This project is currently on hold while I wait for my Tracer to be repaired. I only had it 1 day, managed to get this sketch written, then when I was packing down, the terminal block broke and left an exposed ground wire stuck in it! So annoying... so I will pick this up in about a month.

Tracer-RS485-Modbus-Blynk

An arduino sketch to connect the EPSolar/EPEver Tracer A/B Series (RS-485 Modbus) to an ESP8266 and monitor using the Blynk mobile app.

Feel free to make pull requests if you wish to help develop it.

There is also a support forum on the Blynk community forums: http://community.blynk.cc/t/epsolar-tracer-2210a-charge-controller-blynk-epic-solar-monitor/10596

Hardware

• EPSolar/EPEver Tracer A/B-Series

• RS485 UART Module (not the MAX485 chip!)

• ESP8266 Dev Board

• An old ethernet cable with RJ45 connector you are happy to cut open

Software

• Blynk Mobile App (iOS & Android)
• Arduino IDE 1.6.9+
• The project sketch

Wiring

Cut open your ethernet cable and split out pin 3,5,7 (B,A,GND). Refer to Tracer Modbus PDF for additional info.

Follow the wiring guide below: (note that the 2-pol switch is only needed during flashing)

Setup

Libraries

• Blynk Library
• ArduinoOTA
• SimpleTimer

Tutorial

• Create wifi_credentials.h library.

Firstly, create a folder in your sketch/library folder call 'wifi_credentials'. Then create a new file call wifi_credentials.h and enter the following template. Change the details for your own wifi network.

You will be able to use this file by including it in any sketch by entering #include <wifi_credentials.h>.

/**************************************************************
 *           Settings - Wifi Credentials
 **************************************************************/
#define WIFI_SSID             "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
#define WIFI_PASS             "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

• Open the Blynk mobile app and create a new project by scanning the following QR code

• Send yourself the generated auth code
• Paste your auth code in to the settings.h file

#define AUTH                  "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

• Disconnect the TX/RX cables (or open the switch if you have one)
• Upload the sketch to your ESP8266
• Once uploaded, reconnect the TX/RX cables and plug the cable in to the Tracer COM port
• Load the Blynk project and hit the PLAY button to start receiving data

Reference

Tracer A/B Series Modbus Protocol

Developing further

I plan to add more features and pull more data from the controller once I have my own solar system running.

If you'd like to pick this up and have a go at adding features, I'll be happy to accept pull requests.

Credits

Thanks to subtafuge on Reddit for lending me his working Tracer RS485 code!