Inspired by Wildebus

I have to say I am impressed by this discussion and the various skills of others. I do not have such skills but I do like to be able to monitor things remotely. I have a Victron BMV 700 battery monitor with a bluetooth dongle which allows me to monitor it when I am near by. Does anyone know of a method that an electronics numpty could use to monitor this device remotely using the mobile phone network? Obviously this would be more expensive than the clever diy solutions but during this lockdown I have realised being able to keep an eye on what my toys are doing would be useful.
Any ideas?

Exactly what I wanted to do....

I went with a raspberry pi 4 and with some pointers/help from Wildebus/Ian h
I managed to have my smartshunt talk to the pi via a £20 usb/victron lead (pi pretends to be the victron venus)
And pi connect to my teltonika router in the van (or when parked outside connect to the home WiFi....

So I can check from anywhere what the charging on the van is doing....
I can even view it on the smart TV if I want.

I suspect that someone could/would provide you with a raspberry pi pre loaded running victron for a reasonable cost compared to the genuine victron unit....
IF you didn't want to splash out on the cost of the genuine victron thing
 
I have to say I am impressed by this discussion and the various skills of others. I do not have such skills but I do like to be able to monitor things remotely. I have a Victron BMV 700 battery monitor with a bluetooth dongle which allows me to monitor it when I am near by. Does anyone know of a method that an electronics numpty could use to monitor this device remotely using the mobile phone network? Obviously this would be more expensive than the clever diy solutions but during this lockdown I have realised being able to keep an eye on what my toys are doing would be useful.
Any ideas?
Say you got a lead like Del has made ... £10. You could get a Raspberry Pi for say £50 (give or take including 12V-5V power adapter to feed it). That is actually all you need apart from the mobile phone connection.
I use Sky Mobile for phones. With that, I add another basic SIM with minimal data for £5/month. put in a old mobile and have the Raspberry Pi talk to that to send data. If I need more data, I can just add some from the 'piggy bank' but the Victron setup uses very little data anyway.
The Victron VRM for remote monitoring and management is free to use.

So actually, the kind of setup that Del posted here would suit you, is not that tricky to setup once you start to look at it and is pretty cost effective.
 
.....
So I can check from anywhere what the charging on the van is doing....
I can even view it on the smart TV if I want.

I suspect that someone could/would provide you with a raspberry pi pre loaded running victron for a reasonable cost compared to the genuine victron unit....
IF you didn't want to splash out on the cost of the genuine victron thing
One thing that annoys me and I have not managed to find a workround for is that the Victron stuff - either the Remote Console or the VRM Webpage weirdly - will not display correctly on an Amazon Firestick (my 'Smart TV' solution). Quite frustrating :(
 
One thing that annoys me and I have not managed to find a workround for is that the Victron stuff - either the Remote Console or the VRM Webpage weirdly - will not display correctly on an Amazon Firestick (my 'Smart TV' solution). Quite frustrating :(

Buy yourself a 65" smart TV like I did .....

Even the data on your graphs is clearly visible ;-)
 
As mentioned, after seeing Dels success on his home-made cables, I decided to have a go, but this time buying a proper donor USB Cable...

Success!
1589477072855.png

Only got an MPPT 100/20 connected to the Pi and no panel, but the unit is recognised (y)
The voltage info also comes from the MPPT, so we are reading data. But is it sending anything to the MPPT?

With the VRM setup, you can check and remotely update the firmware on VE.Direct devices like the MPPT Controllers. So checked the firmware version ...
1589477252304.png

Hit the "Update Device" button ...

1589477357267.png

and after a couple of minutes ...
1589477403756.png


So it looks like the home-made cables will read and send data between the Pi and the Devices as needed.

Nice one, alwaysared 👏👏
 
I like pie.
On the brighter side. If anyone wants them I have some caravan gas lights going in the skip unless someone puts their name on them before I next go?
 
@alwaysared

Fridge Fans

If uses a Arduino Uno, Dallas Temp Sensor, Liquid Crystal Display, Relay Board, Three Fans and a Switch with 4 positions

Code is simple enough and nice thing about Arduino is the bits and pieces are not expensive. Arduino software is free and works on IMac, Linux and Windows. Ideal if you want something to have a play with. The four position switch is to switch it off, Automatic, Fans Minimum, Fans Maximum. I always like to have a backup plan just in case something packs up I can switch the fans on manually. Winter project 3 years ago.

