[RE-wrenches] Solar Assistant and Midnite AIO

Sun May 18 07:52:37 PDT 2025

Wow, when do we realize that fork in the road we chose to go down may have
been the wrong one? I know there's a phrase to describe needing to augment
an inverter with  a Cerbo, Chargeverter, and Solar Assistant, but it
escapes me.

Same with the myriad of tinkering, workarounds, and tweaking Manufacture
A's inverter to Manufacture B's batteries. There are a lot of smart minds
on this list with the technical prowess to make things work, but what
happens when someone like me that's let's just say is a "little slower"
gets a call to service such a system and the guy or gal that "got it to
work" isn't around, or the comet-like manufacture the likes of Growatt or
it's equivalent is no more.

I know I do more griping on this list than contribute to the knowledge
corpus and it's not that I'm a crank, I think. Right now, it's just that
I'm sitting on a dozen requests to build off-grid and GTBB systems and I
find myself in a paralysis where I can't recommend a single Hybrid
inverter, and for my potential off-grid customers, all that I can recommend
is a system where I'm stacking two 3-5kw inverters and many settings
require a dongle and PC, Victron.

So in the first case, this road seems to have lead to an ever increasing
techno-cluster fuck, and in the second, it's traced back to where we were
several years ago, but not in a good way.

Serious question, What is the challenge in building an SW quality inverter
and MPPT that plays nice with most all batteries. Conext came close? If
it's a feasible proposition, I know people with the means and interest in
these things to make it happen.

