SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters

A few days ago I bought a 4.4KTL-X and I have the S: V2.30. Not installed yet, but the seller assured me about the Polish language. Something mentioned that there is increased power with the new firmware.

Hello,
Has someone managed to get the update file for the inverter and datalogger (where can you check if new ones are available and compare with what we have)?
If you were in possession please priv.

My devices:

SOFAR 8,8KTL-X inverter -
Firmware version (main): V180
Firmware version (slave) ---
Inverter model: SF4ES008

Data logger-
Firmware version: LSW3_14_FFFF_1.0.18

I guess you will have to write to the distributor eg Corab or where your inverter comes from. I did not find anything on the network about firmware update. I have version 2.30 so there are newer versions. The new version increases the power on the DC side, because I will look for datasheets, the power given on the DC side is different.
The instructions show that you should get the file from the manufacturer / distributor:


Online update:
Step 1. Open the Sofar 4K ~ 12KTL waterproof case.
Step 2. Push the SD card in the slot. When pressed, the card should pop out
allowing it to be removed.
Step 3. Insert the SD card into the computer.
Step 4. If the system needs to be updated, SOFAR SOLAR will send the user a code.
After receiving the file, unpack it and replace the file on the SD card with it.
Step 5. Put the SD card back into the inverter when you hear a distinctive sound
"Click" will mean that the card has been inserted correctly in the slot.
Step 6. Enter the update in the main menu by selecting "5. Software Update ".
Step 7. Enter the password to start the update. Temporary password: 0001.
Step 8. The system will update the master DSP, slave DSP and RAM and FUSE processor. When the
the main DSP update is ready, the monitor will display the message: "Update DSP1 OK", in
otherwise, you will see the message: "Update DSP1 Fail". When the sub is ready
you will see the message "Update DSP2 OK", otherwise you will see the message "Update
DSP2 Fail ". When the FUSE update is ready you will see the message "Update FUSE OK" in
otherwise, the message "Update FUSE Fail" will be displayed.
Step 9. In case of installation failure, turn off the DC fuse, wait until the screen goes blank,
then turn on the DC fuse again and repeat from step 6.
Step 10. When the updates are finished, turn off the DC fuse, wait for the screen
turns off, put the waterproof case back on, turn on the DC and AC fuse. The inverter should
start normal work.

Hello,
Gentlemen, what is your data delay from Sofara to the Solarman ver. 1.6.6 application?

My delay is about 7-10 minutes.
best regards
N.

Is there a firmware changelog for Sofar available somewhere?
The inverter, if it has Wi-Fi access, will not update itself?
By the way, can someone clarify what the code is and where will I send it?
Step 4. If the system needs to be updated, SOFAR SOLAR will send the user a code.

Hmm, and I wanted to update the software because the Chinese sent me 2.30 and I have 2.01 but the password 0001 does not enter. And it certainly is because when you change the country, this password works. Any ideas ?

Ask a Chinese or a Sofara service in Poland.

toolpusher wrote:

Ask a Chinese or a Sofara service in Poland.

I found a good one. The password 0715 is entered.

Grucha383 wrote:

Hmm, and I wanted to update the software because the Chinese sent me 2.30 and I have 2.01 but the password 0001 does not enter. And it certainly is because when you change the country, this password works. Any ideas ?

Are you sure you have 2.01 or 2.10? The password is either 1-day from the website or I will give it to a private one, which works for many.

3301 wrote:

are you sure 2.01 or 2.10? the password is either from the 1-day website or I will give it to a private one, which works in many cases

Password 0715 worked. I had softa 2.01 and now I got 2.20 from a Chinese. Are there any newer ones?

Password ok.
The last one I launched was the V230 with Polish
What inverter do you have? according to some, after the update, the max AC power increases, when you update, let me know

4.4 ktl-x I already had Polish on the old software. As for power, I will see but somehow I do not believe that suddenly the power will jump noticeably

This is not about increasing the power, it is a limitation, 4.4 with the old soft limited the output power something above 4 kW, and after changing 4.4 as in the name and in other models, it also increases by this value after the dot

Colleagues, you can give the input to the inverter, I have Ktl-x 5.5 and v 2.01.
Possibly where to download it.
Thanks in advance.

