Dimplex Free-E User manual

Free-E User Manual
Heat water for free with solar PV.
8/60510/0 Version A

Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
Dimplex R

Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
Dimplex R
Manual Contents
1 Manual Information 1
2 Safety Information 2
3 Free-E Overview - How It Works 3
4 Using The Free-E Interface 5
5 Appendices 11
6 Consumer Information 16
2.1 Legionella Warning 2
3.1 Key Features 4
5.1 Appendix 1 - Technical Specifications for Energy Meter 12
5.2 Appendix 2 - Technical Specifications for Free-E 13
5.3 Appendix 3 - WiFi Connection Information 14
2.2 General Safety Guidelines 2
2.3 General Maintenance Guidelines 2
2.4 Electrical Safety Guidelines 2
2.5 Legal
2.6 Intended Use
2
2
4.2 Settings Menu 6
4.2.1 Boost Options 6
4.2.2 Disable Free-E 8
4.2.3 Set Date / Time 8
4.2.4 Light OFF Interval 8
4.3 Advanced Settings 9
4.3.1 Factory Reset 9
4.3.2 Load Diversion 9
4.3.3 WiFi Connection 9
4.3.5 RF Channel Selection 10
4.3.4 General Info 9
4.3.6 Update Firmware 10
4.1 Main User Interface Screen and Colours 6
4.1.1 Backlight Colour Indicators 6
4.1.2 Main Menu 6

THIS MANUAL REFERS TO THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS;
Free-E Meter (certified as part number: 054722)
Free-E (certified as part number: 054739)
Please retain this manual for future reference.
1 Manual Information
Electrical Warnings
Indicates any hazard of an electrical nature.
General Warnings
Indicates a general warning against actions which could result in damage to the system or
personal injury to the installer and/or user.
Warnings and Icons Used
Information
Indicates tips and advice for the smooth operation of the system
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Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
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Dimplex R

2 Safety Information
2.1 Legionella Warning
Legionella bacteria can be found in natural water sources in low concentrations. At this level it will not pose a
risk to human health, however the nature of domestic hot water storage tanks or boilers may allow the bacteria
to reproduce if the water is left stagnant for a long time.
Under normal circumstances, the frequent use of the hot water tank will protect against the growth of bacteria,
however if the tank will be left unused for a prolonged period, for example, if you are going on holiday, it is highly
recommended to ensure that any boiler controls are set to heat the water to 60°C+ at least once per week to
protect against Legionella.
2.2 General Safety Guidelines
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental
capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction regarding
the use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they
do not play with the appliance.
The Free-E has a software generated alarm which prevents it from running when an error has occurred.
2.3 General Maintenance Guidelines
Regular maintenance of the Free-E ensures a long operating life and optimal efficiency.
The Free-E fan and ventilation grids should be cleaned periodically using a vacuum cleaner.
The following procedure should be followed;
- Disconnect the Free-e on the AC side
- Wait 5 minutes until the residual voltage has been drained and the fan is no longer turning
- Gently clean the top and bottom ventilation grids with a vacuum cleaner
Never use cleaning agents containing sand, soda, acid or chloride, as these can damage the casing of the Free-e.
The display screen should be wiped clean with a soft, dry cloth.
2.4 Electrical Safety Guidelines
When using electrical devices, there is always a risk of fire or explosion. To prevent this from occurring please
ensure that;
- The Free-E system is not placed close to any flammable materials
- The Free-E system is not placed in any areas with potential for explosion.
2.5 Legal
The construction and design of the Free-E complies with all relevant EU directives.
2.6 Intended Use
This product is designed to redistribute energy generated by a PV system to an immersion heater, that would
otherwise have been exported to the grid, and is intended for domestic and light commercial use only. Any other
use beyond that intended by the manufacturer is prohibited. This requires the user to abide by the manufacturer's
product information. Please refrain from tampering with or altering the device.
Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
2
Dimplex R

Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
3
Dimplex R
3 Free-E Overview - How it Works
When PV panels generate electricity, the production is initially consumed by electrical appliances or devices
in the household that are creating a demand for energy. If the household does not consume all of the energy
produced by the PV panels, the surplus energy will be sent to the grid.
The Free-E uses this surplus photovoltaic energy instead to heat the water in a household water tank, and
therefore prevent this energy from going to waste. The Free-E can divert up to 95% of unused (otherwise
exported) solar PV electricity to an electrical water heating device. This maximises the consumption of self-
generated solar power and minimises the cost of buying energy for domestic hot water. It can be retrospectively
fitted to homes already with solar PV and a hot water cylinder.
ABCD
E F
G H I
Grid
PV Panels
Description
B
Domestic Hot Water Cylinder
Distribution Box
PV Solar Electricity Meter
Import / Export Electricity Meter
A
Inverter
H
E
Free-E Meter and CT Clamp(s)
I
Free-E
F
Position
C
G
D

Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
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Dimplex R
3.1 Key Features
- Uses excess energy produced by your PV system to heat water
- Monitors and adjusts the power imported and exported to the grid, ensuring that the exported power remains at
virtually zero when the PV system is producing enough energy to cover the demand for domestic electricity and hot
water
- Timed boost function available, which can be set for multiple days of the week
- Back-lit LCD display with different Light OFF times available, which displays information about the operating mode,
settings, Wi-Fi connection and more
- The current imported, exported and diverted power level can be viewed.
- Compatible with most existing immersion heaters and underfloor heating systems
-Internal software alarm system, thermal protection, overload protection and soft start option - all of which prevent
damage to the system and give you peace of mind
- Approved CE product
- 3 Year Warranty
- The load diversion adjusted from 0-100%

4 Using The Free-E Interface
The Free-E interface is controlled using the three buttons located below the screen, as shown below;
ENTER
Export
Store
0.05kW
0.05kW
02/02/2015
08:23
Power being exported
Power being stored
Cloud upload status,
RF communications
and WiFi connection
icons
Back / Esc Button Navigation Button
Enter / Confirm Button
Wi-Fi Connection
This symbol indicates that theWi-Fi is connected and operating correctly. If this symbol is not
displayed, please check your Wi-Fi connection.
Uploading to Cloud Storage
This symbol is not displayed permanently, but will flash every few minutes as data is uploaded to
the Dimplex cloud.
RF Communication
Displays when the Free-E meter is communicating with the master module.
Downloading Updates
This symbol is not displayed permanently, but will flash while a software update is being downloaded.
Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
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dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
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Dimplex R
R
The enter button is used to access the advanced settings menu from the main menu. It is also the confirmation
button for selections made on the user interface. The left / back button is used to escape from menus or
selections.
All navigation up / down through the menus on the user interface will be carried out by using the right button.
This button allows scrolling down through the displayed options, and when the end of the menu is reached,
continuing to press the down / next button will return the user to the top of the menu.
The screen shown above in is the default screen saver on the Free-E user interface. It displays the current store
power being diverted in watts, the current power being imported or exported, the current date and time, and icons
for the connectivity status, which are;
Date and Time

4.1 Main User Interface Screen and Colours
4.2 Settings Menu
4.1.1 Backlight Colour Indications
If the Free-E is exporting energy and storing power, the backlight will be green. If no energy is being exported or
energy is being imported from the grid, the backlight will be blue. If there is a fault or error with the operation of the
Free-E, the backlight will be red.
4.1.2 Main Menu
To access the main user menu, simply press the enter button when on the default screen saver as shown below.
From the main menu, you will have access to the settings and advanced settings menus.
02/02/2015 08:35
Export
Import
0.00kW
0.00kW
ENTER
Press Enter Button
MAIN MENU
ADVANCED SETTINGS
SETTINGS
The settings menu allows access to boost set-up options, disabling the Free-E device, date and and time settings
and light off interval settings.
SETTINGS
Boost Options
Disable Free-E
Set Date / Time
Light Off Interval
4.2.1 Boost Options
The Free-E provides options for both a manual (ON/OFF) one-hour default boost, or for a timed boost, which can be
set for three different timer periods, up to 7 days a week.
Manual Boost
To activate the manual boost, simply select Boost Options, then Manual Boost. You will see the confirmation screen
as shown below when the manual boost is activated, and the default display screen on the screen will display the
Manual Boost message shown below.
Manual Boost
Timed Boost
Boost Options
ENTER
Press Enter Button
Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
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Dimplex R
Boost function ON
Manual Boost
OK
02/02/2015 08:35
MANUAL BOOST

The manual boost is automatically set to run for a duration of one hour, however you can also deactivate it
manually by returning to the Boost Options and selecting Manual Boost while the boost is still active. You will
see a confirmation screen as shown below and the manual boost message will no longer appear on the default
main screen.
Timed Boost
The Timed Boost can be set for a specified time for multiple weekdays. The timer should be set first using the
Timer Settings menu, then the Set Weekdays menu allows you to select which of the three programmable boost
timers will be activated for each weekday. You can set any combination of the three timers, for any or all weekdays.
Each timer must be assigned an ON time when set up, but you can also select the duration of the boost. The options
for boost duration ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
The Set Weekdays menu will let you scroll across between the days Sunday - Saturday (SU - SA), and on selecting
each day, you will be brought to the menu for that day which will show a list of tick boxes for each timer that you can
enable.
Timer 1 - Duration
0.5h
1.0h
1.5h
2.0h
Set weekdays
SU MO TU WE TH FR SA
ENTER
Press Enter Button
ENTER
Press Enter Button
ON Time
Duration
Timer 1
ON Time
Duration
Timer 1
Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF
0844 879 3587
dimplex.co.uk | gdcgroup.co.uk
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Dimplex R
Manual Boost
Timed Boost
Boost Options
Timer Settings
Set Weekdays
Timed Boost
ENTER
Press Enter Button
Timer 1
Timer 2
Timer 3
Timer Settings
ENTER
Press Enter Button
Manual Boost
Timed Boost
Boost Options
ENTER
Press Enter Button
Boost function OFF
Manual Boost
OK
CANCEL
Timer 1 - ON Time
SAVE
00:00
Set weekdays - SU
for timer(s):
Timer 1
Timer 2
Timer 3
ABORT SAVE
Quick Steps for Using Manual Boost
Turning ON or OFF the manual boost can be carried out simply by pressing the Enter button 4 times.
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