Hi everyone, as most people are now aware, GivEnergy Ltd (the hardware arm) has gone into receivership and other than the hardware warranty being void, GivEnergy (software) has been created to continue the cloud server functionality, which is going to be a paid-for service from May-26. The local app facility will still work free of charge but I’ve spotted that the app doesn’t allow you to change the battery output power during export periods (Octopus Intelligent Flux for example, between 16:00 & 19:00). So, you can either pay for the cloud service or create your own “cloud” server using a Raspberry Pi (RP). Because the pay-for service is not guaranteed to go the same way as the hardware arm, I have set up an RP5 to interface with the GIV-AC.3.0 inverter so that I am able to vary the battery output during export periods, as well as being able to see all the other data and do so remotely as well. However, to connect to the inverter, which uses the Modbus TCP protocol to communicate, you have to use a ethernet connection as the existing GivEnergy dongle only communicates with the GivEnergy cloud server through its integrated bridge (it’s not just a WiFi dongle). Anyway, I have found that despite connecting the inverter to my network, there’s no network connection (the network switch watchdog LEDs are not illuminating at all). I have read that the onboard Inverter NIC is primitive and so needs a UTP cable and so I fitted one accordingly. I also fitted a basic 10/100Mbps network switch, again, because of the primitive Inverter NIC only communicating at the slow speeds. Despite this, there’s still no activity from the connection. Has anyone been looking at this and discovered why the inverter is not connecting to the network?
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I don’t really understand your problem.
The AC3 inverter is wifi only, it doesn’t have an ethernet port.
The inverter uses a special version of modbus so you have to use the right libraries if you want to use your own app to communicate to the inverter - look at givtcp on github for details of the library
A far simpler answer would be to use the BBC basic inverter app (iOS and Android) which can control the charge and discharge rates Inverter App - App Store
Hi Geoffrey, thanks for your reply, Yes, it has a wifi dongle which communicates via its built-in bridge to the GivEnergy cloud server only, you can’t connect to it locally although it is visible on the network. As to the ethernet port, there is one on the G00A.14S.B006_0 comms board (together with the USB for the wifi dongle and the terminal connections for the CT coils, but as it’s a 3rd gen inverter, the ethernet port is disabled.
Regarding the mobile app, yes this gives you most of the necessary controls, but if you go to the Timed Export tab, you will see an on/off option for Enable Timed Export Slot, and also an option to set the export duration in hours and minutes. If you compare this to the cloud interface, the cloud version also has an additional slider where you can set the battery output. This option is missing from the mobile app and is crucial if you don’t wish to pay for a cloud subscription. I have no issues paying for a subscription but what if it turns out that it isn’t financially viable to keep the cloud access running and that too goes into administration, like the hardware. At that point you will have no access whatsoever to the battery output slider control as it’s not available in the mobile app version (which will continue running as the required data/control is embedded locally).
This is the reason why I wanted to create my own cloud server using a Raspberry Pi - this will replicate the current GivEnergy cloud interface as far as I’m aware. I have already configured the RP to run the required Modbus comms protocol and the required libraries are set up accordingly. The missing piece is the ability to connect to the inverter to read/send the required data.
no we have not..
I can connect to port 8899 on my wifi dongle, and talk GivEnergy’s modbus to it.
Hi again everyone, I recently followed up with the GivEnergy Software Team regarding the missing functionality in the current mobile app — particularly the reduced capability compared with the legacy local mode. They provided a very helpful clarification, and I wanted to share the key part of their response for the benefit of others:
“Your concern about the legacy local mode is valid - there are a number of functions unavailable in the “home”/“away” interface. This is something that we are explicitly addressing as part of our roll out of the new Premium Tier. If you are familiar with the web portal, you may know the “remote control” page. We are implementing a similar set of functionality - for directly controlling the inverter from the official app - and importantly, prior to login so that even if the company ceases trading and we are forced to turn our servers off, you will still be able to control your inverter. This is explicitly our plan B, to ensure customers retain control even if the company does not succeed in monetising the cloud-based services.”
- They acknowledge that the current local mode is missing important features.
- They are rebuilding the full “remote control” functionality directly into the app.
- This will be available before login, meaning:
- No dependency on cloud servers
- No dependency on subscriptions
- Full inverter control even if the company ever ceased trading
Its great that they are doing all these enhancements to the app to give full local control
But, I think there is a caveat that such local control can only be provided as long as the app remains available on the app stores and compatible with your devices.
I think it’s very likely, in fact really it’s inevitable, that future Android or iOS updates will mean that the givenergy app is no longer available if givenergy software cease trading.
Others have mentioned that the current givenergy app requires Android 10 so if you have an older device you are out of luck.
Probably only a risk for a few years down the road, but just worth being aware of
Yep some very good points there.
The BBC Basic Inverter app might get pulled from Apple store soon I hear.
Hopefully RubikCube will keep up his development, so the app remains active in both android and apple stores - until such time everyone’s hardware is of the age where it needs replacing (cuz I guess even for RC, there comes a point where development is just not worth it for the dwindling user base)
GivTCP and HA for the win… Until such point that becomes unfeasible too - as I assume GivTCP might also need further development to continue to work successfully with an ever changing Home Assistant environment.
For the Apple centric (IOG) users I released a local first, control from anywhere solutionGivEnergy Local + Intelligent Octopus Go