SOFAR GTX5000S (01) PDF Document

The SOFAR GTX5000S is an energy storage unit designed for use in residential on/off-grid applications with the capability for short-term backup. It is intended for use only in accordance with the information provided in the user manual and with locally applicable standards and regulations.

Please note, the SOFAR GTX5000S is not suitable for supporting life-sustaining medical devices. Any use of the product other than that described in the Intended Use section does not qualify as appropriate.

To ensure safe operation, please adhere to the following environmental requirements for your SOFAR GTX5000S:

• Do not expose the battery to temperatures above 50°C.

• Do not place the battery near any heat sources.

• Do not expose the battery to moisture or liquids.

• Do not expose the battery to corrosive gases or liquids.

• Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

• Do not allow the battery power terminals to touch conductive objects such as wires.

• Place the battery in a secure location away from children and animals.

When operating the SOFAR GTX5000S, please observe the following precautions:

• Do not disassemble the battery.

• Do not touch the battery pack with wet hands.

• Do not crush, drop, or puncture the battery.

• Do not reverse the polarity or connect in series.

• Do not short circuit the terminals. Remove all jewelry items that could cause a short circuit before installation and handling.

• Always dispose of the product according to local safety regulations.

• Store and recharge the battery in a manner in accordance with this user manual.

• Ensure reliable grounding.

• Disconnect the battery from power/load and then power off the battery before installation and maintenance.

• When storing or handling, do not stack up batteries when outside the protective package.

Please follow these guidelines regarding the protective packaging:

• Packaged batteries should not be stacked more than the specified number stipulated on the package.

• Continued operation of a damaged battery can result in a dangerous situation that may cause severe injury due to electrical shock.

The SOFAR GTX5000S is a battery system with an operating voltage range between 44.8V and 57.6V. It is used in household energy storage applications with a low-voltage PCS. It has a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) that manages and monitors cell information like voltage, current, and temperature. The BMS also balances cell charging to extend cycle life and provides protection against over-discharge, over-charge, over-current, and temperature extremes.

Multiple SOFAR GTX5000S batteries can be connected in parallel (up to 4 units) to expand capacity and power for larger requirements.

The start button is integrated with LED status indicators to show the battery’s running or warning status.

1. To turn on: Press the start button for more than 3 seconds and then release it. The LEDs will light from L7 to L1, and then the system enters automatic coding where all LEDs flash and L7 shows purple. After coding, L1 to L6 show the capacity, and L7 shows the running status.

2. Running status (L7 LED): Blue and continuously lit during charging; Blue and flashing during discharging.

3. Fault status (L7 LED): Red and continuously lit if there is an equipment failure or it is in a protected state.

4. Parallel system startup: In a parallel system, after connecting the communication wiring, long-press the start button of the Master PACK. The system will automatically encode and assign an ID to each parallel PACK, and then the system will run normally.

5. To shut down: Press the start button of the Master PACK for more than 3 seconds and then release it. The LEDs will light from L1 to L7 to indicate shutdown. In a parallel system, the master pack will shut down after all slave packs have shut down.

The LED indicators on the front panel of the SOFAR GTX5000S provide information about the battery’s status and charge level.

• L1 to L6 (Blue): These lights indicate the battery level (State of Charge – SOC). Each light represents approximately 16.67% of the total capacity.

• L7 (Blue or Red): This light shows the battery’s running status. Blue indicates normal operation, while red indicates an abnormal condition or fault.

LED Indicator Statuses:

Charging Battery Level Indicators:

Discharging Battery Level Indicators:

Flashing Instructions:

• flash 1 – 0.25s light / 3.75s off

• flash 2 – 0.5s light / 0.5s off

• flash 3 – 0.5s light / 1.5s off

The SOFAR GTX5000S has the following interfaces:

You are advised to use an EV power cable with a minimum size of 25 mm2 or 3AWG (600V, 125A) and a minimum length of 1500mm. The power cable installation must be performed by a trained professional.

Power Cable Terminals: There are two pairs of power terminals (P+ and P-), with each pair having the same function.

• Single module: Any of the terminals of each pair can be used.

