Time Charging via Soliscloud

Summary

In this instructional video, Travis demonstrates how to set up time-of-use charging for a hybrid inverter through the Solas Cloud platform. Viewers learn to access the inverter control, enable self-use, and configure time-of-use settings for optimal charging between 12:30 AM and 4:30 AM. With the help of David from the lab, the process is shown in real-time, highlighting the importance of setting the right charge and discharge limits based on battery capacity. The video promises more tutorials on the Solas Cloud's control functions and a mobile app guide.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The video is about demonstrating how to set time of use charging through the Solas Cloud platform for hybrid inverters.
• 🔒 The process requires internet access and a connected inverter, and can be done from anywhere in the world.
• 🔑 Users need to log in to the platform and navigate to the device section to select the inverter serial number for control.
• 🛠️ The video provides a step-by-step guide on enabling inverter control and accessing the work mode settings.
• 🕒 The focus is on setting up time of use charging, which is an important feature for users to optimize energy usage.
• 🔍 The video includes a real-time demonstration with a lab assistant to show the process in action.
• 🗓️ Time of use settings involve enabling self-use and allowing grid charging to pull power from the grid during off-peak hours.
• ⏰ The video suggests setting a popular tariff with a four-hour charging period from midnight to 4:30 AM.
• 🔋 The charging limit is recommended based on the battery capacity, with a suggestion of 50 amps for smaller batteries.
• 🚫 Discharge settings should be kept at zero to avoid forced charging or discharging, which can be harmful to the battery.
• 📱 The video promises more content on controlling the inverter through the Solas Cloud platform and via a smartphone app.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is demonstrating how to set up time of use charging through the Solas Cloud platform for a hybrid inverter.

What is the Solas Cloud platform?

The Solas Cloud platform is a system that allows users to control and manage their hybrid inverters remotely, provided they have internet access.

What is the prerequisite for setting up time of use charging through Solas Cloud?

The prerequisite is that the hybrid inverter must be connected to the internet and the user must have access to the Solas Cloud platform.

Where is the video demonstration taking place?

The video demonstration is taking place in the Liverpool test lab plant.

What is the purpose of enabling 'self-use' in the inverter settings?

Enabling 'self-use' allows the inverter to charge from the grid during specified time periods, which is part of the time of use charging setup.

What is the significance of 'allow grid charging' in the settings?

'Allow grid charging' must be enabled for the inverter to pull power from the grid and charge the battery during the designated time of use periods.

How does the video demonstrate the time of use charging setup?

The video demonstrates the setup by showing a live interaction with a technician in the lab, who guides through the process on the Solas Cloud platform.

What is the recommended time period for time of use charging based on the video?

The recommended time period for time of use charging, as suggested in the video, is from half past midnight to half past four in the morning, which is a four-hour period.

What is the recommended charge limit according to the video?

The recommended charge limit depends on the battery capacity, but for a five-kilowatt battery, a charge limit of 50 amps is suggested.

What should the discharge current setting be for optimal battery health?

The discharge current setting should be at zero to prevent forced charging or discharging, which is not good for the battery's health.

Will there be more videos on using the Solas Cloud platform?

Yes, the video host mentions that more videos on the control functions within Solas Cloud will be released, including a demonstration through a cell phone app.

Outlines

00:00

🔌 Setting Up Time of Use Charging

Travis introduces a tutorial video on configuring time of use charging for a hybrid inverter through the Solas Cloud platform. The process is accessible worldwide with internet access and requires the inverter to be connected. The tutorial takes place in a Liverpool test lab, where Travis guides viewers through the platform's interface, emphasizing the importance of enabling self-use and allowing grid charging. He demonstrates the activation of inverter control and navigates to the work mode settings. Travis then discusses the setup of time of use charging, including enabling the feature and setting the charge time and limits. A live demonstration is conducted with David from the lab, who assists in setting the charging schedule and limits on the inverter, showcasing a real-time application of the platform's capabilities.

