Firmware Revision 1791 Solar

[dgd]

...
Anyways, many possibilities but I have to get working on the documentation to make it available.

Apart from the data output from the rs232 port are there any input commands available?
I'm thinking of an input to force different charge States, especially FLOAT (so that follow-me can be implemented between two or more KIDS or Classics and KIDS), also to turn off battery charging.

Dgd

[ClassicCrazy]

Just did the 1791 update - all went okay - got all the setpoints re-entered. Finally went to Tech screen to  cofirm new firmware version - and accidentally hit enter on Firmware Update ! Darn - didn't seem like any way to back out of it since I still had USB plug in laptop.  So had to reload firmware 1791 though it went fast and all my setpoints stuck in this time so maybe it knew there was no update needed. 

Larry

[ClassicCrazy]

Geez - doesn't seem fair - USA  about the only country in the world that uses Fahrenheit temperatures  and Kid is made in USA and darn - only Centigrade temps on the scroll !  Yeah I know don't want to confuse the rest of the world . 

[xsnrg]

Some days I think I like the Fahrenheit temperature system, with it's tighter graduations between increments.  Other days I wish we would just get over it and go metric so the math actually makes sense.  Anymore I know how to use both and can convert between them in my head, but if I didn't have to, what else could I be doing with those brain cells?  Is it pride that prevents us from teaching the metric system as primary measurement?  Anyway, off topic.

Sure do like 1791.   My cable should be here tomorrow... will start seeing what that serial port has to offer.

Jim

[Bunkie314]

High temperatures in metric units makes sense to me and are are easier to work with (melting metals). Lower temperatures I have to think about and remember to add 32..  Sure would be nice to choose between F and C which I suggested on the first "Report Card" thread. Kind of like converting between Torr, Microns, Bar, and PSI or Pa. Kind of a pain but there are apps to assist. Option to choose would be great if there is a wish list.

Another one would be a key stroke or option to abort the FW update. I was dead in the water earlier today until Jim told me about the windows update.

[ClassicCrazy]

Sure do like 1791.   My cable should be here tomorrow... will start seeing what that serial port has to offer.

Jim

What cable ?

[xsnrg]

RJ12 cable to plug into the KID master port.  The plan right now is to do a custom connector on the other end that will mate to the serial port on my beaglebone.

[ClassicCrazy]

Okay - RJ 11 is like 6 pin telephone cord - I was lucky to find a real long one of those to remote the MNGP display from my Classic from my shed into the house. I will have to scrounge around and see if I have another one so I can make a cable for my Kid too.  Will those serial  signals need to be converted for the Beaglebone or can you run them in direct ?
Larry

[dgd]

Okay - RJ 11 is like 6 pin telephone cord - I was lucky to find a real long one of those to remote the MNGP display from my Classic from my shed into the house. I will have to scrounge around and see if I have another one so I can make a cable for my Kid too.  Will those serial  signals need to be converted for the Beaglebone or can you run them in direct ?
Larry

Has the BBB actually got a serial rs232 port? I didn't think it had, at least the one I borrowed only had the USB serial port.
So to connect you will need a USB to rs232 converter.
Of if the BBB has serial ports brought out to expansion pins then you will need a TTL <> rs232 converter but you will also need to check that the
expansion pins are not 3.3v max (as opposed to 5v) otherwise you will need to ensure your converter works with 3.3v TTL
Connecting up a converter with 5v TTL will definitely damage the BBB if its using 3.3v expansion pins.
There are probably good solutions and explanations concerning connecting rs232 in the BBB forums

dgd

[dgd]

Larry,,
There is an rs232 Cape available for the bbb. You would have to connect the KID to that Cape.
Lots of info in bbb forums 
Dgd

[xsnrg]

Larry,,
There is an rs232 Cape available for the bbb. You would have to connect the KID to that Cape.
Lots of info in bbb forums 
Dgd

Surely, here is the micro cape I was looking at:  http://www.logicsupply.com/components/beaglebone/capes/cbb-ttl-232/

The TTL level differences are known from when I did the research and built my voltage divider circuit.  All of your comments are correct though. 

The cable did show up yesterday, but still need the rj-12 (6 pin) pin-out from the KID.  Easier to get it from those that know than try to follow the traces.

[dgd]

 Mario,

Can we have an example of how to get the battery voltage from the rs232 serial port?
I know you want to fully document this in a manual update but what about some clues posted here?

Dgd

[Bunkie314]

So I'm assuming that "Twin" mode has replaced "Bully" mode. Twin 2 generates more heat, 5 to 10 °C more temperature with screen saying less output than the master. The master also programs battery output down to 15 amps and defaults to O&P solar when you connect them. Is this normal? Seems to work well. Outputs don't agree with each other and sometimes they are 80 to 100  watts different when above 250 watts output (12 volts), twin 2 always lower output and running hottest temp wise. Is this normal?

[dgd]

Mario,

Can we have an example of how to get the battery voltage from the rs232 serial port?
I know you want to fully document this in a manual update but what about some clues posted here?

Dgd

please 

[Mario]

I will try to do a quick write up to poll some data from the kid serial port, but if you want to see the data out of the kid hook it up to the master jack on the kid and set the mode to Sync that will periodically spit data,
Every packet is 4 bytes long.

Mario