| Author |
Message |
Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 3:17 pm: | |
Trace Engineering (AKA Xantrex) has a computer interface for some of their inverters called a SWCA. The interface dongle comes with DOS software this is supposed to be very inadequate.
Maui Solar Software and Right Hand Engineering sell interface software to work with the SWCA hardware. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with either of these vendors? Does anyone know of any other products to computer monitor the inverter(s)?
thanks,
Jack |
Jeff Pritchard (Jeffpritchard)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 10:55 pm: | |
Jack,
I have one of them thar inverters that you could hook an SWCA to. Sounds like interesting fertilizer for a project to grow out of, but for the life of me I can't think what you would control with it. I will eventually be using two of them for power at my "estate" in the rugged mountains east of San Diego. That too, sounds like a project waiting to happen, but again, other than remote monitoring, I can't think of a good use for the interface.
I would be interested to hear what ideas you had.
thanks,
jp |
Pat Bartlett (Muddog16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 6:22 am: | |
Jack Vanner makes a remote monitor panel for the SW series, if you just want to monitor. What would be interesting is if this software allows you to make parameter changes that would really be great, most of these programmable systems drive you nuts scrolling thru to make changes, I might must have to check this out myself, it does sound interesting!..........Pat |
Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 2:01 pm: | |
Maui appears to be the stronger product but it is hard to tell. It has a pretty helpful “control panel” that present all parameters for one inverter in a graphic presentation. Parameters may be changed from the control panel. It also has date logging of voltages, etc; it is not clear if there is a graphic presentation of the meters. Either product would make the SW4024 a little more user-fiendly.
I have the trace remote control panel now. I plan on having at least two computers in the bus anyway. Computer applications may include GPS, Internet access, general office, wireless video to laptop, and X-10 controls. Why not access the inverter too?
I don’t have the computers installed yet so I think I will wait awhile before deciding if I need this option.
Thanks for the comments.
Jack |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 9:09 pm: | |
Are you sure that Trace dos program won't run in Win XP?
I have a bunch of old dos ham radio programs that run fine... They look klunky, but work.. |
Sean Welsh (Sean)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 12:12 am: | |
Jack,
Be advised that the SWCA and the remote panel can not be used together. Just FYI.
-Sean |
Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 5:38 pm: | |
Thanks Sean – I see that the remote panel and the SWCA both plug into the same D25 plug.
JTNG – no doubt the DOS program would w-o-r-k but I want that pretty graphic interface. Also, it would be nice to see all of the meters at once without clicking through the selections as I cock my neck and look through the bottom of my bifocals. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:26 pm: | |
Gotta' wear the bi's upside down like I do, Jack!
MaJes iF hSrd to tUpe, thiugh. |