05:03

🛠️ Finalizing Time of Use Settings

In the second paragraph, the focus shifts to finalizing the time of use settings on the inverter. David, from the lab, is shown accessing advanced settings by entering a password. The self-use feature is confirmed to be enabled, and the time of use settings are activated. A popular tariff is suggested, with charging scheduled from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, a four-hour period. The charge limit is set based on the battery's capacity, with a recommendation for a 50-amp limit to prevent overcharging smaller batteries. Discharge settings are also discussed, with a recommendation to keep the restart current at zero to avoid forced charging or discharging. The settings are saved, and the video concludes with Travis thanking David for the assistance and promising more videos on the Solas Cloud platform's control functions.

Keywords

💡Solas Cloud platform

Solas Cloud platform is the central focus of the video, serving as the digital interface for managing the settings of a hybrid inverter. It allows users to control their inverter settings remotely, provided they have internet access. In the script, Travis demonstrates how to access and use the platform to set up time of use charging, highlighting its ease of use and accessibility from anywhere in the world.

💡Time of Use (ToU) charging

Time of Use charging is a billing method used by electricity providers, where the cost of electricity varies depending on the time of day. In the video, Travis explains how to set up ToU charging through the Solas Cloud platform to optimize when the inverter charges from the grid, which can help users save on electricity costs. The script mentions setting a specific time period for charging to take advantage of lower rates.

💡Hybrid inverter

A hybrid inverter is a type of solar inverter that can handle both AC and DC power, allowing for more flexible energy management. In the context of the video, the hybrid inverter is connected to the grid and the battery, and the script demonstrates how to configure its settings for optimal energy use and cost savings.

💡Inverter serial number

The inverter serial number is a unique identifier for the inverter, which is necessary to access its control settings on the Solas Cloud platform. In the script, Travis instructs viewers to click on the inverter's serial number to open the control panel for setting up time of use charging.

💡Self-use

Self-use in the context of the video refers to the setting on the inverter that allows it to prioritize using the solar energy generated by the system before drawing power from the grid. It is a key setting for enabling time of use charging, as demonstrated in the script when Travis navigates to the self-use settings to configure the inverter.

💡Grid charging

Grid charging is the process of drawing electricity from the grid to charge the battery or power the home when solar energy is not sufficient. In the video, Travis emphasizes the importance of enabling grid charging in the inverter settings to allow the system to pull power from the grid during specified time periods for cost efficiency.

💡Work mode

Work mode is a setting on the inverter that determines its operational behavior. In the script, Travis navigates to the work mode settings to select 'self-use', which is necessary for setting up time of use charging and ensuring the inverter operates according to the user's energy usage preferences.

💡Charge limit

The charge limit is a setting that determines the maximum current the inverter can draw from the grid to charge the battery. In the video, Travis and David discuss setting a charge limit based on the battery's capacity to ensure safe and efficient charging, with an example of setting it to 50 amps.

💡Discharge limit

Discharge limit is the maximum current that the inverter can provide to the load or send back to the grid. In the script, Travis mentions setting the discharge limit to zero to prevent forced discharging, which is not desirable as it can strain the battery and inverter.

💡Advanced settings

Advanced settings are deeper configuration options within the inverter's control interface that allow for more detailed customization. In the video, Travis and David access the advanced settings to enable time of use charging and configure the specific time period for charging during off-peak hours.

💡Password protection

Password protection is a security feature that prevents unauthorized access to the inverter's control settings. In the script, Travis demonstrates entering a password ('zero zero ten') to access the advanced settings, ensuring that only authorized users can make changes to the inverter's configuration.

Highlights

Introduction to a special video on setting time-of-use charging through the Solas Cloud platform.

Time-of-use charging can be managed from anywhere with internet access and a connected hybrid inverter.

Demonstration of the step-by-step process to access inverter control on the Solas Cloud platform.

Activation of inverter control for all users, ensuring accessibility to the feature.

Explanation of navigating to the work mode and self-use settings within the platform.

Enabling self-use and allowing grid charging as prerequisites for time-of-use settings.

Real-time demonstration with David in the lab to showcase the practical application.

Instructions on accessing time-of-use settings and enabling the feature.

Recommendation of a popular tariff for setting the charge time.

Setting a specific time period for charging, from midnight to 4:30 AM.

Discussion on determining the appropriate charge limit based on battery capacity.

Setting a charge limit of 50 amps as an example for users with a 5-kilowatt battery.

Importance of keeping the discharge current at zero to prevent forced charging or discharging.

Finalization of settings and confirmation of successful configuration.