• Parallel system: For multiple batteries connected in parallel to expand capacity:

– P+ must connect to the master pack, and P- must connect to the last slave pack.

– Master pack: One of the P+ terminals connects to the PCS, and the other P+ terminal connects to the next battery for capacity expansion.

– Last slave pack: One of the P- terminals connects to the equipment (PCS), and the other P- terminal connects to the previous battery.

– Other slave packs: Use the terminals for paralleling to another battery for capacity expansion.

For parallel communication between multiple SOFAR GTX5000S units, follow these instructions:

1. The CAN/Link In communication port of the Master pack must be connected to the PCS.

2. Connect a parallel communication wire from the Link Out port of the master PACK to the CAN/Link In port of the first slave PACK.

3. Continue this “daisy-chain” connection for subsequent batteries: connect the Link Out of the first slave to the CAN/Link In of the second slave, and so on.

4. The Link Out port of the last slave PACK in the chain should not be connected to anything.

The system supports up to 4 parallel operations. The connection order of Link In and Link Out ports is crucial; an incorrect order will cause the automatic coding to fail.

The required communication cable depends on the inverter model being used:

• For inverter models ME 3000SP/HYD 3-6K-ES: A specific communication cable (material number 101060300430-0) is required. This cable is an 8pin RJ45 to 4pin RJ11. The 4pin RJ11 end connects to the CAN/485 port of the inverter, and the 8pin RJ45 end connects to the CAN/Link In port of the GTX5000S.

• For inverter model HYD-EP: A specific communication cable (part number 021.00000270-0) is required. This is an 8pin RJ45 to a two-pin cable. The two pin cables connect to the inverter’s COM port 1 and 2 (blue to 1, blue-white to 2). The 8pin RJ45 end connects to the CAN/Link In port of the GTX5000S.

CAN/Link Port (RJ45) Pin Definition:

RS232 Port (RJ45) Pin Definition:

Yes, when using the GTX5000S with different inverter models, there are minimum software version requirements for both the battery and the inverter. The following table lists the minimum required versions:

Note: When the GTX5000S is used with the ME3000 inverter or in parallel with the GTX5000PRO, the software version of the GTX5000S needs to be upgraded to V010062 or above.

Before beginning the installation, perform the following checks:

1. Check Outer Packing Materials: Inspect the outer packing materials for any damage, such as holes or cracks, that may have occurred during transportation. If any damage is found, do not unpack the battery and contact the dealer immediately. It is advised to remove packing materials within 24 hours of installation.

2. Check Deliverables: After unpacking the battery, verify that all components are present and intact. If any damage is found or a component is missing, contact the dealer.

The following accessories are configured according to the number of parallel batteries (N) in the system. These are optional accessories based on customer demand.

Installation Environment Requirements:

• Install the battery in an indoor environment.

• Place the battery in a secure location away from children and animals.

• Do not place the battery near any heat sources and avoid sparks.

• Do not expose the battery to liquids.

• Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight.

Installation Carrier Requirements:

• The mounting carrier (e.g., wall) must have fire resistance. Do not install batteries on flammable buildings.

• The mounting carrier surface must meet the load-bearing requirements for the battery’s weight (45kg).

To ensure proper ventilation and access, maintain the following minimum distances around the SOFAR GTX5000S battery pack and between packs:

• Above the unit: > 80mm

• Below the unit: > 500mm

• Between two units side-by-side: > 120mm

• Between two units stacked vertically: > 200mm

• From the floor to the bottom of the lowest unit: > 500mm

Follow these steps for a wall-mounted installation:

Step 1: Mark and Drill Holes

Determine the desired position for the battery. Use a marker and the hanging rack as a template to mark the hole positions on the wall. Use a hammer drill with a 12mm bit to drill the holes. Keep the drill perpendicular to the wall to avoid damaging it.

Step 2: Fix the Hanging Rack

Fix the wall Hanging rack 2 to the wall using the provided expansion screws.

Step 3: Install the Fixed Leg

Remove the battery from its packaging and install the fixed leg onto the bottom of the battery unit.

