SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 (01) PDF Document

The user manual for the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 uses specific symbols to highlight important safety and operational information. Understanding these symbols is crucial to avoid personal injury and property loss.

DANGER: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

NOTICE: Indicates potential risks which, if not avoided, may lead to equipment fault or property damage.

Note: Provides tips that are valuable for the optimal operation of the product.

The SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 is an energy storage unit designed for use in residential on/off grid applications with the capability for short-term backup.

Please note the following regarding its intended use:

• The SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 is not suitable for supporting life-sustaining medical devices.

• This product is intended for use only in accordance with the information provided in the enclosed documentation and with the locally applicable standards and regulations. Any other application may cause personal injury or property damage.

• Alterations to the product, such as changes or modifications, are only permitted with the express written permission of SOFAR. Unauthorized alterations will void warranty claims.

To ensure safe and long-term operation, the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 must be installed according to the following environmental requirements:

• The battery is IP20 rated and should only be installed indoors.

• 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.

Observe the following operational precautions when handling the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1:

• 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 items that could produce 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.

• 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 SF-5KWH-L1 is a battery system with an operating voltage range between 44.8-57.6V, utilized in household energy storage applications. It works with a low-voltage PCS to store energy for the home.

Key features include:

• Built-in BMS (Battery Management System): This system manages and monitors cell information including voltage, current, and temperature. It can balance cell charging to extend cycle life.

• Protection Functions: The BMS includes protection against over-discharge, over-charge, over-current, and high/low temperature. The system automatically manages charge state, discharge state, and balance state.

• Parallel Operation: Multiple batteries can be connected in parallel to expand capacity and power. The SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 supports up to 16 parallel operations.

Starting the Battery (Single or Master PACK):

1. Press the start button to enter the standby detection state. The RUN indicator (L6) will flash at intervals of 0.5s for more than 3s.

2. Release the button. The LEDs used for the battery Level Indicator (L1-L5) will light up according to the current battery level.

3. The unit then enters automatic coding. After automatic coding, L6 shows the running status.

Starting a Parallel System:

1. Connect the parallel communication wiring as instructed.

2. Long press the start button of the Master PACK. After normal startup, the battery system will automatically encode and assign an ID to each parallel PACK.

3. The parallel system will then run normally.

Shutting Down the Battery:

1. Press the start button of the Master PACK for more than 3 seconds and then release it.

2. All LEDs will go off, and the battery module will shut down.

3. In a parallel system, the master pack will shut down after all slave packs have shut down.

The LED indicators on the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 provide information about the battery’s status, level, and any potential issues.

• L1 to L5 (Green): These show the battery level. Each light indicates 20% State of Charge (SOC).

• L6 (Green): This is the RUN indicator. It remains steadily lit if the equipment is normal.

• L7 (Red): This is the ALM (Alarm) indicator. It remains steadily lit if there is an equipment failure or it is in a protected state.

The following table details the different LED statuses:

Flash 1: light on 0.5s / off 0.5 seconds

When the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 is charging, the RUN indicator (L6) will be lit, and the battery level indicators (L1-L5) will display the charging progress as follows:

When the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 is discharging, the RUN indicator (L6) will be lit, and the battery level indicators (L1-L5) will display the remaining charge as follows:

Proper wiring is essential for the safe and correct operation of the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1. The power cable installation must be performed by a skilled professional.

Power Cable Recommendations:

• It is advised to use a power cable with a minimum size of 25mm² or 4AWG (1500V, 100A). The length of the wire is determined by the actual requirements.

• Before assembling the power cable, label the cable polarities correctly to ensure correct connections.

Power Cable Wiring Instructions:

• Single module: Each P+/P- terminal has two connections. You can use either one for wiring.

• Parallel system: To expand capacity, multiple batteries are connected in parallel. In this setup, 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 is used for paralleling to another battery.

• Last slave pack: One of the P- terminals connects to the equipment, and the other is used for paralleling to another battery.

• Other slave packs: For each pair of terminals, they are used for paralleling to another battery for capacity expansion.

Parallel Communication Cable Wiring:

• The communication terminals (To Inverter/Link In and Link Out) use an RJ45 port and are integrated with an automatic coding function.

• The connection order of Port In and Port Out must be correct, or the automatic coding will fail.

• The “To Inverter/Link In” of the master PACK must be connected to the PCS.

• The parallel communication wire connects from the “Link Out” of the master PACK to the “To Inverter/Link In” of the first slave PACK. This daisy-chain connection continues for all subsequent slave packs.

• The “Link Out” of the last slave PACK needs to be connected to a RJ45 terminal resistor. Missing this resistor may cause battery communication failure.

Grounding:

• The ground wire of the battery system must be connected reliably. Connect the grounding of the parallel system first, and then ground it nearby through the connection point of one of the battery packs.

The communication terminal (RJ45 port) on the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 follows the CAN protocol. The pin definitions are as follows:

If you are using the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 battery with an inverter from another manufacturer, you need to refer to the pin definitions of both devices and correctly connect the CANH and CANL pins of the master battery to the inverter.

Attention: Other wires may need to be cut, especially PIN 7 and PIN 8 on the communication cable.

For example, to connect the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 communication input (Battery/Inverter) to another inverter:

• Connect PIN 4 (CANH to PCS) on the SOFAR battery side to the CANH PIN on the other inverter.