Announcement of future videos on additional control functions within the Solas Cloud.

Promise of a tutorial on setting up time-of-use charging through a mobile app.

Closing remarks and thanks to David for assisting with the demonstration.

Transcripts

foreign

it's Travis here uh we're gonna do a

special video for you today and what

we're going to do is we're going to show

you how to do uh through the Solas Cloud

platform how to set your time of use

charging directly through the platform

you could do it from anywhere in the

world as long as you have internet

access and your hybrid inverter is

connected to the inverter or your

regular grid tied inverter but we're

going to show you right now is mainly

the time of use so that's what's main

that's what's important to people right

now so we are here in our Liverpool test

lab plant and we are going to go step by

step so you log in this is your page

that you will see and there'll be no

control functions right here so you'll

go click on device

you'll click on the inverter serial

number right here and you'll open up the

serial number

part right here and you should see this

inverter control we have recently

activated this for everybody so

everybody will have this now

you hit inverter control I'll show you

my password here so this lab and then um

we're going to go into work mode not

battery settings this is just to change

the battery type and we're gonna go to

work mode

uh self-use and under self-used is where

your time of use is and that's your time

charging so we're going to first of all

make sure self use is enabled yes it's

enabled and then we're going to go to

allow grid charging if you don't have

allow grid charging on it can't pull

power from the grid it can't charge from

the grid so make sure that's enabled

so what we're going to do now is we're

going to call the lab and do this in

real time kind of a special thing we got

going on here I'm going to call David in

the lab

hopefully he picks up

[Music]

hello David are you there

zombies hey uh we're doing a little

video uh of how to set the time charging

through the source Cloud oh there you

are okay yeah can you help I wanted a

show in real time how it works do you

think you could help us

of course I can yes you mean on the S5

hybrid right yeah the S5 hybrid

yeah I'm just right there next to it so

what would you like me to do no you

wouldn't probably share my screen right

yes sir

all right

so we're gonna do the time of use uh

charging so can you see on your screen

what it's set at right now

of course yes so going to time traveling

settings we have to press enter scroll

down to advanced settings

you have to put the password which is

zero zero ten and the easy way to do it

is press it and get a down down up enter

select

[Music]

and sell views we need to enable which

is on

and then we will go to time of use

settings which is this table here okay

so it's off right now huh off right now

all right

so I'm gonna set it on and then uh do

you have any recommendations on the

charge time

um yes and very popular tariff is the

Tariff in the first charging and we will

have to set from half 12 to half hour on

the money which is four hours period

okay

a lot of the the

[Music]

for the electricity they they provided

which are a very cheap rate so yes

um okay I'll set that and what about the

charge limit and discharge limit does

that need to be anything specific

that's Depends for the charging limit

here yeah it's usually depends of how

the capacity of the battery the customer

have so yeah if you've got big batteries

then we will set it higher if you go to

a lower battery because as we know the

battery doesn't like to be charged very

hard so it's not good to charge the

battery if we know that we would only

five kilos battery charging them by 100

amp it won't be so good because the

battery like to be charged slowly so 50

um for up to five kilowatts okay 50 up

should be fine so set that for 50 other

people all right I'll go ahead and set

it right now

uh you can exit out of that and then

we'll go back into it so I'm setting

time of use enabled

and then I'm gonna set it for you said

50 amps now for discharge current do I

need to set anything

they start to disrupts discharging times

and restart current should be at zero

all the time because we actually we

obviously don't like to this because

then that function is force charging or

Focus discharging so we we will afford

inverted to charging at this charging

and if we set anything on this charging

we will force the clip this inverter no

matter what is the load okay we will

just force this charging and we don't

like that so everything of zero please

all right I'm saving it right now

okay let me have a look this is

happening

there you go perfect

so mod potatoes we return you turn the

time will be setting you turn them on

you set 50 charging unit and you set the

time from half 12 to half four which is

four hours period great

okay so that looks good then huh

yeah yeah that's cool

[Laughter]

all right dude I appreciate it thank you

for helping us out and uh

yeah have a good day in the lab we'll

talk to you later

take care take care of yourself

okay everybody so

um that's that's it for now that's I

will release more videos on the control

function within Souls cloud and then

also we're gonna do one through the cell

phone so stay tuned and talk to you

later thank you bye

foreign