How to get data from solar inverter

[viktor_au]

Going to use ESP8266 for my first WiFi project. A bit confused as on the market there are different modules, some cheaper and some (ESP8266 ESP-12E) a bit more expensive. Which one to buy?
Does FC8 support all of them?

I have GoodWe inverter (GW5048D-ES with LG batt) with Wi-Fi server (HF-LPB100).
A week ago the GoodWe inverter webserver refused to see the home router and I cannot save the WiFi data as I used to (no graphs). I can check on Android tablet (some) data by using the program PV Master, but it is not a good as before.
I found, that GoodWe inverter can use the Modbus Rs485 line, but I think (?) the Wi-Fi would be better (any warranty problems- I am not sure...).

By reading the FC forum posts I understood that it is possible to get data from WiFi server and to save it with the help of ESP8266 and Arduino to MySQL db and later present it graphically.

FC8 provides three WiFi LAN components: WIZ609, ESP125 and ESP8266.

As it would be my first project with WiFi in FC8 - would be great if somebody will direct me to choose a best WiFi component to work with, give some hints to go around the problems and (possibly) show some example of 'getting' to solar inverter data.

Thanks.

[mnf]

Hi Viktor,

I think you can use any ESP8266 - if it uses the AT command set. I'm currently just starting out with the WeMos Mega - https://www.banggood.com/Geekcreit-Mega ... rehouse=UK - which combines an Arduino Mega 2560 with an ESP8266 - and after some fiddling (I'd reprogrammed the ESP with microPython) - got to work with the FC component. It's a very nice bit of hardware at a very reasonable price. Changing the BAUD rate between the Arduino and ESP made everything run smoothly (thanks Benj)

An alternative approach - FC doesn't unfortunately (or yet?) support programming the ESP directly - but you could do this - and use C++ (via Arduino IDE) or microPython or indeed LUA (or JavaScript) and run the sensor code on the ESP directly.

The small ESP-01 devices could also be used (they use the AT command set) - and are very cheap (but of a handful I got from China there were several duff ones)

Martin

[viktor_au]

Thanks Martin

I have ordered ESP8266 ESP-12E.
This module has micro-usb and 5v regulator (but I understood that I have to use the level shifter as the pins are on 3.3v level).
Did you (by any chance) do some project with solar inverter?

[mnf]

Does that turn day into night

No - sorry - I might have to google what one of those does?

Martin