Re: [RE-wrenches] Better Internet Connected Charge Controller

[Maverick Brown via RE-wrenches]

Mark I haven’t kept up with Morningstar charge controller products, but Victron can do this simply and as amazing as you want.  A SmartSolar charge controller has Bluetooth for set up on site using the Victron App. And also has a VE.direct port which you can plug directly into the Cerbo GX, their Internet gateway device. The Cerbo also has multiple temperature sensor ports, several I/O ports (relays), CAN ports, etc..  it has an HDMI port for a local touch display and built-in Wi-Fi and ethernet.  You could also add the Victron SmartShunt, which will connect via VE.direct cable to the Cerbo in order to know the measured state of charge.  All of this data can be set and viewed via Victron’s VRM (https://vrm.victronenergy.com) They even just released a Smart Watch version of the VRM app.  Now, having said all that good stuff… Now can do this with a bit more basic features by just using a MidNite Classic plus WhizBang Jr.  The Classic has an Ethernet port, no WiFi built in. Wi-Fi could be an adapter from IOGear, of course. The ethernet port can get you to https://mymidnite2.com/ for remote monitoring , but no smart phone app.  The Gen2 Starlink doesn’t have a built-in ethernet port, but you can add one with a dongle, and then that means you can add a separate router, etc. Newer versions do have Ethernet in addition to WiFi.  Good luck, Maverick Maverick Brown Off-Grid Solar Commander since 2006 Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc.  • Solar Commander Remote Power  • SunFlow Systems Cathodic Protection  maver...@mavericksolar.com 512-460-9825 On Dec 17, 2024, at 7:24 PM, Mark Frye via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:  Folks,   I am going to be charging some AGMS with PV for a remote equipment power supply.   I will have internet via Starlink and want to monitor the charge controller remotely for battery voltage etc.   I am trying to choose between Victron and Morningstar.   Is one better than the other in this application?   Mark Frye _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org

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