Network help with 2 250's

[Trukinbear]

Hi guys, new to the forum. I know this is probably explained in depth somewhere here, but I've yet to find it. Perhaps someone can help me please.

I've got 2-MidNite Classic 250 charge controllers, a MODBUS/CANBUS communications adaptor, and a SMA Sunny Island SI6048 inverter. So far I've brought the system up in stages, first with the 48V, and Generator/Inverter/Charger side... then I woke up the first Classic 250 with a token 1320w of solar input (planned 3000w per Classic 250)... in SMA mode, the SI is running it just fine, and I see it on both the local ap, and the website. I don't see the 2nd unit, although it says on it's display that it is in SMA mode. Tomorrow I plan on providing the 2nd unit with 1320w of solar input also. How do I make sure they are working together, and/or how do I bring the 2nd unit up on the local ap. There was an address change I was supposed to have made (though I might have set it up that way before the MOD/CAN translator arrived) that I don't see a way to change now. What have I done wrong, if anything?

Thanks guys!

[Trukinbear]

I guess my biggest question is how do I change the MODBUS address - it's eluded to in the documentation for the SMA communications adapter, just not explained as to how to change it.

AND how do I get the 2nd 250 to show up in Local Ap, and MyMidNite?

[Trukinbear]

In the documentation for my MidNite Communications adapter (MODBUS/CANBUS), which tech support told me to refer to, that it had everything I needed to know in it... says:

"When everything is ready to go, energize battery power to the Classics. The Communications Adapter is
powered from Classic #1 (MODBUS address #10) via the communications cable.
Set (verify) that the Classic controllers’ addresses are set to #10, #11, #12, and #13 for Classics 1-4
respectively."

yet it does not tell me, nor anywhere else I've looked how to DO this (Change and or verify the MODBUS address).

Somebody please help me, I've tried tech support and they just told me to look at the documentation that came with my Adapter. You know I spent right around $2000 for all this MidNite Solar equipment, everyone said their tech support was top shelf - yet here I sit almost 90 days later asking you guys. Somebody PLEASE help me.

[Trukinbear]

Well they are both up and running, both say SMA bulk... but when I add the 2nd unit to MyMidNite it says DATA NOT AVAILABLE, that it hasn't been able to communicate with it for over 2 weeks. Odd forum, I seem to be talking myself through this, to myself... don't all chime in at once.

[Vic]

Hi Truk..,  Welcome to this Forum,

One guess  about few  replies from others,  that   you have "received",   is that  most of the  users of this Forum,   are like me  --  folks like me  know  only one  thing  about  your  topic.     And,   that   most of us know NOTHING  at all  whatsoever.

This is a terrific  Forum,  it   provides  answers on a broad range  of  subjects,    and MidNite  Tech and Principals DO regularly visit and post comments here.   But  they are quite busy with  a  number  of  new products,  some of which are   close  to being close to  Beta   testing,   etc.   They have many things to do,   all at once,  so it may take a  bit  of time for   this to   percolate.

Could you please  wait  a  day or two,  before passing too much   judgment on this  Forum?

Try visiting all  of the other solar equipment manufacturer's Forums,   while you are waiting for  meaningful replies,    here    ...    OH,   right,   there  are   essentially NO other  such  Forums hosted  by  other larger solar   manufacturers (to   the  best  of my knowledge,  although,    we  do not  get  out much).

Good  Luck ! Thanks for your patience.  Pardon the attitude,   am   just  a member,  here.      Vic

[Westbranch]

IIRC you should assign a different IP address to each unit-then you will be able to see both of them. ..I  used the MNGP for  the simplest setup and the the local App for adjustments... be sure to click on the SAVE buttons when using the local App or nothing gets saved.
cheers

[Trukinbear]

Sorry Vic, I'm just a bit snippy that technical support just told me to read the manual... and I've ended up here. More disappointed in MidNite Solar, than with this forum - I'll attempt to not let that disappointment show through. I bought all of this MidNite Solar equipment because I was told they had fantastic tech support/customer service. Wondering if I shouldn't have just kept the system all SMA...

Thanks Westbranch, I've set the 2nd unit to static, and set the IP to the one listed in the work-around in the help section. It still doesn't show up... leading me to wonder:
a) do both Classics each need their own dedicated Ethernet cables?
b) could I have one of these jumpers between the Classics reversed?
c) could the order of them cause a problem ie which one I'm calling #1?

The main (the one the system sees) Classic has the Whizbang JR, Battery Temp probe, Ethernet cable, and MODBUS cable to the MidNite MODBUS/CANBUS adapter connected to it.

[onanparts]

The Classic manual is very detailed. This is what I found at a glance....

[onanparts]

Also found this..

[onanparts]

The SMA communications adapter documentation states "The Classics communicate with the Communication Adapter without confusion by having unique addresses for each Classic. The addresses need to be set by the installer when commissioning the system.

Trukinbear, that's you..the installer. 

[Trukinbear]

Ok, I must be under chemo fog today (and for the last 90 days or so) I've read this unitl I'm blue in the face - I still only see that I've got to change them, what they are changed to (#11, #12 etc) but not HOW to change them. What is the procedure to rename these devices #11, #12, #13 etc... like menu commands?

[Trukinbear]

Ok, yes I have done the thing with the arrow keys when I set them up... so I guess addresses aren't my problem

[Trukinbear]

And come on guys, while I appreciate the response... I had said that all the help I'd gotten from Tech support was to tell me to read the manual again... you know I've probably done that, right. Obviously I've missed something, or failed to understand something - telling me to re-read the manual isn't overly helpful.

[Trukinbear]

This isn't a follow me issue, this is a MODBUS/CANBUS SMA network issue. Nothing about this device even mentioned in the manual.

[Trukinbear]

Sorry for coming across as course, while it is no excuse bear in mind that I am very sick, and very tired... and oh so close to this whole thing being over. I've followed the directions in the manual, undone it and did it over, and over. What I need is diagnostic help... though I'll appreciate any help I can get.

I undid, and redid it all just a few minutes ago... installed like the manual says (and the supplement for the com adapter). #10 has the MODBUS cable out to the adapter, and line in from #11... #10 has the battery temp sensor, and the Whizbang Jr. Additionally #10 has the Ethernet cable connected to the router - something not mentioned anywhere, which unit connects to the router. Both are set to SMA mode, but it appears the SI only sees #10, as does the internet, and the local app tries to connect but then says device unavailable. I know I've overlooked something.