Sofar solar ME-3000SP User manual

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Energy Storage Inverter
User Manual
(for ME-3000SP)

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Contents
1. Equipment Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Equipment Safety Notes....................................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Safety Signs..............................................................................................................................................................2
2.2 Safety Notes.............................................................................................................................................................3
2.3 Battery Installation and Maintenance Notes.......................................................................................................... 4
3. Installation......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Product Overview....................................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Packing List.............................................................................................................................................................. 5
3.3 Installation Environment......................................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 Installation Tools......................................................................................................................................................7
3.4 Installation Position................................................................................................................................................. 9
3.5 Mount ME-3000SP.................................................................................................................................................. 9
4. Electrical Connection.......................................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Battery Connection................................................................................................................................................12
4.2 CT / RS485 / NTC connection................................................................................................................................ 12
4.3 Grid & Load Connection........................................................................................................................................ 15
5. Indicators and Keys..........................................................................................................................................................16
6. Operation.........................................................................................................................................................................17
6.1 Double Check.........................................................................................................................................................17
6.2 First Time Setup.....................................................................................................................................................17
7. Technical Data..................................................................................................................................................................20
8. Country Code...................................................................................................................................................................21
9. Troubleshooting...............................................................................................................................................................21

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1. Equipment Introduction
This product is mainly applied and developed for the adjustable PV generation system and a small power storage
system equipped with the most common lead acid batteries or lithium batteries. It can achieve the optimal usability of
battery power automatically. ME-3000SP storage inverter can control the off-grid, on-grid and the bi-directional flow
of electric power, work under the auto / manual mode and time-of-use (TOU) price mode, automatically switch to the
off-grid and on-grid work mode and manage the battery charge / discharge, etc. Also, the inverter has the intelligent
on-grid discharge function by setting and can adjust its discharge power according to the change of the load power,
avoid the feed of redundant power into the power grid and help the user to make the maximum benefit. This storage
inverter can choose DC bus occasion in connection with the PV system and also be used as a pure off-grid inverter if
there is no PV system. The equipment is equipped with a LCD display panel and keyboard, high-quality Human
Machine Interface and is stable, safe and reliable. The monitoring software has the fault history recording function for
later-stage maintenance.
Fig. 1 ME-3000SP Storage System Solution
2. Equipment Safety Notes
Before the inverter is used, please read all instructions, warning signs and this manual. The inverter strictly meets
safety rules of design and testing. During the installation, operation and maintenance, operators should abide by
safety regulations. Improper operation may cause an electric shock or damage the equipment and properties.
2.1 Safety Signs

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2.2 Safety Notes
Electrical installation and maintenance must be carried out by competent electricians according to national
connection rules.
This inverter must be made only by qualified technical personnel, and only after receiving appropriate approvals,
as required by the local authority having jurisdiction.
The battery chamber should keep a certain distance with the storage inverter and protected well to prevent from
collision.
It is forbidden to place explosives and combustibles, e.g.gasoline, kerosene, oil, slab, cotton and rag, around the
storage inverter.
An electric shock must be avoided and the battery input and AC output of the inverter shall be stopped for at
least 5min. before its installation or maintenance.
The temperature of some parts of the inverter may exceed 60℃. The inverter shall be cooled down in order to
avoid scalding during the maintenance.
Children should not go near the inverter.
Please do not open the outer cover of the inverter without permission, except for the wire connections. If
someone touches or changes its components without permission, he might be injured and even damage the
inverter.
Static power may damage electronic elements. An appropriate method should be adopted for preventing from
such damage; otherwise, the inverter might be damage and the warranty will be invalid.
If the Equipment is damaged because it is not operated according to the operation method of the specified
manufacturer, the warranty will be invalid.

