APS Energy Communication Unit User manual

Altenergy Power System
Energy Communication Unit
(ECU)
Installation and User Manual
（For ECU-3 V3.8）
ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
All rights reserved

ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
1Version：4.1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction ...............................................................................................2
2.0 Installation .................................................................................................3
3.0 Interface Explanation.................................................................................8
3.1 Interface position............................................................................... 8
3.2 Power Interface..................................................................................8
3.3 RS232 Serial Port ..............................................................................8
3.4 Network Port......................................................................................9
3.5 USB Interface ....................................................................................9
4.0 Basic Operation .......................................................................................10
4.1 Power Up.........................................................................................10
4.2 Menu Structure ................................................................................ 11
4.3 Restore the factory set operation .....................................................12
4.4 Troubleshooting...............................................................................12
5.0 ECU Local Interface................................................................................14
5.1 Home Screen....................................................................................14
5.2 Real-time Data Screen.....................................................................14
5.3 Configuration................................................................................... 15
5.4 Administration Screen .....................................................................17
6.0 Technical Data ......................................................................................... 22

ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
2Version：4.1
1.0 Introduction
The APS-ECU is the information gateway for APS inverters. The APS-ECU is an
important gateway to read and store all the information returning by APS
micro-inverters. It can communicate with any type of APS Micro-inverters and
provide the real-time data of the PV solar system by monitoring the operation
state of the whole system. Equipping with an inside integrated HTTP server is
greatly convenient for the users to visit. Based on the user-friendly interface,
the users can access in the programme easily and quickly. Multiple options in
settings can meet a wide scope of users’ needs. No matter what type or quantity
of the micro-inverters is, no matter what connection type of the network is, no
matter how far the system has been placed, the ECU can communicate with the
APS Micro-inverter regardless of the mentioned weak points.
Other Elements in the APS Micro-inverter System
•The APS Micro-inverter is a fully integrated device that converts the DC
output of a single solar module into grid-compliant AC electricity.
•The APS web-based Energy Monitoring and Analysis system (EMA)
constantly monitors the operation state and analyzes the data collected
by the ECU from every micro-inverter.

ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
3Version：4.1
2.0 Installation
Preparation
Before installing the ECU, please ensure to meet the following installation
requirements:
· Standard AC electrical outlet
· Broadband Internet connection
· Broadband router with Ethernet port or wireless router
· Web browser to view EMA. Support web browsers are Internet Explore
and Firefox
Find a Location for ECU
The ECU can be place on a table or be mounted on the distribution ark and wall.
It is recommended that location for the ECU should be dry and cool. In addition,
do not cover the ECU and keep it away from dust.
1) Distribution ark Mounting
· Loosen the two M3 screws that are at the back of the ECU and rotate the
holders.
· Fix the ECU on the frame with screws and keep it away from other
heat-generating devices.
M3 Screw
Holder
80mm

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4Version：4.1
2) Wall Mounting
· Mount the ECU in a cool, dry, indoor location.
·Use two drywall screws or wall anchors to affix the ECU to the wall
mounted at the dimensions shown. The maximum screw head diameter
is 0.35’’. Use #8 screws (not included in kit). Affix ECU to the wall with
two drywall screws or wall anchors same as the indication as below .
The maximum diameter of a screw head is 0.35’’. We recommend to use
#8 screws (not included in kit).
· Slide the ECU onto the mounting screws, aligning the ECU screw holes
with the screws installed in step 2. Lower the ECU onto the screw posts
to secure the unit to the wall.
Install the ECU Cable Connections
The following diagram is a guide for the connections on the back of the APS ECU.
Power interface Serial port Network port USB interface Reset
· Connect to Internet
Option 1: LAN connection - use the LAN Cable to connect ECU to a
Broadband Router.
Plug the Ethernet cable into the network port on the ECU, and plug the
other end into a spare port on the broadband router or LAN.
Option 2: WiFi connection – use WiFi bridge to connect ECU to a
Broadband Router.
130mm

ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
5Version：4.1
Configure the WiFi Bridge to connect to Wireless Router, please refer to
WiFi Bridge User Manual
Connect the RJ45 LAN Cable and USB Cable on WiFi Bridge to the RJ45
Port and USB Port on ECU
The ECU needs to have a access of a Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP) IP address which can be connected to the Internet. The
ECU will only search for a DHCP IP address during its power up
sequence. ECU will automatically obtain the IP address, such as:
139.168.200.65, and connect to Internet. If the IP address shows
“60.190.131.228”, it means ECU fails to get IP address. Make sure the
connection between ECU and Router is working well. If not, please
reboot ECU and try to obtain IP address again.
· Plug the AC power cord into the AC input on the ECU, and then plug the
other end into a standard AC electricity outlet.
Warning: Do not plug any electrical devices and power strip into the same outlet
that the ECU is connected to.
Warning: Do not plug the ECU into a power strip, surge protector, or
uninterruptable power supply (UPS). The surge suppression or filtering from
these devices can substantially diminish PLC communication performance.
ECU power cord

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6Version：4.1
ECU initial setting
Step 1: Power on ECU
The following information will be displayed on LCD after ten seconds.
Initialization Interface:
Starting up Interface:
Operation interface:
When the communication between the ECU and inverters goes successfully, the
LCD will show the readings of your system. The data in operation interface
includes:
· Local IP address, for example: 192.168.2.101 (your actual local IP
address will be different)
· Web connection information: “+Web”. it means the ECU is connected to
EMA. If it is “–Web”, Internet itself has a problem. Need to setup the
security authority to offer Auto IP configuration.
· Data of the present power-production in watts, for example: 750W
· Data of the life time output of the system in kWh, for example:
11.54kWh
· The number of online micro-inverters producing power and reporting in
to the ECU, for example: 12
Searching V3.8
192.168.2.101
192.168.2.101 +Web
750W 11Kwh 12
Loading…

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7Version：4.1
Step 2: ECU time zone setting
· Enter the IP address shown on the ECU LCD into the internet browser,
and then open the web page.
· Click “Administration”, then “Date, Time, Time zone”. In the
corresponding box, enter local date/time/time zone, click Update after
finished. For details, refer to 5.4.2 time management.
Step 3: EMA Monitoring
After ECU display “+web”，contact APS technical staffs in your local area and they
will setup an EMA account with User Name and Password.

ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
8Version：4.1
3.0 Interface Explanation
3.1 Interface position
All of the ECU interface as below, from left to right, are power interface, serial
port, network port and USB interface:
3.2 Power Interface
Power interface connects power through the power line, connection mode as
below:
3.3 RS232 Serial Port
The serial port works in two modes: GPRS mode and host communication mode.
GPRS mode: In the case of the absence of the wired network, we can select
GPRS module to connect to the network, and communicate with the EMA, to
check the system data.
Power
interface
RS232
serial port
network
port
USB
interface

ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
9Version：4.1
Host communication mode: In this mode, you can directly read data from the
ECU. ECU equips with RS232 serial DB9 male interface which can be connected
through the corresponding female interface or extension cord as well as by
RS232 to RS485 interface converter.
3.4 Network Port
RJ45 Ethernet network port: ECU allows user to communicate with EMA, and log
in ECU's local page, set up the system and view the system data via Ethernet
network port. In the case of the absence of the wired network, user can select
optional WiFi-Bridge wireless Internet. WiFi-Bridge connection is shown as
below:
3.5 USB Interface
In the case of the absence of the wired network, user can select optional
WiFi-Bridge wireless Internet. USB interface provides 5V DC power supply for
the WiFi-Bridge.