Status of the MNS COMBOX Project

[ClassicCrazy]

ClassicCrazy:

Excellent summary. I would like the same. I don't know if I can figure all the connections out, but will try if the Can data is available. For example, with Node-Red on a RPI4, I have a GPS dongle with FTDI to USB dongle, and also BLE to gather temp data from RuuviTag sensors, and an SDR interface to get temp data from longer range AmbientWeather temp sensors. The GPS puts out a lot of stuff that can be pre-processed in Node-Red. NR doesn't have a great dashboard, but will do initially for the most important live data.

What are the pinouts for the Canbus on the MNGP2?

R.

I was able to get the canbus data last winter - but don't remember the pinouts right now . Maybe I see if I can find it later. I sent you a personal message on forum here - look for it if you haven't seen it yet.
Larry

[Raster]

ClassicCrazy:

Received. Thanks much.

R.

[qrper]

I received this message from solar assistant.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for reaching out. We do not have any immediate plans to support Midnite solar products. If we do, we will show it here:https://solar-assistant.io/help/updates/changelog

Kind Regards,

Apparently, midnite products are even on their radar.
Too bad.

Mike

[Raster]

ClassicCrazy:

Still would like the pinouts for MN Can bus.

Also if anyone is interested (in trying to get all data live on the local net):

Had some success talking to the 6 EG4-LL batteries. There is a setting on the panel for Can bus support for Victron. It says to set the ID of the top battery to 64 which can't be done, so it is really 0. The panel key it says to press in the manual is wrong, it should be the Return key, not the Enter key. Set to Victron. I downloaded their Venus OS for a RPi4. The imager software is balenaEtcher.

For the Can dongle: pin 4 on the battery is CanHi, and pin 5 is CANLo. Gnd doesn't seem to be needed. The RS485 cable that is supplied with the batteries is using two wires also, pin 7 and pin 8. That works for the Windows app to look at all the batteries.

Venus OS supports the Can dongle I have. It has Node-Red installed already. It sees all 6 batteries and reports information. Not sure which battery it is using for info. It seems to stroke the bus every second. What is good is the console is available on the LAN. At least I can look at the batteries now, half of the battle.

R.

[Brucey]

I received this message from solar assistant.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for reaching out. We do not have any immediate plans to support Midnite solar products. If we do, we will show it here:https://solar-assistant.io/help/updates/changelog

Kind Regards,

Apparently, midnite products are even on their radar.
Too bad.

Mike

I got a similar response, I'm guessing customer service guys aren't aware/privvy of what's going on in development, or they don't mention until it's officially released to avoid support headaches. I think it was mentioned it may be three weeks or so before we see anything.

[ClassicCrazy]

Raster
Here is what I have for canbus connection using Inno-Maker usb2 can board
RJ45 on the Midnite canbus  to an Inno-Maker usb-can-hat-rpi board that has a DB9 connector on it
RJ45 pin 5 solid blue to db9 pin 2  Can L
RJ45 pin 4 blue white  to db9 pin 7 Can H
RJ45 pin 6 green white to db9 pin 3 ground
Plugged in to the MNGP2 canbus jack seems to get data using Busmaster program.
I don't understand canbus stuff
Larry

[Wizbandit]

I got a similar response, I'm guessing customer service guys aren't aware/privy of what's going on in development, or they don't mention until it's officially released to avoid support headaches. I think it was mentioned it may be three weeks or so before we see anything.

I chatted with Ryan on the COMBOX and he is going to ask management if they will be willing to use up existing parts to build up and sell some bare COMBOX's to users as un-supported hardware.  Then all you would need is to ask me for the code to play with.  I have it talking to the new MNAIO-10K All-in-One inverter as well as the MNPowerFlo5 battery now.  The MNCOMBOX has a working builtin power supply that takes 9-12VDC via 2.1mm coaxal power jack.  I just received some 36-60V to 12V power supplies to test to see if I can avoid Linux file system damage by powering the COMBOX off the 48VDC battery. I would probably have all the raw parts shipped here, assemble and commission them before shipping.  Not sure, still thinking about this.  I have also hooked a 9V battery to a 2.1mm power plug and used it to keep the COMBOX running during a power-cycle of Rosies.

[Brucey]

I got a similar response, I'm guessing customer service guys aren't aware/privy of what's going on in development, or they don't mention until it's officially released to avoid support headaches. I think it was mentioned it may be three weeks or so before we see anything.

