Introduction

This integration guide will help set up the charge/discharge parameters and closed-loop communication of Fortress Power batteries with Studer inverters. Note: Studer’s XCom-CAN is the vehicle of establishing closed loop communication and must be integrated within the system.

Initial Setup

All Studer CAN switches must be set to “O” unless they are  the first or last in the system

To open the XCom-CAN device, remove the 2 screws on the back and open the case—pictured below

1. Configure the jumpers on the XCom-CAN in the following set up:    

2. Configure the dip-switches in the following set up:
   

Open Loop Settings for Fortress Batteries with Studer Inverters Using RCC-02/03                                     

*The Parameter Setting for Grid-tie Sell Mode:
In a DC coupled system, Grid feeding mode supplies PV power to the loads and sells surplus power to the grid. This mode of operation keeps the batteries as completely charged as possible.  

Open Loop Settings with Studer Charge Controllers Using RCC-02/03

Parameter Setting for Fortress Batteries with Studer Vario Charge Controller

Closed-Loop Setup between Fortress Batteries and Studer XCom-CAN

All Fortress Power batteries work in open-loop communication mode—that is, with voltage detection. 

Closed-loopdoes not exempt the installer from programming the inverter manually. Open loop settings should be programmed before setting up closed loop communication. The inverter will revert to open loop settings if closed loop communication drops.

1. Connect communication cables and CANbus terminator between the batteries 

1. RX/TX ports are universal 
2. The “master” battery is the one powered up first – so after plugging in the communication cables, turn the battery which will communicate to the Studer XCom-CAN on first.
3. After the light show completes, push button the next eFlex battery on. Proceeding down the chain to the last eFlex with the CANbus terminator to complete comissioning. Exhibit A

2. Power on the eFlex and Studer Inverter/Charge Controller  
3. Verify on the RCC-02/03 that SOC is viewable Exhibit B

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

 Please refer to the Studer Installation manuals for select products. Any information not regarding closed loop or commissioning of eFlex batteries can be found within Studer Installation manuals.

Unpack the Batteries and Check Voltage

1. Unpack the batteries and turn each battery on by itself. 

2. Note the voltage of each battery and serial number. The serial numbers are useful during warranty submittal.  

3. The batteries must be within  +/-0.5V of each other before commissioning. Groups of 4 batteries or more may require a narrower voltage range to commission properly. 

4. Turn off the batteries and install them in parallel.

Notes

If the battery voltages are significantly different, one technique is to finish battery installation and only turn on the lowest voltage battery using the pushbutton. Charge the battery, and when the charging voltage is ~0.2V above the resting voltage of the next lowest battery, turn it on too. Proceed until all batteries are turned on and at the same voltage level. If the batteries are below 51V, keep charging amperages below 10A per battery.

If the batteries are slightly more than +/-0.5V from each other, turning on the highest voltage batteries only will reduce their voltages, and turning on the lowest voltage batteries only will lower the highest voltage. Likewise, turning on the lowest voltage batteries as a group will raise the lowest voltage. Then, all the batteries can be turned on within a 0.5/V difference. 

Use of the Fortress firmware update tool can help speed up commissioning times. Fortress installers should request a firmware update tool by filling out a support ticket at https://support.fortresspower.com