Direct Ethernet Connection to Inverter - nathanmarlor/foxess_modbus GitHub Wiki

NOTE: This page is linked to from the setup wizard. Do not remove or rename!

Introduction

H1 inverters have an ethernet socket on the bottom. Prior to Manager Version 1.70, it was possible to connect to Home Assistant by connecting a LAN cable directly to this socket.

However, this method has always been unstable, and starting in Manager Version 1.70 FoxESS have disabled it. There is no indication that this will be re-enabled in future, and newer H1 models are missing this port entirely.

In addition, there are some registers which you can't access over the ethernet connector, particularly around the BMS and agent settings, and you're unable to write back settings such as Min/Max SoC, Work Mode, and charge periods.

Therefore, this method is no longer recommended. Instead, connect a modbus adapter to the RS485 connector.

Note that not all inverters have this connector. Do not connect to the BMS connector, and do not connect to the connectors marked "COM" or "DRM", even though they have a matching socket. See the manual which came with your inverter for details.

Power off your inverter

First, turn off your inverter:

  1. Your installer should have installed a big mains switch somewhere between your inverter and the fuse board, or perhaps on the fuse board itself, which should be clearly marked. Turn this off.
  2. If your installer put a switch on the cables from your solar panels, turn this off. Otherwise, on the bottom left of your inverter is a switch to turn off the solar input: turn this until it clicks.
  3. If you have batteries, turn off the BMS.
  4. Wait for 10 seconds.

See the video by William Eccles here:

Video on disabling inverter power

Connect cable

Simply connect an ethernet cable to the Ethernet socket on the bottom of your inverter, and the other to your home router or a network switch. Then power your inverter back on.