FAQs

My Lumin Smart Panel won't connect to the WiFi network. How can I fix this?

Lumin Smart Panels require a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. Ensure that your router is broadcasting 2.4 GHz, verify that the external WiFi antenna is installed on the Lumin Smart Panel, and, if the router, network name, or password have changed, "teach" Lumin the new network credentials. WiFi and setup information can be accessed here: 
https://luminsmart.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/72000517788-procedure-for-new-router-or-changed-wifi-credentials



I got a new router. How can I teach Lumin my new WiFi credentials?

Lumin Smart Panels require a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. Ensure that your router is broadcasting 2.4 GHz, verify that the external WiFi antenna is installed on the Lumin Smart Panel, and, if the router, network name, or password have changed, "teach" Lumin the new network credentials. WiFi and setup information can be accessed here: 
https://luminsmart.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/72000517788-procedure-for-new-router-or-changed-wifi-credentials



What does it mean when the electrical data in the Lumin app is negative?


That depends! 

Solar energy circuits should display negative data. Home battery circuits should display negative data when discharging. You can think about this as subtracting from the energy you need to import from the grid. 

All other circuits in the Lumin app, as well as "Everything Else" should generally be positive. There are a variety of reasons these circuits might accidentally be negative. Call or write to Lumin Support so we can help you sort it out.  


What is "Everything Else"?

Lumin measures all of the power being used in an electrical panel. Lumin also directly measures the consumption of the individual circuits under Lumin control. There will be loads that are not controlled by Lumin and so are not directly measured, but are part of the total consumption of the electrical panel. "Everything Else" is a calculated value: the consumption of individual circuits is subtracted from the whole house consumption, resulting in a consumption value for "Everything Else" that is not directly connected to Lumin. 


What is Smart Power Mode?

Lumin's Smart Power Mode helps extend the runtime of a home's backup battery during a grid outage and prevents the energy storage system from being overloaded. 

Smart Power Mode can be configured to shed individual circuits under the following circumstances:

  • As soon as a grid outage is detected.
  • As soon as the power demanded by circuits in the house exceeds a power limit (this prevents the battery's inverter from tripping).
  • Once the state of charge of a home's battery decreases (only available with selected battery brands).

Compared to traditional battery backup without Lumin, these features make it possible to connect most, or even all, of the circuits in a home to the backed-up electrical panel, without the need for a battery and inverter large enough to run everything in the house simultaneously. The system owner can use the Lumin app to choose which circuits receive backup power and Lumin will ensure that the backup system is not overloaded.

Smart Power Mode will soon be replaced by Off-Grid Manager. More information about that feature will be added as the feature is introduced.


How do I configure Smart Power Mode? 

The following resource details how to set up Smart Power Mode: 

https://luminsmart.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/72000508201-what-is-smart-power-mode-


How does Lumin manage energy based on a battery's state of charge?

SolarEdge Home Batteries, Enphase IQ Batteries, Telsa Powerwall, Franklin Whole Home, and EG4 batteries can be configured to share state-of-charge (SOC) information with Lumin, and Lumin can shed designated circuits when these batteries deplete below the state of charge the user selects for that circuit. When the charge surpasses the selected level, the shed load will be reconnected. 

Details on battery state of charge integration: 
https://luminsmart.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/72000633420-integrating-battery-state-of-charge-with-smart-power-mode


What types of loads should I use Lumin to control?

Control what matters. Users see the most advantage in off-grid capability and extended runtime when only large loads like air conditioners, pool pumps, and EV charging equipment are controlled. It is not necessary to control all circuits with Lumin. 


Never use Lumin to control equipment related to life safety, such as fire alarms, medical equipment, or elevators. Do not use Lumin to control the circuit that powers a home's WiFi router. 



Why didn't Lumin respond when grid power was lost?


There are several reasons why Lumin might not respond to a grid outage. 

a. If Smart Power Mode is not visible as a smart control in the Lumin app or if during the outage, the app did not display a red banner reading "Operating Off-Grid", Lumin's Grid Detection Circuit (GDC) is not installed or is installed improperly. Installers should refer to the following document to ensure proper GDC installation and operation: 
https://luminsmart.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/72000513931-installing-the-grid-detection-circuit

b. If Smart Power Mode is available, ensure that it is enabled. Open Smart Power Mode in the app and ensure that the slider at the top right of the screen is green and moved to the right. 

c. Ensure that the circuits are not all in the "Essential" category. Loads in this category will not be shed when an outage occurs. Read more about how to configure Smart Power Mode here:

https://luminsmart.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/72000508201-what-is-smart-power-mode-


How do I add a new user to my Lumin system?

Existing users can add or delete other users with the procedure outlined here: https://luminsmart.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/72000605898-adding-and-removing-users-from-a-lumin-location


Is Lumin compatible with my breaker panel and my home's energy storage system?


Yes! Lumin is compatible with any electrical panel. Lumin can be used in a home without solar, but is compatible with any solar PV system and any home battery. (Only Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, SolarEdge, Franklin WH, and EG4 home batteries work with Lumin's state-of-charge-based response.)