enwi / rngbridgedoc

Documentation and guides for RNGBridge the renogy to wifi bridge with PVOutput and MQTT support and much more

rngbridgedoc's Issues

Add Homeassistant MQTT auto discovery

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
It would be great if RNGBridge would integrate into Homeassistant directly.

Describe the solution you'd like
Use MQTT auto discovery so that Homeassistant can find and display charge controller data automatically.

Describe alternatives you've considered
This could also be achieved through node-red, but requires more work and knowledge.

Enhancement: read charge controller data using REST

It would be cool to use the REST API for reading the charge controller parameters according to the MQTT response.

In my use case the MQTT data is sent using a 4G Router from my garden shed to my server. A second raspberry oder microcontroller can act according to the charge controller states, e.g. switch something off when an errror appears or switch something on when the sun goes down (panel voltage drops to zero). This can be done by subscribing to the MQTT, but as soon as the 4G would fail there is no possibility to get the controller data locally on the LAN.

By using GET requests for the REST API and reading the states directly from the RNGBridge an offline/failsafe operation would be possible.

Make uploaded data configurable

Currently only power generation (v2), power consumption (v4) and battery voltage (v6) are uploaded to PVOutput, which cannot be changed, but it would make more sense to give the user more options to choose from. This makes even more sense if they donated and have access to bonus features (v7-v12 and m1).

All possible parameters that can be uploaded can be found here.

First proposal:

• Let user choose between battery voltage and panel voltage for parameter v6 (load voltage is left out, because it is essentially the same as battery voltage)
• Let user choose between battery temperature and controller temperature for paramter v5

Battery Temperature below 0°C is shown as -127°C

Describe the bug
Battery Temperature below 0°C is shown as -127°C, in API and in Web

{"mqttsta":"Disabled","pvosta":"Disabled","o":{"o1":false,"o2":false,"o3":false,"l":true},"up":645037,"he":37992,"rssi":-82,"b":{"ch":95,"vo":13.10000038,"cu":0.620000005,"te":-127,"ge":38,"co":76},"l":{"vo":13.10000038,"cu":0.620000005},"p":{"vo":31.5,"cu":0.25},"c":{"st":2,"er":0,"te":5}}

(ATM we have ca. -0,6°C where the battery is located)

Original sensor is used. Controller temperature did not fall below 0, but maybe here is the same issue.

Low priority, if this is sent by RNG itself it doesn't matter, I have another (Tasmota) sensor and can live without this.

Control load output depending on controller state

It would be nice to be able to let RNGBridge V2 control the load output of the renogy charge controller depending on the SOC or even other information coming from the controller.

The idea is to have two setpoints (for hysteresis), which will then enable and disable the load output.

• Add optional automatic load control
• Add lower setpoint
• Add upper setpoint

REST API Get - Missing Parameters regarding power

Version used: 2.7.3

When sending a GET Request to http:///api/state the json answer is missing the "l":{"po"} and the "p":{"po"} parameters:

{"mqttsta":"Connected","pvosta":"Disabled","b":{"ch":100,"vo":13.69999981,"cu":1.080000043,"te":26},"l":{"vo":0,"cu":0},"p":{"vo":19,"cu":0.779999971},"c":{"st":5,"er":0,"te":30},"o":{"l":false,"o1":false,"o2":false,"o3":false},"up":300,"he":38048,"rssi":-35}

The load is switched off therefore the power is "0", but the panel delivers some Watts (see screenshot).

https://github.com/enwi/RNGBridgeDoc/blob/main/rest.md#data-values mentions these parameters, but they already lack in the paragraph above https://github.com/enwi/RNGBridgeDoc/blob/main/rest.md#data-structure

Make name of RNGBridge configurable

• Users that have more than one RNGBridge might have difficulty distinguishing between their devices
• Users might want to give their device a custom name

Out of Stock

Looks like you lost interest in building these units

any Chance on sharing the Gerber Files for the board and schematics on it so it can still be used thanks

Switch additional outputs 1,2,3 using webgui and rest-api

I would like to be able to switch the additional outputs 1 to 3 using a Web gui switch and using a Rest API command just like the main load switch of the Renogy Controller.