I chatted with Ryan on the COMBOX and he is going to ask management if they will be willing to use up existing parts to build up and sell some bare COMBOX's to users as un-supported hardware.  Then all you would need is to ask me for the code to play with.  I have it talking to the new MNAIO-10K All-in-One inverter as well as the MNPowerFlo5 battery now.  The MNCOMBOX has a working builtin power supply that takes 9-12VDC via 2.1mm coaxal power jack.  I just received some 36-60V to 12V power supplies to test to see if I can avoid Linux file system damage by powering the COMBOX off the 48VDC battery. I would probably have all the raw parts shipped here, assemble and commission them before shipping.  Not sure, still thinking about this.  I have also hooked a 9V battery to a 2.1mm power plug and used it to keep the COMBOX running during a power-cycle of Rosies.

Thanks, would definitely be interested in this officially unsupported option for my Rosie and hopefully soon a Hawkes bay 90A. I think it was mentioned these are a little underpowered for large/complex systems but I can't see myself going beyond the one Rosie and maybe three Hawkes bays so shouldn't be an issue there.

[Raster]

Larry:

Great info. I will look at the Inno site.

The pinouts for Can lines are the same as for the EG4-LL. That is good news. I got some ethernet breakout connectors, male and female, to help determining the correct pins. Can pins should have 2.5v to ground. I will try to use Savvycan or Cangaroo to look at the MNGP2. Your image and maybe some accomplice attacks will get results.

Forgot to add this on the EG4-LLs post:

Bit rate for the Can is 500k.


An ethernet cable, raspberry pi 4, power supply, Can dongle, custom Can cable, SD card, and Venus OS, gets you the EG4-LL battery data. Browser gets the display/modification, and SSH gets other control. Lots of documentation on Venus. No tech support, but it works, and is maintained. Also supports GPS and Ruuvitags out of the box.

R.

[ClassicCrazy]

Larry:

Great info. I will look at the Inno site.

The pinouts for Can lines are the same as for the EG4-LL. That is good news. I got some ethernet breakout connectors, male and female, to help determining the correct pins. Can pins should have 2.5v to ground. I will try to use Savvycan or Cangaroo to look at the MNGP2. Your image and maybe some accomplice attacks will get results.

Forgot to add this on the EG4-LLs post:

Bit rate for the Can is 500k.


An ethernet cable, raspberry pi 4, power supply, Can dongle, custom Can cable, SD card, and Venus OS, gets you the EG4-LL battery data. Browser gets the display/modification, and SSH gets other control. Lots of documentation on Venus. No tech support, but it works, and is maintained. Also supports GPS and Ruuvitags out of the box.

R.

I used Savvycan last winter but I just can't get my brain to understand all the CAN data. My usual tactic of staying up very late to figure it out didn't work either !
Larry

[Raster]

Larry:

Node-red has Can nodes, even just read-only which I like. Packets come in as JSON, with all the fields. I am hoping that MN will publish a limited DBC for the Rosie, Barcelona, and MNGP2 with all the important fields that give status, and the scheme for ARB-IDs and Busids. Then the live project can produce a critical info dashboard, all done in NR. I would be very willing to work on that since I have no other options. One Rpi for the EG4 batteries, and one Rpi for MN. There would be a limited amount of programming, just data manipulation, and just live data for the initial foray.

R.

[ClassicCrazy]

Larry:

Node-red has Can nodes, even just read-only which I like. Packets come in as JSON, with all the fields. I am hoping that MN will publish a limited DBC for the Rosie, Barcelona, and MNGP2 with all the important fields that give status, and the scheme for ARB-IDs and Busids. Then the live project can produce a critical info dashboard, all done in NR. I would be very willing to work on that since I have no other options. One Rpi for the EG4 batteries, and one Rpi for MN. There would be a limited amount of programming, just data manipulation, and just live data for the initial foray.

R.

I sent you a message with question on node red.
Larry

[Raster]

Larry:

Got the first message, but nothing more so far.

R.

[Raster]

ClassicCrazy:

Some progress. Took the Rpi4 with the Can dongle, plugged it into the MNGP2, and it lit up like a Christmas tree. Plenty of pretty packets.

I used the socketcan-out node and a debug node for Node-Red. The Can dongle has to be configured on the command line with sudo ip link commands before starting NR.

R.

[ClassicCrazy]

Raster
take another look in your messages or send me one so i can send you my email
Larry