Connect all batteries using the included RJ45 cables.
Communication cable can be made from standard ethernet cable by cutting wires 1-3, 7-8 and keeping wires 4-6.
Use the included 120 Ohm termination resistor on either end of the resulting chain. Select one of two options in the next step.
Custom Cable
Create a custom cable connecting battery side pins 1, 2, and 3 ONLY (CAN mode) or 3, 5, and 6 ONLY (Modbus RS-485):
If using CAN mode, Pin 1 (white-orange) should connect to Pin 4 (CAN H), Pin 2 (orange) should connect to Pin 5 (CAN L), and Pin 6 should be the same on the inverter end.
If using Modbus mode, Pin 3 (white-green) can connect to pin 2 or pin 7 (RS485+) on the inverter end, and Pin 5 (white-blue) can be connected to either pin 1 or 8 (RS485-) on the inverter end. Connect this cable between the Fortress eVault’s CAN port (CAN mode) or RS485 port (Modbus mode) and the “Battery CANBus” port (Outdoor units) or the “CAN” (CAN mode) or “RS-485” port (Modbus mode, Indoor units).
Update eVault MAX Firmware
Visit
https://www.fortresspower.com/firmware for the latest eFlex firmware update instructions.
BMS00
Program the inverter with this battery's appropriate charge/discharge settings.
Enable “BMS Lithium Batt” and set its value to “00.”
BMS Error Stop Option
If you wish for the system to fault on the loss of battery communications, turn on “BMS_Err_Stop”
Program Voltage Mode Batt Tab Settings
If you cannot confirm communication, program inverter in voltage mode open loop.
Program Voltage Mode Charge Tab Settings
It is acceptable to raise the grid or generator start triggers to increase the reserve capacity of the system.
Program Voltage Mode Discharge Tab Settings
Again, only run in voltage mode / open loop settings if closed loop communication has failed.
After programing this tab, tap 'OK' and then use the 'Esc' button to go to the home screen of the inverter. Now the system is configured.
Enable Battery <--> Inverter Communication Batt Tab
a) If closed loop communication is set up correctly, enabling 'BMS Lithium Batt 00' will adjust some values automatically. In this tab, those would be 'Batt Capacity' and 'Tempco'.
b) If total charge/discharge current capacity of the batteries exceeds the inverter's capabilities, use the maximum current settings of the inverter. For example, if you have four eVault MAX and one Sol-Ark 15K inverter, based on the size of the battery bank, 'Max A Charge' and 'Max A discharge' should be 180A each. But, Sol-Ark 15K can only carry 275A DC going to or coming from the battery. So, in this case, both 'Max A Charge' and 'Max A Discharge' would be set to 275A.
Confirm communication
If everything is configured correctly you should now see a button labeled Lithium Batt Info
After opening this window on the SolArk you should see the following screen with real time data.
Note: While this screen is very different from the RS485 preview, but still only shows aggregate reported data from the entire battery bank
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