I am running predbat with FoxESS-Modbus and my new KH7 inverter. I've noticed that FoxESS-Modbus can only put the inverter into one of three work modes:
- Self Use
- Back Up (when Back-Up or Force Charge is selected in FoxESS-Modbus)
- Feed-In Priority (when Feed-in First or Force Discharge is selected in FoxESS-Modbus)
The problem is that, due to the above limitations:
- If Force Charge (Back Up) mode is invoked when excess solar is being generated the excess solar is discarded - it is neither exported nor used to charge the battery
- If Force Discharge (Feed-In Priority) is selected it will not export charge from the battery to take advantage of good export rates unless feed-in limits have been exceeded. It will only export excess solar to the grid.
This means that I lose two major benefits of predbat:
- taking advantage of cheap/free/negative import rates to charge the battery during the day without discarding excess solar energy that is being generated at the time
- taking advantage of high export rates by exporting charge from the battery.
Does anyone have any advice for how/whether I can actually achieve either of the above benefits of predbat, either with or without FoxESS-Modbus?
I think you may have to create account to message Nathan under discussions (I see you have now done!)
https://github.com/nathanmarlor/foxess_modbus
or look to see if the solution from Nicois fits your needs better?
https://github.com/nicois/foxess-control
https://github.com/nathanmarlor/foxess_modbus
or look to see if the solution from Nicois fits your needs better?
https://github.com/nicois/foxess-control
What did you end up doing with this?
I've just had a KH8 installed an am frustrated to learn of the restrictions in local control availability and how they impact Predbat.
I've just had a KH8 installed an am frustrated to learn of the restrictions in local control availability and how they impact Predbat.
20x Aiko Neostar 3S 490W - 9.8kW Array
Fox ESS KH8 Hybrid Inverter - 8kW Power
Fox ESS CQ7 Battery X3 - 21kWh Storage
Fox ESS 7kW L Series EV Charger
Fox ESS KH8 Hybrid Inverter - 8kW Power
Fox ESS CQ7 Battery X3 - 21kWh Storage
Fox ESS 7kW L Series EV Charger
I found that the FoxESS-Control integration gives access to more modes on the KH7
Great. And these modes are adequate for your needs I guess?
Do you use modbus or the cloud version of the fox-control integration?
Do you use predbat at all?
Cheers
Do you use modbus or the cloud version of the fox-control integration?
Do you use predbat at all?
Cheers
20x Aiko Neostar 3S 490W - 9.8kW Array
Fox ESS KH8 Hybrid Inverter - 8kW Power
Fox ESS CQ7 Battery X3 - 21kWh Storage
Fox ESS 7kW L Series EV Charger
Fox ESS KH8 Hybrid Inverter - 8kW Power
Fox ESS CQ7 Battery X3 - 21kWh Storage
Fox ESS 7kW L Series EV Charger
Not sure about cloud but with modbus I can confirm "Force Discharge (Feed-In Priority)" definately exports from both battery and solar with Predbat.
I can also confirm that from November stats and the "bonus IOG daytime charges" that the solar isn't being binned. To be 100% sure I'd really need to check again on a bright summer day where solar exceeded EV use (the only time I get daytime charges on IOG)
I did use basic automations as there were a few issues with Predbat for my install in the past around daytime EV charging or at least non-charging dispatches causing peak rate use, but it now seems pretty effective. It takes quite a bit to get Predbat setup properly, I did just use home assistant automations which were almost as effective but the predicted load is useful as i have heat pump now- lets system work out if there is likely to be power to export.
I can also confirm that from November stats and the "bonus IOG daytime charges" that the solar isn't being binned. To be 100% sure I'd really need to check again on a bright summer day where solar exceeded EV use (the only time I get daytime charges on IOG)
I did use basic automations as there were a few issues with Predbat for my install in the past around daytime EV charging or at least non-charging dispatches causing peak rate use, but it now seems pretty effective. It takes quite a bit to get Predbat setup properly, I did just use home assistant automations which were almost as effective but the predicted load is useful as i have heat pump now- lets system work out if there is likely to be power to export.
I use Modbus, and also predbat. FoxESS-Control did give me access to a proper force discharge mode.
I have actually just reverted back to using FoxESS-Modbus, as there was a quirk with the way FoxESS-Control worked which caused problems with predbat. Basically when in force charge mode it needed a duration to be specified for the force charge period. I think the default it uses is 2 hours. This was causing problems for predbat when it wanted to schedule half-hour charge/export sessions during the overnight period.
I decided that, after moving to the Intelligent Go tariff, there would be little chance of force charging during daylight hours anyway (as the daytime import rate is fixed, and high), so there would be no problem with discarding excess solar.
I have actually just reverted back to using FoxESS-Modbus, as there was a quirk with the way FoxESS-Control worked which caused problems with predbat. Basically when in force charge mode it needed a duration to be specified for the force charge period. I think the default it uses is 2 hours. This was causing problems for predbat when it wanted to schedule half-hour charge/export sessions during the overnight period.
I decided that, after moving to the Intelligent Go tariff, there would be little chance of force charging during daylight hours anyway (as the daytime import rate is fixed, and high), so there would be no problem with discarding excess solar.