Step 4: Mount the Battery

Carefully lift the battery and hook it onto the hanging rack. Secure the battery by fixing the fixing screw to ensure safety.

The electrical connection process follows this sequence:

1. Start

2. Connect ground Protection (PE)

3. Connect power cable

4. Connect parallel communication (if applicable)

5. Connect PCS CAN communication

6. End

Detailed Wiring Steps:

Step 1: Connect PE line

Securely connect the Protective Earth (PE) ground wire to the grounding point on the battery.

Step 2: Connect Power Cable

Connect the power cables from the battery terminals (P+ and P-) to the isolation device/PCS.

Step 3: Connect Communication Line

Connect the CAN/Link In communication line from the battery to the PCS communication port.

Step 4: Install the Decorative Panel

Once all wiring is complete, install the decorative panel on the top of the battery unit.

Yes, the SOFAR GTX5000S can be used in parallel with the GTX5000PRO, but you must follow specific requirements for communication cables and wiring:

1. Communication Cable 1: This is the wire between the battery and the inverter. A specific cable is needed based on the inverter model.

2. Communication Cable 2 & 3: These are used for parallel communication between batteries. Cable 2 is a standard network cable (T568B wire order). Cable 3 is a special communication wire (material number 101060300211-0).

3. Host and Addressing: When mixing GTX5000S and GTX5000PRO, the GTX5000S must be the host (master). All GTX5000PRO addresses must be set for slave operation. The “Link Out” port of the GTX5000S connects to the “CAN” port of the GTX5000PRO.

4. Power On/Off Sequence:

• To switch on: Switch on the GTX5000S first, then the GTX5000PRO.

• To switch off: Switch off the GTX5000PRO first, then the GTX5000S. You must wait one minute after switching off before continuing any operation to ensure the battery is fully off.

5. Software Version: When the GTX5000S is used in parallel with the GTX5000PRO, the software version of the GTX5000S must be upgraded to V010062 or above.

Before cleaning, please power off the system completely.

It is recommended to clean the SOFAR GTX5000S periodically. If the enclosure is dirty, use a soft, dry brush or a dust collector to remove the dust. Do not use liquids such as solvents, abrasives, or corrosive liquids to clean the enclosure.

Batteries should be stored in an environment with a temperature range between -10°C and +45°C. For long-term storage, they must be maintained regularly by recharging with a 0.5C (50A) current until the State of Charge (SOC) reaches 40%.

Recharge conditions when in storage:

If your batteries become over-discharged (90% Depth of Discharge – DOD), you must recharge them within a specific timeframe to prevent damage. The timeframe depends on the storage environment temperature.

Recharge conditions when battery is over-discharged:

Maintenance, replacement, and expansion must be performed by a person with professional skills. Follow these steps:

1. Before starting, cut off power to the whole system, including the PCS and the Battery system. The PCS must also be disconnected from the power grid.

2. Once you confirm the PCS is disconnected from the power grid, turn off the battery power supply and disconnect the connection line between the battery and the PCS.

3. Remove the old battery or install the new battery by following the installation instructions in section 5.5. After installation, restart the system following the procedure in section 4.2.1.

In any emergency, first cut off the power supply and turn off the battery.

1. Wet Batteries

If the battery pack is wet or has been submerged in water, do not let people access it. Contact SOFAR or an authorized dealer for technical support.

2. Fire

DO NOT USE WATER. Use only a dry powder fire extinguisher. If possible and safe to do so, move the battery pack to a safe area before it catches fire.

3. Leaking Batteries

If the battery pack leaks electrolyte, avoid contact with the leaking liquid or gas. If someone is exposed to the leaked substance, take the following actions immediately:

• Inhalation: Evacuate the contaminated area and seek medical attention.

• Contact with eyes: Rinse eyes with flowing water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.

• Contact with skin: Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention.

• Ingestion: Induce vomiting and seek medical attention.

4. Damaged Batteries

Damaged batteries are dangerous and must be handled with extreme care. They are not fit for use and pose a danger to people and property. If the battery pack appears damaged, pack it in its original container and return it to SOFAR or an authorized dealer.

System Parameters

General Parameters