Michael

On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 6:15 AM William Bryce via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> SA will combine the SOC if the Communication is working properly with the
> BMS and the MNS AIO. See attached
>
> On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 8:28 AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> I will also mention that SA seems to be pulling the SOC information from
>> only the first inverter added to the system, or the one designated as "#1"
>> in SA. It is not averaging the SOC pulled from all three inverters.
>>
>> Another note: I tried the Emulated BMS in SA, and it didn't work. The
>> battery graphs were all wrong, only showing that absolute value for current
>> rather than showing charge and discharge current. The reported SOC stayed
>> pegged at 100%. I went back to using the inverter values, and that is when
>> I discovered the SOC was not dropping fast enough in SA, which led me to
>> the battery aH issue.
>>
>>
>> Jason Szumlanski
>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
>> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
>>
>> On Sun, May 18, 2025, 8:11 AM Jason Szumlanski <
>> jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com> wrote:
>>
>>> That's not a bad idea. But it is one more thing to potentially go wrong
>>> and have to maintain.
>>>
>>>
>>> I just discovered something else with a parallel AIO and SA setup.
>>> Really it's more of an inverter issue. The inverters have wildly inaccurate
>>> SOC values if you are doing open loop. You have to divide the battery aH
>>> setting by the number of inverters you have for accurate numbers, at least
>>> on the firmware I have. I noticed on this triple setup that when the
>>> batteries were depleted about 80% (20% SOC), that the inverters reported a
>>> SOC of 73%. Each inverter only sees the aH that they consume individually
>>> and deduct that from 100%.
>>>
>>> If you are using the inverter values for SOC in SA, you need to set the
>>> aH in the inverters to the proportional share of the battery capacity.
>>>
>>> This is something I believe Midnite needs to fix unless it has already
>>> been addressed in a firmware upgrade.
>>>
>>>
>>> Jason Szumlanski
>>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
>>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
>>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
>>> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
>>>
>>> On Fri, May 16, 2025, 9:53 AM Jay via RE-wrenches <
>>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Jason
>>>>
>>>> How about you install a 12v battery charged from the inverter to power
>>>> the device which would give you back up on backup.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On May 16, 2025, at 12:58 AM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
>>>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 
>>>> But the upside is it doesn't rely on the cloud, so historical data is
>>>> stored locally, even in the event of a system shutdown (if you power the Pi
>>>> device from the battery DC bus). That doesn't do much good if the battery
>>>> BMS turns off, of course, but it's nice to continue logging data even if
>>>> there is no Internet connection.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jason Szumlanski
>>>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
>>>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
>>>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
>>>> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, May 16, 2025, 12:48 AM Brett Stigile via RE-wrenches <
>>>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Overall I like Solar Assistant as well.  Be aware it is not cloud
>>>>> based.   Sure it stores locally on the Pi, that’s great.  But, if the
>>>>> internet is down you are blind.  Not supper helpful for remote sites if you
>>>>> can’t look through the data a see if there was a potential issue or if the
>>>>> internet is just down.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Brett Stigile
>>>>> Owner/Renewable Energy Electrician
>>>>> 503-317-7950
>>>>> brett at oregonsunwrangler.com
>>>>>
>>>>> Oregon Sun Wrangler LLC
>>>>> CCB: 240661
>>>>> License No: 66LRT
>>>>> NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification
>>>>> #PV 100414-008123
>>>>>
>>>>> > On May 15, 2025, at 1:05 PM,
>>>>> re-wrenches-request at lists.re-wrenches.org wrote:
>>>>> >
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>>>>> >
>>>>> > Today's Topics:
>>>>> >
>>>>> >   1. Re: EG4 Praise (Maverick Brown)
>>>>> >   2. Solar Assistant and Midnite AIO (Jason Szumlanski)
>>>>> >   3. Re: Solar Assistant and Midnite AIO (William Bryce)
>>>>> >   4. Re: Solar Assistant and Midnite AIO (Kirpal Khalsa)
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Message: 1
>>>>> > Date: Thu, 15 May 2025 08:14:41 -0500
>>>>> > From: Maverick Brown <maverick at mavericksolar.com>
>>>>> > To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>>>> > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] EG4 Praise
>>>>> > Message-ID: <A830425D-80E1-4E8E-A23E-023873895B16 at mavericksolar.com>
>>>>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>> >
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>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > ------------------------------
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Message: 2
>>>>> > Date: Thu, 15 May 2025 11:37:53 -0400
>>>>> > From: Jason Szumlanski <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>
>>>>> > To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>>>> > Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar Assistant and Midnite AIO
>>>>> > Message-ID:
>>>>> >    <CAE438R-L9F0ka3QyPans-cYtQc3PDmvLK5uR6K5-Oz=
>>>>> WKpey3Q at mail.gmail.com>
>>>>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I just got Solar Assistant up and running with my triple AIO site.
>>>>> It was
>>>>> > surprisingly easy. I think I am in data heaven. This is everything I
>>>>> had
>>>>> > hoped for from the Midnite Pro app. It consolidates all three
>>>>> inverters'
>>>>> > instant and historical data while providing real time individual
>>>>> inverter
>>>>> > data as well. I'm not sure if I can get the historical data per
>>>>> inverter,
>>>>> > but that is available through the Midnite app anyway, and has little
>>>>> > usefulness in a multi-inverter environment.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > If anyone needs tips on how to get this done, feel free to contact
>>>>> me off