• Connect PIN 5 (CANL to PCS) on the SOFAR battery side to the CANL PIN on the other inverter.

Always verify the pinout of the specific inverter you are using.

Before beginning the installation, it is important to perform the following checks:

1. Check Outer Packing Materials: Packing materials and components may be damaged during transportation. Check the surface of the packing materials for damage, such as holes and cracks. If any damage is found, do not unpack the battery and contact the dealer immediately. It is advised to remove the packing materials within 24 hours before installing the battery.

2. Check Deliverables: After unpacking the battery, check that all deliverables are intact and complete. If any damage is found or any component is missing, contact the dealer. Refer to the components list to ensure all parts are present.

Note: For parallel systems, 4 pcs of Stacking Brackets are also configured according to the number of machines.

To properly make the power cable terminals, follow these steps:

1. Strip the insulation layer (B) from the core wire (A). The length of the stripped core wire (L1) should be such that when the terminal is attached, the exposed core wire (L2) is approximately 3mm longer than the stripped section (L1).

2. Slide a piece of heat shrink tubing (C) over the insulated part of the cable.

3. Use hydraulic pliers (D) to crimp the terminal onto the exposed core wire (A).

4. Slide the heat shrink tubing (C) over the crimped part of the terminal.

5. Use a heat gun (E) to shrink the tubing, ensuring a secure and insulated connection.

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 (wall, floor, etc.) 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).

Battery Dimensions:

• Width: 442 mm

• Height: 590 mm

• Depth: 132 mm

Minimum Mounting Distances:

• Distance from ground: >45 mm

• Distance between battery packs (side-by-side): >200 mm

• Distance from ceiling/top obstacle: >525 mm (for wall-mounted rack)

Step 1: Mark and Drill Holes

Determine the position for drilling holes on the wall. The two upper holes should be 480±2 mm apart horizontally, and the two lower holes should be 65±2 mm directly below them. The bottom holes should be at least 525 mm from the floor. Use a marker to mark the hole positions. Use a hammer drill to drill four holes, each with a depth of 80mm. Keep the hammer drill perpendicular to the wall to avoid damaging it.

Step 2: Install Hanging Racks

Install the two hanging racks on the wall using four M8*80 expansion screws. Use an electric screwdriver with a torque of 12 N·m.

Step 3: Attach Wall Brackets to Battery

Install wall bracket 1 and wall bracket 2 to both sides of the battery using six M4*10 screws. Use an electric screwdriver with a torque of 1.2 N·m.

Step 4: Mount the Battery

Lap the wall brackets on both sides of the battery onto the hanging rack. Secure it using four M6*14 screws and four M6*9 square nuts. Use an electric screwdriver with a torque of 5 N·m.

For Stacking Installation:

1. Use eight M4*10 screws to lock the four stacking brackets to the corners of the battery. The electric screwdriver torque should be 1.2 N·m.

2. Align the limit holes of the upper and lower brackets with the ejector pins of the battery below it and then directly stack the batteries.

For Standard 19-inch Cabinet or Rack Installation:

1. Install wall bracket 1 and wall bracket 2 to both sides of the battery using six M4*10 screws. The electric screwdriver torque should be 1.2 N·m.

2. Tuck the battery into the cabinet. Use four M6*14 screws to secure it. The electric screwdriver torque should be 5 N·m.

The electrical connection process should be performed in the following order:

1. Start

2. Connect ground protection (PE): Connect all battery Ground lines to the PE with M6*14 screws (torque 5 N·m).

3. Connect power cable: Connect the positive terminals of the batteries all together, and the negative terminals all together as well.

4. Connect parallel communication: For multiple batteries, connect the “Link Out” of the master battery to the “To inverter/Link In” of slave battery 1, and so on. Connect the RJ45 terminating resistor to the “Link Out” of the last slave battery.

5. Connect inverter communication: The communication cable of the PCS is connected to “To inverter/Link In” of the master battery.

6. End

Please power off the system before cleaning.

It is recommended that the SOFAR SF-5KWH-L1 should be cleaned periodically. If the enclosure is dirty, please use a soft, dry brush or a dust collector to remove the dust. Liquids such as solvents, abrasives or corrosive liquids should not be used to clean the enclosure.

The storage temperature should not be more than 45°C and less than -10°C. The batteries must be periodically charged before the time limit specified in the table below.

You must recharge the over-discharged (90% DOD) batteries within a specific timeframe to avoid damaging the battery modules. The required timeframe depends on the storage environment and whether the battery is connected to the PCS.

The maintenance, replacement, or expansion of batteries requires a person with professional skills.

1. Before replacement or expansion, please cut off the whole system, including the PCS and Battery system. At the same time, ensure the PCS is disconnected from the power grid.

2. After confirming the PCS is disconnected from the power grid, turn off the battery power supply and disconnect the connection line between the battery and PCS.

3. Remove the old battery or install the new battery following the installation instructions, and then restart the system as per the start-up procedure.

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

1. Wet Batteries

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

2. Fire

NO WATER! Only a dry powder fire extinguisher can be used. If possible, 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, immediately perform the actions described below:

• 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 the utmost care. They are not fit for use and may pose a danger to people or property. If the battery pack seems to be damaged, pack it in its original container, and then return it to SOFAR or an authorized dealer.