Soladin Wizard and virtual COM ports

[windrob]

Hello,

I'm looking for anybody who has experiences with the Mastervolt grid inverter
Soladin600 and/or Windmaster500 and the MasterVolt Wizard.

I'm currently building a small MC controlled SD-card logger, which has a true RS485
connection for communication. The logger has also a transparent mode which allows
to access the Soladin/Windmaster directly through the logger board using MasterVolts
Soaldin Wizard or other tools. The access to the logger board is done by a true RS485
connection, e.g.  driven by a ETH-RS485 converter.

My problem now is, I can not select the virtual COM port of the ETH-RS485
converter from MasterVolts Soladin Wizard. The virtual COM port is installed and
available.  If I use the Hyper-terminal (OS is XP SP3), or even with the MasterLog
tool, virtual COM ports are offered for selection . The RS485 connection from PC via
the ETH-RS485 converter to  the logger board is OK and working in this case.

Not so with the Soladin Wizard. It just offers the PC own COM1, nothing else.

Does anybody know how to manage to get virtual COM ports (not USB) working
with the Soladin Wizard?

Or does anybody know if MasterLog can anyhow be configured to read out and
setup the Windmaster power curve ?

Thank you very much

Regards

[marshman]

Hi,

Had exactly the same problem. Tried it on several different operating systems - XP, Vista and 7, and as you say only COM1 or COM2 available. The virtual serial port is not seen. I removed the PC's own COM1 and tried the virtual serial port set to COM1 but it still wasn't seen.

My next plan was to sort out my own datalogging code but havn't had time. This link might get you started on with the protocol:

http://wiki.firestorm.cx/index.php/Soladin

Its for the Soladin 600 but its essentially the same inverter - not sure how you access the power curve though.

Let us know how you get on.

Roger

[windrob]

Hi Roger,

Thanks a lot for your reply and the information.

Good to know that I'm not the only one who struggles with the virtual COM port
management of the Soladin Wizard.

Thanks also for the link, but I knew it already. Based on this I have already
made an own logger,  but based on a MC not on PC. Meanwhile I also know a bit
more about the protocol if the Windmaster power curve is read and written.

If you just want to use a replacement for the Soaldin Wizard without Windmaster
support, you can try MasterLog. It works with virtual COM ports very well. I've
already tested it. It's a nice tool and also free.

Nevertheless, maybe there is anyone who knows how to manage to use virtual COM ports
with Wizard anyway. If not , then I eventually must build my on PC tool for Windmaster
support. Without logging functionality, which I do not need, it should not be such a
big deal.

Thanks

Regards

Rob

[windrob]

Hi,

I just would like to let all know who are suffering about the same problem I mentioned above.

There is a SW solution! Unfortunately the solution I quickly checked is not free or at least
acceptable with cost, but basically it works.

The SW below allows to redirect COM1 to any other port, even it is a virtual COM port. So the
Soladin/Windmaster can be used even with virtual COM ports after redirection .

http://www.serial-port-mapper.com/serial-port-mapper-download.html

I'll continue to find a similar solution which is free or at least more affordable.

Regards

Rob

[windrob]

I found another SW (SerialRemap) which is much cheaper.
http://www.sudt.com/en/sr/index.html

It can also "bend" COM ports.

If anybody finds another SW like that, could you please post it ?

Thanks

[Automan]

I am not sure if this product is of any use but I use it to share the com port on my weather station.

http://www.softwx.com/weather/virtualvp.html

It also is not free

Automan.

[windrob]

In an other forum I found a hint about a free tool (at least for 32 bit Windows).

http://www.eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html

It fits all my requirements.

Thanks to all

Rob