Enapter Handbook

# Dryer Control Network

# Introduction

The Dryer Control Network (DCN) function is Smart Control for Dryer and Water Tank (optional) using M2M (opens new window) communication between Electrolysers, Dryer and Water Tank via a wireless MESH network. This type of control allows to lower down energy consumption, reduce the possibility of operating errors and increase the safety.

The MESH network operates on the basis of the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standard at 2.4 GHz and allows you to connect up to 5 Electrolysers, 1 Dryer and 1 Water Tank (optional) without requiring any specific Wi-Fi infrastructure support. MESH network automatically chooses the root device (which might be connected to the Wi-Fi router in case of Cloud Connection) in the MESH network based on Wi-Fi signal strength to ensure the reliable communication.

Aside from intelligent control, the Dryer Control Network allows to:

  • Monitor and manage Dryer and Water Tank from any Electrolyser in the MESH network using Modbus TCP interface. To learn more check the EL 2.1 Latest Modbus TCP Interface or EL 4.0 Latest Modbus TCP Interface and paragraph for Dryer registers.
  • Cover WiFi blind spots in home-deployment scenarios where the WiFi signal cannot be reached.
  • Enlarge maximum number of possible connections to the WiFi router. For 7 devices (5 Electrolysers, 1 Dryer and 1 Water Tank(optional)) in the Dryer Control Network only 1 connection will be established to the WiFi router instead of 7, because only root device is connected to the WiFi router.

Check out our video to learn more about Dryer Control Network.

# Resources

Dryer Control Network Quick Start Guide - EN

# Dryer Control Network with Enapter Cloud Connection

# How it works?

When the Dryer Control Network (DCN) is enabled, the Dryer will start only when at least one of the Electrolysers is reporting the Steady state. In all other cases the Dryer will be automatically stopped. When you want to ensure that the Dryer won't be started automatically you can stop it manually by pressing the button on the front panel or via the stop button in the cloud.

Electrolysers, the Dryer and the Water Tank must be connected to the Cloud and available online.

Enapter gateway is optional in DCN with Enapter Cloud Connection mode.

# Requirements

Warning

Starting from Dryer Firmware 3.9.0 it is required to update Electrolyser EL 2.1 to Firmware 1.12.0 or above, Electrolyser EL 4.0 to Firmware 3.3.0 or above and Water Tank WT 2.1 to Firmware 1.4.0 or above.

  • API version 1.0:

    • Dryer Firmware: 3.1.0 - 3.8.0.
    • Electrolyser EL 4.0 Firmware: 3.0.0 - 3.2.0.
    • Electrolyser EL 2.1 Firmware: 1.5.0 - 1.11.1.
    • Water Tank WT 2.1 Firmware: 1.3.0.
    • Mobile Application: 2.11 and later.

  • API version 2.0:

    • Dryer Firmware: 3.9.0 and later.
    • Electrolyser EL 4.1 Firmware: 3.4.0 and later.
    • Electrolyser EL 4.0 Firmware: 3.3.0 and later.
    • Electrolyser EL 2.1 Firmware: 1.12.0 and later.
    • Water Tank WT 2.1 Firmware: 1.4.0 and later.
    • Mobile Application: 2.11 and later.

# Enabling Dryer Control Network

To enable the Dryer Control Network (DCN):

  1. Make sure all devices are installed and turned on.
  2. Connect Dryer, Electrolysers and Water Tank (optional) to the site in the Enapter Cloud.
  3. Open the Dryer Dashboard in the Enapter App.
  4. Press Settings button at the top right corner to open the About screen.
  5. Select the Dryer Control Network option. In case you don't see this option in the list, make sure the device firmware is up to date and your access level allows you to control the device.
  6. Click Create Control Network.
  7. With checkboxes select up to five Electrolysers and one Water Tank (optional) which are physically connected to Dryer.
  8. Click Create button and confirm it.
  9. Wait while Network enabled on all devices.

