Here is my off grid system,
Classic 200 Lite, VFX3524, 4 250 watt Eclipsall panels
I'm using a Netduino to read modbus data from the classic and serial data from the VFX to display a web status page on a mobile device.
Nice job, what batteries do you have in the vented box? Looks like a poly box of some sort..??
Like to to know about your Arduino reading classic Modbus and Outback serial data ?
any links for the Arduino code ?
Quote from: phonetic on January 20, 2013, 12:11:31 AM
Like to to know about your Arduino reading classic Modbus and Outback serial data ?
any links for the Arduino code ?
I'd be interested to hear more as well. How difficult is it to work with the serial data from the Outback Mate?
I believe the Netduinos are programmed with Microsoft .NET framework though and not the Arduino IDE so code wouldn't be directly transferable.
Quote from: mtdoc on January 20, 2013, 12:30:41 AM
How difficult is it to work with the serial data from the Outback Mate?
I did that for some time using perl to read and process the output from the Mate serial port. Worked pretty well. I used USB to serial DB9 adapters but if there was a powercycle or shutdown of the logging computer the Mate would turn off the inverter. Not good. I have a simple perl script that gathers the data from the Mate and logs it. PM me if you want to try it. If you want to use the Mate this way, Outback has a good mate serial communication document on the details.
Not to butt in but serial data from the Mate is not tough for raw data. You can send commands, too, apparently, according to the documentation but I never messed with it that far.
Tom
Quote from: phonetic on January 20, 2013, 12:11:31 AM
Like to to know about your Arduino reading classic Modbus and Outback serial data ?
any links for the Arduino code ?
I have the source code at http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/ (http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/), I'm currently working on the outback interface through the RS232 port on the mate. Will post an update once I get it working.
Quote from: Westbranch on January 19, 2013, 11:08:18 PM
Nice job, what batteries do you have in the vented box? Looks like a poly box of some sort..??
thanks,
I'm using 4 Deka 8L16 batteries in series, the box is actually a salt box.
http://www.theresourcestore.ca/proddetail.php?prod=8L16 (http://www.theresourcestore.ca/proddetail.php?prod=8L16)
Quote from: TomW on January 20, 2013, 01:02:05 AM
Quote from: mtdoc on January 20, 2013, 12:30:41 AM
How difficult is it to work with the serial data from the Outback Mate?
I did that for some time using perl to read and process the output from the Mate serial port. Worked pretty well. I used USB to serial DB9 adapters but if there was a powercycle or shutdown of the logging computer the Mate would turn off the inverter. Not good. I have a simple perl script that gathers the data from the Mate and logs it. PM me if you want to try it. If you want to use the Mate this way, Outback has a good mate serial communication document on the details.
Not to butt in but serial data from the Mate is not tough for raw data. You can send commands, too, apparently, according to the documentation but I never messed with it that far.
Tom
I'm using the Outback mate port to detect when the generator is run from the FX operational mode so that I can display a calendar on the second tab of my app that shows the daily kWh + the days float/eq was achieved and when the generator was in use.
I would be interested in looking at your code to see how you did it.
thanks.
Quote from: mtdoc on January 20, 2013, 12:30:41 AM
Quote from: phonetic on January 20, 2013, 12:11:31 AM
Like to to know about your Arduino reading classic Modbus and Outback serial data ?
any links for the Arduino code ?
I'd be interested to hear more as well. How difficult is it to work with the serial data from the Outback Mate?
I believe the Netduinos are programmed with Microsoft .NET framework though and not the Arduino IDE so code wouldn't be directly transferable.
Yes, the Netduino is using the .Net Micro framework and the code is written in C#, the code is not transferable to the Arduino but I'm sure there must be several open source modbus and embedded web server libraries for the Arduino, you would only have to port the code in the 'ChargeController' library and re-use the JScripts.
the code is at http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/ (http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/)
Quote from: TomW on January 20, 2013, 01:02:05 AM
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Not to butt in but serial data from the Mate is not tough for raw data. You can send commands, too, apparently, according to the documentation but I never messed with it that far.
Tom
Thanks for the info Tom. I'm using Wattplot now which is actually a really nice program for the price.($50). I does a good job with the Mate serial data and allows you some control over the system - limited by the commands Outback allows. Unfortunately it's limited to Windows - so no running on a Pi. Eventually I may delve into doing something with the raw serial data from the Mate but other priorities first.....
Quote from: rossgr on January 20, 2013, 09:24:52 AM
Quote from: phonetic on January 20, 2013, 12:11:31 AM
Like to to know about your Arduino reading classic Modbus and Outback serial data ?
any links for the Arduino code ?
I have the source code at http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/ (http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/), I'm currently working on the outback interface through the RS232 port on the mate. Will post an update once I get it working.
