I had been doing a ton of research working on building this myself and then a few weeks later this video popped up... exactly what i wanted to make in an even more compact state. Ordered one, very hopeful to see how well it works.
I’ve been using a home made version of this type of adapter for several years, but recently switched to using the Elfin EW11 (I use the “-0” version with an external antenna) and the Mdbus flex-getter node in Node-Red. The advantage of this approach is that you can use the EW11 as a virtual remote serial port, so with the correct drivers you can access the EPEver via the manufacturer’s remote management software. This means that you can tweak the configuration without having to go and plug your laptop into the controller.
This is very similar to my current approach. I’ve published my node red flow on GitHub. Colin and myself (mainly Colin) put together an earlier version that was simply a rs485 to WiFi bridge much like the Elfin device you mention.
Adam thanks for posting this info, very informative. I am very interested in a RS485 to Wifi board, but my problem is I am running (2) TracerAN charge controllers in my RV and to manage there charge rates I have installed the Epever parallel controller (PAL-ADP-50AN) that controller only can be monitored with wired/PC software.... yuk! The PC software works via USB/Rs485 cable, guessing the protocol is a one off. Any ideas?
Be careful, I would not at this stage, I have a 80A Epever solar controller that has got to RS485 outlets, I was using a single outlet with a SnekTek - Solar WiFi dashboard V4 controller , and swapped it out with a RS485 to WiFi adaptor , all worked well with logging data to my MQTT server, so in my wisdom I thought I would use the second RS485 port in the Epever solar controller and run both devices, well it didn't end well for both devices, I lost all comms from the Epever to both devices, each device still was able to surf to there own webpage but not data was sent, I disconnected both devices and plugged in a MT50 and was able to view the data, I have since ordered another 2 RS485 to WiFi adaptors and will never use both RS485 ports together, I think I have fried the comms chip in both devices< I am now waiting for the 2 x RS485 to WiFi adaptors in the mail.
I bought one, connected to EPEVER and I can see RS485-WIFI with windows.... But can't get further... There is no manual (or URL ?) to connect it. Any help ?
Hi Adam, it’s quite long ago you did this with Colin I believe, but still a great video 👍 Anyway have you done similar thing with ESP32 and new Blynk IoT? Appreciate if you can share, if any. Thanks.
Hello Adam is there any HOWTO to go on after flashing the wemos?? and is it possile to use the epever android app with this adaptor?? pse ecuse my ad endlish tyia
I have a question. I've been using an Epsolar ET6415BND 60amp for years. With the standard supplied RS485 USB cable. the wires were slightly bare and came together. Since then it doesn't work anymore. What's wrong, internally the RS485 chip in the charge controller is broken. or the USB to RS485 interface cable is broken. is there anny protection in the charge controller.
I need help with a charge controller I need a charge controller that will not only take a wind turbine generator but solar panels as well can you help me with this
It’s as simple as it can be. The dashboard you could see (with the green block of information) is created by the device itself. All you need to do is upload the code (find a guide for ESPflasher - or perhaps Colin could do it for you if you buy the wemos from him and ask nicely) then connect to the devices wireless network to give it credentials for your WiFi network. After that - it just sits there waiting for you to connect to it and view the information.
I have implemented an alternate approach. I use an esp32 (running a modbus library) with a cheap ttl to rs485 adapter. Code is C++/Arduino. The esp32 gets status and commands my epever tracer controller (via published online protocol definitions). The commands and status pass over an MQTT broker to a node-red server via wi-fi. In node-red I have implemented a custom epever status page similar to the factory supplied program, but which I much prefer. I have a second node-red page where I can change the various epever charging parameters.
Cool. Sounds similar to mine… github.com/AdamWelchUK/NodeRedEPEverDashboard this is the last version I uploaded, but as is often the case, it’s revolved since then!
Hola, I did the exact thing but ran into an issue. My controller ,40amp tracer an, lost power to its battery ( my BMS disconnected ) , the connection to the solar panel remained constant. When I discovered this issue somehow the combus in the controller went bad. I can’t change settings anymore via pc or the remote ‘meter’ device. The meter lights up but never connects. Somehow the data bus got borked. BTW I was using those cheep 2 pin usb adaptors to a raspberry pi. Otherwise things were great. I even made a led scrolling display with esp-8266 display controller data ported the MTTQ running on the pi. Sweet !