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To completely isolate the inverter: firstly shut down the DC switch and then disconnect the battery and the AC
terminal.
The storage inverter shall be isolated conpletely before being maintained. The inverter must not be maintained in
other modes!
It is forbidden to disconnect the battery terminal and AC terminal when the storage inverter is running normally.
2.3 Battery Installation and Maintenance Notes
The battery has been charged before being delivered and shall be prevented from short circuit in the
transportation and installation process.
The battery shall be placed in a well-ventilated space. Do not install the battery in airtight or badly ventilated
spaces or equipment. Otherwise, the equipment might crack.
Do not place the battery in high temperature situations, direct sunshine or in front of a furnace or fire. Otherwise,
the battery might leak and fire or crack.
The connection cable shall be as short as possible to avoid too much voltage drop.
Before connecting the terminal connecting piece an switching on the battery system, check the total voltage and
anode and cathode of the battery system to ensure the correct installation.
If you want to store the battery, the battery bank should be disconnected from the charger and load and the
environment shall be kept cool, dry and ventilated.
Please be noted that it is not necessary to provide the reservation information with the following exact measures:
Battery maintenance operators shall have the know-how and technical skill for the maintenance of the battery;
When the battery is changed, the battery bank of the same model and quantity shall be changed;
Warning: Do not dispose of scrap batteries with fire. Otherwise, the batteries might explore.
Warning: Do not dismantle or damage the battery. Its electrolyte might be toxic and damage your skin and eyes.
Warning: The battery may cause an electric shock or short circuit. Please take the following measures for the
battery work:
a) Take off your watch, ring or other metal objects.
b) Use the tool with insulated handles.
c) Wear rubber gloves and shoes.
d) Do not put tools and metals above the battery.
e) Switch off the charge power supply before the battery terminal is disconnected.
f) Check if the battery is connected to the ground. If so unconsciously, disconnect the battery from the ground.
Any part that touches the ground battery may suffer an electric shock. Disconnect the battery from the ground
during installation and maintenance, so as to reduce the possibility of such a shock (applicable to the equipment
and remote power supply without power circuits connected to the ground).

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3. Installation
3.1 Product Overview
The inverter is checked strictly and checked before being packed and delivered.It is forbidden to put it upside down
position during delivery.
Please check the product package and internal components carefully before installation, e.g. housing, display and DC
connection terminals.
Fig. 2 ME-3000SP Overview
3.2 Packing List
Before installation, please inspect the unit. Be sure that nothing inside the package is damaged. You should have
received the following items inside of package:

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Mounting Bracket×1
AC terminal×6
M5 screw×2
Battery terminal×2
M6 flat washer×8
Expansion Bolts×8
Terminal cap×4
CT terminal×2
Current Transformer× 2
User Manual×1
Warranty card×1
Quality Certificate×1
Fig. 3 Accessories of ME-3000SP
3.3 Installation Environment
Clean and tidy indoors,convenient for installation and in a dry position
Ambient temperature scope:-20℃~45℃
Relative humidity:0~95%(non-condensed)
The storage inverter shall be installed in the place with independent air inlet and outlet channels.
There is neither inflammable nor explosive around.
The storage inverter shall be connected to the power grid with an over-voltage of CATIII and CAT II.
The maximum work altitude is 2000m.
Please consult our engineers about detailed requirements for installation.

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3.4 Installation Tools
The following tools shall be prepared before installation:
No.
Tool
Model
Function
1
Hammer drill
Recommend drill dia.6mm
Used to drill holes on the wall
2
Screwdriver
wiring
3
Wire stripper
Strip wire
4
4mm Allen Wrench
Turn the screw to connect rear panel
with inverter
5
Crimping tools
Used to crimp power cables
6
Multi-meter
Used to check grounding

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7
Marker pen
Used to mark signs
8
Measuring tape
Used to measure distances
9
Level
Used to ensure that the rear panel is
properly installed
10
ESD golves
Operators wear
11
Safey goggles
Operators wear
12
Anti-dust respirator
Operators wear

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3.5 Installation Position
ME-3000SP should be vertically mounted (to ensure fast heat dissipation), please choose a position without direct
sunlight / snow accumulation to install ME-3000SP.
Fig. 4 Installation Position of ME-3000SP
3.6 Mount ME-3000SP
Step 1: Put the mounting bracket properly on the wall, mark these 8 drill holes using a marker pen. Drill 8 holes (drill
bit 6mm) on the wall.
Step 2: Insert the expansion screw vertically into the hole, note the insertion depth. (not too shallow or too deep)
Step 3: Fix the mounting bracket on the wall using bolts & flat washers.

