solis 4g reader to mqtt

The script reads the solis 4g converter and push the data to a MQTT server. This can then be shown in other tools like Home Assistant, ...

Requirements

• Raspberry pi or equal (python3 need to be installed)
• Two kabels that need to be solderd or crocodile kabels
• MAX485 module for RS485 serial communication USB OR some other hardware that can do this

Hardware setup

On the MAX485 module you have two input ports called A and B. On the Solis 4g converter you have 4 numbered COM ports. You need to connect port 3 of the Solis to port A of the MAX485 module and port 4 to the B.

Software setup

In my case I needed a driver for my MAX485 module. If you have the same please check this site.

Docker setup

You just need to run one command to run Solis reader in docker

docker run --name Solis \
        --restart always \
        -e MQTT_HOST={ip adress of mqtt server} \
        -e MQTT_PORT=1883 \
        -v /dev/ttyUSB0:/dev/ttyUSB0 \
        --privileged \
        -d lonelobo0070/solis_4g_reader_to_mqtt:latest

Manual setup

Download the python file on your system and try to run it using python3 solis.py. It is possible you need to install additional python modules. You can do this by calling pip3 install <module>.

The Python script does use following modules:

• minimalmodbus
• paho.mqtt

To run the script on a regular basis create a cron job for it (contab -e). For example I have a cronjob that calls the script every five minutes: */5 * * * * python3 /home/ubuntu/solisApp/solis.py.

Configuration

The script need to be changed to connect to the correct mqtt host. You can do this by changing mqtt_host en mqtt_port properties in the file.