Pyranometer with modbus connection

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Pyranometer with modbus connection

jwgorman

42 posts

Geek

#227501 9-Jan-2018 17:08

Hi,

I was interested in collecting some data from a pyranometer, and wondering if anyone had any experience with any pyranometers that are solid. We like Modbus in general so that would be the preferred method but interested in any recommendations for quality instruments.

Thanks, John

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1933010 9-Jan-2018 17:28

I had no idea what this was, googled it, still no idea.

Does it measure how many fish with teeth there are in the water?

jwgorman

42 posts

Geek

#1933034 9-Jan-2018 18:19

Ha! I like that - No it's slightly less interesting than that - a device that measures the amount of sunlight in terms of irradiance (in watts per meter squared) and over time insolation (watt hours per meter squared).

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1933145 9-Jan-2018 20:12

Probably better to ask this question in the gadgets and home automation and electronics forum. Ask a mod to move this thread.

jwgorman

42 posts

Geek

#1933240 9-Jan-2018 23:00

OK I will try thanks

elpenguino

3423 posts

Uber Geek

#1933271 10-Jan-2018 00:44

I see MetService and NIWA use the Licor 200 for their global solar irradiance measurements.

This sensor puts out ~ 100 uA at full output so you will need a good front end on the sensor to get good readings.

https://www.licor.com/env/products/light/pyranometer.html

Not modbus though. You might be able to find a modbus unit in the Kipp n Zonen product range but if they have one it will cost multi-thousands.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

jwgorman

42 posts

Geek

#1939022 15-Jan-2018 12:59

Thanks! Yes that does look like a solid one, I will check the interface but often the distance between the roof-mounted unit and the raspberry pi (or similar SBC) can be a ways. the thing we like about modbus is that it's pretty reliable once running, and you can also bridge it with WiFi devices.

jwgorman

42 posts

Geek

#1956914 14-Feb-2018 11:17

So far we are testing a Rika RK200-03 Pyranometer, and it seems to be working well. Easy to add to a SolarNode (running on a Raspberry Pi) by specifying the Modbus address, and you can chart it.

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

jwgorman

42 posts

Geek

#1958581 15-Feb-2018 12:35

here's a little more info on this testing: http://solarnetwork.net/v4/testing-the-modbus-device-plugin/