This would make it much more useful for automating processes in my solar powered garden shed, e.g. switching the water supply for my flowers.

The switching only using the state of charge is too unflexible for my ideas.

External switch to control Output 1, 2 and 3 physically

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

For the wife approval factor, it would be great to be able to use the rngBridge with a physcial switch to control the outputs to a relay so that the app doesn't need to be used, which can be inconvienient to do all the time when a physical switch that triggers the output on / off would be easier for any end user.

Describe the solution you'd like

Be able to switch the outputs of the rng bridge on / off from a physical switch as well as through the web UI / MQTT etc.

Describe alternatives you've considered

Not tried any other options, potentiall could look at other mechanism to control relay, but then the status would not align with the status of the RNGbridge / home assitant etc which could impact automations.

A clear and concise description of any alternative solutions or features you've considered.

not tried.

Additional context

N/A

More parameters for load control/output 1/2/3 control

I would like to switch the outputs depending on the fact if it's getting dark: Switch automatically on the lights if the panels don't harvest energy, or make the pond pump work only when it's sunny/day.

Therefore an additional parameter (aside from Battery Voltage or Battery SOC) for controlling the behaviour of the outputs would be great: Panel Current (independent from the count of modules) or panel voltage would be great additions in my opinion.

Auto software update

It would be nice if RNGBridge could check for new software updates and show the user that there is a new one available.
As well as have the option to do the whole update process by itself.
For example pressing an update button and RNGBridge downloads and upgrades by itself.

Add documentation for Hardware Revision 2

The documentation needs to be adapted for hardware version 2 (Software version 2.0.0+)

• Adapt comissioning guide
• Adapt mqtt guide
• Adapt pvoutput guide
• Adapt soldering instructions
• Add UI guide
  • Explain Battery box
  • Explain Load box
  • Explain Panel box
  • Explain Controller box
  • Explain status box
  • Explain device settings
  • Explain wifi settings
  • Explain mqtt settings (check with mqtt guide)
  • Explain pvoutput settings (check with pvoutput guide)
  • Explain software update procedure
• Explain status LEDs

Question on troubleshooting power

I'm having trouble getting the rngBridge to power up. My Renogy charge controller is pushing out 14.5V on the correct pins. With the buck converter plugged in, I don't see any activity on the rngBridge.
I tried removing the buck converter and measure GND, 5V, 5V on the 3 pins where the buck converter plugs into (even though they are labelled 15V,GND,3V3 respectively.

Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot this?

Could the buck converter be faulty? Or maybe some of my soldering somewhere ;(

thanks

RJ12 cable

Built the kit from Tindie. For the RJ12 do all the pins need to be connected? Is the cable straight through or crossed or what?

remote turn on of outputs 1 2 and 3

I would like to be able to turn lights on based on the time of day and off to not over discharge the battery.
The status of the battery is already catered for so the off is covered.

A MQTT option would work as that would allow integration with home automation options like Homeassistant
( other home automation options are available :D )
These are capable of publishing a turn on request based on various options like is it dark at your location.

Alternative option is some type of http request that again could be generated from a home automation platform

Possible with DCC50S

I was wondering if this project might be compatible with the DCC50S. It's a DC-DC charge controller with a built in mppt charger. From my understanding it does have an RS485 rj45 port. I would be more than willing to purchase one for testing.

WiFi Signal Strength Indication

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
I have the RNGBridge running in a garden shed which has patchy WiFi. Having some feedback on the WiFI signal strength via MQTT would help a lot with positioning the unit.

Describe the solution you'd like
MQTT topic including WiFi signal strength. Ideally also an indication of this on the web UI.

Describe alternatives you've considered
The alternative is blindly adjusting RNGBridge location and looking to see if WiFI connection is lost in Home Assistant.

Additional context
I use an ESP for controlling my boiler using the following project. This integrates with home assistant really well and might be a useful reference case. https://github.com/emsesp/EMS-ESP