Hello.
I am just starting to play with photovoltaics and I have a question, but first I will tell you about my installation. I have 20 panels x 410Wp which gives a total of 8.2 kWp, Installation on the ground without shading, panels inclination 32 degrees, azimuth: deviation from the south 15 degrees to the west
I have it connected to the SOFAR 8.8KTL-X inverter in two strings of 10 panels
Today I launched the installation for the first time, i.e. on November 8, 2020 (cloudless weather, perfect sun although low above the ground due to the time of the year.)
Mainly I was observing the peak power that I can squeeze out and I got 4.5kWp max around 11-12.
- I wonder if it is normal that in clear weather I obtained a little over 50% of the peak power? is it because of the season (november)?
Can someone share an opinion about my observations?
- I am also wondering if I would place a single panel perpendicular to the sun for testing, or would I get the maximum power from the panel (410 W) despite the fact that it is November?
- Will there be any chance of obtaining full power of 8.2kW in the later months, when the angle of incidence of sunlight will be perpendicular to the PV panels, or is it rather unlikely.
I was looking for a graph on the internet that would show the power of the sun's rays in the peak depending on the season, but I found only graphs showing the annual amount of kWh / m2 and this is not the same as what I am looking for.

It is the same with me, the sun is like this now.

Added after 9 [minutes]:

I have strange current parameters on all 3 phases (6.6 KTL-X inverter), i.e. with virtually zero power (evening, morning-right after start), it shows about 0.8A on each phase (drops from solarman), reading the data via modbus the reactive power shows about 0.6kVar.
As the power grows, this reactive power drops, at about 2.5kW, the reactive power was 0.3kVar.

In addition, I measured the current on each phase, at rest (as there is no PV power supply), on each phase it is about 0.2A, active power 0W (from the sub-meter), immediately after starting this current slightly increases because it gives active power, but the solarman and the data after modbus show about 0.9A on each phase, is this an error in measuring this current by the inverter? How does it look like with you? Earlier, there were probably no such indications of currents, or I did not pay attention.

pief wrote:

Colleagues, you can give the input to the inverter, I have Ktl-x 5.5 and v 2.01.
Possibly where to download it.
Thanks in advance.

You unpack it, put the entire firmware folder on the memory card, and update it.

wilk125 wrote:

I have strange current parameters on all 3 phases (6.6 KTL-X inverter), namely with virtually zero power (evening, morning - right after start) it shows about 0.8A

For example, now I have 100W production and I have 0.9A at each phase.

Someone has a different password, because for me 0715 and 0001 do not work.

Grucha383 wrote:

wilk125 wrote:

I have strange current parameters on all 3 phases (6.6 KTL-X inverter), namely with virtually zero power (evening, morning - right after start) it shows about 0.8A

For example, now I have 100W production and I have 0.9A at each phase.

So, like with me, probably they do not have the accuracy of the measurement at low power. Do you have the latest firmware?

Added after 3 [minutes]:

Grucha383 wrote:

pief wrote:

Colleagues, you can give the input to the inverter, I have Ktl-x 5.5 and v 2.01.
Possibly where to download it.
Thanks in advance.

You unpack it, put the entire firmware folder on the memory card, and update it.

What is the software version? The name of the files suggests that it fits versions from 4-12 kW?

Thank you colleagues for soft.

I have a little bit of "chic" to upload the software.

I will put a new soft on a new memory card and in the event of an unsuccessful update, I will only move the memory cards.

The code 0715 works for me, it shows the same values as above 0.8 A on each phase.

And what about these codes that one enters this one and another.
Thanks greetings.

I have a Sofara 3.3KTL-X and I can also confirm "strange" 0.9 A current at zero production.
It looks like "this type has it". Measurements above 1A seem correct.

Hello

I have just updated soft uff, soft has updated without a problem, but it ran in the language
big mandarin, I tried to put something in the settings with the instructions on the feel.
I tried to change to Polish and it failed, I will do the next approach (if I learn Chinese ).
I went back to the old software.

Are there any other codes besides - (0715 and 0001).

You tried to press 2 buttons at the same time right and left, it works for me.

No, I didn't try, I didn't even know about this combination.

And after the update, I press the right and left buttons at the same time and it is Polish - yes (it would not be too easy).
And what codes the colleague used for further settings.

Today it will not be able to update, tomorrow it will try.
Thanks for the hint.

I only pressed it once and it jumped from Polish to Italian. Try a couple of times.

Added after 3 [minutes]:

And the language settings on 10.Set Language are you blocked?

I will not tell you, Chinese Bushes popped up, I was saved by the fact that the item number (1,2) was displayed, but still
I was already feeling in the dark. It's hard to get through this language.

Updating to the old software saved me that the ordinal number 5 and something displayed there
in Chinese and dsp1 - something familiar and so I brought back the old soft.

You know other codes. best regards

Maybe you don't have Polish in this software, Soft 230 has Polish.