Cool stuff. More low power monitoring options! :)
Quote from: rossgr on January 20, 2013, 09:24:52 AM
Quote from: phonetic on January 20, 2013, 12:11:31 AM
Like to to know about your Arduino reading classic Modbus and Outback serial data ?
any links for the Arduino code ?
I have the source code at http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/ (http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/), I'm currently working on the outback interface through the RS232 port on the mate. Will post an update once I get it working.
I finally got around to getting the Outback Mate RS232 interface working, I have posted an update on codeplex along with a deployment tool in the downloads area that will install the app on a netduino without the use of the NetduinoSDK or visual studio.
Here is the updated main page with the inverter & generator loads
(http://status.gif)
The prototype with the optional LCD
Ross, got a parts description for that netduino board?
ADD looked at your site, have you thought of an alarm when you get to or through Absorb, it struck me when I looked at the pic of the needle in the red zone an it didn't seem that you had any opportunity loads on (applied) , see your home page.
I added a parts list along with links to www.sparkfun.com for the required and optional components.
I don't currently have any alarm at this time, I would have to 'play' a sound using javascript in the browser and would have to make sure this works on all browsers (tablets, phones etc).
You could probably use the classic aux to switch on an opportunity load...
Hi Ross, reason I asked is SWMBO and I have been talking, she understands Opportunity loads and taking advantage of such, but she is not up to speed on how to read that on the display yet AND the system is not in her 'world' (kitchen). Another poster described his alarm type setup that tells SWMBO if she can use the vacuum, etc.. Just an idea that might be useful.
cheers
West
We must have the same model of SWMBO! They try hard but it seems to be a slightly a foreign language.
I do have a new trick, I use the AUX 2 waste not high green light on the local app dashboard as the waste power green light. I told her if the green light is on or blinking knock your self out with whatever floats your boat. I have 2 Classics one is real diversion the other is the "SWMBO alert" feature. I think that should be added to the AUX2 drop down with the same parameters as waste not high.
Wade
Quote from: Westbranch on March 26, 2013, 11:46:27 AM
SWMBO ... she is not up to speed on how to read that on the display yet AND the system is not in her 'world' (kitchen).
AUX1 waste not high driving a large green LED in a wall mounted small box in the kitchen.
Works for my SWMBO ;D
dgd
Quote from: rossgr on March 25, 2013, 09:07:17 AM
Quote from: rossgr on January 20, 2013, 09:24:52 AM
Quote from: phonetic on January 20, 2013, 12:11:31 AM
Like to to know about your Arduino reading classic Modbus and Outback serial data ?
any links for the Arduino code ?
I have the source code at http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/ (http://netduinosolar.codeplex.com/), I'm currently working on the outback interface through the RS232 port on the mate. Will post an update once I get it working.
I finally got around to getting the Outback Mate RS232 interface working, I have posted an update on codeplex along with a deployment tool in the downloads area that will install the app on a netduino without the use of the NetduinoSDK or visual studio.
Here is the updated main page with the inverter & generator loads
(http://status.gif)
The prototype with the optional LCD
Very nice Ross!
Have you considered getting one of Outbacks new AXS port (http://www.outbackpower.com/docman/0307123031031900-0138-01-00REVA.pdf)devices? If I understand it correctly, it uses a modbus interface and incoporates more system info
AND control than the Mate RS232 data does.
If I ever get my Arduino/Labview monitoring system going, I think I may try to incorporate one of these. At $135 , they're pretty cheap by RE equipment standards.
Quote from: Westbranch on March 26, 2013, 11:46:27 AM
Hi Ross, reason I asked is SWMBO and I have been talking, she understands Opportunity loads and taking advantage of such, but she is not up to speed on how to read that on the display yet AND the system is not in her 'world' (kitchen). Another poster described his alarm type setup that tells SWMBO if she can use the vacuum, etc.. Just an idea that might be useful.
cheers
I'm considering adding an interface from my app to www.thingspeak.com (http://www.thingspeak.com), so I could have events like 'float' be posted on twitter using their 'thingTweet' API (assuming you have an internet connection...)
Nah, we are 'really off grid'. Investigating a new satellite (Jupiter?) that has been put into service for internet, the AnikF2 was way behind a ridge, the new one is directly behind a mountain peak so we hope the elliptical' wobble' keeps it available more than not...
Nice work Ross.
Classics are a bit difficult to get hold of in my part of the world, but I hope to have one very soon. I was thinking about pulling data out of it in some way and posting it to my Cosm feed.
I currently have an Arduino Mega (Uno ran out of RAM when I added temperature sensors) reading the data out of my Victron BMV-600 battery monitor and posting it to Cosm.
The temperature sensors are DS18B20's. I'll add more for battery temperature, inverter temperature or anything else I can think of when my system starts coming together.
There is not a great deal of excitement on my Cosm feed at the moment because the inverter is just charging the battery continuously as the PV isn't installed yet.
Here is my Cosm feed: http://cosm.com/feeds/116608 (http://cosm.com/feeds/116608)