Charge controller interface

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Lumisol
Lumisol Registered Users Posts: 374 ✭✭✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Is there a Bluetooth dongle that works with the TS MPPT 30 controller from morningstar?
Someone said you can connect it to a router and then log into the site from a laptop, but I am not sure how to go about doing this.
Is there another brand that has built in bluetooth and a smartphone app?, I wouldn't mind buying a different one, and keeping the MS as a backup if it's made with a better interface built in.
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  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    I think you would need an rs232 bluetooth dongle. In theory, the TS interface shouldn't care about the bluetooth transport, and it should behave like a wired connection. I don't know much about the Morningstar serial interface though, and I assume the pretty web page stuff is only on the ethernet versions (not the 30?)

    Midnite has a third party android app (thanks Graham) for monitoring classics, which would likely work with a bluetooth/ethernet adapter. I use a wireless bridge. Midnite has an app that can be used for changing stuff which works well on a laptop, but is marginally useful on a phone. They have a new rack inverter/controller product that might have a bluetooth option.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • Lumisol
    Lumisol Registered Users Posts: 374 ✭✭✭
    #3
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    I don't want pretty, just custom settings. I got the remote faceplate thingy (RDM), but haven't had time to set anything up quite yet.
    Hoping that I'll get time this summer sometime, but if not, there's next year.
    Does the RDM give a way to set custom set points?
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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2017 #4
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    If you are referring to the TS RM2, it doesn't allows custom settings, it is a window to view daily, historical and diagnostic information , in order to perform custom settings MS View software is required. The meter is very  useful to obtain information, other than what the 3 led indicators provide.
    https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/tristar-remote-meter-2/
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
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  • Lumisol
    Lumisol Registered Users Posts: 374 ✭✭✭
    #5
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    I see. I'll pick up a Bluetooth dongle and a short USB cable with a chipset and use those for what I need to do.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2017 #6
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    Be advised the morningstar charge controllers have passive serial ports and need speciality adapter/converters.  you can't plug a serial - bluetooth dongle in and have it work.
    See this post:  http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/366831#Comment_366831

    page 12 of  http://www.morningstarcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/MS-Comm-Document-2010.pdf

    ( keywords tripp tripp-lite )
    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

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  • Lumisol
    Lumisol Registered Users Posts: 374 ✭✭✭
    #7
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    The tripp-lite is an older version that needs drivers installed and the newer ones have built in chip sets that do the same thing without adding in drivers. The documentation says that Tripp-lite is one that was confirmed to work, not that it is the only one that will work.
    I already went through the documentation and found all that out.
    Thanks.
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  • _OS_
    _OS_ Solar Expert Posts: 207 ✭✭✭
    edited June 2017 #8
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    I have made an Android App that reads essential TS-MPPT data over the net. On the TS-MPPT 30 you need the Ethernet MeterBus Converter to connect it to your router:
    https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/ethernet-meterbus-converter/

    Drop me a PM if you would like to try out the App. It is mentioned in this tweet from Morningstar:
    https://twitter.com/morningstarcorp/status/618811048473157632 
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  • Lumisol
    Lumisol Registered Users Posts: 374 ✭✭✭
    #9
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    That's very kind of you, but I am not gathering data, just creating the set points for the initial setup.
    I don't think the 30 even has Ethernet. The remote location does not need that function currently so I opted to not get a model with the feature.
    I am just going to use the RS232 interface and a USB2.0 to RS232 9 pin cable with a built in chipset so I don't need to install drivers.
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