Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


E3xtc

782 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 164


#182445 16-Oct-2015 07:46
Send private message

Hello,

I have been doing some searching etc, and have not come up with anything (in recent posts) that seems to match - although I am sure I have seen some posts in recent time, but my search skills are somewhat lacking (it would appear). 

So I am keen to see what peoples thoughts are on what I should use to track/monitor our household electricity usage and generation (PV Solar). We don't have a smart meter, so no (close to) real time metric are available from that direction. 
It would be great to be able to identify when high drain items are turned on, high use periods etc, 
Also would like to make it as little of an eye sore as possible and I think what is going to make this tricky is that the power meter is at one end of the garage and the fuse box is at the other (albeit on the same wall). 

Thanks for your ideas :)

Cheers

Create new topic
Dynamic
4015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1851

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1407585 16-Oct-2015 08:27
Send private message

I backed this Indiegogo project recently for similar reasons 

https://ecois.me/en/Indiegogo  

I think the release date is still 6-ish months away.




“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams




ajbw
131 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 11

Lifetime subscriber

  #1407605 16-Oct-2015 09:22
Send private message

I use an arduino with two current transformers and a 433 MHz radio module. The transformers clip over the cables, so there is no actual metallic connection. This sends a signal that is picked up by three receivers: one lights up a big bargraph made of 30 LEDs on a strip, for display in the kitchen, one on a hot water tank load dump system, and one on my data logging system. All powered by arduinos except the last one, which runs on a raspberry pi.

Aredwood
3885 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1749


  #1408060 16-Oct-2015 20:56

http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/ can build it yourself or buy it pre built. And it measures and corrects for power factor. Alot of current clamp systems can't measure power factors. Therefore they will be wrong when measuring motor and electronic device loads.







SumnerBoy
2079 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 306

ID Verified
Lifetime subscriber

  #1408096 17-Oct-2015 01:35
Send private message

+1 for OEM. 

Jase2985
13730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6202

ID Verified
Lifetime subscriber

  #1408104 17-Oct-2015 06:52
Send private message

ajbw: I use an arduino with two current transformers and a 433 MHz radio module. The transformers clip over the cables, so there is no actual metallic connection. This sends a signal that is picked up by three receivers: one lights up a big bargraph made of 30 LEDs on a strip, for display in the kitchen, one on a hot water tank load dump system, and one on my data logging system. All powered by arduinos except the last one, which runs on a raspberry pi.


got more details of what parts you used? or a link to a similar project?

ajbw
131 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 11

Lifetime subscriber

  #1408127 17-Oct-2015 08:38
Send private message

I'm currently travelling, so I can't get at the details, which I can post in about a week. I did think about the accuracy of just measuring current, but decided that since the major load is water hearing, power factor is not an issue. And the system is a feedback one, which tries to minimise the difference between generated and consumed power, so errors from assuming 230V cancel out.

 
 
 
 

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).
E3xtc

782 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 164


  #1408953 19-Oct-2015 07:25
Send private message

Hmm oh and did I mention that I am time poor and don't have many tools to tinker with - so plug and play FTW :D

But thanks for the comments so far...the Indiegogo does look appealing...just wish it was here now! :)

Create new topic








Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.