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Step 4: Put ME-3000SP on the mounting bracket.
Step 5: Earth ME-3000SP using the grounding hole on the heat sink.
Step 6: OPTIONAL: you can lock ME-3000SP

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4. Electrical Connection
Be aware of electric shock and chemical hazards!
Before connecting the battery, ensure the cable connectors have the correct polarity. Reversed polarity will
damage the inverter!
Before connecting to battery, please install a separate DC breaker(100A) between inverter and battery. This will
ensure the inverter can be securely disconnected during maintenance.
Before connecting to Grid, please install a separate AC breaker(25A) between inverter and grid.
It is very important for system safety and efficient operation to use appropriate cable for electrical connection.
Battery connection: cable of AWG8 or AWG6.
Load connection: cable of AWG12.
Fig. 5 ME-3000SP Bottom View

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4.1 Battery Connection
Fig. 6 Battery connection (Test battery wires polarity before connection)
Step 1: Loosen 4 screws (part A) using a screwdriver (fig. 6)
Step 2: Remove the waterproof cover (part B), loosen the cable gland (part C), then remove the stopper (part G)
Step 3: Route the battery wires (part F) through the cable gland, then connect battery wires using OT terminal (part E)
Step 4: Fasten the waterproof cover using 4 screws.
4.2 CT / RS485 / NTC connection
Fig. 7 Schematic Diagram (ME-3000SP: energy storage add-on to existing renewable system)

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Step 1: Use network cable & terminal cap to extend the CT wire.
Fig. 8 CT wire extension / Direction of CTa
CT wire
Extension cable (network cable)
ME-3000SP
Red
Orange / white orange / brown / white brown
CT+
Black
Green / white green / blue / white blue
CT-
Fig. 9 CT / RS485 / NTC connection
GRID
LOAD

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Step 2: Loosen 4 screws (part A) using a screwdriver (fig. 6)
Step 3: Remove the waterproof cover (part B), loosen the cable gland (part C), then remove the stopper (part G)
Step 4: Route CT cable through the cable gland, connect CT cable to CT terminal, then insert CT terminal into
corresponding ports. (Form 1)
Step 5: Route RS485 network cable through the cable gland, connect RS485 network cable to RJ45 connector, then
insert RJ45 connector into 485M port. (fig. 8)
No.
ME-3000SP 485M
PYLONTECH US2000
1
RS485B
2
RS485A
3
GND
4
RS485B
5
RS485A
6
GND
7
RS485A
8
RS485B
Form 2 485M connection
Step 6: it’s necessary to connect NTC for lead acid batteries:
Fig. 10 NTC connection
Step 7: fasten the waterproof cover using 4 screws.

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4.3 Grid & Load Connection
Step 1: Loosen 4 screws (part A) using a screwdriver (fig. 9)
Step 2: Remove the waterproof cover (part B), loosen the cable gland (part
C), then remove the stopper (part G)
Step 3: Route GRID / LOAD cables through cable glands, then connect GRID /
LOAD cables to corresponding terminal blocks.
Step 4: Fasten the waterproof cover using 4 screws.
Fig. 11 Grid & Load connection
Fig. 12 Connection of critical load (AC contactor: 2 NC, 2 NO)

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5. Indicators and Keys
Buttons:
press “back“ to the previous screen or enter into the main interface;
press “Up“ to the last interface or value plus 1;
press “Down“entry into the next column or value minus 1 ;
press “OK“ to switch to the next digit.
LED lights:
Charging status Light（Green）
When the system is in the state of charge detection, the LED light flashing;
When the system is in charging, the LED light is permanently on.
When the system is in Fault (fault, or permanet), the LED light goes out.
Dicharging status Light（Green）
When the system is in the state of discharge detection, the LED light flashing;
When the system is in discharging, the LED light is permanently on.
When the system is in Fault (fault, or permanet), the LED light goes out.
Alarm light（Red）
When the system is in Fault (fault, or permanet), the LED light is permanently on.

