Remote Monitoring of Multiple Solar Charge Controller

syedbukhari
syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I need some help regarding the monitoring of solar charge controller to a central point (PC) that are installed at different locations. How can i do this?
I have only Ethernet on each site where the charge controller is installed but no serve or PC. My charge controller also have RS 432 and Ethernet port.
Please help me in this matter i do not have any knowledge about networking.

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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    What charge controller do you have ? Both of mine plug right into a wireless router I can access at my desk
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #3
    mike95490 wrote: »
    What charge controller do you have ? Both of mine plug right into a wireless router I can access at my desk

    I have SMK charge controllers in 50 and 60 amps. The distance between these charge controller is 50 km and the location where i want to monitor is more than 200 km away from these controllers.
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #4
    I could not find anything with SMK charge controllers and remote instrumentation...

    You could always use a Battery Monitor (Victron is one brand with remote monitoring) and monitor your system that way.... I think a few people here have instrumented their systems that way.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #5
    BB. wrote: »
    I could not find anything with SMK charge controllers and remote instrumentation...

    You could always use a Battery Monitor (Victron is one brand with remote monitoring) and monitor your system that way.... I think a few people here have instrumented their systems that way.

    -Bill


    Bill you are right monitoring through Victron battery monitor is easy but with battery monitor we can not see the solar data like PV volts PV charging current and total energy produced at the end of the day. I just want to see these parameters i do not want to customize these parameters remotely. why do not i do this with SMK solar charge controller ? Please check the specification http://www.smksolar.com/mppt_solar_c...r_50a_60a.html
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Monitoring your solar harvest on line via RS232/485/Ethernet communication.

    So you have to contact them to get the specs, and software, I've got no idea what they want or offer

    Their monitor log in page is just a place holder :
    http://www.smksolar.com/monitoring_login.html

    I doubt this will work for you this year.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #7
    mike95490 wrote: »

    So you have to contact them to get the specs, and software, I've got no idea what they want or offer

    Their monitor log in page is just a place holder :
    http://www.smksolar.com/monitoring_login.html

    I doubt this will work for you this year.

    Can you suggest me any MPPT charge controller that allow me to monitor solar charge controllers to a central point that are installed at different location?
    .
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,891 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
    syedbukhari wrote: »

    Can you suggest me any MPPT charge controller that allow me to monitor solar charge controllers to a central point that are installed at different location?
    .
    What is your budget?
    The Midnite, Schnider Electric,Outback, and Morningstar MPPT controllers can be networked. It will be in the $2,000 US range for parts for 2 systems.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #9
    I have my 2 controllers, one is a Morningstar, and one is a Midnight Classic. Both are connected to a wireless router, I connect to the router with my laptop, and use the browser to see the Morningstar, and the App to view the Classic screen shot attached,
    To get log data, I have to take the laptop to the battery shed to connect a USB-Serial adapter to the Morningstar, the Classic can download data via the App Attachment not found.

    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #10
    [QUOTE=mike95490;n339081
    To get log data, I have to take the laptop to the battery shed to connect a USB-Serial adapter to the Morningstar, the Classic can download data via the App Attachment not found.

    [/QUOTE]
    Can i also monitor multiple charge controllers (midnit/morningstar/outback etc) from 100 KM away?
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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #11
    Dave Angelini wrote: »
    What is your budget?
    The Midnite, Schnider Electric,Outback, and Morningstar MPPT controllers can be networked. It will be in the $2,000 US range for parts for 2 systems.
    Can you please explain why it is so costly and what hardware and software it will require?
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,891 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #12
    syedbukhari wrote: »
    Can you please explain why it is so costly and what hardware and software it will require?


    I assume that you are not able to do something like Mike is doing. If you can that is great. Most of my clients do not have the time, talent, or can handle multiple brands of charge controllers and do what Mike is doing. I end up using an Outback system or a Schneider electric system. They are the only ones who also build inverter/chargers and generator remote starting, all integrated into one display/control panel or sent to the internet. The inverter/charger gives you specific load data (and much more) on the bus that you have to guess at with only charge controllers. It can be done but is clunky in my opinion here in 2015.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #13
    Dave Angelini wrote: »

    . They are the only ones who also build inverter/chargers and generator remote starting, all integrated into one display/control panel or sent to the internet. The inverter/charger gives you specific load data (and much more) on the bus that you have to guess at with only charge controllers. It can be done but is clunky in my opinion here in 2015.

    Currently which charge controller can satisfy my need? I want to install at least 10 charge controllers at different locations that are far away from each other and there is a Ethernet facility available at every site. I want to see the data of all these controllers to a central server. Which brand is suitable for me?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #14
    syedbukhari wrote: »
    Can i also monitor multiple charge controllers (midnit/morningstar/outback etc) from 100 KM away?
    Once you connect something to the internet with a router, it falls upon your networking skills to get that signal through your modem or switch, The internet is a vast network and 100km connections are done all the time.

    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,891 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #15
    syedbukhari wrote: »

    Currently which charge controller can satisfy my need? I want to install at least 10 charge controllers at different locations that are far away from each other and there is a Ethernet facility available at every site. I want to see the data of all these controllers to a central server. Which brand is suitable for me?


    I will give you a generic answer. When I get specific I bill for it. I only have direct experience with Outback and Xantrex. For each of these sites you would need a charge controller and a communication box at each site. Without knowing specifics of your solar power and a few other things it is hard to know. Also since you need to learn alot at this point, this is a good place.
    I think others can help you here and Morningstar or Midnite have built-in (I think) communication for the internet in the controller so that might be the best for you as you will not need (I think)
    all the niceties of a complete system like Xantrex / Schnieder or Outback. Good Luck
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #16
    Dave Angelini wrote: »
    I think others can help you here and Morningstar or Midnite have built-in (I think) communication for the internet in the controller so that might be the best for you as you will not need (I think) all the niceties of a complete system like Xantrex / Schnieder or Outback. Good Luck

    I can bill for good features and i can also buy midnite and morning star but i am confused weather these brands have web based monitoring ready to use or require some additional hardware or software?
    Can we monitor multiple charge controllers or not?

    As i have told you before i have fast internet on every site but do not have PC there. I want to see all data of charge controller on my office computer / mobile
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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #17
    PI also guide a company Sirus solar is offering a monitoring system for morning star charge controller. Does any one use this or similar system of some other company?
    http://www.sirussolar.com/onlinestore.html
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #18
    Define Web Based Monitoring. For me, it's "Can I use the internet to connect to my remote router and see the output of devices there" For Morningstar and Midnight, that would be Yes.
    If you want a "Cloud Based" system, Midnight has a system called "My Midnight". I don't have great connectivity (my access is via a 3G cell phone) and I can't afford the data that cloud based would require.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • syedbukhari
    syedbukhari Solar Expert Posts: 104 ✭
    #19
    mike95490 wrote: »
    Define Web Based Monitoring. For me, it's "Can I use the internet to connect to my remote router and see the output of devices there" For Morningstar and Midnight, that would be Yes.
    Yes i need the same but does morning star and midnite's all models support this or some specific models?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #20
    All of the Midnight Classic models support remote access via their Local App, or My Midnight Cloud
    Only the top end Morningstar 60A MPPT controller has a read only web interface, smaller models do not have the web interface, just the 60A MPPT
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

    · Share on Twitter

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