Local app for dumbies

[cschlessman]

Well I can do AC/DC, solar installs, fix generators for miniscule to massive, repair gas or diesel driven anything. But I don't understand all this IP,TCP msnop etc. stuff. Why isn't there a plug and play module for this app so old farts like me can just plug something in and down load the program and click and play. At 68 I don't have time to learn all this new fangeled  stuff. I would like my classic to talk to my computer without needing a new degree in computer geek

OK enough of the rant. Seriously I have a wireless network in my home, its 130 ft to the power shed can I just plug in a little dohicky into the Classic 150 and get them to talk?  Thanks

Chuck

[Resthome]

Chuck..  You maybe able to use a wireless bridge.  See Ryan's video on how to connect your Classic to your network. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjdTl2KfvQY

[Westbranch]

You will probably need a bridge, unless that 130 feet is a clear sight sot, then it might work.. might...

enjoy

ps at 65 I don't really understand it all either, but it gets easier each time you go through the process... I think... just can't remember it all....

[cschlessman]

Thanks everyone makes me feel better to know other folks have issues with this new stuff.

Watched the video clear as can be.... until I sleep . Well I will give it a try this week end.

Thanks again
Chuck

[Cyber2lz]

Said by OP "I would like my classic to talk to my computer without needing a new degree in computer geek .
I have read and reread the LA manual and it resembles what is comes on my server only in the graphics.  In short, I find it unusable when trying to set up variables for my system. ( that could be me)
Said by me "I would like my to configure my classic without needing a new degree in solar geek."
Perhaps cschlessman and I could/should get together as I found the networking part of the LA a breeze. 
I seriously need help with "LA config for dummies" as I am unable to figure out how to simply change C degrees to F degrees!!!!!  I can't be the only solar newb in your customer base.   OTOH, I guess I could be.

[Halfcrazy]

I plan to do a complete walk through of the Local app on video. Warning it will be long but I want to discuss every adjustment and what it is and why you want to use it. is this what we are looking for? Maybe 4-5 parts we will see

[Halfcrazy]

Part1 http://youtu.be/uyPcDvNXMCI

[Resthome]

I seriously need help with "LA config for dummies" as I am unable to figure out how to simply change C degrees to F degrees!!!!!  I can't be the only solar newb in your customer base.   OTOH, I guess I could be.

Well I can help you with this. They took it out of the LA because the Classic was only in C. Claim was they got too many service calls on it when you could switch it to F. So the simple answer is you can not make the LA read in F any more.

[Halfcrazy]

part 2 with some mistakes. I should have turned on data logging first

http://youtu.be/hu4-oF6IOaM

[Cyber2lz]

EXACTLY what I needed!  The vids are great!  A question from Vid #1.
Your classic firmware rev shows 1890 in the vid; the MN website shows 1849 as the latest available.  Is this a concern? 
My classic Lite 200 = Classic firmware rev 1758
                                 Network firmware  rev 1674
What is the Network firmware and where do I get it?

I will assume that the new firmware DL will allow Local Status Panel App(LA) (currently version 0.3.61) to show new features of the LA. (Whizbang,Jr.)
I'm off to update my firmware.

Thanks again !!!

[Halfcrazy]

EXACTLY what I needed!  The vids are great!  A question from Vid #1.
Your classic firmware rev shows 1890 in the vid; the MN website shows 1849 as the latest available.  Is this a concern? 
My classic Lite 200 = Classic firmware rev 1758
                                 Network firmware  rev 1674
What is the Network firmware and where do I get it?

I will assume that the new firmware DL will allow Local Status Panel App(LA) (currently version 0.3.61) to show new features of the LA. (Whizbang,Jr.)
I'm off to update my firmware.

Thanks again !!!

I will find a way to do the config menus today. As for firmware revision mine is running a prototype firmware so no worries

And yes new firmware in the Classic will unlock some more features of the Local App. But if you are not in a hurry I would wait a few weaks as there should be some big changes in My Midnite and there will be a Classic update for that

Ryan

[Cyber2lz]

Ryan,

I want to be my own "My Midnite".  I can log in from anywhere to my MS server and view/modify my system via the LA.  (it's the second reason that I decided to go with MN)

Besides that, I need to practice the "procedure" of firmware updating so that I can be ready for the NEW rev in a few weeks.

Once again, Great Job on the config vids !!!!!

[mike90045]

Thanks, I'm going to study them well

[Cyber2lz]

Ryan,  You might want to file this under "Esoterica".   
This morning it was raining in Central Florida and I decided to do the Firmware update to my Classic 200 Lite from my Windows 2008 server w HyperV.
My location is wired with optic, Cat5e and RG6 Quad Shield.  My classic is placed in an inconvenient location for PC access.  My comm room and Server rack are located about 75 wire feet away from the classic.  Too long for the Midnite supplied usb cable, but I used SpeedPull(Four Cat5e cables) to the board where the classic is located. One of those cables feeds a nested 5 port gigE switch (On Networks DSG005-199NAS Unmanaged 5-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch $17) co-resident on the solar back board for the Local App.  I have used USB over Cat5e before so I decided to give them a try again. ( SABRENT USB-RJXT USB Extension cable over Cat5e RJ45 Extender adapter) @ Newegg.com.  I followed the instructions from the Win 7 Guide and eventually got the classic updated to 1849.

Things that newbies (myself included) should do when updating the  Classic Firmware.
1.  Read the instructions several times before trying the firmware update.
2.  You cannot leave the USB port to the computer plugged in all the time.
      It must be plugged in at the time that the directions and the screen ask for it.
      And unplugged after the process ends.
3.  I did not get any annoying warning screens when configuring the Com8 port.
4.  My black DOS box indicating the update progress never went away.
     It did, however, display the "Update Successful" message when completed.
5.  The user must turn on/off the Classic when the directions request.
6.  The interior color of the local app is changed until you write a change to the Local App.  Then it magically picks up the desired color from earlier.
7.  All other settings remained the same.
8. I did not perform a factory restore after the firmware update.

Switching topics.
Ryan, we newbies are ready for Video 3 in the Explaining the Config Section of the Local App series.

Thanks,
Russ

[dgd]

Now that is an interesting wiring scenario, what about using a laptop and doing the firmware update near the Classic using just the supplied usb cable?
I have never found it an issue when or how long the usb cable is plugged in.
The important issue has always been waiting for the black update box to close itself.
The 100% updated and update success messages does not mean the update is completed..

dgd