WB jr. Q&A

[dgd]

...
There are probably other ways to do this but as has been discussed here and elsewhere really determining the SOC of the batteries is complicated and varies with the type of batteries and a lot of other conditions.

So is it really worth the bother since it is not just complicated but has so many variables that the end result would  be approximate at best and almost useless at worst?
And is the basic SOC information not easily realised by just monitoring the battery voltage? It will soon become obvious if there is an overall negative rating as battery voltage declines each day?

dgd

[ClassicCrazy]

I appreciate the explanations - now I have an understanding of how the Trimetric and other meters make their calculations.  Hopefully some day these lead acid batteries will be a thing of the past due to better battery technology. My ebike LiFePo4 battery is pretty easy to predict by voltage and the nifty Cycle Analyst amp hour meter.  No SOC needed.  It just needs a BMS to protect it .

But in the mean time the Whizbang is going to be a big help in knowing what the lead acid batteries are really doing. 

[Halfcrazy]

...
There are probably other ways to do this but as has been discussed here and elsewhere really determining the SOC of the batteries is complicated and varies with the type of batteries and a lot of other conditions.

So is it really worth the bother since it is not just complicated but has so many variables that the end result would  be approximate at best and almost useless at worst?
And is the basic SOC information not easily realised by just monitoring the battery voltage? It will soon become obvious if there is an overall negative rating as battery voltage declines each day?

dgd

DGD
That is exactly how I have always taught my customers to read there system. Once you have lived with it for a while the battery voltage will really tell you the status as everything becomes sort of normal. SOC % has always been a pain in the %@* and IMHO never very accurate on most of the meters I have tried. That said I am sure given enough time and resources boB can make a very acurate SOC meter but?

Ryan

[SolarMusher]

Hi Ryan,
Mounted the WhizB yesterday and all is working fine (except loc app), it seems to be accurate and matches the magnum BMK readings. More to come on next sunny days. I'm pretty sure boB will find a way to add soc to the Classic.
Thanks to all including Kim,
Erik

[dgd]

That is exactly how I have always taught my customers to read there system. Once you have lived with it for a while the battery voltage will really tell you the status as everything becomes sort of normal. SOC % has always been a pain in the %@* and IMHO never very accurate on most of the meters I have tried. That said I am sure given enough time and resources boB can make a very acurate SOC meter but?

Ryan

I have never really had any interest in SOC meters, the battery V of lead acid cells was enough for me.
Then when I bought LiFeYPo4 cells all of the SOC business changed. Now voltage does not reflect the SOC of the bank and there has to be an alternative to V to get some idea of battery SOC.
With the WBjr on the main battery shunt that is all the extra hardware needed for the Classic to also provide battery SOC management.
Options appear to be - new firmware for the Classic to do all the sums - or the Classic making the relevant data available in some way so that some external program can do the SOC calculations.
Perhaps somewhere in between with the Classic not just making raw data via modbus available but perhaps time averaged data.
I'm thinking that with this capability then a simple black box could extract information from the Classic, process it and perhaps control the battery charging.
For my LiFeYPo4 cells the AUX2 input to turn off charging from the Classic would be ideal. The only problem is that there is only one AUX2 input and it cant do the WBjr and charging control input.

dgd

[Vic]

BTW,  the WBjr Manual.doc has moved,  and now is under the Classic CC:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/Whizbang_manual.pdf

What a neat product  is the WhizBang Jr!!  Thanks MidNite.    Vic

[laszlo]

For some early Classics like mine (serial 217), there was a small hardware issue with one of the  AUX controls or relays. I don't remember - was it  was AUX1 or AUX2?  Can I still use the Wb. Jr. with this early  serial Classic?

[boB]

For some early Classics like mine (serial 217), there was a small hardware issue with one of the  AUX controls or relays. I don't remember - was it  was AUX1 or AUX2?  Can I still use the Wb. Jr. with this early  serial Classic?

I'm pretty sure that you can use the WB Jr. but I'll ask those with a better memory about those earlier units
tomorrow at work.

boB

[Halfcrazy]

For some early Classics like mine (serial 217), there was a small hardware issue with one of the  AUX controls or relays. I don't remember - was it  was AUX1 or AUX2?  Can I still use the Wb. Jr. with this early  serial Classic?

I'm pretty sure that you can use the WB Jr. but I'll ask those with a better memory about those earlier units
tomorrow at work.

boB

Yes you are fine. The issue was the first several thousand went out with the dry contact relay on Aux1 having reverse logic. The WBjr will work fine.

Ryan

[laszlo]

Thanks! I ordered a MNWBJR from wind-sun, will see how it works. 

Although I heard it before, I was wondering what is behind the name "Whizbang", and I did a search and  found some  poster of a certain  "Capt Billy's WhizBang, the explosion of pedigreed bunk."  Pretty funny!   The drawing on the poster was in the manner of the drawing of the lady on the midnite Classic.  Aha!

[phxmark]

For those that live near Waco, TX and like hamburgers there is Capt. Billy Whizzbang's
Old Fashioned Hamburgers. http://www.billywhizzbangs.com/

[boB]

That's phantasick, Phxmark !

I remember the name, "Captain Billy Whizbang" from around 1970 or so, but from
something other than a burger joint.

I will have to visit them for sure when I get to Waco, Tx !

boB

[mjp24coho]

Hi Ryan,
Mounted the WhizB yesterday and all is working fine (except loc app), it seems to be accurate and matches the magnum BMK readings. More to come on next sunny days. I'm pretty sure boB will find a way to add soc to the Classic.
Thanks to all including Kim,
Erik

I installed my WhizB this weekend at my remote cabin - install went well, and it appears to be working with the local app.  However, I noted that since doing so, my Magnum MBK meter constantly shows 100% state of charge.  They're both installed to the same shunt, but I can't imagine what could be causing this.  Anyone else see anything similar? 

[SolarMusher]

Hi Ryan,
Mounted the WhizB yesterday and all is working fine (except loc app), it seems to be accurate and matches the magnum BMK readings. More to come on next sunny days. I'm pretty sure boB will find a way to add soc to the Classic.
Thanks to all including Kim,
Erik

I installed my WhizB this weekend at my remote cabin - install went well, and it appears to be working with the local app.  However, I noted that since doing so, my Magnum MBK meter constantly shows 100% state of charge.  They're both installed to the same shunt, but I can't imagine what could be causing this.  Anyone else see anything similar? 

No, never seen that. Do you mean that your BMK soc does not decrease after discharge?
Check at your BMK wires on shunt, it could be reversed.
If not, you can try to disconnect BMK positive for a while and check if it shows thinkn when connected.
What are your batt efficiency settings? Auto?
Erik

[mjp24coho]

Now that you say that, I'm sure I got the BMK wires on the shunt reversed when I reinstalled it.  I'll have to check that when I'm back at the cabin in a few weeks.