Interesting power monitoring startup

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jpwise

jpwise
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#1309979 22-May-2015 16:16

gzt: Smappee has optional cat5 sensor extender up to 20 metres.

Edit: You could also look at getting a sparky to install the sensor behind the internal switch panel or similar. Having your own equipment in the meter box might be a bit iffy from a retailer pov.

Hrm, i didn't actually know they had an extender. I've got my sensor cable hanging out the laundry window and snaking into the meter box. Smappee itself is just hung on the wall of the laundry inside. :)

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notesgnome

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#1309990 22-May-2015 16:39

Not sure this will amount to anything (or even it's allowed - if not, Mods, please let me know).

I've already ordered one of these, and this morning I received an email detailing a referral program.

In essence, if my referrals result in donations over $1,000, then I receive a 1 phase sensor.

In the spirit of Geekzone, if, using my referral code below, the target is reached (and I actually receive a 1-phase sensor), I'll sort out a competition with Mauricio to give it away. Nothing in it for me except a good feeling on a Friday :)

The referrer code is (I think):

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ecoisme-intelligent-energy-monitoring-system/x/8147083

miked

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#1310225 23-May-2015 00:46

timmmay: Interesting. So who's buying one?

I've signed up for one.

I decided that is was worth the wait (assuming they ever ship them - rather than the project failing with nothing to show for it! Which is always a risk).

My rationale was that this one seemed to be unique in offering to detect small items (they even quote phone chargers etc) which will give us a chance to get a real picture on usage, not just for cost purposes (which is particularly useful on expensive to run items that all similar devices cover), but also for usage patterns (what are the kids up to etc). It would also allow us to see what small items amount to in a year of usage!

It was also at a very good price (especially during the super early bird pricing) compared to the competitors.

Of course, that all depends on whether the promised features deliver and are reliable. So I took a gamble, and hope it pays off!

In terms of questions I asked the developers, I had an email reply, so I'll include their answers here (in quotes):

Wifi Security and Ethernet possibility:

Sensor will work with WPA2 as most widely used protocol. Ethernet is not convenient in many cases, because sensor location might be different.

Lifetime of Cloud offering (will it still be available in the future):

We are going to keep our cloud free of charge for all our customers. There can be some freemium features in the future, but anyway main functionality will be free of charge.

Data Bandwidth used per month (is it 10kilobits per sec i.e 3.5GB per month ..... not 10kiloBytes per sec - ie 27GB per month!!):

Yes, we mean kilobits, this is average traffic. We are tracking important events and thus minimize traffic when nothing significant happens. Also we use WebSockets connection, which means faster response time and less overhead, especially, using TLS.

Encryption of my data over the web:

We send data over TLS 1.2 protocol, so no one can sniff data between sensor and the cloud.

I've also just asked them a couple more questions.... will report back when I get an answer.

Mike

linw

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#1310316 23-May-2015 09:39

jpwise:
gzt: Smappee has optional cat5 sensor extender up to 20 metres.

Edit: You could also look at getting a sparky to install the sensor behind the internal switch panel or similar. Having your own equipment in the meter box might be a bit iffy from a retailer pov.

Hrm, i didn't actually know they had an extender. I've got my sensor cable hanging out the laundry window and snaking into the meter box. Smappee itself is just hung on the wall of the laundry inside. :)

Yep, that would solve the problems I mentioned. I have a bedroom window close by but wouldn't want it ajar all the time. Maybe drill a hole through the exterior wall and into the bedroom!

tieke

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#1310414 23-May-2015 14:42

I've actually got a Neurio, but despite good reports it's still in its packet as we're now in a dual-townhouse setup with one meter-box for both places. As this meterbox is on the other house and thus dozens of meters through concrete block aware from my nearest wifi access point, I haven't bothered installing it as I wouldn't be able to get a working connection.

Considered adding an additional Unifi AP outside, but that would basically double the cost of the Neurio, so for now it stays in the box. Looks like the same would apply to the other alternatives mentioned in this thread - basically they are ideally suited for places which have the meter box indoors, but not so good for here.

miked

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#1310823 24-May-2015 16:09

Answers to the two extra questions I asked the Ecoisme team:

Is the Solar Feature a modular upgrade (could be added on later) or is it a completely separate model?

Yes, it will be a separate product. However, we are still considering possibilities to make it as a single one, but modular.

The external sensor appears to be connected by a 3.5mm headphone jack, so could it be extended?

Exactly, regular 3.5mm headphone socket (stereo).

Mike

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miked

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#1312636 27-May-2015 11:50

I just noticed that someone had asked about Neur.io differences on their comments page:

spotifly spotifly

12 hours ago

interesting to see how much more different your system will be to neur.io

good luck

And the Ecoisme team answered:

Alexander Diatlov (CMO of Ecoisme)

9 hours ago

Spotifly, since we use both power and spectrum analysis, we have much more precise algorithms that can detect even devices with power consumption which varies like TVs, laptops, phone chargers.

Which is pretty much what we'd already suspected, given that Ecoisme had already mentioned phone chargers on their sales pitch. So it should be able to detect devices with much lower power drain. It was this surmising that lead me to back this project rather than one of the already shipping / soon to ship alternatives. Equally it is good to hear some ask the question and hear that answer direct from the developers. Should have thought to ask it myself rather than guessing!

Who else has bought into this? Are there many of us?

gzt

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#1315240 31-May-2015 21:16

Really really tempted but thinking I might not get full use out of it with lack of ethernet held me back from a 1 year delay pre-order. On release I will be less fussy.

Nice to see 3/4 towards funding goal today:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ecoisme-intelligent-energy-monitoring-system

jaidevp

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#1319293 8-Jun-2015 11:50

I'm thinking of getting the Smappee for power monitoring. I have a powerpoint next to my switchboard.
Just wondering, my meter/switchboard setup is like this http://s4.postimg.org/xgxwb3dvx/swbd6.jpg , Do I need an additional CT clamp for monitoring the power for the hot water? i.e. it will clamp to the Red H/W Ripple wire?
If so will try and get that too, so only need to get the Electrician out once.

richms

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#1319297 8-Jun-2015 11:52

If both wires will fit thru the transformers hole then no. Just put both thru. Will depend on the cable size and hole size.

Richard rich.ms

jpwise

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#1319378 8-Jun-2015 13:47

I just put mine on the main feed before the meter. Then it picks up everything.

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richms

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#1319390 8-Jun-2015 13:55

Yeah but is meter is outside and you want to put it on the distribution board inside then that wont help.

Richard rich.ms

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