@@jethrotull5847 I also lost a controller with a bad data bus. I think a lightening strike took it out (live in central Florida). Since then I have taken great pains to ground everything and have installed a serge protector on my panel cables coming from the roof. Since I use Lithium Iron batteries, the charge controller is useless without the ability to fine tune the parameters.
@@yancymuu4977 I intend to take it apart hopeful it’s just a bad data bus chip. I have 3 controllers hooked in parallel, in retrospect I wish I would have bought the later model that appears to have the comm chip on a removable faceplate module. I also use lifpo4 batteries and still keep the old controller online because it was set for lifpo4 (user). The settings are a little different ( like max charge..) though. If you could please describe your system a little more, I display data on web page and led scroll displays, I also meter amp consumed via a shunt, PZEM-017 connected to Arduino D1 mini. Everything possible with node-red !
Lastly, I intend to switch the load on and off automatically based on daily internet weather forecasts ( json ). My array is 1,600 watts charging 28 v 200 ah. Here in Virginia seems like 45% days are cloudy or overcast.
ADAM - YOU ARE THE WINNER 100 CS LBC ON YOUR ODYSSEY CHANNEL SEE YOUR ODYSSEY ABOUT PAGE AT THE BOTTOM, WAS 0.005 LBC NOW 100.005 LBC CHANNEL SUPPORT FOR 1 MONTH
I had been doing a ton of research working on building this myself and then a few weeks later this video popped up... exactly what i wanted to make in an even more compact state. Ordered one, very hopeful to see how well it works.
The MQTT is a great touch!
Yeah, it’s super useful.
Glad to hear you online again Adam.
Thanks Pat. It’s been a busy summer.
Great to see you back 🙂
Thanks Martin
Good to see your still playing with solar stuff dude
Good stuff by Colin again! :)
Super 👏
I’ve been using a home made version of this type of adapter for several years, but recently switched to using the Elfin EW11 (I use the “-0” version with an external antenna) and the Mdbus flex-getter node in Node-Red.
The advantage of this approach is that you can use the EW11 as a virtual remote serial port, so with the correct drivers you can access the EPEver via the manufacturer’s remote management software. This means that you can tweak the configuration without having to go and plug your laptop into the controller.
This is very similar to my current approach. I’ve published my node red flow on GitHub. Colin and myself (mainly Colin) put together an earlier version that was simply a rs485 to WiFi bridge much like the Elfin device you mention.
Adam thanks for posting this info, very informative. I am very interested in a RS485 to Wifi board, but my problem is I am running (2) TracerAN charge controllers in my RV and to manage there charge rates I have installed the Epever parallel controller (PAL-ADP-50AN) that controller only can be monitored with wired/PC software.... yuk! The PC software works via USB/Rs485 cable, guessing the protocol is a one off. Any ideas?
Can I connect it in parallel with the existing MT50 remote thing? Thanks.
This is something I want to investigate.
@@AdamWelchUK thank you.
Be careful, I would not at this stage, I have a 80A Epever solar controller that has got to RS485 outlets, I was using a single outlet with a SnekTek - Solar WiFi dashboard V4 controller , and swapped it out with a RS485 to WiFi adaptor , all worked well with logging data to my MQTT server, so in my wisdom I thought I would use the second RS485 port in the Epever solar controller and run both devices, well it didn't end well for both devices, I lost all comms from the Epever to both devices, each device still was able to surf to there own webpage but not data was sent, I disconnected both devices and plugged in a MT50 and was able to view the data, I have since ordered another 2 RS485 to WiFi adaptors and will never use both RS485 ports together, I think I have fried the comms chip in both devices< I am now waiting for the 2 x RS485 to WiFi adaptors in the mail.
I bought one, connected to EPEVER and I can see RS485-WIFI with windows.... But can't get further... There is no manual (or URL ?) to connect it. Any help ?
Hi, have you got any answer on this? I have similar problems and Im looking for a manual too.
I am gonna mail the creator and ask why there is no How to Setup guide or anything :( I am very confused
Hi Adam, it’s quite long ago you did this with Colin I believe, but still a great video 👍
Anyway have you done similar thing with ESP32 and new Blynk IoT?
Appreciate if you can share, if any.
Thanks.
