How to use Smart Matching Mode
Smart Matching Mode is a Cloud-base feature, so you need to keep the SolarFlow and the ‘sensor’ devices have stable Wi-Fi connections all the time.
Smart Matching Mode
Introduce the function of Smart Matching Mode and its advantages and disadvantages.
Smart Matching Mode is an easy-to-use feature that can automatically balance the output of SolarFlow and the consumption of specific devices. This installation is plug-and-play; you don’t need to modify any existing wiring in your house. Currently, Smart Matching Mode only supports smart plugs, but shortly, we plan to connect more and more smart appliances, potentially covering nearly all home energy consumption using a plug-and-play approach.
Let's summarize the good and bad points of Smart Matching Mode:
Good Point: Plug-and-play; no need to change any existing wiring in your house.
Bad Point: For now, you need to connect a smart plug to each appliance in a series of connections to allow the system to automatically sense the needs of each appliance.
Explain the working principle of Smart Matching Mode
Next, let's learn more about Smart Matching Mode.
Once all installations of SolarFlow and each smart plug are complete, activate the Smart Matching Mode on the SolarFlow Energy Plan page of the Zendure App. The cloud will begin calculating the total sum of these smart plugs and send it as a new output value to SolarFlow in real time. This means you will see the output of SolarFlow gradually match the demand value.
Special Note: SolarFlow has a reaction time when adjusted from one specific output value to another ( Normally needs 1-3 minutes ). Therefore, if there are sudden spikes or drops in the demand value, SolarFlow may not be able to immediately adjust and match these changes.
About the "House Priority" switch
Regarding Power Fluctuations:
Due to the micro inverter's accuracy, particularly in situations of low output, SolarFlow will experience power fluctuations; the lower the power, the more unstable these fluctuations become. This is especially noticeable when the output is below 100W, but the system becomes more stable as the output increases.
Due to the presence of power fluctuations, we have added a ‘House Priority' switch, allowing users with different preferences to adjust whether the power fluctuates at higher or lower levels based on their actual situation.
- Suppose the ‘House Priority' switch is on. In that case, SolarFlow adopts a relatively aggressive output approach, aiming to match fully or even slightly exceed the total demand of the smart plugs, thereby maximizing the satisfaction of household appliance needs (for example, if the total smart plugs demand is 200W, SolarFlow will set its output to 190W). However, this can lead to a slight backflow of electricity into the public grid during output power fluctuations. If you do not mind a small amount of electricity backflowing into the grid, we recommend turning on the ‘House Priority' switch.
- Suppose the ‘House Priority' switch is off. In that case, SolarFlow adopts a more conservative output method, leaving a buffer of 30W-60W between its output and the total demand of the smart plugs (for example, if the total Smart Plugs demand is 200W, SolarFlow will set its output to 170W) to ensure as little electricity as possible backflows into the public grid. This approach also minimizes the amount of electricity that backflows into the public grid during output power fluctuations. If you are concerned about electricity backflowing into the grid, we recommend turning off the 'House Priority' switch.
Special Note: When SolarFlow Output below 100W, SolarFlow only have four settings(0W, 30W, 60W, 90W). So if you turn on the ‘House Priority' switch, SolarFlow will use the setting above the demand value( for example demand value is 45W, SolarFlow will set it to 60W). And if you turn off the ‘House Priority' switch, SolarFlow will use the setting below the demand value( for example demand value is 45W, SolarFlow will set it to 30W)About Bypass Mode
When SolarFlow activates Smart Matching Mode also the battery is already fully charged, and SolarFlow will enter bypass mode. You will see an orange bar on the SolarFlow Page of the Zendure App (shown in the picture below).
When SolarFlow is detected below 20W for 5 minutes, then SolarFlow exits the bypass mode and back to Smart Matching Mode.
About Base Load
In Smart Matching Mode, you can add a 'Base Load.' This means you can include the electricity used by devices that don’t connect to smart plugs. The 'Real-time Appliance Power Demand' adds up the electricity from all your smart plugs plus this Base Load. This helps you track all the electricity your home uses, even from devices not on smart plugs.
How to use Smart Matching Mode
Using Smart Matching Mode is very easy. Open the Zendure App, navigate to the SolarFlow Page, and then go to the Energy Plan Page. Scroll down, and you will see the Smart Matching Mode. Click the ‘Monitor Device’ button to choose the smart plug you want to match. Click 'Save' on the Device Selecting page, then 'Save' again on the Energy Plan Page, and everything is done. The system will start to calculate the total sum of these smart plugs and send the new output value to SolarFlow in real-time. You will then see the output value gradually match the demand value in the Smart Matching Mode feature (This process usually takes 1-3 minutes to complete and will continue adjusting in real-time).
Special Note: Currently, it only supports the Zendure Smart Plug and Shelly Smart Plug. You can authorize the Shelly Plug in the Zendure App by tapping 'Mine' -> 'Shelly' as shown in the picture below. You can check the latest supported devices by clicking the 'Supported Device' button under the Smart Matching Mode feature.