Generic Controller wish list

[frackers]

Now I have a  User Journal, I'd thought I'd start putting together a wish list of capabilities and interfaces for a generic controller/logger for a solar/battery/inverter/gridtie system. Ideas are initially driven by what I can get cheap as a series of modules.

The brains of it would probably be something like this
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/mini-Stm32f103c8t6-system-board-stm32-learning-development-board/1568685935.html

with maybe a wifi interface
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-ESP8266-remote-serial-Port-WIFI-wireless-module-through-walls-best/32280714838.html

and/or an RF interface to a remote station (goes further than wifi)
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-lot-Special-promotions-1100-meter-long-distance-NRF24L01-PA-LNA-wireless-modules-with-antenna/969949629.html

and maybe an SD card for local storage
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MicroSD-card-module/32530917432.html

Display would be either character display like this
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-LCD-module-Blue-screen-IIC-I2C-2004-5V-20X4-LCD-board-provides-library-files/1873368596.html

or a more graphical display like this
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/J34-Free-Shipping-2-8-Inch-TFT-Color-LCD-SPI-Serial-ILI9341-Panel-Screen-Display-Module/32436568650.html

although that may use more memory than the 64k available on the cpu

DC side I've always used a DS2438 battery monitor chip ($1 each) which uses a shunt for current measurement and has a 10 bit A/D converter for voltage input. The great thing is that it does charge counting (30 times a second) so you can read amp-hrs straight out of it and it has a temperature sensor to read background conditions (you wouldn't want to glue it to a heat sink though!!)

AC side I'm thinking current transformer and transformer for voltage for isolation (although they will both likely require calibration). Other options are balanced high impedance inputs (couple of 10meg resistors to a differential A/D input) for volts and a Hall effect for current but I'm not impressed by the connections on some of the so called 200amp items.

Temperature sensors, I  would use 1-wire like the DC side measurements (since the interface code is already there!!)
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-New-Digital-Temperature-Temp-Sensor-Probe-DS18B20-For-Thermometer-1m-Waterproof

and mosfet buffered outputs for PWM controlled fans as well as LED indicators, buzzer
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Four-Channel-4-Route-MOSFET-Button-IRF540-V4-0-MOSFET-Switch-Module-For-Arduino/32294024692.html

and relays.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-2-channel-relay-module-relay-expansion-board-for-arduino-5V-low-level-triggered-2/1885697835.html


Have I got everything yet?

[solarnewbee]

Hey Frack!

Your just the guy I need to collaborate with. I have had many of the same ideas and I am slowly learning the code for arduino, raspberry pi etc.

I plan on using multiple arduino and raspberry modules and touch screens in order to monitor, take actions and report via lan and GSM.

2 eBay sellers come to mind for items I have purchased from there is seller:kingelectronics15 and seller:gc_supermarket. Aliexpress is and extension for Alibaba.com where I buy my solar panels and batteries for my future Philippines retirement business (if all goes well ). You actually can sign up at Alibaba.com as a business and with business attitude order some very reasonable solar equipment.

here's are some items I purchased: MINI V4 Wireless Data Transmission Module + Calling GSM GPRS SIM900A M105
( 351493870847 ). 

Ethernet Shield W5100 for Arduino Main Board 2009 UNO ATMega 328 1280 MEGA2560
( 201192051472 )

UNO R3 ATmega328P ATmega16U2 2014 Version Board & Free USB Cable for Arduino
( 381104046739 )

1PCS LM75A Temperature Sensor High-speed I2C Interface Development Board Module  (serial for arduino scl sdl)
( 221948627765 )
Quantity: 16

Voltage Transformer Active Single Phase Voltage Sensor Module for Arduino Mega
( 371113461110 )

100A AC Digital LED Power Panel Meter Monitor Power Energy Voltmeter Ammeter
( 131569692590 )

Mega 2560 ATMEGA2560-16AU Board (Arduino-compatible) + USB Cable Funduino
( 301723529878 )

I use the arduino mega  to learn from as I believe the plentiful i/o available allows for more functions from one board. Also there is more memory so your lcd's won't matter on memory. The raspberry Pi 3 is a bit pricey but has an sd card expansion slot but I can research an inexpensive card for you if you like.

I will be very interested in seeing how your journey progresses. Now I just have to wrap my mottled brain around coding.

regards,

SN

[solarnewbee]

Frackers,

One more note from experience, anytime you're ordering from China, be sure it's sent by E-Packet not China-Post otherwise it's a 2 month wait.

Keep on Fracking Sir!

[frackers]

I've had an account with aliexpress for a few years now  -sometimes stuff is slow, sometimes not. I have no need for speed 99% of the time as I generally have 5-6 projects on the go at once some of which may runs to several months - the Ozinverter is now coming up to its first anniversary for example!!