This is the code I have running at the moment.

#include <DallasTemperature.h>
#include <OneWire.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_PCF8574.h>

// Define Relay Ports and I/O ports for relays
#define relay1 6
#define relay2 7
#define BUS 2

OneWire oneWire(BUS);
DallasTemperature sensors(&oneWire);
LiquidCrystal_PCF8574 lcd(0x3F); // set the LCD address to 0x3F for a 16 chars and 2 line display


// Define Variables
int show;
int i,v;
int probe;

void setup() // Start setup for UNO Board
{
sensors.begin();
Wire.begin();
Wire.beginTransmission(0x3F);

i = 20; // Set any temp to start

// Initalize the lcd

lcd.begin(16, 2);
lcd.home(); lcd.clear();
lcd.print("FRIDGE TEMP");
displayTemp(i);

// Setup the relay pins for driving relays and switch fans off

pinMode(relay1,OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(relay1,HIGH);
pinMode(relay2,OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(relay2,HIGH);
// fanState(3); // Used to update display

} // end setup()

void loop() // Start of Main Program
{

// Display flashs so we only change the display when we have to

v = checkSensor(); // get the Temp

if ( v != i ) // if v and i are different then the temp has changed
{

// Ok v is different to i so set i for next time we check;
i = v;
displayTemp(i);

// Work out what the temp is and act accordingly
if ( i < 25 ) { fanState(3); }
if (( i > 24 ) && ( i < 30 )) { fanState(1); }
if ( i > 29 ) { fanState(2); }

} // end if statement temp different

delay ( 5000 ); // not necessary to check every couple of seconds

} // End void loop()


int checkSensor()
{
sensors.requestTemperatures(); // Ask nicely for temperature
delay(50);
return sensors.getTempCByIndex(0); // Return with temp

} //end checkSensor

int displayTemp(int i) // Sets up and displays temp
{
lcd.setCursor(12,0);
lcd.print(" ");
lcd.setCursor(12,0);
lcd.print(i);
lcd.write(223); // Degree Symbol
lcd.print("C");
} //end displayTemp

int fanState(int i) // Display and Set FAN State 1 - 3
{
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print(" ");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);

switch (i) {
case 1:
lcd.print("FANS MINIMUM");
digitalWrite(relay1,LOW);
digitalWrite(relay2,HIGH);
break;
case 2:
lcd.print("FANS MAXIMUM");
digitalWrite(relay1,HIGH);
digitalWrite(relay2,LOW);
break;
case 3:
lcd.print("FANS OFF");
digitalWrite(relay1,HIGH);
digitalWrite(relay2,HIGH);
break;
break;
}

} //end fanState
 
For fridge cooling fans I use a mains relay triggered by the ptc It does mess up the fridge cycling a little. I like the Arduino method but would like less complicated.
 
It's not complicated. The display tells you the temp behind the fridge at the top and f the fans are on full / half / Off

@SquirrellCook Arduino is as complicated as you want to make it. They make a Auduino Nano costs less than a £5 on ebay. You then need a Dallas Temp sensor £3 and a relay board. Then just hack the display bit out of the code as below .. Two relays as one supplies 6v to fans and the other one supplies 12v. There are other ways of doing it by switching a single transistor on and off but requires more code. This code just switches pins 6 and 7 on and off. I used 3 x 12v fans as they move far more air even at half speed.

@alwaysared

#include <DallasTemperature.h>
#include <OneWire.h>
#include <Wire.h>

// Define Relay Ports and I/O ports for relays
#define relay1 6
#define relay2 7
#define BUS 2

OneWire oneWire(BUS);
DallasTemperature sensors(&oneWire);

// Define Variables
int show;
int i,v;
int probe;

void setup() // Start setup for UNO Board
{
sensors.begin();
Wire.begin();
Wire.beginTransmission(0x3F);

i = 20; // Set any temp to start

// Setup the relay pins for driving relays and switch fans off

pinMode(relay1,OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(relay1,HIGH);
pinMode(relay2,OUTPUT);

} // end setup()

void loop() // Start of Main Program
{

v = checkSensor(); // get the Temp

if ( v != i ) // if v and i are different then the temp has changed
{

// Ok v is different to i so set i for next time we check;
i = v;

