March 24, 20197 yr Hi all, curious, who knows the Sonof devices... Some assumptions, if someone can confirm and then answer API/Data pull question. So guessing the device itself is powered from the + - feeds, each device has a MC address, that we can DHCP reserve to a IP address and give a nice name. please confirm, Now, question, I'm assuming data is pulled from the device ? via an api ? does anyone know the standards here ? does anyone maybe have a python script that does this. G
March 24, 20197 yr 2 hours ago, georgelza said: Hi all, curious, who knows the Sonof devices... Some assumptions, if someone can confirm and then answer API/Data pull question. So guessing the device itself is powered from the + - feeds, each device has a MC address, that we can DHCP reserve to a IP address and give a nice name. please confirm, Now, question, I'm assuming data is pulled from the device ? via an api ? does anyone know the standards here ? does anyone maybe have a python script that does this. G Hi, I think most people put the Tasmota firmware on them. I certainly did that. They then communicate using MQTT. You can install an MQTT broker (mosquitto) and now you can talk to all your switches easily from python, or using NodeRed, or other automation platforms. The mqtt config in Tasmota gives it a name so it doesn’t really matter what IP it has. The Sonoff is not of the highest quality so I wouldn’t switch heavy loads with it. Have fun.
March 24, 20197 yr Author I currently have 4 x 20Amp plug circuits in the house. Each circuit driving multiple plugs, thinking is to put one of these 10amp units in each plug, allowing me monitoring, and also management (on/off). My high loads ar the pool, at 15Amps, there is a soon that can handle 16Amp so thats a match. Only "issue" is the 2 Geysers, still trying to figure out how for them. Using this I can probably drop everything onto a single flat DB design and just use the song's to switch devices on/off depending on power source. G
March 24, 20197 yr So for a dummy in these type of things. If I want to be able to switch things on and off wirelessly, what is the best way to do that? I have quite a distance between various parts of the house and various db boards as well, so if I set up something to monitor battery SOC which I can get from my BMV, how would I be able to wirelessly communicate with the plug on the pool pump for instance?
March 24, 20197 yr 1 hour ago, georgelza said: Only "issue" is the 2 Geysers, still trying to figure out how for them. I have one geyser on EV tubes, the other on a Geyserwise timer set to come on at a time that I know the panels produce optimally, with no other loads, so it is plug and forget.
March 24, 20197 yr 33 minutes ago, georgelza said: Have a look/talk to the guys from http://iccsoftware.co.za G I see they are also using the sonoff switches. How difficult would it be to use an arduino, read the battery SOC from my bluetooth BMV, and then wirelessly switch a sonoff based on certain conditions? Is that simple, or do you need to be a networking whizz?
March 24, 20197 yr Author They use a RPi and Sonof, if you think about it, their entire solution is only R2500, considering the rest of the charges, this is no brainer to just get from them as a complete pre build solution. Think if you go as Elbow suggested, you do the Firmware flash, then it becomes a much simpler stack which I'm sure would be available on an Ardinio. G
March 24, 20197 yr Except they don't support my inverter, so I will have to code something in any case. Edited March 24, 20197 yr by DeepBass9
March 24, 20197 yr Author I'm in 2 minds at the moment around a Axpert setup or the Victron. So sitting with same decision. If Victron, pulling the information from the Sonof's might be the easy part, getting information from the Victron about how it is running atm, that might be the more difficult part, Interfacing with the PylonTech... another Interesting. Thinking output from the panels might be the easiest. G
March 24, 20197 yr 16 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said: Except they don't support my inverter, so I will have to code something in any case. I did a setup with a Arduino with light sensor to switch the pool when it was cloudy . My problem was when I wanted to backwash the pool or run it the sun must shine and every time I wanted to switch the pool I had to go to the pool pump . I use the Sonoff RF switch . By installing the eWe app on my phone we can now switch the pool with our phones or remote control . The Sonoff switches must just be in the range of the Wi Fi . You can also set timer and schedules on these switches . I am impressed .
March 24, 20197 yr 37 minutes ago, DeepBass9 said: I see they are also using the sonoff switches. How difficult would it be to use an arduino, read the battery SOC from my bluetooth BMV, and then wirelessly switch a sonoff based on certain conditions? Is that simple, or do you need to be a networking whizz? It should be fairly simply but you would need to know some coding. Since you mention Arduino, I guess you know how to code them?
