Operating the Kid with a Classic

[EW Zuber]

I'm wondering if the Classic is capable of communicating with the Kid yet? Trying to decide if I should buy a couple Kids for smaller East / West array's or two more Classics.

[dgd]

Sorry again but No. At least not yet. Unless, again, you use an external processor to do this.
Just as a matter of interest what would you want Classic-Kid communications to achieve?
Dgd

[EW Zuber]

I would ultimately like to have the ability to compensate for charge current used on loads so that if my controller is set for a 40A max charge setting it would know via a shunt how much current is going to loads and add that amount to the charge current so i can maximize the charging effectiveness of my arrays.
It seems such a shame that all the effort was put into making the controllers efficient but last time I checked the load current could still not be compensated for which is potentially a huge waste of charging potential. I thought I read several months ago that there was beta testing being done on a firmware program to allow for load current compensation using a WBJR
I would like the controllers to communicate practically everything to make several units act as one.
It's the only way to make the most of several arrays.
I am working to slowly improve the cloudy day performance by adding more panels.

[Vic]

Eric,

Posted this in another of your Threads on this subject:

"Eric,

There was a reference to battery charge current Limiting from Ryan in Reply #7 in this Thread:
http://kb1uas.com/mnsforum/index.php?topic=3133.msg29060#msg29060

   ...   Because different people call this function different things,  it is also difficult to Search the Forum to find all of the references to this.

The other comment on this function,  was that each Classic would need its WbJr and Shunt (IIRC).

GL,  Vic"   FWIW,  Vic

[dgd]

I would ultimately like to have the ability to compensate for charge current used on loads so that if my controller is set for a 40A max charge setting it would know via a shunt how much current is going to loads and add that amount to the charge current so i can maximize the charging effectiveness of my arrays.

That is already implemented in the Classic. (as mentioned by Ryan in March with the new release of firmware)
When you specify the maximum  battery charge current using the WBjr then if your load (inverter etc) takes power from the Classic then the Classic will increase its output to try and maintain the maximum amps through to the battery. Thats exactly what you are asking for.

Not sure about the Kid, you should ask Mario as he may have already implemented this or is planning to do so in a new firmware release.

dgd

[EW Zuber]

Really glad to hear this has become a reality!