# Removing Dryer Control Network

To remove the Dryer Control Network (DCN):

  1. Run Enapter App and navigate to your site Dashboard.
  2. Select the Dryer from the list.
  3. Press Settings button at the top right corner to open the About screen.
  4. Select the Dryer Control Network option.
  5. Click Delete Network and confirm removal.
  6. Wait while Network is removed.

# Isolated Dryer Control Network

Warning

Devices connected to the Isolated Dryer Control Network (IDCN) will go offline in any other Wi-Fi networks and sites in Enapter Cloud. This doesn't affect local Ethernet port connections.

Note

Status of the Isolated Dryer Control Network (IDCN) is available only in the Electrolyser's Web GUI (opens new window).

# How it works?

When the Isolated Dryer Control Network (IDCN) is enabled, Dryer will start only when at least one of Electrolysers is reporting the Steady state. In all other cases Dryer will be automatically stopped. When you want to ensure that Dryer won't be started automatically you can stop it manually by pressing the button on the front panel.

# Requirements

Warning

Starting from Dryer Firmware 3.9.0 it is required to update Electrolyser EL 2.1 to Firmware 1.12.0 or above, Electrolyser EL 4.0 to Firmware 3.3.0 or above and Water Tank WT 2.1 to Firmware 1.4.0 or above.

  • API version 1.0:

    • Dryer Firmware: 3.3.0 - 3.8.0.
    • Electrolyser EL 4.0 Firmware: 3.0.0 - 3.2.0.
    • Electrolyser EL 2.1 Firmware: 1.8.0 - 1.11.1.
    • Water Tank WT 2.1 Firmware: 1.3.0.

  • API version 2.0:

    • Dryer Firmware: 3.9.0 and later.
    • Electrolyser EL 4.1 Firmware: 3.4.0 and later.
    • Electrolyser EL 4.0 Firmware: 3.3.0 and later
    • Electrolyser EL 2.1 Firmware: 1.12.0 and later.
    • Water Tank WT 2.1 Firmware: 1.4.0 and later.

# Enabling Isolated Dryer Control Network

  1. Start Dryer's Pairing Mode
    • Turn off Dryer.
    • To begin pairing, press and hold the Start/Stop button and TURN ON Dryer.
    • Hold the button. The LEDs will start blinking one after another. Wait until the LEDs stop and start blinking again.
    • Release the button. All LEDs on the device will blink once and start blinking one by one.
    • Dryer is in pairing mode. Start pairing Electrolysers as shown below. The pairing mode will stay active for 30 minutes.
  2. Start Electrolyser's Pairing Mode
    • Turn off Electrolyser.
    • To begin pairing, press and hold the Start/Stop button and TURN ON Electrolyser.
    • Hold the button. The LEDs start blinking one after another. Wait until the LEDs stop and start blinking again.
    • Release the button. All LEDs on the device will blink once and start blinking one by one.
    • Electrolyser is in pairing mode.
    • Repeat step 2 for each Electrolyser you want to connect.
  3. Start Water Tank's Pairing Mode (optional)
    • Turn off Water Tank.
    • To begin pairing, turn Water Tank on and off 5 times. Turn the device on, as soon as the LEDs light up, turn the device off again. Wait for the LEDs to stop blinking before turning the device on again.
    • Turn on Water Tank. All LEDs start blinking one by one.
    • Water Tank is in pairing mode.
  4. Finish Pairing
    • Press and immediately release the Start/Stop button on Dryer to finish pairing. All LEDs will blink once.
    • In case of invalid network configuration all three LEDs will blink three times quickly until UCM is rebooted.

# Removing Isolated Dryer Control Network

In case you have any issue with your Isolated Dryer Control Network (IDCN), you can delete it using Factory Settings Reset. You can reset the Dryer and each connected device in any order.

