A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "Classic" charge controller => Topic started by: ScoobyMike on June 27, 2018, 08:02:15 AM

Title: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ScoobyMike on June 27, 2018, 08:02:15 AM
Hello all, I am in a remote location with no network service running a Classic 150 and Whizbang Jr. I have not been able to get ethernet connection using my Windows 10 laptop.  I tried using a Netgear AC750 router, and got it up and running by hot spotting to my phone.  I was not able to connect to the Classic tho.  I also tried direct ethernet cable connection, but I don't know how to set Windows 10 for static IP address.

Can I use the router without a network connection?
How to I setup Windows 10 for static IP address?

In both cases I tried to set the classic address in the Classic Status main config menu, but I don't know what the com port.

How do I determine tbe com port?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you may provide.
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: KyleM on June 27, 2018, 11:32:45 AM
Scoobymike,

I find it easier to just use DHCP for the connection and let the router do all the addressing.

Hard wire the Classic to your router, set the Classic to DHCP, and you should be connected. Barring any other internet related issues like firewalls antivirus and such.
Might need to reboot the Classic before it works.


Kyle
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: australsolarier on June 27, 2018, 07:03:50 PM
i set 4 midnite classics to static and?   no problems either. however i found the classic wants to pick its own static IP. not a problem though.
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ScoobyMike on June 30, 2018, 07:00:30 PM
Thank you for the response KyleM.

Classic Status does not seem to be able to find the Classic. How do I reboot the Classic?

The manual is very weak on this feature, are there any other Midnite resources I can utilize to work with to answer my questions?
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ClassicCrazy on June 30, 2018, 11:15:04 PM
Quote from: ScoobyMike on June 30, 2018, 07:00:30 PM
Thank you for the response KyleM.

Classic Status does not seem to be able to find the Classic. How do I reboot the Classic?

The manual is very weak on this feature, are there any other Midnite resources I can utilize to work with to answer my questions?

Are you trying to use the Local Status App with the Classic or are you trying to use the Classic with Mymidnite ?

Here is what I would do ,
Unplug your Classic network cable from the router . Reboot the router.  Change Classic network settings on the MNGP to DHCP if it isn't there already and press the Commit Enter button on mngp. After it resets tun the Classic off and then back on and let it boot. Then plug the Classic network cable into  your router. 

If you know how to log in to your router webpage then go on it and you should see the Classic has been assigned an IP.  You should need this step though .

Load up Local Status app if you haven't already on your computer. Run it and it should find your Classic and click on it to open it up.

If you have an Android phone you can also use Grahams Classic Monitoring app - it has excellent graphics . It will find your Classic over the wireless network as long as the Classic is plugged into that router.  But remember you can only be logged in to one network device on Classic at a time . So you cannot run the Local Status App and Grahams Classic monitoring app at same time - one needs to be closed.

If you are wanting to use the Mymidnite there are directions for that - there is a menu item on the Classic MNGP Net menu - last page that Web Access need to be enabled ( I think this is the default)  . Then you have to go to the Mymidnite page and follow the directions there to register you Classic.  You can run Local Status app and Mymidnite at the same time .

Larry

Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ScoobyMike on July 01, 2018, 08:03:15 PM
Yes! Thank you Larry! I'm using Graham's Classic Monitoring app on Windows 10 and my android phone. I followed your steps and I also ended up reloading Classic Monitor on my phone and it works!

I think that the fact that I don't have internet added an additional wrinkle. I setup the router with my PC using my phone as a hot spot. I love Graham's android app, I'm not even going to try the PC.

Thanks again!

Mike
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ClassicCrazy on July 01, 2018, 11:38:18 PM
Local Status app is good because you can make changes to your Classic  settings, and also save all the settings so if or when you do firmware updates you can easily restore them without having to go through all the menus and re-enter everything.

If you have your Classic plugged into the router, and your computer plugged in the router - ( and I think if it is connected via wireless too ) the Local Status app should find the Classic.  You shouldn't need internet connection.

Larry
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: Westbranch on July 02, 2018, 01:09:40 PM
Larry, you can use the computer plugged into the router or with WiFi to the computer.
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ClassicCrazy on July 02, 2018, 11:23:12 PM
Quote from: Westbranch on July 02, 2018, 01:09:40 PM
Larry, you can use the computer plugged into the router or with WiFi to the computer.

yeah guess I know that now that I think about it !

Larry
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ScoobyMike on July 03, 2018, 06:25:34 AM
Thanks guys! A quick note to document for future reference:

I lost connection the following morning and tried rebooting the router and classic.didnt work. Eventually i committed to DHCP again in the NET menu and the IP address changed and the classic was back up on the network.

Mike
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: Westbranch on July 03, 2018, 12:42:04 PM
Ifit repeats , try STATIC and assign a unique address that is acceptable...You might have to read up on which numbers you can use for STATIC , some are already reserved.
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ClassicCrazy on July 03, 2018, 11:48:52 PM
 I just let DHCP assign the address and then I make that one static on the Classic.

Larry

Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: ScoobyMike on July 04, 2018, 07:08:15 AM
Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Network Connection to Classic 150
Post by: boB on July 05, 2018, 01:42:55 AM

Sounds like it might be working now... But...

Another thing you can do is to set the Classic to DHCP, let the router assign its IP address, then tell
the router to keep that address for the Classic which should be identified by its unique MAC address.

boB