Power One Aurora PVI-3.6-OUTD-W Laptop Comms

[Matt_M]

Hi,

I am trying to load a Power Curve into a Power One Aurora wind inverter; this is not something I have done before.

I am struggling to get my laptop to talk to the inverter, in that I can't get it to connect to the inverter!

PowerOne recommend the use of one of these: Power-One Control Unit PVI-USB-RS485 - Saving Energy Online - a Power-One Control Unit PVI-USB-RS485 232 Boot Loader.

So i guess my question is, has anybody connected a laptop to a PowerOne inverter and used the Installer app to program settings? How did you do it?

Does anyone have a Control Unit i can borrow or rent?

Many thanks,

Matt

 

[grantr37]

you will need one of the power one units due to the communication protocols used by the inverter, these will be different to those used by IT equipment, which is why an interface unit(converter) is "conveniently" available for sale.....there's a lot of money in solar which is why they never gave very much hardware direct like for like connectivity to home network kit or standard USB without buying add-ons and "extras"

 

[Sunshine777]

I have had no trouble communicating with a PVI-3.6-OUTD with both the Commincator and Installer SW products. Have not tried changing any settings though!

 

[Digon]

I used the installer app with mine using a std usb cable without problems. You will need passwords to get into different parts of the app though. If Powerone didn't give you the passwords you can find them through google in a thread on an australian solar forum.

If you just want to use a usb to rs485 convertor to connect to a laptop you don't need the powerone version. I used a cheap ebay 'prolific' convertor and it works fine. item number: 120971473473

 

[screwdriver]

Most FTDLI chip rs485/usb converters work fine , well that is what they have used in the powerone converter.......... mine cost £16 off ebay, have programmed the 3.6outduks and even trio 27.6 inverters with them so am fairly happy with the results.

The built in usb connector on the 3.6outduk does work with the right drivers but you may find it a bit erratic for longterm monitoring of the inverters, P1 doesn't recommend its use for monitoring..

I used the installer app with mine using a std usb cable without problems. You will need passwords to get into different parts of the app though. If Powerone didn't give you the passwords you can find them through google in a thread on an australian solar forum.

If you just want to use a usb to rs485 convertor to connect to a laptop you don't need the powerone version. I used a cheap ebay 'prolific' convertor and it works fine. item number: 120971473473

 

[Matt_M]

Thanks guys i appreciate your reply's