EcoFlow River 3 Plus NUT Connection Troubleshooting

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EcoFlow River 3 Plus - NUT Connection Issues: A Troubleshooting Guide

Hey guys, if you're pulling your hair out trying to get your EcoFlow River 3 Plus to play nice with your Network UPS Tools (NUT) server, you're definitely not alone. It's a common issue, and the good news is, we can usually get this sorted. This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps, focusing on your specific setup, including the YAML configuration and the logs you've provided. Let's dive in and get this thing connected!

Understanding the Problem

The core issue, as you've stated, is the inability to connect the River 3 Plus to the NUT server after a new setup. You're connecting via USB, which is a standard method, but the logs reveal some key problems. Let's break down the error messages and then address the configuration.

Analyzing the Logs

Your logs are the key to unlocking the puzzle. We need to examine what's going wrong. Here's a breakdown of the critical parts:

  • Device Detection: The log confirms that your Home Assistant system is seeing the EcoFlow EF-UPS-RIVER 3 Plus via USB. That's a great start! It means the hardware connection is probably fine.
  • Driver Loading: The NUT server is attempting to use the usbhid-ups driver, which is the correct one for this device. The log states "Network UPS Tools - Generic HID driver 0.52 (2.8.1)"
  • Permission Errors: This is a big one. You're seeing: "libusb1: Could not open any HID devices: insufficient permissions on everything" This is the main reason why the driver is failing to start. The NUT server, or rather the user that NUT is running under, doesn't have the necessary permissions to access the USB devices. This is a common issue and can be resolved.
  • Driver Failure: Because of the permission issue, the usbhid-ups driver is failing to start. The log indicates "Driver failed to start (exit status=1)".

Troubleshooting Steps & Solutions

Let's get down to the business of fixing this, shall we?

1. Correcting USB Permissions

This is the most likely culprit. We need to grant the NUT service the permissions it needs. Since you're running this in a Home Assistant environment (and presumably Home Assistant OS), the steps might be slightly different. Here's what you can try:

  • Check User Permissions: Ensure that the user that the NUT server runs as has the right to access USB devices. This typically involves adding the user to a specific group, such as the dialout or usb group. The exact process depends on how the NUT server is implemented in your Home Assistant setup. The add-on documentation should provide guidance.
  • udev Rules: The udev system in Linux handles device permissions. You may need to create a udev rule to grant the appropriate permissions to your EcoFlow River 3 Plus. This is the recommended approach for persistent permissions. To do this, you'll need to identify the USB vendor and product IDs of your River 3 Plus (which you already have from the logs: 3746:ffff). Then create a file (e.g., /etc/udev/rules.d/99-ecoflow.rules) with the following content. Make sure to adjust the group to the appropriate group for your Home Assistant setup. You might need to change it to dialout if it is not plugdev.
ACTION=="add", ATTRS{idVendor}=="3746", ATTRS{idProduct}=="ffff", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

After creating or modifying the rules, reload the udev rules. You can usually do this by running sudo udevadm control --reload-rules and then triggering a restart of the NUT add-on. This should make sure that the NUT service has access to the device.

2. YAML Configuration Review

Your YAML configuration looks good at first glance, but let's make sure it's optimized and there are no easy-to-miss problems:

users:
  - username: HAUPS
    password: "XXXXHJKIM"
    instcmds:
      - all
    actions: []
devices:
  - name: river3plus
    driver: usbhid-ups
    port: auto
    config: []
mode: netserver
shutdown_host: false
remote_ups_name: HAUPS
remote_ups_password: "XXXXHJKIM"
list_usb_devices: true
  • driver: usbhid-ups: This is correct for the River 3 Plus.
  • port: auto: This is also correct, as the NUT server will auto-detect the USB port. Although not ideal, the port: /dev/hidraw0 can be used to manually specify the port if auto does not work, but this is a very unlikely scenario.
  • mode: netserver: Since you are using a network connection for monitoring, this is the correct mode.
  • Check Passwords: Double-check your passwords. Ensure there are no typos, and it is a good idea to rotate them every now and then.

3. Restart and Log Review

After making these changes, restart the NUT add-on. Carefully review the logs again. This time, look for the following:

  • Successful Driver Start: The usbhid-ups driver should now start without permission errors.
  • UPS Status: If the driver starts successfully, the logs should show the status of the EcoFlow River 3 Plus, including battery level, load, and other relevant information.

4. Further Troubleshooting

If you're still having issues, consider these additional steps:

  • Home Assistant Supervisor Logs: Check the Home Assistant Supervisor logs for any additional clues or errors.
  • NUT Client Configuration: Since you're using mode: netserver, make sure your NUT client (the device monitoring the UPS) is configured correctly. This involves specifying the correct hostname/IP address and credentials.
  • Firmware Updates: Although unlikely, ensure your EcoFlow River 3 Plus has the latest firmware.
  • Hardware Issues: While less likely, a faulty USB cable or a problem with the USB port can cause connection issues. Try a different USB cable and a different port on your Home Assistant server.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a slightly more structured approach to tackling this issue, breaking down the steps into easily digestible pieces.

  1. Access Home Assistant: Open your Home Assistant interface. If you are using Home Assistant OS, then SSH access will be required. You may need to enable SSH access in Home Assistant first.
  2. Stop the NUT Add-on: Disable the NUT add-on in Home Assistant. This will prevent conflicts while you make changes.
  3. Check and Modify Permissions: Log in via SSH. Access the console and run the commands from section 1. Remember to adjust the group name (plugdev or dialout) as needed. Save the file. Run sudo udevadm control --reload-rules.
  4. Restart NUT Add-on: Restart the NUT add-on in Home Assistant. Check the logs.
  5. Configure NUT Client: Configure the NUT client to connect to the network UPS service.
  6. Test: If everything works, you should see the status and various readings from your EcoFlow River 3 Plus in Home Assistant!

Conclusion

Getting your EcoFlow River 3 Plus connected to NUT is usually straightforward once you overcome the permission issues. By systematically working through these steps, you should be able to get it working. Remember to always consult the official documentation for both Home Assistant and NUT for the most up-to-date information. Good luck, and happy monitoring, folks!

If you're still stuck, head over to the Home Assistant forums or other relevant online communities. Be sure to include your logs and the steps you've tried. The community is generally very helpful, and with all that information, someone is bound to help you!