Hello Adam
is there any HOWTO to go on after flashing the wemos??
and is it possile to use the epever android app with this adaptor??
pse ecuse my ad endlish
tyia
I have a question.
I've been using an Epsolar ET6415BND 60amp for years.
With the standard supplied RS485 USB cable. the wires were slightly bare and came together. Since then it doesn't work anymore.
What's wrong, internally the RS485 chip in the charge controller is broken. or the USB to RS485 interface cable is broken.
is there anny protection in the charge controller.
I bought one, and I set the network name and password. How do I get the information to be viewed in the browser? Greatful for some help.
T. Svendsen
Trygve, did you get it working over a browser?
Has anyone tried this with the junctek 2023 version battery monitor?
So I got the epever bluetooth low energy one and it's ok but sucks because it wont show in real time information u have to refresh it manually
Witam. Da się cos zrobić aby zintegrowało się to z zakładką Energy z Home Assistanta.
Can I ship this adapter to Brazil?
I have mppt Techfine 60A, green case, with RS485 Port on it...
Can i use for monitoring ?
I need help with a charge controller I need a charge controller that will not only take a wind turbine generator but solar panels as well can you help me with this
I know nothing about all this MQTT how hard is it to just hook it up to the epever and see it on my laptop?
It’s as simple as it can be. The dashboard you could see (with the green block of information) is created by the device itself. All you need to do is upload the code (find a guide for ESPflasher - or perhaps Colin could do it for you if you buy the wemos from him and ask nicely) then connect to the devices wireless network to give it credentials for your WiFi network. After that - it just sits there waiting for you to connect to it and view the information.
Is there a way to make this work with a Victron 100V 30A controller with the VE Direct port?
I have implemented an alternate approach. I use an esp32 (running a modbus library) with a cheap ttl to rs485 adapter. Code is C++/Arduino. The esp32 gets status and commands my epever tracer controller (via published online protocol definitions). The commands and status pass over an MQTT broker to a node-red server via wi-fi. In node-red I have implemented a custom epever status page similar to the factory supplied program, but which I much prefer. I have a second node-red page where I can change the various epever charging parameters.
Cool. Sounds similar to mine… github.com/AdamWelchUK/NodeRedEPEverDashboard this is the last version I uploaded, but as is often the case, it’s revolved since then!
Hola, I did the exact thing but ran into an issue. My controller ,40amp tracer an, lost power to its battery ( my BMS disconnected ) , the connection to the solar panel remained constant. When I discovered this issue somehow the combus in the controller went bad. I can’t change settings anymore via pc or the remote ‘meter’ device. The meter lights up but never connects. Somehow the data bus got borked. BTW I was using those cheep 2 pin usb adaptors to a raspberry pi. Otherwise things were great. I even made a led scrolling display with esp-8266 display controller data ported the MTTQ running on the pi. Sweet !
@@jethrotull5847 I also lost a controller with a bad data bus. I think a lightening strike took it out (live in central Florida). Since then I have taken great pains to ground everything and have installed a serge protector on my panel cables coming from the roof. Since I use Lithium Iron batteries, the charge controller is useless without the ability to fine tune the parameters.
@@yancymuu4977 I intend to take it apart hopeful it’s just a bad data bus chip. I have 3 controllers hooked in parallel, in retrospect I wish I would have bought the later model that appears to have the comm chip on a removable faceplate module. I also use lifpo4 batteries and still keep the old controller online because it was set for lifpo4 (user). The settings are a little different ( like max charge..) though. If you could please describe your system a little more, I display data on web page and led scroll displays, I also meter amp consumed via a shunt, PZEM-017 connected to Arduino D1 mini. Everything possible with node-red !
Lastly, I intend to switch the load on and off automatically based on daily internet weather forecasts ( json ). My array is 1,600 watts charging 28 v 200 ah.
Here in Virginia seems like 45% days are cloudy or overcast.
can this device be accessed over an other place like a online server?
These look awesome! Does "Tindie" send confirmation emails? Asking for a friend! ;)
Maybe Tindie knows the answer...
Show 👍
ADAM - YOU ARE THE WINNER 100 CS LBC ON YOUR ODYSSEY CHANNEL SEE YOUR ODYSSEY ABOUT PAGE AT THE BOTTOM, WAS 0.005 LBC NOW 100.005 LBC CHANNEL SUPPORT FOR 1 MONTH