Installation · SolaX

Install GridZeno on SolaX X1-Smart G2.

X1-Smart G2 is a single-phase grid inverter without a battery, so GridZeno can show the production and, where the protocol allows it, limit export. The dongle is connected with three wires in the 20-pin terminal block in the COM/CT connector: terminals 13 and 14 for RS485, and GND on terminal 10.

Applies to: X1-SMT-5K to 10K-G2 and 7KT to 10KT-G2
Connection: Wires in the inverter's terminal plug
Time: About 30 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-Smart G2

How the dongle recognises it: The serial number starts with XST. The dongle reads it like the X1-Mini G4, with three MPPTs.

GridZeno Dongle for SolaX X1-Smart G2

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, included in the accessory bag.
Small flat-head screwdriver: At most 3 mm, for the terminals.
USB power: A 5 V USB charger and a cable with USB-C.

The port

On the underside of the inverter, by the DONGLE port. The COM/CT connector from the accessory bag has two RJ45 parts, A and B, for energy meter and DRM, and a 20-pin terminal block, C. The dongle goes in the terminal block.

Port: COM/CT (terminal block C)

Terminal block C in the COM/CT connector, as SolaX numbers the terminals. 13 and 15 are both RS485 A, 14 and 16 both B. Terminal 6 carries power. The numbers are on the plug.

Pin 13 A, RS485 A
Pin 14 B, RS485 B
Pin 10 GND, GND
Pin 6 Must not be connected, VCC

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.

From the dongle to the inverter
Dongle end	Inverter end
Dongle pin 4, blue (A)	COM/CT pin 13, RS485 A
Dongle pin 5, white/blue (B)	COM/CT pin 14, RS485 B
Dongle pin 3, white/green (GND)	COM/CT pin 10, GND
The other wires	Cut off and insulated

Settings

On the inverter

Settings > RS485 CommAddr: 1, as set at the factory. Settings requires the installer code, which is 2014 from the factory.

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-Smart G2
Connection: By cable (RS485)
RS485 settings: Address 1 and 8N1. SolaX doesn't mention the baud rate in the manual: start with 9600, and try 19200 if the dongle gets no answer.

Step by step

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

1
Check the address
On the display, go to Settings, and enter the installer code. Under RS485 CommAddr the address must be 1, as from the factory.
2
Take out the COM/CT connector
Switch off the inverter first: switch off the AC breaker, and set the DC switch to OFF. Loosen the coupling nut on the COM/CT connector, and pull it out. If there's only a dust cover, use the COM/CT connector from the accessory bag.
3
Pass the cable through the connector's parts
Pass the cut end of the cable through the coupling nut, the seal and the connector housing, in that order.
4
Prepare the cable
Strip 33 mm of the outer sheath and 7.5 mm of the three wires from pin 4 (blue), pin 5 (white/blue) and pin 3 (white/green), and crimp the terminals on. Insulate the other wires.
5
Put the wires in terminals 13, 14 and 10
Blue (A) goes in terminal 13, white/blue (B) in terminal 14 and white/green (GND) in terminal 10. Tighten the screws with a small flat-head screwdriver. Terminal 6 carries power: don't touch it. Don't touch wires already in the other terminals either.
6
Put the COM/CT connector back in
Click the terminal block back into the connector, and tighten the coupling nut until it clicks. Remove the dust cover from the COM/CT port, and plug in the connector.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Log in, and choose your inverter
Log in to GridZeno. Welcome pairs the dongle with its device ID. Then choose your inverter, SolaX X1-Smart G2, 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

Terminal 6 carries power (VCC). Never connect anything from the dongle to it.

Terminals 11 and 12 are the energy meter's, 19 and 20 the current clamp's, and the RJ45 parts A and B in the same connector are for energy meter and DRM. The dongle goes in 13, 14 and 10.

Terminals 15 and 16 are the same as 13 and 14, so another device can be connected onwards. If there are already wires in them, write to us before you connect the dongle.

If you aren't used to fitting wires in a terminal connector, let the installer do it.

What GridZeno can control on SolaX X1-Smart G2, and how, is on the page about SolaX X1-Smart G2. 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-SMART G2 User Manual (EN), v6.0, The section on the COM/CT connector (part C, terminals 1 to 20) and Settings, RS485 CommAddr.