Monitoring charge controller with a laptop

This is about replacing the MT-1 solar meter with a cable to a laptop. This would then allow remote monitoring over the internet rather than having to physically look at a meter periodically.

Just plugged in RS-485 to USB converter into my Linux laptop and saw:

kilnageer@kilnageer-Latitude-D630:~$
kilnageer@kilnageer-Latitude-D630:~$ sudo dmesg -c
[ 1305.616127] usb 5-1: new full-speed USB device number 3 using uhci_hcd
[ 1306.179490] usb 5-1: New USB device found, idVendor=0403, idProduct=6001
[ 1306.179495] usb 5-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[ 1306.179498] usb 5-1: Product: FT232R USB UART
[ 1306.179502] usb 5-1: Manufacturer: FTDI
[ 1306.179505] usb 5-1: SerialNumber: A9QTLJ7F
[ 1306.346625] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
[ 1306.347271] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
[ 1306.347408] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
[ 1306.365789] usbcore: registered new interface driver ftdi_sio
[ 1306.366696] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for FTDI USB Serial Device
[ 1306.366813] ftdi_sio 5-1:1.0: FTDI USB Serial Device converter detected
[ 1306.366938] usb 5-1: Detected FT232RL
[ 1306.369611] usb 5-1: FTDI USB Serial Device converter now attached to ttyUSB0
kilnageer@kilnageer-Latitude-D630:~$

So hopefully I may see some comms to the charge controller over ttyUSB0


kilnageer@kilnageer-Latitude-D630:~$ sudo screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600

(Nothing on screen after a few seconds so gave up)

Ctrl-A \ (to quit)
[screen is terminating]

So time to debug!

kilnageer@kilnageer-Latitude-D630:~$ lsusb | grep Future
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 0403:6001 Future Technology Devices International, Ltd FT232 USB-Serial (UART) IC

Made a test rig for the solar panel

Got movable solar panel stand up and running to investigate how the angle effects power output. Hope to double it. Now just waiting for the sun to come out!

Using six 40W 12v heating elements as a test load

And here's the tools needed to mount the panel to the aluminum frame.

But as it's a cloudy day only 1A (of the 8A maximum) is being provided and I've no sun to optimise the panel's position.

Changed to the 5KW inverter

Switched from the 800W to the 5KW inverter so we can test the Dyson on solar power.

Unfortunately, a 1800W vacuum running from a 24V battery pack needs more than 50A so the fuse blew! Which I then replaced.

Dropped a cable from the attic to watch TV power by solar

Dropped a cable from the 800W inverter so we can watch the 50" 4K TV from the solar panel batteries.

Even better when Mayo beat Roscommon! :)