Open Source Android App available on Google Play

[Graham]

Well since it's freezing rain outside and there is not much else to do, I decided to add a few new features to the app that a number of users have requested...

1. You can now enter a URI in the Add IP Address dialog for remote access when using dyndns.
2. When the WhizbangJr is detected, another tab is displayed next to the "State Of Charge" called "Capacity", plus the Shunt temperature is added to the Temperature tab (picture below)
3. Added localization support for German.


Here is a link to the dropbox apk file https://www.dropbox.com/s/u5li9b9nogsjxag/app-release.apk?dl=0
if you're using dyndns could you give it a try and let me know if it works...
+let me know what you think of the new tab.

Once I get confirmation that the dyndns access works, I'll post the new release on google play.

[Westbranch]

Graham, curious about the source of the shunt temp reading.  Do you have a sensor added?

[Graham]

It's Register 4372 which is the WhizBangJr temperature, I just thought the word "Shunt" would fit better on smaller devices

[ClassicCrazy]

Graham
This new version of  app will not connect and get any data for me. I have the newest Classic beta firmware updates and networking update so just to make sure that was not causing problem, I restored the older version of the app ( thank you Titanium Backup ! ) and it connected right away.

I then installed this new version  again and same deal - no connection or data.

Larry 

[Graham]

The google play store still has the old 2.0.5 version.

Are you letting it auto detect or are you entering the IP address/port in the add dialog?

I just installed version 1923 and it found it ok

I posted a video on youtube to give you an idea on how long it takes to detect the classic  http://youtu.be/112fyUgRxEk

let me know what kind of devices you're using so I can try it on my emulator

Graham

[Graham]

I think I know why it won't connect,
If you install the dropbox version, it doesn't uninstall the original version, it just replaces the apk file but uses to original configuration file that has the connection information for the classic

I posted another video where I first install the google play version (2.0.5) get it to connect, then install the dropbox version (2.1.0). the new version doesn't connect, then I slide the entry to the right to erase it and let it auto detect and it connect ok.

youtube video: http://youtu.be/YThdn4ist_A

[ClassicCrazy]

Got it working  by watching how you did that in the video by sliding around the  Classic and Network stuff .
I wouldn't have figured that out myself.
Looks good - will watch the dials for some more action tomorrow when the sun is up .


Larry

[ClassicCrazy]

Graham,
New update is working fine. I read on the info screen that it also does limited support for Morningstar MPPT ? How do you set that up ? I tried Add and put in Morningstar 502 port and IP address but nothing showed up.

Is it possible for you to add feature that would calculate when system amps level off ? This would be used for identifying End Amps setpoint. I have monitored for this via Local Status App graph  and also MyMidnite alpha webpage that also now shows system amps. But it would be a nice feature if something could plot it so it could be compared over a few days.

For example my battery manufacturer East Penn Deka has this criteria for ending Absorb and Equalize
End Condition Charge until change in current < 0.10A per Hr / Max Time: 12Hr

Just wondering if it is something that the app could easily pull out of the data ?

Larry

[Graham]

Graham,
New update is working fine. I read on the info screen that it also does limited support for Morningstar MPPT ? How do you set that up ? I tried Add and put in Morningstar 502 port and IP address but nothing showed up.

Is it possible for you to add feature that would calculate when system amps level off ? This would be used for identifying End Amps setpoint. I have monitored for this via Local Status App graph  and also MyMidnite alpha webpage that also now shows system amps. But it would be a nice feature if something could plot it so it could be compared over a few days.

For example my battery manufacturer East Penn Deka has this criteria for ending Absorb and Equalize
End Condition Charge until change in current < 0.10A per Hr / Max Time: 12Hr

Just wondering if it is something that the app could easily pull out of the data ?

Larry

Hi Larry,
as far as I know , the classic does not record the whizbang jr current in the minute log, on page 28 of the classic register map http://fusion.midnitesolar.com/classic_register_map_Rev-C5-December-8-2013.pdf table 4256 indicates 'output current Amps' which I believe is the current coming out of the classic not the WzBang current. Since my app is not something that would remain active 24/7 (especially with only one tcp connection supported by the classic), I must rely on the information recorded by the classic.
An alternative would be if M.S. would provide a Web API interface to the myMidnite data, then all the data recorded by the site could be made available to local & mobile apps etc., maybe we can suggest that in the 'New product Ideas and discussions' .

I'll have a look at the morningstar access, currently I'm limited to using my modbus simulator that has some recorded data from a TS-MPPT-60, I might have to wait until cottage season starts, in a month or so, in order to get access to one of my neighbours system who have not yet upgraded to a classic...


Graham.

[ClassicCrazy]

Okay - I understand that your app just pulls from the Classic what is already there in a modbus register. 

The new MyMidnite alpha website does let you export the data from it - I just am not well versed enough on how to make a nice looking graph in excel but I will figure it out sometime. The Local Status App also lets you export this data and it is higher resolution I believe.

Okay - just reread your reply - a web api is something different than exporting the data in excel. I looked web api up and can now add one more semi understanding of programming jargon to brain !

I also have the Tristar TS-MPPT-60 , still don't understand if you mean your app can get some data from it, or if that part needs further development. Not really necessary for me since the built in webpage on that gives me all the data I need - and also I have pretty much switched over all my solar to the Classic though still have a few panels on the Tristar.

Larry 

[Graham]

Okay - I understand that your app just pulls from the Classic what is already there in a modbus register. 

The new MyMidnite alpha website does let you export the data from it - I just am not well versed enough on how to make a nice looking graph in excel but I will figure it out sometime. The Local Status App also lets you export this data and it is higher resolution I believe.

Okay - just reread your reply - a web api is something different than exporting the data in excel. I looked web api up and can now add one more semi understanding of programming jargon to brain !

I also have the Tristar TS-MPPT-60 , still don't understand if you mean your app can get some data from it, or if that part needs further development. Not really necessary for me since the built in webpage on that gives me all the data I need - and also I have pretty much switched over all my solar to the Classic though still have a few panels on the Tristar.

Larry 

The old version (1.7.x) of my app worked with a tristar last summer, I haven't had a chance to test the version 2.x of the app with a real tristar.
The app will try to access modbus register 4101, if it succeeds then it assumes a classic, if it fails then it tries address 0001 (triStar) if that succeeds then it assumes it's a tristar. Unfortunately my modbus simulator succeeds on either register.
I modified some of the code to enable remote access (dyndns) in version 2.1.x, this might have affected the tristar detection code...


Yes, a Web API is a web site that is consumable by another application,(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representational_state_transfer )

I tried to setup the new myMidnite with version 1923 but it doesn't let me register, I might have to roll back to 1849 but I'm curious to see what's recorded on the site...

[Resthome]

You might try sending them a PM. It seems that a lot of device codes don't automatically make it to their system

[ClassicCrazy]

Graham - were you already registered on the old MyMidnite ? If so you don't need to register again but you need to put in the new mymidnite IP address into the classic so it goes to the new site.

Larry

[Graham]

tried the old username/password on the new site but it says 'Unrecognized username/password'
i can however log into the old myMidnite with that username /password.

I have set the DNS override...

[ClassicCrazy]

Did you try restarting your classic ?
Seems like it took me awhile to get it to work or for it to show up on the new webpage. But I didn't know what I was doing so not sure exactly what made it finally show up .