate and address as the inverter, 8N1. If the inverter is set to 19200, set 19200 on the dongle.
Step by step
Each step has a small drawing that shows what to do.
- 1Read the baud rate and address
On the display, go to Settings, Advance Setting (on X1-IES: Advanced Settings) and Modbus. This requires the installer code. Note down Baud Rate and Address: the dongle must have the same.
- 2Unplug the COM connector
Switch off the system first: press the system button to OFF, switch off the AC breaker, set the DC switch to OFF, switch off the battery's breaker, and hold the BMS button down for 1 to 2 seconds. Wait 5 minutes. Pull out the COM connector, loosen the coupling nut, and pull out the terminal block.
- 3Pass the cable through the connector's parts
Remove a rubber plug, and pass the cut end of the cable through the coupling nut and the connector housing, in that order.
- 4Prepare the cable
Strip 15 mm of the outer sheath. Strip the three wires from pin 4 (blue), pin 5 (white/blue) and pin 3 (white/green), and crimp terminals on. Insulate the other wires.
- 5Put the wires in terminals 11, 12 and 10
Blue (A) goes in terminal 11, white/blue (B) in terminal 12 and white/green (GND) in terminal 10. Push them in until they're held firmly. Terminal 9 carries 12 V: don't touch it. Don't touch wires already in the other terminals either.
- 6Put the COM connector back in
Click the terminal block into the connector, and tighten the coupling nut. Remove the dust cover from the COM port, and plug in the connector until it's held firmly.
- 7Plug 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.
- 8Connect 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.
- 9Connect 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.
- 10Log in, and choose your inverter
Log in to GridZeno. Welcome pairs the dongle with its device ID. Then choose your inverter, SolaX IES, 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
What GridZeno can control on SolaX X1/X3-IES, and how, is on the page about SolaX X1/X3-IES. If you're stuck, write to us with the model name.
Source
Ports, pins and menus are from the manufacturer's own manual: SolaX X3-IES, X3-IES-A and X3-IES-P User Manuals (EN) and X1-IES and X1-IES-A User Manuals (EN), The section on the COM connector (the pin table for P1 to P4, Modbus RTU on terminals 11 and 12) and Advance Setting, Modbus.