March 24, 20197 yr 41 minutes ago, georgelza said: I'm in 2 minds at the moment around a Axpert setup or the Victron. So sitting with same decision. If Victron, pulling the information from the Sonof's might be the easy part, getting information from the Victron about how it is running atm, that might be the more difficult part, Interfacing with the PylonTech... another Interesting. Thinking output from the panels might be the easiest. G Speak to @PaulF007 - he has it down to a fine art - even measuring the panels potential. 🙂
March 24, 20197 yr Author 1 hour ago, The Terrible Triplett said: Speak to @PaulF007 - he has it down to a fine art - even measuring the panels potential. 🙂 wrote Paul a nice little essay... G
March 24, 20197 yr 4 hours ago, SilverNodashi said: It should be fairly simply but you would need to know some coding. Since you mention Arduino, I guess you know how to code them? I know how to code, I've just never tried using arduino for anything. Guess it's time to give it a try.
March 24, 20197 yr 1 hour ago, DeepBass9 said: I know how to code, I've just never tried using arduino for anything. Guess it's time to give it a try. Paul007 has done the Pi thing, the Arduino thing and altering the CCGX to make things work the way he wants. 🙂 Let him come and share - will be interesting to say the least.
March 25, 20197 yr I see I have been summoned by Mr TTT . @georgelza - I am going to answer your pm - sort off - here as well. If you are going to use the Sonoffs then the TASMOTA firmware is one off the best out there and it gets updated by the day. Once you have that going then you need to get familiar with MQTT as this will form the backbone of your system. To set up rules to control the Sonoffs you will need a platform whereby you can dynamically alter your rules as you find the sweet spot for your system.So far I haven't find anything better than NODE RED. - It is available for Windows and Linux ( RPI included ). It is Java Scrip base but in a UI form this Chanel gives a massive amount of information as to how to use node red and once you get the hang of it , there is not much you can't do with it. At one stage I even wrote a network scanner to list all my devices on my network and log them in a MySql DB. Now to "optimize" your solar usage by using relays does work but there is a few things to consider. As mentioned earlier the Sonoffs relays are rated at 15a but I won't trust that number they are good for <10a, the last thing you would want is a Relay's contacts getting welded on a cloudy day and your batteries getting drained. On higher amps rather power a contactor with the Sonoff as they are built for high loads. Remember that you are working with WiFi and if stays a bit of a dark art. Personally, I don't put critical loads through Wifi devices. One problem is that the Sonoff's does not have very good Wifi receivers so you can easily get to the edge of the range. If the SonOff loose connection it will restart and try to reconnect, this can easily get into a loop. Your router can only handle so many devices. In today's day and age, everything is connected. The Sonoff devises are quite cheap and you can easily find your self adding a lot of them on your network. With your Mobile phones, tablets, Pc, Laptops, TV etcrt for can easily overload the router and then that will become unstable so keep this in mind. Remember that your system is STUPID and will do WHATEVER you tell it to do. One of the first thing that I wanted to control was my Geyser during winter. So I have three variables. Solar output, Battery watts, House loads and expected solar output (there is a node in Node Read that can accurately predict what you should get form your panels during the day). So the Idea was that if there was enough surplus between the battery charging and the house load then switch the geyser on. and if the battery watts goes in a negative switch off the Geyser. It sounded simple enough. Luckily I was at home when I ran the script for the first time. I got to a threshold where the system was on the edge of the switching and the relay started to flicker as the battery watts spiked and dipped.(It was a slightly overcast day so the panels would vary in their output.) If I wasn't there it would not have been a good thing for the inverter,,, Some other thoughts on controlling your loads. All costs are tied to ease of use and or time to set up ( Just take 3d printers nowadays - you pay almost double for a ready to print unit than one that you still need to build up yourself, this can take up to 8 hours to do). Same with inverters - the Axperts works well and they are good value for money but you need to fiddle with them to get the max out of them, that is if you want to use the grid with it. You constantly need to make sure that you don't kill your batts with loads that is too high. (I even had an audio alarm in the Kitchen that will remind the wife that we are on Solar and the batteries are discharging above 1000w) With grid-tie inverters, you can manage that quite a bit easier and you do not have to have so much user intervention. The less you pay the more time you will need to spend with the system. Just for fun I will post some Picks in the next post. 😉 .
