FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Helikeep. Can't find your answer? Contact support.
Getting Started
What is Helikeep?
Helikeep is a plug-and-play solar monitoring device that connects to your charge controller and lets you monitor your solar system from anywhere. It also automatically protects your battery by cutting non-essential loads when voltage gets too low.
What do I need to use Helikeep?
1. A compatible charge controller with an RS485/Modbus communication port (most EPEVER, SRNE, Renogy controllers have one). 2. A WiFi network at your installation site. 3. A 12V battery system. That's it. No Home Assistant, no Raspberry Pi, no technical knowledge required.
How long does setup take?
About 5 minutes. Plug in the cable, connect to the Helikeep WiFi hotspot from your phone, select your WiFi network, and you're done.
Does Helikeep work without internet?
Yes. Battery protection (automatic load shedding) and the local web interface work entirely offline. The cloud dashboard requires internet, but it's optional — not required.
Can I use Helikeep without creating an account?
Yes. You can use Helikeep in local-only mode without any account. You'll have full access to the local web interface on your WiFi network. Creating a free account adds the cloud dashboard for remote access.
Compatibility
Which charge controllers are supported?
Currently: EPEVER Tracer AN and BN series (fully tested). Coming soon: SRNE ML series, Renogy Rover series, PowMr MPPT series. Any controller with RS485 Modbus RTU over RJ45 is potentially compatible.
Will it work with my PWM controller?
Probably not. Most PWM controllers don't have a communication port. Helikeep requires an RS485/Modbus port to read data from the controller.
Does it work with Victron controllers?
No. Victron uses a proprietary protocol (VE.Direct) that isn't compatible with Modbus RTU. Victron has its own monitoring solution (VRM portal + Cerbo GX).
Can I use it with a 24V or 48V system?
Currently, Helikeep is designed for 12V systems. 24V and 48V support is planned but not yet available.
Battery Protection
How does automatic battery protection work?
Helikeep continuously monitors your battery voltage. When it drops below a safe threshold (12.1V for Calcium/Sealed batteries), Helikeep sends a command to your charge controller to turn off the LOAD output. When the sun comes up and solar charging raises the battery voltage above the recovery threshold (12.4V), the load is restored automatically.
Can I change the voltage thresholds?
Yes. Configure through the local web interface or cloud dashboard: Calcium/Sealed (12.1V/12.4V), AGM (11.8V/12.2V), LiFePO4 (12.0V/12.8V), Gel (11.7V/12.1V).
What loads does it disconnect?
Helikeep controls the LOAD output on your charge controller. Whatever is connected to that output gets disconnected. Devices connected directly to the battery (bypassing the controller's load output) are NOT controlled by Helikeep.
Will this damage my fridge or router?
No. Cutting power to a fridge is safe — it's the same as unplugging it. Routers also handle power cycling gracefully. The only risk is for devices that require a proper shutdown sequence (like a computer with an HDD) — don't connect such devices to the controller's LOAD output.
Data & Privacy
What data does Helikeep collect?
Solar system sensor data: battery voltage, solar panel output, load consumption, controller temperature, device temperature. Helikeep does NOT collect: personal information beyond your email, location data (unless you manually add it), browsing data, or any data from other devices on your network.
Where is my data stored?
On servers in the EU (Hetzner, Germany). Your data never leaves the EU.
Can I delete my data?
Yes. Delete your account and all associated data at any time from the account settings page. Deletion is immediate and permanent.
Can I export my data?
PRO users can export all sensor data as CSV files.
Technical Questions
How often does Helikeep take readings?
Every 14 minutes. The device wakes up, connects to WiFi, reads all sensors, publishes data, checks for commands, and goes back to sleep.
How much power does Helikeep draw?
Negligible. During deep sleep (13 of every 14 minutes), power consumption is in the microamp range. Over 24 hours, total consumption is roughly equivalent to an LED indicator light.
Can I keep Helikeep awake all the time?
Yes. There's a 'Prevent Deep Sleep' toggle in the dashboard. When enabled, Helikeep stays awake and provides continuous readings. Only recommended if you have sufficient solar generation.
What happens if an update fails?
Helikeep uses a dual-partition OTA scheme. If a new firmware fails to boot, the device automatically rolls back to the previous working version.
What if my WiFi goes down?
Battery protection continues to work — it runs entirely on the device. Sensor data is queued locally and published when WiFi reconnects.
Purchasing & Returns
Where can I buy Helikeep?
Helikeep is available on Amazon, eBay, and eMAG.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship within the EU via Amazon. International shipping outside the EU may be available via eBay.
What's the return policy?
30-day money-back guarantee. If Helikeep doesn't work with your controller or doesn't meet your expectations, return it for a full refund.
Is there a warranty?
2-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. The device is rated IP66 (waterproof, dustproof) and designed for outdoor installation.
Still have questions?
Our support team is happy to help.