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[Reply #60 on:]

I have just found out that if I put the value 160 to the pwm pin I get 2v on the triak and if I put 1 to the pwm pin I get full power to the triak. any idea what is going on here?

[Reply #61 on:]

Do you have any test equipment. The things you are reporting are not what you would expect to happen.
The problem is that if you just have a meter you will not get very sensible readings if you try and look at pulses. There should not be pulses but for example if the capacitor was not in circuit or you made a mistake with the value there would be pulses at that point.
Also measure the voltage on the base of the second transistor. This should be 0.7V higher that what you see on the emitter.

When you say:-

I get 2v on the triak

Are you talking about the voltage measured at the controller pin with respect to ground?
Basically inside that SSR is just an opto coupler, so in effect the input is just an LED.
You can replace it with an LED ( and resistor ) for testing.

[Reply #62 on:]

... im loosing the will to live with this project. 

Oh, my.

[Reply #63 on:]

jimjam,

I'm very interested in your system.  I have a 4kw solar installation I would like to have a go at the same setup as yourself.  I've got the Arduino Uno on order and I will be dusting of the old electronics text books.  Can you please send me the details of your system so far?  I hope to initially get the monitoring sorted (after I've flashed a few LED's of course!) before moving on to control so I hope you solve your teething problems soon!

Cheers!

[Reply #64 on:]

Solar In Preston?  
How big's your array?

I suppose all the rain will keep the cells clean for when the sun does eventually shine, sometime around Guild Week.

[Reply #65 on:]

Finally got it all up and running thanks to runaway pancake and grumpy mike, attached are some images.

[Reply #66 on:]

here is another.

[Reply #67 on:]

jimjam,

I'm very interested in your system.  I have a 4kw solar installation I would like to have a go at the same setup as yourself.  I've got the Arduino Uno on order and I will be dusting of the old electronics text books.  Can you please send me the details of your system so far?  I hope to initially get the monitoring sorted (after I've flashed a few LED's of course!) before moving on to control so I hope you solve your teething problems soon!

Cheers!

take a look at this page it will show you how to do the circuit for the current monitoring, it makes good reading.
http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/node/58

[Reply #68 on:]

AWOL, 16 x 250w Sanyos and yes we do get plenty of rain here! I've been considering generating electric by fitting water turbines to my downpipes.

Jimjam, well done to you, congrats! I'm familiar with that website so I'll give it a go. Your addition to that design makes perfect sense and no messing with new immersion heater elements. Bonus! Cheers.