Shark meters that can connect to Tigo's Cloud Connect (CC) or Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA) are those equipped with Modbus RTU RS-485. Meters sold separately by Electro Industries / Gauge Tech. Those models include:
- Shark 50-VX-485P-X
- Shark 100-X0-X-VX-X-485P
- Shark 100T
- Shark 200
- Shark 200T
(Per manufacturer website, Electro Industries / Gauge Tech, as of March 2017).
Wire the Shark Meter to the CC or CCA
Shark meters mentioned above have their Modbus RTU RS-485 at the back of the device, port name "COM2", see figure 1.
Figure 1: Top 3 connections of the COM2 port on the back of the Shark meter needs to be connected to the CC or CCA
Connect a CC or CCA RS-485 port (either RS485-1 or RS485-2) to COM2 port of the shark meter(s) as described in figure 2.
Note: old versions of CC may refer to the RS485 port as "optional", nevertheless notation remains the same as in figure 2.
Figure 2: Connection between CC / CCA RS485 port to Shark meter(s) COM2 port
Per Electro Industries / Gauge Tech:
- Viable connection between CC/CCA to furthest Shark meter is 4000 feet (1219.20 meters).
- Use shielded twisted pair cable AWG 22 (0.33mm2) or larger, grounding the shield at one end only (last meter).
- Use up to 31 shark meters on a single bus using RS485.
Configure a Shark Meter
Models Shark 50-VX-485P-X, Shark 100-X0-X-VX-X-485P, Shark 200
These models are equipped with a screen and buttons.
Press MENU to enter main screen. Flashing at the top window (window A) is the active selection. Scroll using DOWN arrow button. Press ENTER to select CFG (configuration). Use the DOWN button to find POrt (port), once appear on upper window (A) press ENTER.
- Adr (address) window will appear.
- If more than 1 shark meter is connected in series to the CC or CCA (multiple AC meters or other 3rd party devices communicating through MudBus RTU can be connected in series), each meter or other Modbus device that's connected in series to the same CC / CCA must have a unique address. Address number is between 0 to 247. You can select any number, as long as each device has its own individual address.
- Keep a log of each meter(s) and address(es) associated with it.
- To select an address for the Shark meter, once Adr is on window A:
- Use DOWN button to select the number value for a digit
- Use RIGHT button to move to the next digit
- Press ENTER to move from Adr to bAUd (baud rate). Once bAUd is on window A:
- Use RIGHT button or DOWN button to toggle between different baud rates.
- Switch between baud rates until you get to 9600.
- Press ENTER to move from bAUd to Prot (protocol). Once Prot is on window A:
- Press DOWN or RIGHT buttons to toggle between protocols.
- Switch between protocols until Mod rut.
- When you have finished making your selections, press MENU button twice.
- STOR ALL YES screen appears. Press ENTER to save settings.
Models Shark 100T, Shark 200T Shark 50-VX-485P-X, Shark 100-X0-X-VX-X-485P
Models Shark 100T and Shark 200T don't have a screen and buttons, therefore must be configured via the manufacturer's Communicator EXT 4.0. Models Shark 50-VX-485P-X, Shark 100-X0-X-VX-X-485P, Shark 200 can be configured either via screen and buttons as explained above, or via software.
To download the Communicator EXT 4.0 click here.
To view user manual of the program, click here.
- Install the software and open it.
- Click CONNECT on the toolbar, and follow instructions to establish connectivity with the meter. Once connection is established, click OK. Communicator EXT 4.0 main screen will pop up.
- Click PROFILE button on the toolbar.
- Select COMMUNICATION tab in the profile window, as shown in figure 3.
Figure 3: Communication tab in the Communicator EXT 4.0
- For COM2 (RS485) select the following parameters:
- Address: any number between 1 to 247.
- If more than 1 shark meter is connected in series to the CC or CCA (multiple AC meters or other 3rd party devices communicating through MudBus RTU can be connected in series), each meter or other Modbus device that's connected in series to the same CC / CCA must have a unique address. You can select any number, as long as each device has its own individual address.
- Keep a log of each meter(s) and address(es) associated with it.
- Protocol: Modbus RTU
- Baud Rate: 9600
- Response Delay (msec): 0 skdfm
- Click UPDATE once done setting these parameters to send and store them on the meter.
For more information click here to visit manufacturer's website and view complete installation and safety manuals.
Monitor at the Tigo Portal
Once device is wired and configured perform the steps in How-To: Setup and Monitor Modbus Connected Devices including Inverters, Meters & Sensors – Tigo Help Center (tigoenergy.com)
If you need to contact Tigo Technical Support please send an email to support@tigoenergy.com
Have your meter MODBUS address information, and a list of values you wish to monitor. If needed, our team will complete the setup so that you can view the meters on your Tigo monitoring portal. An unknown device will also require the devices MODBUS register mapping information which is in the device instruction manual or from the manufacturer.