First time poster just researching a GivEnergy solution.
From what I understand the GivEnergy Hybrid needs to be co located with the electricity meter so a CT sensor can monitor grid import/export.
Is there no way to remote the CT sensor so the GivEnergy can be in a more convenient location? I see references to a "Lora module" but no explanation of what it is for. I know Lora is 'Long Range Radio' and is often used for telemetry.
Thanks
There are wireless CT options. They might also be able to monitor the import/export near the consumer unit.
The Hybrids work with an RS485 interface that sends data over a pair of wires. and meters/current transformers that are interfaced in the same way.
LoRa stands for Long Range Radio. In this context, they are RS485 to radio converters that allow quite long distance transmission. They don't work perfectly where there is a lot of screening metalwork and walls in the way though.
You can also use almost any 2 core cable. Bell wire will do the job over any distance that could be expected in a domestic or small farm environment.
The Lora modules apparently work well - line of sight range is into miles - so a few hundred feet in a house should be fine.
Basically there are two units which form the end of the bridge between the inverter and meter - as far as the inverter is concerned its wired.
As for wiring - yes any wire will probably work - but the spec is actually for a cable with a 120ohm impedance and twisted pair - plus an screen and sometimes a zero volt reference. End of line should be terminated with a 120ohm resistor and biased with pull up and down resistors - these are often done internally in the master device with a software setting or jumpers
Thanks very much for the helpful responses. I think the loft is going to be the best place to site it assuming the ceiling joists can take the weight of the battery. I have used LoRa before as I am a 'tinkerer' so I know it would have no trouble with the range, but RS485 would be preferable as it is one less thing to go wrong.
One follow on question occurs to me. How does the CT get the power for the RS485? Does it come down a second pair from the main unit or is it mains powered?
It would be helpful if GivEnergy were to publish the installation manuals on their website. Maybe they do and I have just not found them.
Deljen Mine has 240v inputs. Din rain mounted in a spare way in the consumer unit. Powered from the MCB supplying the invertor
Brilliant. Thanks
My hybrid inverter and 9kW battery are in my garage, remote from the house (20m).
My installer provided Lora units at both ends and is sending 2 signals from CT clamps in the house (Grid power in/out and solar generation from the a previous solar array using an old Sunnyboy inverter).
I can see the solar generated on an Elster meter which also defines my FIT payment entitlement
The solar generation is shown graphically only on the APP. I would hope to see this as a value on the solar.
I can imagine that the solar were connected directly to the panel, then the inverter would read this via an internal CT clamp on the solar input. My installation should be sending this data via the LORA from the house.
Is it possible therefore to reset the software to achieve this and present the full picture on the APP?