Timed Export conflicting with Eco Mode

I am experimenting with timed export to take advantage of peaks in the Agile Export tariff.

When I set up a timed export, Eco Mode is automatically switched off. This kind of makes sense as the inverter is no longer fully in charge of what happens.

Yesterday, at the end of the timed export, the system started drawing heavily from the grid even though there was power in the battery. Did this happen because Eco Mode was off? This all seems to make it hard to use timed export without being on hand to restore Eco when export is finished.

GribinIsaf yep, this is what I've found. Eco mode turns off and after the timed export the battery just sits idle, not charging or discharging. I've raised a ticket a few months ago as a feature request, but no update yet.

I'm looking into to automating it through Home Assistant

Cdent

Thank you for your reply. It is always good to know that someone else is experiencing the same problem!

I am only just starting to experiment with Home Assistant and have only in the last hour got it talking to the inverter and batteries (have failed to before). I used an integration called GivEnergy Local and it is reporting various variables such as charge level etc. I need to learn how actions within the inverter can be controlled so any tips and advice you have would be much appreciated.

To be fair (?) the inverter describes Timed Export as "This mode will hold your battery power and discharge it at full power during a period you define". So as soon as it is enabled the battery is frozen and not available for domestic load. This means it cannot be set up in advance to export during a timed window in the future.

Surely many people want to use their system in Eco mode but set up a timed export for a short period of time later in the day when export rates are at their highest?

GribinIsaf I'm just getting started with HA myself, I'm looking into using Node Red but haven't figured it out you. I'm doing a Python course so might opt for that as it seems easy to use.

As for your second point, that's exactly what I wanted to do when Octopus where paying 60p+. I think it might be possible through their R&D app but that's not something I've used a lot.

GribinIsaf I've been trying to do the same thing. In smart tariff there is a tariff automation option that exports every evening when rates are at their peak and I can keep the system in eco mode. Unfortunately rates are below my import rate now so I've had to turn it off today.

ShellMcl Thanks for that. I was aware such automations existed but had not looked at them in detail. Unless I am missing something they seem rather crude. All I can see is "export to the grid between 4pm and 8pm". That is roughly what I want to do but, depending on the state of our batteries, I might want to export for only an hour and then the best time is likely to be 5.30 to 6,30 say.

GribinIsaf yes it's not perfect but with rates as high as they have been (we're paying 22p /kwh on a fixed tariff) despite the inefficiency we've still made a few hundred using this automation. We also get an inverter offline error annoyingly often when managing it manually which means this automation was the best option I had. Except yesterday when it exported at about 10p / kwh and then we've had to pay 22p to import back again this morning but winning more than losing so not complaining too much

ShellMcl

Thanks for those thoughts. I am experimenting with all possible options at the moment!