For more information please check the Factory Settings Reset section for each device:

# FAQ

# How To Setup Multiple Isolated Dryer Control Networks

If you have more than one Dryer, it is possible to set up the Isolated Dryer Control Network for each Dryer separately. No difference between installing the IDCN for one Dryer or several Dryers. You should set up the IDCN with the provided instruction for the first Dryer and devices connected to it, then check the Electrolyser Web GUI to ensure that all required devices are connected to the IDCN. Only after that you can set up the IDCN for the second Dryer and devices connected to it, otherwise it is possible that devices, connected to the first Dryer, will connect to the second Dryer's IDCN and vice versa.

# How To Add New Devices To Existing Isolated Dryer Control Network

Isolated Dryer Control Network can contain one Dryer, one Water Tank and up to five Electrolysers. It is possible to add extra Electrolysers to an already created Isolated Dryer Control Network. The following step by step instruction illustrates how to do it.

  1. Don't do anything with Electrolysers already connected to the Isolated Dryer Control Network.
  2. Follow the instruction for enabling pairing mode for the existing Dryer and new Electrolysers connected to it.
  3. When the pairing is complete, new Electrolysers will be added to the existing Isolated Dryer Control Network.

It isn't possible to add a new Dryer to the existing Isolated Dryer Control Network. If you want to connect existing Electrolysers to the new Dryer you will need to do Factory Settings Reset for each existing Electrolyser. After that you can create a new Isolated Dryer Control Network by following the instruction.

If your Isolated Dryer Control Network already contains five Electrolysers, it is not possible to add a new one, even if some of the Electrolysers are not being used. To add a new Electrolyser, firstly you will need to do a Factory Settings Reset for the Dryer and for all Electrolysers connected to the Isolated Dryer Control Network. Then you can create a new network by following the instruction.

# How To Update Dryer's Firmware Using Electrolyser Web GUI

Starting from Electrolyser's EL 2.1 firmware 1.9.0 it is possible to update Dryer's firmware using Electrolyser Web GUI (opens new window).

Please check the instructions on how to do it.

# How To Update Water Tank's Firmware Using Electrolyser Web GUI

Starting from Electrolyser's EL 2.1 firmware 1.10.0 it is possible to update Water Tank's firmware using Electrolyser Web GUI (opens new window).

Please check the instructions on how to do it.

# How To Control Dryer From Electrolyser's Modbus TCP Interface

Ready to use example (opens new window) written in python programming language is available on our github repository.

# How To Connect Existing Dryer Control Network To Different WiFi SSID

In case you plan to move the systems to a new site location where different Wi-Fi SSID is used it is recommended to remove the Dryer Control Network in advance using Mobile Application while devices are still connected using existing Wi-Fi SSID to the Cloud.

In case your device is already Offline and it is not possible to use the old Wi-Fi SSID, you will be required to perform a Factory Settings Reset. To learn how to do this, refer to the Removing Isolated Dryer Control Network paragraph of this manual.

# Limitations

In order to get DCN/IDCN working properly make sure to take into account the following limitations.

  • When the Dryer Control Network is enabled, it is not possible to set up a device (Electrolyser, Dryer or Water Tank) using the Mobile App by scanning QR code without making Removing Isolated Dryer Control Network or Removing Dryer Control Network.

  • The Dryer Control Network is incompatible with dryer-management-rule plugin on the Gateway. It is required to disable plugin before activation of the Dryer Control Network.

  • The Dryer Control Network is based on wireless communication and therefore the functionality can be affected with distance in between devices, obstructions between the devices and interference. At the time when this guide was written, the MESH network utilized the same Wi-Fi channel as the infrastructure Wi-Fi router used for Enapter Cloud connection. You are responsible for selecting the correct channel according to the local radio regulations.

  • Before connecting devices to DCN make sure all of them have the same Wi-Fi SSID.

  • It is not possible to use Enapter Gateway with IDCN mode.

  • In case DCN with Cloud Connection is used, connection to cloud can not be disabled. Long time disconnect from the uplink Wi-Fi router is not recommended and can cause unstable operation.

Universal Communication Modules (UCM)