by Matt Perry | Updated: 01/17/2018 | Comments: 0
During 2017, I was asked several times for a data logger program to retrieve data from Kipp & Zonen’s new RaZON+, a compact-sized dual-axis sun tracker with integrated GPS, smart pyrheliometer, and shaded smart pyranometer. The RaZON+ touts a higher accuracy approach to obtaining solar component sum (diffuse, direct, and global sunlight) compared to the traditional, proven rotating shadowband radiometers. Kipp & Zonen has simplified and improved ease-of-use, as compared to the Solys 2 Sun Tracker, with a compact, lightweight design, onboard data processing, and an intuitive user interface for configuration and Modbus real-time data retrieval.
So why am I asked for a data logger program if the RaZON+ can make these solar radiation measurements, store the data, and transfer the data? It comes down to two reasons:
The CR1000X, CR6, and CR310 dataloggers meet these needs, complementing the RaZON+ with integrated Ethernet and RS-485 for Modbus in combination with cellular and wireless data transfer options. For example, the CR310 seamlessly collects the RaZON+’s data every second; measures additional sensors such as a redundant pyranometer, meteorological, soiling, visibility, and temperature; and stores/reduces the data points while performing real-time QA/QC. Coupled with a cellular modem, the CR310 securely transfers data to your favorite database and allows remote and secure access for viewing data and system status. Although the RaZON+ has a nice compact size, the 13W power supply required to meet its power demand will be rather large. Without adding much cost, the CR310 could also be used to monitor and control the power supply, turning the RaZON+ off while the sun elevation is less than 0 degrees on the horizon.
The CM106B tripod works nicely for securely mounting and accurately leveling the RaZON+, even in challenging terrain.
The program example below is developed for the CR310. The same code can be used in the new CR1000X and CR6 dataloggers, as well as the CR1000, CR800, CR850, and CR3000.
'==================================================================================== 'CR300 Series Datalogger 'CR310 as MB Client to Razon MB Server over TCP/IP 'Code tested on RaZON+ with Hardware 1.0 and Software 1.0 '==================================================================================== 'Public REGISTER NAME 'Id (Base 0) Public DEVICE_TYPE As Long '0 Public DATAMODEL_VERSION As Long '1 Public IV_DATE As Long '100 Public IV_TIME As Long '102 Public IV_DATE_LOC As Long '104 Public IV_TIME_LOC As Long '106 Public IV_SOLAR_AZIMUTH '108 Public IV_SOLAR_ZENITH '110 Public IV_LATITUDE '112 Public IV_LONGITUDE '114 Public IV_AIR_PRESSURE '116 Public IV_IRR_DIFFUSE '118 Public IV_IRR_DIRECT '120 Public IV_IRR_GLOBAL '122 Public IV_TEMP_PYRANO '124 Public IV_TEMP_DIRECT '126 Public IV_SUNSHINE_DURATION '128 Public IV_GLOBAL_SUM '130 Public IV_LEN As Long '132 Public IV_SUNSHINE_COUNT As Long '133 Public IV_STATUS_TRACKING As Long '134 Public IV_STATUS_PYRANO As Long '135 Public IV_STATUS_DIRECT As Long '136 Public Handle As Long Public PTemp, Batt_Volt Public MBCode000 Public MBCode001 Public MBCode100 Public MBCode102 Public MBCode104 Public MBCode106 Public MBCode108 Public MBCode110 Public MBCode112 Public MBCode114 Public MBCode116 Public MBCode118 Public MBCode120 Public MBCode122 Public MBCode124 Public MBCode126 Public MBCode128 Public MBCode130 Public MBCode132 Public MBCode133 Public MBCode134 Public MBCode135 Public MBCode136 BeginProg Handle = TCPOpen ("192.168.24.66",502,40) Scan (3,Sec,0,0) Handle = TCPOpen ("192.168.24.66",502,40) PanelTemp (PTemp,60) Battery (Batt_Volt) 'CSI ModBusStart is Base 1, whereas Razon is Base 0. Therefore, 'ModBusStart = Razon Id + 1 ModbusClient (MBCode000,Handle,-9600,1,4,DEVICE_TYPE,1,1,1,100,3) ModbusClient (MBCode001,Handle,-9600,1,4,DATAMODEL_VERSION,2,1,1,100,3) ModbusClient (MBCode100,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_DATE,101,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode102,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_TIME,103,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode104,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_DATE_LOC,105,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode106,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_TIME_LOC,107,1,1,100,2) ModbusClientr (MBCode108,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_SOLAR_AZIMUTH,109,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode110,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_SOLAR_ZENITH,111,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode112,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_LATITUDE,113,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode114,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_LONGITUDE,115,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode116,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_AIR_PRESSURE,117,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode118,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_IRR_DIFFUSE,119,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode120,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_IRR_DIRECT,121,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode122,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_IRR_GLOBAL,123,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode124,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_TEMP_PYRANO,125,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode126,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_TEMP_DIRECT,127,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode128,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_SUNSHINE_DURATION,129,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode130,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_GLOBAL_SUM,131,1,1,100,2) ModbusClient (MBCode132,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_LEN,133,1,1,100,3) ModbusClient (MBCode133,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_SUNSHINE_COUNT,134,1,1,100,3) ModbusClientr (MBCode134,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_STATUS_TRACKING,135,1,1,100,3) ModbusClient (MBCode135,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_STATUS_PYRANO,136,1,1,100,3) ModbusClient (MBCode136,Handle,-9600,1,4,IV_STATUS_DIRECT,137,1,1,100,3) NextScan EndProg
Please post below if you have an experience with the RaZON+ that you’d like to share or if you have any questions.
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