dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter Service

based on https://github.com/victronenergy/velib_python/blob/master/dbusdummyservice.py

installer script from https://github.com/Louisvdw/dbus-serialbattery

Purpose

This service is meant to be run on a raspberry Pi with Venus OS from Victron. The Python script tykes current measurements from MQTT and posts it as PV inverter values. This makes is possible to add a 3rd party inverter to the venus panel.

My Setup

I have a Victron Multiplus II 3kw and a DIY LiFePo4 286kWh batteries with Daly Smart BMSes. Additionally there are a Solis 6kW 3-Phase inverter connected by Modbus RTU (see my other repo) and an older Conergy/Suntechnics/Voltwerk VS5 single phase 5kW PV inverter. As the CAN bus is cryptic, I just measure is with a CT current transformer sampled by a very simple analog digital converter on a Wmod D1 Mini (ESP8266) and send the current value to my MQTT broker. This value is then picked up by this driver.

Installation

1. Clone the repo or copy the files to the folder /data/etc/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter

2. Set permissions for py and .sh files if not yet executable:

   chmod +x /data/etc/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter/service/run

   chmod +x /data/etc/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter/*.sh

   chmod +x /data/etc/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter/*.py

3. run ./install.sh

   The daemon-tools should automatically start this service within seconds.

Debugging

Check if its running

You can check the status of the service with svstat:

svstat /service/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter

It will show something like this:

/service/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter: up (pid 10078) 325 seconds

If the number of seconds is always 0 or 1 or any other small number, it means that the service crashes and gets restarted all the time.

Analysing

When you think that the script crashes, start it directly from the command line:

python /data/etc/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter.py

and see if it throws any error messages.

The logs can be checked here; /var/log/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter

Restart the script

If you want to restart the script, for example after changing it, just run the following command:

/data/etc/dbus-generic-mqtt-pvinverter/kill_me.sh

The daemon-tools will restart the script within a few seconds.

Hardware

In my installation at home, I am using the following Hardware:

• Solis S5-GR3P6K 6kW tri phase PV inverter
• Voltwerk VS5 5kW single phase
• Victron MultiPlus-II 3kW - Battery Inverter (single phase)
• Raspberry Pi 3B+ - For running Venus OS
• 2 DIY LiFePO4 Batteries with Daly Smart BMS, connected with dbus-serialbattery
• currently dbus-AggragateBatteries to gather the Daly data
• SmartShunt