APS ECU-3 V3.9 User manual

Altenergy Power System
Three-phase Energy Communication Unit
(ECU)
Installation and User Manual
（For ECU-3 V3.9）
ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM INC.
All rights reserved

1Version：1.4
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.................................................................................... 10
3.6 RESET............................................................................................... 10
4.0 Basic Operation......................................................................................... 10
4.1 Power Up........................................................................................... 10
4.2 Menu Structure.................................................................................. 11
4.3 Restore the factory set operation....................................................... 13
4.4 Troubleshooting................................................................................. 13
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....................................................................... 16
6.0 Technical Data........................................................................................... 22

Version：1.4
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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
microinverters. It can communicate with any type of APS Microinverters 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 microinverters 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 Microinverter regardless of
the mentioned weak points.

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Other Elements in the APS Microinverter System
The APS Microinverter 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 microinverter.
2.0 Installation
Preparation
Before installing the ECU, please ensure to meet the following installation
requirements:
·Three-phase AC power line
·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.
125mm
42mm
182mm
M3 Screw
Holder

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·Fix the ECU on the frame with screws and keep it away from other
heat-generating devices.
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.
138mm
130mm
80mm

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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.
Illustrated as follows：
Without the internet, you can also visit the local web on ECU. Connect
one of the network cable ends to ECU and the other to your PC. Then
set up the network following steps (e.g. Windows 7): Open Network
Connections by clicking the “Start” button, and then clicking “Control
Panel”. In the search box, type “adapter”, and then, under Network and
Sharing Center, click “View network connections”. Right-click the
connection that you want to change, and then click “Properties”. If
you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type
the password or provide confirmation. Click the “Networking” tab.
Under “This connection uses the following items”, click “Internet
Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”, and then click “Properties”. Click “Use
the following IP address”, and then, in the “IP address” box, type
60.190.131.227, in the “Subnet mask” box, type 255.0.0.0, and then
click “OK”.
Option 2:
LAN
cable
LAN
cable
①
ECU
ROUTER
COMPUTER
LAN
cable
②
ECU
COMPUTER

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Option 2: WiFi connection – use WiFi bridge to connect ECU to a
Broadband Router.
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.
·Connect the AC power line
Connect the wires accordance with the identifier.
N L3 L2 L1 PE
ECU initial setting
Step 1: Power on ECU
The following information will be displayed on LCD after ten seconds.
Initialization Interface:
Loading…

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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 microinverters producing power and reporting in
to the ECU, for example: 12
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.
Searching V3.9
192.168.2.101
192.168.2.101 +Web
750W 11.54Kwh 12

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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

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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: