off grid in germany

[boB]

And Larry,  very interesting...

Found some code.

https://github.com/Frankkkkk/python-pylontech

[binkino]

oh that looks interesting, we will have a look at - thanks!


The BananaPI is on it's limits I guess, pages loading is too slow now
So I will have to change to the RPI2 tomorrow. Should run a bit better (has 4 cores)


What I wanted to do all the time .. a simple page I can have a quick look at the most importand datas on my phone.
I did it now. First version (reduced resolution/quality for upload) :

[ClassicCrazy]

And Larry,  very interesting...

Found some code.

https://github.com/Frankkkkk/python-pylontech

Thanks Bob
I will have to see if it works on my battery.
Larry

[ClassicCrazy]

oh that looks interesting, we will have a look at - thanks!


The BananaPI is on it's limits I guess, pages loading is too slow now
So I will have to change to the RPI2 tomorrow. Should run a bit better (has 4 cores)


What I wanted to do all the time .. a simple page I can have a quick look at the most importand datas on my phone.
I did it now. First version (reduced resolution/quality for upload) :

Is this using the code above that Bob  linked ?
Larry

[binkino]

no I still run it on my "old Pi"

will check the python

[binkino]

I have now setup my RPI2 and replaced the BPI.

I tried the PY but I run against the walls. At the end I had to setup the RPI2 again.

I am not happy with the PY, it is nothing "out of the box" and no intuitive usage.
You have to load the module files. That is generally ok - but to install them, you need a PIP or similar.
Why not just place them in a folder of the program? The dumbest programs work that way. In worst case, you have to open the settings and tell it, to use it (who remembers WinAmp ... that was a dream!)
Although PY has a GUI program. But why can't the user just simple call a function in the menu to import a module / library?
I searched the web, but all these instructions I found are incomplete. Like readme in todays project files.
In the old days, I remember back to C64 and Amiga time and is still a claim if you upload a thing to the Aminet), you had to add instructions. What exactly to install where and how to use it. The picture I have today of todays programmers I don't want to say here, it could hit the wrong people.

And PY2 has nothing to do with PY3 ... hard to find out.

I apologize if that all sounds harsh but that sucks.

Looking at the .py scripts, all looks logical and easy. But just to build up the environment is a nightmare.


But now I run my system like before again (Lattepanda with W10 and the battery monitoring program, and the RPI2 as my PV PI)
and will later have a look at this again.
But will setup one of my BananaPIs as a playground ;-) so I don't screw up the running system


I contunied to modify my pages here and there a bit, removed the gif animation what slowed down the page loading
Now just a simple background image of a empty battery that is changed to a full battery
And while charging/discharging, the empty battery is background and a "marquee" animation is running over it.
To the left is discharging and vsvs


I also was able to catch an ASUS 7" tablet in evilbay for 20 bugs, that's fine.
Good to have one in spare ;-)
They are old and outdated, now cheap, they do their work, no new e-waste.

[ClassicCrazy]

I get what you mean about projects you see - many are not documented or completed. But I guess people put up what code they have in case it is useful for others who are smart enough to know what it means.
The exception is the Classic DIY on github where Graham posted detailed instructions and others like me have tested and updated instructions as needed.
The thing is that changes in programs later often break working things.
I like to use Tasmota when i can because of the ease of making things that are supported work on esp8266 or esp32 boards. I haven't gotten into Home Assistant because that takes some effort to figure  out but a lot of people use it I guess. The support is out there for it.
I am just happy I know as much as I do about using linux on a Raspberry Pi - it took a lot of time for me to get to this.
So I understand your frustrations. Free stuff isn't always so cheap timewise !
Larry

[binkino]

That's right, he has a really great documentary



Today I tried to repaint the letters, they were washed away by the battery acid

left Classic with silver paint pencil (Edding) and the right classic with gold ... not sure which looks better ;-)
I have to paint one or two more layer and then scrape off the excess paint around the edges of the letters


I also fabricated a "duct" above the inverter, so the hot air is not heating up the 5 volt power supplies unnecessarily


I need to find a "watchdog" that checks, if the browser is running on the PI.
Looks like the browser (netsurf-gtk) crashes unexpected on the PI (running the Logging.php)

[ClassicCrazy]

What did you end up using for setpoints for the lithium batteries ?
Your electrical systems always look so different that ours here mainly because no one uses din rail except for in industrial controls for the most part.
I mean I know the classic DC  breakers come in din rail but that is the exception rather than the rule for most stuff - at least for AC boxes.
Larry

[binkino]

Hi Larry,

in the Midnite Solar Status Panel:

[BASIC]
Absorb: 53 V / 00:06
Equalize: 53 V / 00:00 (no auto)
Float 51,6 V (that is just the 0.1 v above the minimum voltage, the BMS starts charging), here teh BMS just will charge/discharge to keep the cells at 100% SOC

[Advanced]
Only on the South Classic:
AUX1: SOC% low / Auto / 30% / 50%

Output Amps: 78 A
Input Amps: 79 A
MinVolts: 48 V
Maximum Volts: 54 V

no Compensation

Effeciency 95% / Cap 198 / 0°C (still not sure but ... )


[TECH]

Ending Amps 10 / WBJr (only on the South Classic with the WBJr) (10 A looks ok)
Rebulk Volts: 52,5 V
Days betw.Bulk: 0 (not sure, but looks to work)

- - - - -

btw. the Classic never shows 100% SOC, it ends at 99% SOC. A cosmetic thing, the BMS is in control for the charging.



yes our both electric systems really look so much different ;-)

Din rails are standard in all installations here, also in the smallest "sub distribution box" in homes for a hand full breakers, an RCI, or a relay,... that makes it easy for installations and so on

It made things so easy to have the din rail by hand and mount them with rivets them to the board, clip on the fuses, plugs, breakers, and wire them up


Andy

[littleharbor2]

Some Square D QOU breakers come with din rail mount configurations. I have built a few small 2 circuit breaker boxes and combiner boxes with them.

[binkino]

uuh, yes there they are ;-)

I find it interesting, that the non-din rail version has these snappy contacts on the backside for easy installation and change to another breaker.
Are there any known problems with oxidation of the surface and high resistance over the time?



I changed back to the BPI and it is running stable now again. Slow but stable.
One big bottleneck is the wifi bridge with two good old FritzBox 7270 (v3).
I didn't want to drill a hole in the floor to install a network cable down to the system, but maybe the time has come for the old 7270 ...
I am still not sure what to do, but installing a cable from my modem/router down in the basement/cellar to the system is very complicated.

Also I have been thinking about an alternative to the PIs ... I tried installing some "leightweight"Linuxes in a VM on my Lattepanda and on my "Server", where I could run the php stuff from my PI, also "full" versions liek a Mint or Ubuntu ... but how we know Linux, Murphy is finding a way to throw sticks in the bike's wheels. No luck with it.

I also tried run the PI's php stuff on my "Server" (W10, yes I know...) where Xaamp is installed, also PHP, but I get so many error messages in the Logging.php browser window, I can't figure out where the problem is. Possible this only runs on a Linux machine?

So other solution could be, I have two Intel D525MW machines. One is a "just for fun" WinUAE machine, the other is my old "Server".
They have 4GB Ram, Intel Atom 2x 1,8Ghz...
Only sharing my thoughts ... what if I install a Windos and a VM on it. In Windos I run the battery program, and in the VM a Linux (wich?) But I am affraid that is to heavy for the Atoms.
Or only a Linux and have more CPU power compared to the PI ... running the battery program on the Lattepanda ... I still have to find the time to find out how that python has to be installed ...

Would it make sense to install a second BPI with the same installation like the "BPI1" and BPI1 is only running the Logging.php and stores the data file local and on a share on the BPI2,
and the BPI2 only has to serve the websites?


But I think I will first temporarily lay a network cable to the system and check what changes... 

[Vic]

   ...   I find it interesting, that the non-din rail version has these snappy contacts on the backside for easy installation and change to another breaker.
Are there any known problems with oxidation of the surface and high resistance over the time?   ...

Hi Andy,

I am NOT littleharbor,  but,  YES the DIN rail Square D breakers, are the QOU series, and the "plug-on" breakers are generally the QO series.

When new,, the QO breakers, come with a small amount of antioxidant grease on the inside of the electrical contacts.  Almost, without exception, the Square D electrical panels use Al buss bars, which would be subject to oxidation.  The included grease is very viscous, and stays in place.  Someone reusing QO breakers,  would really want to renew this antioxidant, just prior to re-installation, IMO.

Have fun with your new Li batteries.   The exploded FLAs were sure a mess, but you have cleaned up, quite well.

FWIW,  Vic

[binkino]

Thank you, that is interesting good to know, good idea with grease to protect it


Oh yes that was a mess, but now running well with the LFP
Next year I will try to get a second battery of the same type / brand, 20kWh will be ok then
10kWh is ok for now, I am still happy I was able to get one. But I have so much energy unused from the PV, and the cars are full...




I have now installed a Mint20 in the VM on my server successfully, works. Also the pages load very fast now from it.

Testing tomorrow the network cable, if that makes a different. So I have a "plan b" with the VM.
Just have to copy the VM Image to another machine


Edit: now running it all in the VM and 3 tablets and the browser on my machine are displaying and reloading the pages every 3 and 5 seconds, the load on the VM Linux is below 10% ... it is just chilling there

[ClassicCrazy]

Glad you got your computers figured out. Linux Mint always seems the best .
I am still using my pi 3b+ and it runs very stable. But I haven't interfaced batteries into it yet.
One of these days .
Larry