A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "Classic" charge controller => Topic started by: binkino on September 14, 2015, 06:09:02 PM

Title: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: binkino on September 14, 2015, 06:09:02 PM
Hi

On my Classic Lite 200, I use the AUX2 for the WBJr., and the AUX1 to remote switch the inverter from AC and battery and visaversa (low bat diconnect)
But I would like to switch additional events.
For example, if the voltage of the PV modules is under ... 100 Volts, to switch something off (i.e. the UPS charging)

Is there a expansion for the Classic?

If there is no expansion, would it not be a good idea to develope this?
It is possible to connect more Classics via the bus connector. Is there not a way, a "expansion" reads the datas from the Classic on this bus and swithes ? (I think back to the 8 relais card of my C64 haha)


Or what other solution can I use?
Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: boB on September 17, 2015, 02:44:14 AM
I wish there were an expander !  Can't seem to have enough Aux ports !

Can't have one in the Classic itself but since all of the information is available over
the communications, it certainly is possible to add one externally.

We will be working on a new remote that should hopefully satisfy your request
in the not too far distant future......

boB
Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: SolarMusher on September 17, 2015, 08:10:33 AM
Quote from: boB on September 17, 2015, 02:44:14 AM
We will be working on a new remote that should hopefully satisfy your request
in the not too far distant future......
boB
Hey boB, that's a politician answer!
When will my taxes lower? Well..., in the not too far distant future......  ;D!
Erik
Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: boB on September 17, 2015, 01:42:12 PM
Quote from: SolarMusher on September 17, 2015, 08:10:33 AM
Quote from: boB on September 17, 2015, 02:44:14 AM
We will be working on a new remote that should hopefully satisfy your request
in the not too far distant future......
boB
Hey boB, that's a politician answer!
When will my taxes lower? Well..., in the not too far distant future......  ;D!
Erik

Well...   The two things that always happen are death and taxes.  The taxes will be lower when we die.  Much lower !

That's my political answer on that one !

boB
Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: dgd on September 17, 2015, 06:41:00 PM
Quote from: binkino on September 14, 2015, 06:09:02 PM
... I would like to switch additional events.
For example, if the voltage of the PV modules is under ... 100 Volts, to switch something off (i.e. the UPS charging)

For off-the-shelf solutions to this you could look at some of the voltage controlled relays available, see the Arizona wind and Sun web pages and the many offerings on EBay.
Or if you are into computing and electronics then a simple Arduino UNO could control a multi-ssr board based on data from the classic's serial port.

Dgd
Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: kitestrings on September 21, 2015, 01:42:33 PM
Does your inverter also have a aux diversion capability?  Some do, like Outback.
Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: keppelk on September 27, 2015, 11:16:17 PM
Having a dedicated input for the Whizbang would be a good starting. Then would be back to the previous 2 configurable aux ports on each Classic, even with a WB connected
Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: binkino on September 29, 2015, 01:56:16 PM
I was very busy last days for days ... so replying now :)

Quote from: boB on September 17, 2015, 02:44:14 AM
...
We will be working on a new remote that should hopefully satisfy your request
in the not too far distant future......
boB

Thanks, boB

Quote from: kitestrings on September 21, 2015, 01:42:33 PM
Does your inverter also have a aux diversion capability?  Some do, like Outback.

No, it has only its own switching back to main power, if batteries are lower (but it is not possible to change these setting, so I have a big relais that disconnects toe main power to the inverter, and it uses the energy from the batteries, like a USV/UPS - when the midnite switches on the big relais and the inverter has the main power, it switches to the main power.
It is a WESTECH COMBO 3000 (48V)

Quote from: keppelk on September 27, 2015, 11:16:17 PM
Having a dedicated input for the Whizbang would be a good starting. Then would be back to the previous 2 configurable aux ports on each Classic, even with a WB connected

Right, but it makes not big different to add an Input for the WB or adding some AUX ...

Here in cinema, we have the possibility to add like unlimited relais boxes (JNOR boxes) to the cinema server, just send commands to IP adresse xxx and the command, just so easy, I could do it in this linux like command line ;)
(but I am very out with programming and so on. If a solution with an arduino or similar, it would need a finished script to write into it...)

I was also thinking about an external solution, a simple circuit that watches the voltage and switches a relais.
But, I can't see it in the app, there are these two AUX indicators.
So it the AUX1 is 'on' I know, the inverter is active and don't uses energy from the batteries


Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: binkino on January 20, 2016, 04:46:42 PM
I like to push this thread - possible some one has an idea?

There are "relais boxes" out there, like:
http://elmicro.com/de/ezcieh10.html
and
http://www.meilhaus.de/labjack+u3-hv,i5.htm (original: https://labjack.com/ )
devices.

Can't they work with datas from the Midnite Classic and switch things like an Aux?

I really need 2 more Aux on my Midnite ... can't help ...

Title: Re: Is there an "AUX expansion" for the Classic ?
Post by: CharliVN on February 01, 2016, 11:56:45 AM
For what I doing, I would like to have a AUX function use LOW BAT DISC Disc load based on bat volt turn turn on my my relay contact to run the charger and keep the charger running till the battery bank reach to float charge, that way I do not have to have my charger running all night like the NIGHT LIGHT do.