You guys seem like a friendly bunch. Happy to share my stuff.
The location of the controller I showed you is in a shipping container outside. All my batteries, inverter and equipment is inside. My solar panels are on top of the container.
So, I needed something to tell me what was going on and an ability to control those relays manually if I wanted to without having to go outside on a cold, dark winter morning..
Also, I have a portable sensor with temperature/humidity and gas sensors (pics of that later. If you want ?) that I can put anywhere. I use this to calibrate all my sensors.
So, this remote control polls that remote sensor as well as polling the MEGA controller for data, then displays it on an LCD screen. The screen has numerous outputs to show many different data values. These different screens are accessed using an old Panasonic remote control from a HiFi.
I can place and use this remote control anywhere around the house.
**Top Left** ESP8266 for connectivity to the solar controller.
**Top Right** NRF24L01 radio to connect my remote sensor. The NRF24L01 has a better range than an ESP8266 but not an ESP8266 Pro with an external antenna. I used the NRF before I knew what an ESP was. I would still use an NRF if I redesigned this because I really like these radios. ESP's can be iffy. ( DON'T SAY THAT TO AN ESP GUY. HE WILL LIKELY CUT YOUR THROAT. AND NEVER TELL THEM 3 VOLTS IS SHIT! You will enter a shitstorm that makes Corona look like an itch. I think that's what's wrong with ESP guys, they are all short of 2 volts upstairs.. :) )
Disclaimer: ESP guys, that's a JOKE, OK ? Humor... I love ESP's just as much as you do.
**Middle** And Arduino MEGA.
**Top Right** Witches hat looking thing. It's an RGB LED to show me what's going down. I build one of these into every project I make. They make debugging a breeze. Simply change colour when you enter another sub. If the micro hangs, you can see by the colour, where.
**Bottom** Standard LCD for display.
All of it is shoe-horned into an old outside LED light fitting. Seals nicely with the glass.
Again, any questions welcome..