March 25, 20197 yr Here is the picks. Main Screen House . Living room Solar My Sonoff devices ( Not all of them are currently active) . Some of the Node red rules that are running : Edited March 25, 20197 yr by PaulF007
March 25, 20197 yr Author thanks for allllll of that, on the wifi side, I've switched to Unifi AC AP's, they happily run about 200+ devices, due to some double walls in the double story, I'll be either replacing the one i have at the moment with their Long range unit or placing a 2nd one upstairs, (there will only be couple of Sonof's there, only "planning" on using them on plug points, although thinking.... lights might end on them also eventually). Initially I'll get them from ICCSoftware... so guessing they would have flashed them already, will ask the guys what FW they run. from what I have seen on youtube, not in the mood to do the flashing myself. Question, I haven't seen where they define the SSID and PW's for the sonof to join a secured network? Hmmm, that's def a couple of node red rules you have there.... how does the sonof/nodered system interface with your Victron ? I got the impression all of that for me would actually be via the ICCSoftware stack into the Axpert, did not get the impression the Victron exposes that directly itself as ICCSoftware is not certified for the Victron platform. your current setup, Color Control GXMultiPlus 48/3000/35-50BlueSolar Charger MPPT 150/70BMV 702 Battery monitor9 x Yingli 260 x Panels8 x Narada 6-GFM-170F Batteries what did it cost as it stands, if I HAD the money, I would not mind + change the panels to 12 x 330's and the batteries to 2 x Pylontech US3000's... and the 4000Kva unit. Looks like we might talk some more, got enough Python experience to keep myself handy, just hacking at OEM at the moment, looks like Node Red and MQTT is next on cards. Need to figure out how to forward all my stream going into OEM at the moment (local emonCMS) also onto the setup of ICCSoftware cloud store and then potentially also onto PVOutput. G
March 25, 20197 yr Author ... on sizing, thinking was one Sonof per plug... At the moment I have think 3 x 20Amp circuits with all the plugs on them... so by going with a 10Amp sonof unit per plug should be safe, expect for pool where I will need to use a 16amp unit. My thinking for the geysers was exactly as you suggested, use a sonof to drive a larger relay, you have suggestions of relays/contactters i can do that with? G
March 25, 20197 yr 16 minutes ago, georgelza said: Initially I'll get them from ICCSoftware... so guessing they would have flashed them already, will ask the guys what FW they run. from what I have seen on youtube, not in the mood to do the flashing myself. I suspect that they would have been flashed, most likely with some closed firmware that is proprietary to the system. If you want to do your own thing you will need to flash TASMOTA - there is a lot of info available to do it but alternatively, if you are willing to fork out some cash on shipping, we can try and make a plan. 20 minutes ago, georgelza said: Looks like we might talk some more, got enough Python experience to keep myself handy, just hacking at OEM at the moment, looks like Node Red and MQTT is next on cards. If that is the case have a look here on the forum, I posted a link to a python program that I modified to work with the Axper inverter and upload data to EmonCms. it served me well for a couple of years. 22 minutes ago, georgelza said: how does the sonof/nodered system interface with your Victron ? I got the impression all of that for me would actually be via the ICCSoftware stack into the Axpert, did not get the impression the Victron exposes that directly itself as ICCSoftware is not certified for the Victron platform. Victron also has MQTT as a protocol so it is quite simple to get the info from the inverter to node red. You can even make changes to the settings on the inverter via MQTT. 24 minutes ago, georgelza said: Question, I haven't seen where they define the SSID and PW's for the sonof to join a secured network? Not sure on custom FW but the TASMOTA does have that. In fact, it should be standard as most of us use the WIFI-Manager library in ESP8266. 26 minutes ago, georgelza said: what did it cost as it stands, if I HAD the money, I would not mind + change the panels to 12 x 330's and the batteries to 2 x Pylontech US3000's... and the 4000Kva unit. Don't we all. My system is now three or four years old and I was off Grid for one of those years. So I had to add enough panels so that I would be able to run on cloudy days. Have a look at your histogram in EMONCMS - it will show where you are using the bulk of your energy. In my case, a 1000 w system, now would almost cover 90 % of my needs so bigger isn't always better.
March 25, 20197 yr 18 hours ago, Chris Louw said: I did a setup with a Arduino with light sensor to switch the pool when it was cloudy . My problem was when I wanted to backwash the pool or run it the sun must shine and every time I wanted to switch the pool I had to go to the pool pump . I use the Sonoff RF switch . By installing the eWe app on my phone we can now switch the pool with our phones or remote control . The Sonoff switches must just be in the range of the Wi Fi . You can also set timer and schedules on these switches . I am impressed . I think that is where I will start, if I can detect whether it is cloudy or not, then I can switch the pool pump appropriately. I can later extend that to the geyser.
March 25, 20197 yr Author 1 hour ago, PaulF007 said: Victron also has MQTT as a protocol so it is quite simple to get the info from the inverter to node red. You can even make changes to the settings on the inverter via MQTT. awesome, was not aware, makes for smile, implies allot of what i might put in place now for monitor and management will be useable later if I switch to a Victron based system. G
March 25, 20197 yr So there you all have it. What has been done on a Axpert that was upgraded to a Victron and what one can do with the data from both. Must say, have not seen a more thorough system than what Paul has put together to USE the data. Respect. Loved the alarm for the wife. 🙂 When I was off-grid, it would have been nice. With being grid tied, it makes no difference anymore. Automatically draws max from panels, difference from Eskom.
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