Trying to figure out CAN bus protocol for Sungrow SBP4K8 battery

[watts-on]

I recently acquired a couple of Sungrow SBP4K8 batteries which are 4.8KWH battery units made by Sungrow in partnership with Samsung.

According to the manual the only interface is CAN bus, which I am now trying to figure out the protocol for.

The world of CAN bus is new to me but I'm eager to learn.

So far, I've connected an MPC2515 CAN/SPI module with an arduino to see if there is any data.
When I turn the battery on, it continually sends out a single command (frame?) for 15-20 minutes and then the battery shuts down.

The data rate appears to be 500kpbs and the data itself is:
CAN ID : 0002
Length : 8
Data : AA 01 00 00 00 00 00 00

My conclusion is that the battery needs some kind of communication for it to stay awake and work.
Unfortunately I don't have access to the correct (or any) hybrid inverter, so can't monitor any true communication.

I've spent a couple of days scouring the internet, but didn't find anything helpful. I came across a number of other CAN protocols from other manufacturers, but non seem to have anything with a CAN ID of 2. They're ID's all seem to be up in the 100's.

Right now it is not even clear to me if the battery acts as a bus master or slave (if that's the correct term) or if the battery and inverter are both masters.

I was hoping someone here might recognise this or be able to point me at some resources, or even have a log file of the CAN communications for this setup, to help me figure it out.

 

[Korishan]

I would guess the signal being sent out is the "Hey, I'm here! Who's my daddy?" and when no father responds, it sulks back into darkness. Poor lonely battery.

Seriously though, it's probably broadcasting looking for the uplink. So to get it to stay on, you'd need to reply with an appropriate response so it knows it's ok to stay powered. It's shutting back down so that the output terminals stay live, drain the system faster, and generally protect everything around it from short circuits. 20mins seems a bit long to me, imho. But I'm sure they had their reasons for that length of time.

 

[watts-on]

Thanks Kori. Yeah, that was my conclusion too. I guess the 20 mins is to give the operator enough time to fiddle around in the inverter menus getting the correct settings without it getting bored and going back to sleep.

 

[stick man]

Hi.. having just purchased two new old stock sbp4k8 s im at the same stage as you. Im not as tech minded as you but am on the learning curve. Your post was excellent for me to show my tech guy and get him working on it. If you make any progress let me know and i will do the same. I have access to alot of these units brand new in the box really cheap at the moment so a solution would be great.

 

[watts-on]

Hi Stick Man. Please do post here with anything you discover, and will also.
I may have a stab in the dark and try sending random codes to it in the hope it will respond.
I've been reluctant to do that so far because I don't want to inadvertently wipe out any configuration/calibration data set by the factory. Or activate the self-destruct sequence.

 

[stick man]

Hello again
Just a thought had thismorning. I have two of these units and as they link i assume no1 turns on no.2 when l linked together. My theory is that the sign or code you picked up being sent out is the wake up code we need and if returned on at regular intervals could keep the both in working mode. Just a thought i had. Will try to get a link lead and test my theory. I cant get to my tech man till next week so will plod on with my limited ability. Good luck
Neil

 

[watts-on]

From what I've read so far about CAN bus, I doubt unit 1 will know or care if unit 2 is connected. I believe it is waiting for an acknowledgement of the frame it is sending and when it gets it (next thing I'm going to try) then it will ask if it can have a specific address. If it's told it can have it ( normally by the inverter), I suspect it will be happy and switch to broadcasting its data. If there is a second unit on the bus it will do the same but be denied the first address request (as part of the bus arbitration) and have to ask again with a different address. This mechanism should allow multiple units on the bus to be distinguished from each other. This is a total guess on my part based on what I have been reading about CAN bus.

 

[Firez]

I don't know anything about the CAN Bus, but I do know where you can get hold of some sungrow inverters SH5K-30 that should just work (plug snd play) with those batteries.

 

[stick man]

I don't know anything about the CAN Bus, but I do know where you can get hold of some sungrow inverters SH5K-30 that should just work (plug snd play) with those batteries.

Hi. Ive made no progress with my batteries so may be interested in the correct unit that will talk to them. It may be my best option if you have details of where to get one. I did look on the net but couldnt find a uk supplier.
Regards neil

 

[Firez]

I will grab all the details for you tomorrow, basically it's a small business who has imported a lot of sungrow batteries and inverters who also works in solar and renewable energy. I have three batteries and an inverter from him.

Just give him a call and use my name if you want Paul Walker and he will tell you what he has got.

 

[Firez]

Got his details M Norris 07743084929 he is based in Glastonbury. He is so on WhatsApp.

Paul

 

[stick man]

Thanks for the info...it was mark that sold me the batteries. I didnt know he had the controllers too. Il hook up with him. Thanks again
Neil

 

[Firez]

Are you doing the retro fit yourself?

 

[stick man]

Hi
I am doing a new install .ive been to see mark and got a controller.
Regards
Neil

 

[stick man]

Hi. Is yours a new install or retro. Im interested if you have had any issues comissioning it. Im hoping to have it up and running in the first few weeks of january. Allso have you managed to register an icloud account with sungrow. If i make any progress i will update you
Regards neil

 

[Firez]

I haven't retro fitted yet, my electrician isn't free for a few weeks, as soon he does the install then I will let you know. He did say it was an easy setup to do.

 

[Firez]

Today i finally wired up the inverter and batteries to my consumer unit. It was a bit of a "faff" but i think i have done it correctly. I will get my local spark to check over my wiring. Setting up the isolarcloud account was errrmmmm fun (not). I am now sat waiting the 15 minutes for it to connect back to th servers before i can actually see what the inverter is doing.

 

[Firez]

Hi. Is yours a new install or retro. Im interested if you have had any issues comissioning it. Im hoping to have it up and running in the first few weeks of january. Allso have you managed to register an icloud account with sungrow. If i make any progress i will update you
Regards neil

I can get it working as a local account on isolarcloud....but can't get it "commissioned" in the app. I have no idea why it won't connect back to isolarcloud/ sungrow. So for now I just have it running as a local account via the WiFi dongle. Which is a right pain in the a**. If you get yours working do let me know.

 

[JfA]

I have a Sungrow SH5K+ inverter and have an SBP4K8 arriving in the next week. I have a multimeter but that is the only diagnostic tool in my armoury. I am happy to take any measurements that might help once I get the battery up and running.
I am in Australia and would like to get hold of one or two more batteries at the right price. This forum seems to be worldwide without an easy way of finding a users location.

 

[Korishan]

This forum seems to be worldwide without an easy way of finding a users location.

Most users don't fill out that part of the profile of where they are located. If you look at my profile, for instance, it shows Fl, USA