Hardware & Software Checklists

Hardware

• Solax inverter (A)
• SwitchDin Droplet (B)
• Droplet Power Supply (C)
• Ethernet cable (D)
• Any serial/twisted pair cable (RJ45) and a RS485 to USB converter (E)

Note: these are not provided with the Droplet box and must be provided by the installer.

Software

Ensure you have a user account with installer accreditation for the following applications: 

• Solaxcloud: This platform is best accessed from a laptop and can achieve what you would on the Solax mobile app.
• Stormcloud by SwitchDin: Ensure you pass the SwitchDin Installer accreditation to get installer permissions open on the user account you create on this app. 

Physical connection

Behind the meter configuration overview

See Figure 3.1 for an overview of the physical connections you need to establish between devices.

Mounting the Droplet

Start by mounting the Droplet on a DIN Rail using the pre-fitted DIN Rail mounting bracket.

Connecting to Home Internet

Connect the Droplet to the internet by running an Ethernet cable from the home router into either Ethernet port (ETH1 or ETH2) as shown below. 

Connect to Solax inverter

Pick a set of wires, and connect the right pins to the RS485 to the USB converter according to the manufacturer's manual.

Then connect the USB adaptor to any of the USB ports on the Droplet. 

For the Pro models (E.g. X3-PRO-10K-G2), start with picking a set of wires, and connect PIN 1 of the COM terminal plug (from the inverter) to PIN 1 (T/R-) on the RS485 to USB converter breakout board.

For Pro ones, connect RS485：Pin1&2 or Pin3&4

All the other inverters use Pin4&5

For Mic ones:

 

For Boost/Mini: connect on COM port with Pin4&5

 

Hybrid X3：COM port：

Hybrid X1: COM port:

COM Communication Connection (BSM/CAN/COM/LCD/DRM)

Connect the main 4G antenna

Connect the main 4G antenna to the WLAN-B connection as shown below.

Power up the Droplet

Connect the power supply as shown.

SOLAX inverter settings

COM Address

Check the Modbus address and baud rate. Ensure the baud rate is set to 19200 or 9600, and the address is 1. The inverter’s default settings are correct and do not need to be changed.

Setting Modbus

You can set the address and select the baud rate of the external communication protocol for communicating with external equipment.

Modbus can be set on the RS485 port of the inverter by accessing the COM address via the OLED display or the ShinePhone app.

• The default COM address is 1. 

• If you need to change the COM address, single touch on the OLD display or make number +1. Then double touch to confirm the setting.

Failsafe mode

Ensure that the value for export limitation is set to 0. 

The failsafe setting is a protection when communication between Droplet is lost, the inverter runs at the default setting to not over the limitation value.

Setting Export Control

This function allows the inverter to control the output power to the grid. 

• The User Value set here must be less than the maximum value. 

• If the user does not want to feed power to the grid, set User Value to “0”

 

Inverter region settings

Please select “Australian C” for all Australian customers.

Advanced settings

Setting path: Menu > Settings > Advanced Settings

Setting Safety Code

Here you can set safety codes according to different countries and grid-tied standards.

• User Defined option allows for customization of relevant parameters with a wider range
• There are several standards to choose from, please refer to the LCD screen on the inverter (May be changed or added without notice)

Commissioning the Droplet

Open the StormCloud application and sign in.

• Please follow this link if you are creating your user account. You must ensure you have permissions on this account opened by SwitchDin.

• Your username is an email address. (both username and password are CASE sensitive)

• If two-factor authentication has been enforced, you will receive a passcode valid for 300 seconds in your email inbox to finish logging in to the SwitchDin portal.

Create a portfolio

On first signing into the application, you can create a folder regrouping all the sites where you install Droplets. We call this folder a portfolio. 

• As an installer, feel free to use the name of your business or area.

Create a unit

Tap on your portfolio to create your first unit. Tap on 'Create' in the top right corner.

In the Unit Name field, please use the following naming convention:
Street address or significant place name - Town - Inverter size (kW)

For example:

1. 12 Test Road - Onslow - 5kW
2. Broome Test School - Broome - 25kW

Enter the address in the “Street Address” field and tap Create New Unit.

Add the Droplet to the unit

Start the Installer application from your mobile application's top left menu bar.

Select 'I have a Droplet to install'

Scan the QR code on the Droplet or manually enter the serial number (located below the bar code on the Droplet or on the packaging it arrived in)

Then select 'Connect via Ethernet' as you should have plugged the ethernet cable into the local LAN and ETH1 or ETH2 of the Droplet.

 

Update firmware

Select 'Manage Devices' and tap at the top of the screen to download the latest firmware update if available.

 

Manage Devices

Tap on Add device, tap on the droplet you want to select, then tap on 'Discovery'.

Tap on 'Manage Devices'

 

Tap the settings button in front of the USB port you have used to connect the inverter to the Droplet. Then select the model/type of inverter. Specify if you have a grid or load meter.

Optional: If you have connected a smart meter, you will configure it from selecting the other USB port you have used.