RE proof of concept: need some help

[ClassicCrazy]

You may want to hold off on that Arduino R3 since they just recently came out with the Arduino R4 and one model has wifi so that would get rid of the need for your ethernet board I think
https://news.sparkfun.com/7335
Larry

[Barry Fields]

Thanks Larry but I would rather not use wifi.

Do ya think what I have posted will do what I want?

Thanks
barry

[ClassicCrazy]

I have no idea if what you want to do would work or not with the arduino. 
I guess you will just have to start experimenting and find out .

I don't want to confuse your efforts here, but if you never used Arduino , the place I would start is to just get a cheap Arduino R3 clone and play around with it a bit via the Arduino IDE using beginners example code projects that are built into the Arduino IDE. Then move on to the bigger and better things after you know how to load , run, and debug code using the Arduino IDE.  You can get the Arduino R3 clone boards for about 8 bucks and there are lots of various prototype shields, sensor kits, lcd display boards, etc that don't cost too much either. It is all fun.
example here is R3 board with proto board, sensors, etc for $37
https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Project-Tutorial-Controller-Projects/dp/B01D8KOZF4?ref_=automaticdeals_bs_dp
Larry
 

[Barry Fields]

This is what I have in mind.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks Barry

[qcda1]

Hello! Any progress in the Absorb phase? The drawing looks ok. Still, it is not obvious to make a comment without knowing what the goal or objective is. Personally, if it was for something single task and stand alone with an SD card for data acquisition, the Arduino would be on the top of the list. But if there is remote programming and telecommunication interfacing to multiple devices with some monitoring, I would go with a Raspberry Pi.

On the wiring diagram, You use a TTL to RS485 interface to talk Modbus to the Solar Charge Controller. Not sure I saw the type of SCC you have. If it is a Classic, where is the RS485 interface port on the SCC? The only Modbus interface I can see is the MNGP interface that is RS232 and not RS485. The only communication link I can see is the Ethernet link for Modbus communications.

[Barry Fields]

thanks for your input.
My Charge controller is a Renogy rover 60A. (equivalent to MNMPPT60DIY)
The Modbus connection is RJ45 on the controller.
Contact with Renogy engineering has verified connect-ability and commands required to both monitor charge parameters and force absorb/float conditions.
Goal is to place controller absorb/float mode under Arduino 2560 control based on SOC determined by stabilized float current (stabilized float current = 100% SOC).
SD storage of historical endamps, float currents and individual bank peak discharge currents. Remote hardware will derive most data and send to Arduino via I2C on Arduino request.  Fastest sample time = 30seconds.

[Wizbandit]

thanks for your input.
My Charge controller is a Renogy rover 60A. (equivalent to MNMPPT60DIY)
The Modbus connection is RJ45 on the controller.
Contact with Renogy engineering has verified connect-ability and commands required to both monitor charge parameters and force absorb/float conditions.
Goal is to place controller absorb/float mode under Arduino 2560 control based on SOC determined by stabilized float current (stabilized float current = 100% SOC).
SD storage of historical endamps, float currents and individual bank peak discharge currents. Remote hardware will derive most data and send to Arduino via I2C on Arduino request.  Fastest sample time = 30seconds.

[Barry Fields]

Wizbandit,

Sorry for they delayed response. Is the MNCOMBOX a real thing? I thought it was canceled.

I have been in communication with Renogy discussing a force float/force absorb method. I have attached excerpts from that communication.

If the COMBOX is real, could it include this flexibility.

If the COMBOX is not real, I am hoping you might be of assistance once I get to the point of actually programming an ARDUINO to perform all that functionality.

I have been busy designing the remote hardware to generate bank discharge and charge currents. So far so good.

Again, I do appreciate you.

[Wizbandit]

The MNCOMBOX was cancelled do to lack of resources to commit to a fully finished product.  I still fiddle with optimizing the code and slowly porting it from an Orange Pi to a Raspberry Pi, in my spare time which has become less frequent. The Raspberry Pi running Linux and using Python IMHO is easier than ARDUINO but that's just my opinion.  I bought an ARDUINO experimenters kit full of dodads and sensors but never found the time nor ambition to set it up and learn it.