Now that the WBjr/Classic combination has proved a success (and advances the Classic further beyond the competition 8)), are there any plans to create a separate (from Classic) battery monitor?
Perhaps using the MNGP for display and the WBjr.
I would imagine a box with some similar or improved functionality to the OB Flexnet DC system.
Of course with a couple or six AUX outputs that could provide controls based on battery V, soc etc..
And maybe going further to have several WBjrs monitored.
dgd
Additional AUX outputs would be awesome!
...and (dare I say!) with a simple web interface built in and an ethernet port /serial port :o
so maybe an MNGP version and a 'networked' version...
dgd
That is a product we have been kicking around. The WB1000 it would have Ethernet, RS232 and it would speak Modbus. It would have a number of Inputs and Outputs for Aux funcions etc. It would likely have a webserver and maybe run Linux I am not sure there? It should be able to talk to the devices over RS232 and speak TCP/IP to whomever wants it.
This is a needed product we just need to find the engineering time for it.
So its actually got a name - the WB1000?
A needed product indeed, I can see a few thousand sales of these within a short time.
I know it probably too soon to ask but has a specification/features list been drawn up yet or any design work taken place?
dgd
Blackbox? You can add a small lcd to it. More aux ports should also be doable.
Its not stated but i assume the WBJr is dallas one wire, or maybe i2c. Try connecting one to an arduino and see what you get out of it.
But sounds like youre after a retail product?
zb,
Yes the blackbox method is good for me, I have been playing with a 4inch colour graphics display on an arduino while waiting on beagleb to arrive. Making a BM looks doable.
However, since I'm supporting thirteen sites now all with MN Classics I was looking for a retail product.
For most of these, monitoring battery SOC is more important than monitoring PVs and controller throughput.
Another solution, for me anyway, on a single Classic site would be a local app style BM display using dashboard meters for SOC%, Voltage, +/- Amps.
Unfortunately the Local App's current display of battery SOC%, Ah and current flow , all squeezed into a top corner of the panel below the meters, is from a display viewpoint very subdued and insignificant (its really an afterthought)
An 'in your face' set of meters under title BATTERY MONITOR would be more user friendly
I would actually pay MN for such a BM display :o
dgd