>>>>> > list.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > The short answer is I purchased a preloaded Solar Assistant Pi device
>>>>> > directly from Solar Assistant, and three USB to RS-485 dongles from
>>>>> Amazon.
>>>>> > I got the Pi device with the DC power supply and connected it
>>>>> directly to
>>>>> > my battery bus so it stays on even if the inverters shut down.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Jason Szumlanski
>>>>> > Florida Solar Design Group
>>>>> > -------------- next part --------------
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>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > ------------------------------
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Message: 3
>>>>> > Date: Thu, 15 May 2025 12:20:45 -0400
>>>>> > From: William Bryce <wlbryce at pineridgeproducts.com>
>>>>> > To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>>>> > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Assistant and Midnite AIO
>>>>> > Message-ID:
>>>>> >    <
>>>>> CAEQmjP4UqH9GCFGHt4MkEVtY71FbfOfh4o7gCaBUQbRj67Omog at mail.gmail.com>
>>>>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I highly recommend using SA with ALL Asian inverters. This will
>>>>> remove the
>>>>> > chance of a SolArk screen of death bricking and locking you out of
>>>>> your
>>>>> > inverter, and also remove any chance of data or setting manipulation
>>>>> from
>>>>> > others.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > With SA, ALL the data is served and stored on the RPie computer
>>>>> locally.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > On the MNS AIO, you can run the Dongle and the SA at the same time.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >> On Thu, May 15, 2025 at 11:38?AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
>>>>> >> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> I just got Solar Assistant up and running with my triple AIO site.
>>>>> It was
>>>>> >> surprisingly easy. I think I am in data heaven. This is everything
>>>>> I had
>>>>> >> hoped for from the Midnite Pro app. It consolidates all three
>>>>> inverters'
>>>>> >> instant and historical data while providing real time individual
>>>>> inverter
>>>>> >> data as well. I'm not sure if I can get the historical data per
>>>>> inverter,
>>>>> >> but that is available through the Midnite app anyway, and has little
>>>>> >> usefulness in a multi-inverter environment.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> If anyone needs tips on how to get this done, feel free to contact
>>>>> me off
>>>>> >> list.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> The short answer is I purchased a preloaded Solar Assistant Pi
>>>>> device
>>>>> >> directly from Solar Assistant, and three USB to RS-485 dongles from
>>>>> Amazon.
>>>>> >> I got the Pi device with the DC power supply and connected it
>>>>> directly to
>>>>> >> my battery bus so it stays on even if the inverters shut down.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Jason Szumlanski
>>>>> >> Florida Solar Design Group
>>>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>>>> >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>>>> >>
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>>>>> >>
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>>>>> >> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work,
>>>>> try the
>>>>> >> other:
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>>>>> >>
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>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > ------------------------------
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Message: 4
>>>>> > Date: Thu, 15 May 2025 09:50:38 -0700
>>>>> > From: Kirpal Khalsa <kirpal at oregonsolarworks.com>
>>>>> > To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>>>> > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Assistant and Midnite AIO
>>>>> > Message-ID:
>>>>> >    <
>>>>> CAOE7iVGgp1Vxyz-82jpD1LzyW7EUMDNsw-6iBS-KnHjNk4thMg at mail.gmail.com>
>>>>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Does the Solar Assistant work with Outback gear?
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Kirpal
>>>>> >
>>>>> > On Thu, May 15, 2025, 9:21?AM William Bryce via RE-wrenches <
>>>>> > re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>>> >
>>>>> >> I highly recommend using SA with ALL Asian inverters. This will
>>>>> remove the
>>>>> >> chance of a SolArk screen of death bricking and locking you out of
>>>>> your
>>>>> >> inverter, and also remove any chance of data or setting
>>>>> manipulation from
>>>>> >> others.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> With SA, ALL the data is served and stored on the RPie computer
>>>>> locally.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> On the MNS AIO, you can run the Dongle and the SA at the same time.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> On Thu, May 15, 2025 at 11:38?AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
>>>>> >> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>> I just got Solar Assistant up and running with my triple AIO site.
>>>>> It was
>>>>> >>> surprisingly easy. I think I am in data heaven. This is everything
>>>>> I had
>>>>> >>> hoped for from the Midnite Pro app. It consolidates all three
>>>>> inverters'
>>>>> >>> instant and historical data while providing real time individual
>>>>> inverter
>>>>> >>> data as well. I'm not sure if I can get the historical data per
>>>>> inverter,
>>>>> >>> but that is available through the Midnite app anyway, and has
>>>>> little
>>>>> >>> usefulness in a multi-inverter environment.
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> If anyone needs tips on how to get this done, feel free to contact
>>>>> me off
>>>>> >>> list.
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> The short answer is I purchased a preloaded Solar Assistant Pi
>>>>> device
>>>>> >>> directly from Solar Assistant, and three USB to RS-485 dongles
>>>>> from Amazon.
>>>>> >>> I got the Pi device with the DC power supply and connected it
>>>>> directly to
>>>>> >>> my battery bus so it stays on even if the inverters shut down.
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> Jason Szumlanski
>>>>> >>> Florida Solar Design Group
>>>>> >>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
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-- 

Michael Morningstar

Morningstar Electric Inc

PO Box 1494

Mount Shasta, CA 96067

530-921-0560

CSLB 1116835

mjmorningstar at gmail.com
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