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6. Operation
6.1 Double Check
Please double check the following before operation.
1. ME-3000SP is firmly fastened to the mounting bracket on the wall
2. The polarity of battery wires is correct, battery wires are firmly connected
3. DC isolator is correctly connected between battery & ME-3000SP, DC isolator: OFF
4. GRID / LOAD cables are firmly / correctly connected
5. AC circuit breaker is correctly connected between ME3000SP GRID port & GRID, AC circuit breaker: OFF
6. AC contactor is correctly connected (fig. 12)
7. For lithium battery, please ensure that the RS485 communication wire have been connected;
8. For the lead-acid battery, please ensure that the NTC wire has been connected.
6.2 First Time Setup
As the storage inverter power-on, it needs to set following parameters before operating.
1)Set system time
2)Set country
3)Select battery type
4)Set battery capacity
5)Set bat manage mode
6)Set max charge voltage
7)Set max Charge current
8)Set max protect voltage
9)Set min discharge voltage
10)Set max discharge current
11)Set min protect voltage
12)Set discharge depth
13)Set discharge time
14)Set empty discharge voltage
15)Set full charge voltage

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1)Setup system time
System time’s format is ”Year-Month-Day-Hour-Minutes-Second”, press ”Up&Down” to change the number, press
“Enter” to complete the time setting. When the system setting is complete, then it will turn to “country” setting
automatically.
2)Setup country
Press ”Up & Down” to select country, press “Enter” to complete the country setting, then it will turn to “battery type”
setting automatically.
3)Setup battery type
According to you battery, press ”Up&Down” to select the battery type, press “Enter” to complete the battery type
setting, then it will turn to “battery capacity” setting automatically.
4)Setup battery capacity
According to the capacity of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to select the battery capacity, press “Enter” to complete,
then it will turn to “bat manage mode” setting automatically.
5)Setup bat manage mode
Press ”Up&Down” to select the suitable manage mode for the battery, press “Enter” to complete, then it will turn to
“max charge voltage” setting automatically.
6)Setup max charge voltage
According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the max charge voltage, press “Enter” to
complete the “max charge voltage” setting, then it will turn to “max Charge current” setting automatically.
7)Setup max Charge current
According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the max charge current, press “Enter” to
complete the “max charge current” setting, then it will turn to “max protect voltage” setting automatically.
8)Setup max protect voltage
According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the max protect voltage, press “Enter” to
complete the “max protect voltage” setting, then it will turn to “min discharge voltage” setting automatically.
9)Setup min discharge voltage
According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the min discharge voltage, press “Enter” to
complete the “min discharge voltage” setting, then it will turn to “max discharge current” setting automatically.
10)Setup max discharge current

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According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the max discharge current, press “Enter” to
complete the “max discharge current” setting, then it will turn to “min protect voltage” setting automatically.
11)Setup min protect voltage
According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the min protect voltage, press “Enter” to
complete the “min protect voltage” setting, then it will turn to “discharge depth” setting automatically.
12)Setup discharge depth
According to the request of the discharge depth, press ”Up&Down” to input the discharge depth, press “Enter” to
complete the “discharge depth” setting, then it will turn to “discharge time” setting automatically.
13)Setup discharge time
According to the request of discharge time, press ”Up&Down” to input the discharge time, press “Enter” to complete
the “discharge time” setting, then it will turn to “empty discharge voltage” setting automatically.
14)Setup empty discharge voltage
According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the empty discharge voltage, press “Enter” to
complete the “empty discharge voltage” setting, then it will turn to “full charge voltage” setting automatically.
15)Setup full charge voltage
According to the datasheet of you battery, press ”Up&Down” to input the full charge voltage, press “OK” to complete
the “full charge voltage” setting. It will display “Success”, the setting of storage inverter’s first operating is completed
and press “Back”to return main interface. If “Fail” is displayed,the storage inverter should be reset again.
After the completion of the above settings, turn off the storage inverter, then power on the inverter according to the
following steps to complete sensor calibration on the grid and PV :
IMPORTANT: PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:
1. Turn OFF the solar inverter. Make sure there’s no power generation in ME-3000SP’s phase.
2. Turn ON DC isolator between battery & ME-3000SP
3. Turn ON AC circuit breaker between ME-3000SP GRID port & GRID.
ME-3000SP should start to operate now.
4. Turn ON some home appliances. Make sure power consumption in ME-3000SP’s phase is greater
than 200W.
You should be able to read the data on the screen.
5. Turn ON the solar inverter. (power generation > 100W)
6. If power generation > power consumption, battery is not full. ME-3000SP will charge the battery.
7. If power generation < power consumption, battery is not flat. ME-3000SP will discharge the battery.
Every time you change the CT connection, you need to repeat the procedure above.