// Work out what the temp is and act accordingly change these depending on what you want fans to do

if ( i < 25 ) { fanState(3); }
if (( i > 24 ) && ( i < 30 )) { fanState(1); }
if ( i > 29 ) { fanState(2); }

} // end if statement temp different

delay ( 5000 ); // not necessary to check every couple of seconds

} // End void loop()


int checkSensor()
{
sensors.requestTemperatures(); // Ask nicely for temperature
delay(50);
return sensors.getTempCByIndex(0); // Return with temp

} //end checkSensor

int fanState(int i) // Set FAN State 1 - 3
{

switch (i) {
case 1:
digitalWrite(relay1,LOW);
digitalWrite(relay2,HIGH);
break;
case 2:
digitalWrite(relay1,HIGH);
digitalWrite(relay2,LOW);
break;
case 3:
digitalWrite(relay1,HIGH);
digitalWrite(relay2,HIGH);
break;
break;
}

} //end fanState
 
Last edited:
I'll try to look into this soon to broaden my knowledge. I bought a load of pi stuff a couple of years ago and have hardly touched it :( There is always some other project calling you, or yet worse having to work!

One down side of using an external temperature sensor it that when it's hot inside the camper the fan comes on without the fridge. Hence my system being electrically switched. What I'd like to do is sense when one of the compressor motor wires is loaded.
 
I'll try to look into this soon to broaden my knowledge. I bought a load of pi stuff a couple of years ago and have hardly touched it :( There is always some other project calling you, or yet worse having to work!

One down side of using an external temperature sensor it that when it's hot inside the camper the fan comes on without the fridge. Hence my system being electrically switched. What I'd like to do is sense when one of the compressor motor wires is loaded.
If you were to do that, the fan would only work when the compressor was running though? Would you not want the fan to run at high temps to help reduce the duty cycle of the compressor?
I guess you could put an inline switch onto the power to the fan as an override if you were not actually using the fridge and the fan was coming on and so not required?
 
If you were to do that, the fan would only work when the compressor was running though?
Yes Dave this what I'm doing. When the PTC goes into motor run mode I use this wire to operate a relay that switches two 12 volt fans over the cooling element. The down side is that the resistance in the relay coil winding messes with the PTC, so it's duty cycle changes. So when the compressor is running, so are the fans. What I'd like to do is run the fans via current sensing and better still have a delay to remove residual heat from the cooling element.
I'm tempted to try one of these as a switch.
 
yup, a hall effect sensor controlled device should work like that. But is it an advantage to have the fan only running when the compressor is running though? that is what I am wondering 🧐
I've not checked how much power my external fridge fan uses when it is running, but when it is running due to a high temp, typically that also means it is very bright sunny day to produce the heat, which also means the solar will be working nicely (so the power to the fan is a very small amount of the improved harvesting?)
 
Del, you lost me at VE Direct but I'm well impressed anyway 🤣
Quite, I have either pressed the wrong button and have landed in 'Quantum Electronics Advanced Higher Diploma Course For the Under 12's.com' or whilst asleep someone performed a full evacuation frontal labotomy on me.... now dazed, confused but fortunately warm and comfortable and in moments I'd have forgotten and it just won't matter..... ahhhhhh
 
I've not checked how much power my external fridge fan uses when it is running, but when it is running due to a high temp, typically that also means it is very bright sunny day to produce the heat, which also means the solar will be working nicely (so the power to the fan is a very small amount of the improved harvesting?)
I can see your point, I just remember a horrible night in Italy when we couldn't open the windows due to mosquitos. No fly screened fans in those days. It was so hot in side the fridge fans would have been on all night. In the end we slept on the wet room floor. This also sold me on the domestic fridge idea as being good. Many people could not keep their fridges cold.
 
Correct me if I am wrong but does the compressor fridge have an AC motor. I would assume in a MH it would be 12vdc from the battery.
 
Correct me if I am wrong but does the compressor fridge have an AC motor. I would assume in a MH it would be 12vdc from the battery.
You are correct about a domestic fridge, though they do make 12/24 DC ones. Watch out though, I've seen Motorhome ones with an inverter built into them. I think a purpose made compressor is better, though I haven't tried one.
 

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top