Diehl PC link - does it exist?

[Drawmer]

I'm about to place an order for a PV system. The supplier (who knows faaaaaar more than I do) has specified a Diehl inverter.

I've looked at the manual (4300S) and the only mention of a data connection is for servicing.

Does anyone know of if a PC link is possible to allow real time monitoring. (I'm thinking of a real time link to a web site) and also being able to access operating logs remotely.

[Drawmer]

I've found this....looks as if it might be pricey.
http://www.solar-log.com/en/products-solutions/solar-log-200.html

Edited to say: 343.00 euro!!!

So, that's the functionality - but I' not that rich.

[billi]

Hi

it is been a while now , when Sean here (STB ) got his Diehl  inverter  ( so PM him for info )

We found this way http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zonstraal.be%2Fwiki%2FSolarcontrol&sl=nl&tl=en

perhaps better options available now

Billi

[StBarnabas]

Yes
I download once per fortnight via an RS232 cable. (Well via a USB/RS232 adapter).     No probs but you do need to remember to download regularly.
Sean

[Drawmer]

Excellent! Can be done then. Next step is to sign up and get it done.

[Drawmer]

I've bought the rs232/usb converter.

The scaffolding went up this morning.....

[billi]

  Nice

[StBarnabas]

Paul
pm me when you are ready and I will send you a copy of the software
Sean

[Drawmer]

Thank you Sean, that'll be good.
At the moment, I've a concern about where the link will reach to since the max cable elngth for RS232 or USB is only 5M, so I guess I'll not be able to have a live link, but will have a download port (connector on free end of cable!) hanging in the airing cupboard. I'll just have to plug it into the portable from time to time.

On Sunday in the pouring rain this happened:


Yesterday a pallet of panels arrived, and today is the start of the fix. 

[StBarnabas]

Paul
I use a laptop. The inverter stores data at 31s intervals for about a month and I download every two weeks or so just by plugging in. The software is not sophisticated you get an ASCII file as below . I use Matlab or Octave to do further processing.

Sean
SolarControl - 1.1
Serial Number: 0001.090610014
Type: 0x84A1
User Interface Version: 0x71 0x21 0x07 0x18 0x01
Start Date: 01-Apr-2010
End Date: 12-Apr-2010

Read Interval Data:
Date;Time;Status;Event;DC Voltage [V];DC Current [A];DC Power [W];AC Voltage [V];AC Current [A];AC Power [W];Energy (Day) [Wh];Temperature1 [∞C];Temperature2 [∞C];Temperature3 [∞C];Unknown Object;
01-Apr-2010;06:51:23;31;0;399;0;0;242;0;0;0;0;0;12;0;
01-Apr-2010;06:51:34;12;0;375;0;17.1;242;0;2.9;0;0;0;12;0;
01-Apr-2010;06:52:05;12;0;343;0;23.2;242;0;5.8;0;0;0;12;1;
01-Apr-2010;06:52:36;12;0;334;0;24.4;243;0;7.2;0;0;0;12;1;

[EccentricAnomaly]

At the moment, I've a concern about where the link will reach to since the max cable elngth for RS232 or USB is only 5M, ...

That's about right for USB but RS232 can go a lot further.  Many tens of metres, at least and further with a bit of care.

[profp]

That's about right for USB but RS232 can go a lot further.  Many tens of metres, at least and further with a bit of care.

The distance RS232 can travel is principally a function of cable capacitance and data transfer speed. Use nice low capacitance cable like UTP cat 5 and you can cover distances of at least 50m at 19k2 baud. Substantially longer distances than that are reliably achievable at lower baud rates in the real world.

HTH

P.

[Drawmer]

Thanks for that guys, I'll get making a cable then!
Back in the dark ages when computers only had serial and //L conx, I made a four headed serial cable (large and small D at each end) so that I could link any two computers together. Ah the joys of LapLink!
Yes, I know I'm an old git!

When I go searching for a piece of cable, what should I look for? Will any CAT5 UTP do, or should I look for the shielded version?

[EccentricAnomaly]

I wouldn't worry too much about the cable unless you need to run it close to anything electrically noisy.  If you do, use shielded and ground the shield at one end.

[profp]

The screen increases the capacitance of the cable - if you have a choice, go for unscreened. Over shorter distances the difference is marginal.