Since GivEnergy are now dead, I have got my hands on a new 9.5KW Gen 2 battery to add to my existing 2 Batteries of the same size, I am going to make sure all the firmware versions across the batteries are the same level ( 3022 ).
Now my question is, that as I was looking for the battery firmware I found that there is a newer Inverter Firmware A319-D319 out there, ( I am on D0.318-A0.318 ) but not sure if I should update to this newer version.
I am 99.9% certain I will stay on the existing D318 version - unless you guys have experience saying it’s a good thing to do.
The lack of ongoing support does concern me these days ( which is why I have bough a new battery… I don’t need it but if one battery fails in the future I now have spare capacity rather than potentially needing to replace it all )
Hi, I am on 318 also. I have found it to be very reliable. I believe it is the lastest official release. If I remember correctly 319 is a pre-release version, so not released to everybody for installation.
Hi please could you let me know how you get on adding the battery . I purchased a nearly new gen 2 9.5 kw battery just before givenergy went into administration. I have been told by many installers it can be an issue to add to a system as no support. Would really like to hear from real people who may have added a second battery since GE demise
I have just done exactly what you plan by adding a 9.5kWh battery to my existing system and shuffling my existing batteries around.
I now have 2 AC3 inverters each with 9.5 and 5.2 batteries attached.
Process I followed as below.
EMS out of plant mode (this may not be relevant for you)
Turn off all batteries (switch on the side of batteries and any DC breakers)
Switch of grid feeds to Inverters
Connect new batteries as required
Set battery dip switches as appropriate (master/slave etc)
Re-power batteries
Re-power inverter(s)
Wait for inverters restart and reconnect to internet/wifi
EMS back in plant mode
Check using local apps or GE cloud
In my case the cloud quickly picked up the new configuration and flagged I needed to upgrade the new battery - this worked without any issues.
I also ran a calibrate cycle
All been working fine for the last week
My installer ( based in Swindon ) says that his supplier has 1 pallet of new stock left, and thats it’s !! - £3k !!! Not cheap, but for peace of mind for the next 10 Years and the amount of cash it will save in the long run - I’m OK with that price.
Hi,
I’m in a similar position to you; I acquired a third 9.5 kWh battery last year and they run with a 5 kW hybrid inverter and EV charger (all GivEnergy).
The batteries are all on version 3022 and the inverter is on 318. Interestingly, my app says that my firmware is all up-to-date.
I’m in my 3rd year of using solar and so far I’ve had no major problems with the system which produces around 9000 kWh p.a., powers an ASAP and an EV and I also export to Octopus and Axle.
I use the Octopus Go tariff and configure settings manually to get the best outcome, I have tried various automations and ‘intelligent’ tariffs but I like to keep it simple.
