Sunsynk5.5 Simple Local Data Monitoring (No Cloud/Internet Needed) Setup Guide Step 2 (Dashboard+nodered)

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Ok, assuming you completed all the steps successfully at the Setup Guide Step 1, you can now continue with the next simple steps
If you missed Step 1 you can find it here:
Click Here For Setup Guide Step 1

Ok lets do this

You are going to need some optional info ready to complete your dashboard and nodered setup.
These are optional if you do not want to use the internet at all for your dashboard.
1 - Your location latitude and longtitude - You can easily get it from here: https://www.latlong.net/
2 - A free openweathermap API key - You can register for free here to get it: https://home.openweathermap.org/users/sign_up

Watch Real-time How to Do the above 2 steps.

 

Ok, that was simple, now you can move on to getting your openweathermap api key

 

Keep the above info ready for the next steps

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Great, now let's get started with the Thingsboard Dashboard.

1st we need to add the custom widgets for showing the loadshedding info.
Even if you opt to NOT use the internet you can still use one of these widgets to show if your local site has grid power or not

 

 

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Great, you should be finding this quite simple
Now we can add your inverter as a device onto your thingsboard portal.

 

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Perfecto, I hope you are coming along nicely with the instructions
Ok now let's get your nodered up and running

 

 

[WannabeSolarSparky]

By now if you have carefully followed all the steps then you should have data already streaming in to your Thingsboard Portal

Ok, now lets visualise that data with the next easy peasy step.

 

 

[WannabeSolarSparky]

You should now have a fully functional local dashboard running from nodered to thingsboard on your pc/laptop.
Now you can modify that dashboard as you like to show the data the way you like, no restrictions
This was just a good foundation for you to get started as quick as possible.

You are always welcome to come along and ask me for tips or howto's when you start playing around with all the settings graphs timeseries goodies etc on your thingsboard portal.

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Oh before I forget, those pesky RPi4's that get "stuck" with nodered.
Add the following to your cron jobs
I have been runniing like this for over a month now with no more issues on the raspberry side

Use the following command to enter your crons and run a nice clean reboot every 4 hours:

crontab -e

Then past the following line at the end:
 

0 */4 * * * sudo shutdown -r now

Save Ctrl x and yes

Do not use reboot command in the crons as you want all the software to shutdown nicely before rebooting

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Did You Know?
You can re-arrange your Sunsynk Thingsboard Dashboard any way you like to suit your own preferences.

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Did You Know?

You can use your Thingsboard Sunsynk Power Dashboard for your home automation as well
Here I am busy adding all my Tasmotized Sonoff Switches to my Sunsynk Monitoring Dashboard.

 

[shovelhead]

@WannabeSolarSparky impressive setup.  Not sure if I missed it in a previous post perhaps, but how about posting your hardware setup for inverter to Raspi etc.

[WannabeSolarSparky]

On 2022/04/21 at 12:29 PM, WannabeSolarSparky said:

If you missed Step 1 you can find it here:
Click Here For Setup Guide Step 1

@shovelhead there you go 
If you need more detailed info on the wiring and converters I used to connect everything let me know.

[shovelhead]

Yes, that's what I actually meant..wiring from Pi to inverter, actual photos.  Always interesting to see others setups for ideas also.

[WannabeSolarSparky]

7 minutes ago, shovelhead said:

Yes, that's what I actually meant..wiring from Pi to inverter, actual photos.  Always interesting to see others setups for ideas also.

@shovelhead  I will see if I get some time this evening and add some photos and description of the setup
It may help some people save some time and headache, had a crazy time finding the right converters that work perfectly.

[WannabeSolarSparky]

My 6 new 540 watt panels arrived today
Installing over the weekend, will bring my total generating capacity to about 7000 watts
I have updated my dashboard and added a new menu system to drill down to different dashboards each with its own set of data for each aspect of my installation.
Next I will be working on the settings page to control the inverters settings directly from the dashboard.

[Jacou]

Thanks very much for all the great info!

I have a Sunsynk 3 phase 12kw inverter. I've got everything setup as per this guide, but the values that I see on the MQTT topic looks a bit off.

Does anybody have experience connecting to the Sunsynk 3Phase 12KW and if the modbus details are the same?

Cheers Jaco

 

[WannabeSolarSparky]

On 2022/05/01 at 9:03 PM, Jacou said:

Does anybody have experience connecting to the Sunsynk 3Phase 12KW and if the modbus details are the same?

I think the modbus codes may be different, maybe ask @Bloubul7 he seems to know his stuff with the sunsynk modbus stuff

[Shvncrvn]

On 2022/04/23 at 1:35 PM, WannabeSolarSparky said:

@shovelhead  I will see if I get some time this evening and add some photos and description of the setup
It may help some people save some time and headache, had a crazy time finding the right converters that work perfectly.

Hey @WannabeSolarSparky, just checking if you ever posted some images on this configuration. I bought this converter on takealot (https://www.takealot.com/ugreen-rs232-to-rs485-converter-bk/PLID72150018) and then a standard RS232 to USB converter. But not too sure what the wiring should look like. (Also running 5kw Sunsynk).

 

Thanks!

 

Edited June 25, 2022 by Shvncrvn

[WannabeSolarSparky]

6 hours ago, Shvncrvn said:

Hey @WannabeSolarSparky, just checking if you ever posted some images on this configuration. I bought this converter on takealot (https://www.takealot.com/ugreen-rs232-to-rs485-converter-bk/PLID72150018) and then a standard RS232 to USB converter. But not too sure what the wiring should look like. (Also running 5kw Sunsynk).

 

Thanks!

 

I am braai'ing quick, will take those pics after braai

[Shvncrvn]

2 hours ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

I am braai'ing quick, will take those pics after braai

Thanks mate, enjoy the braai

[WannabeSolarSparky]

16 hours ago, WannabeSolarSparky said:

I bought this converter on takealot

That converter should work perfectly
Just need to wire it correctly.

[WannabeSolarSparky]

Temporary - not temorary 

[WannabeSolarSparky]

[WannabeSolarSparky]

connected to the rs485 bms port

[WannabeSolarSparky]

The inside of the converter box

[WannabeSolarSparky]

The new location for the data collection, Raspberry Pi and fan controller.