Brultech ECM-1240 questions

Their web site still shows out of stock of the standard unit (ie Package A without the wireless radio). I for one wouldn't really want to spend a 20% premium just to get the unit now. I'd rather wait and get the less expensive non-radio version because I would hook it up via RS-232.

So until they can get the A package in stock reliably, their hardware sales may not be as high as they could be. I'm sure the general economic conditions are also keepin sales lower. I know I did not buy a unit when they first where released due to the economy. I'd still have a hard time convincing the wife to go along with this purchase right now.

I just checked and I don't see "Out of Stock" on our page. Can you provide a link to where you've seen this?

Paul
 
Their web site still shows out of stock of the standard unit (ie Package A without the wireless radio). I for one wouldn't really want to spend a 20% premium just to get the unit now. I'd rather wait and get the less expensive non-radio version because I would hook it up via RS-232.

So until they can get the A package in stock reliably, their hardware sales may not be as high as they could be. I'm sure the general economic conditions are also keepin sales lower. I know I did not buy a unit when they first where released due to the economy. I'd still have a hard time convincing the wife to go along with this purchase right now.

I just checked and I don't see "Out of Stock" on our page. Can you provide a link to where you've seen this?

Paul

http://www.brultech.com/HomeEnergy/ecm1240packages.html

from the home page, "what's new" -> http://www.brultech.com/HomeEnergy/ecm1240intro.html
"ECM-1240 Home-Energy Monitoring Solutions" -> http://www.brultech.com/HomeEnergy/ecm1240intro2.html
"See available packages and pricing" -> http://www.brultech.com/HomeEnergy/ecm1240packages.html

Your website needs an overhaul. And more technical information.
 
Your website needs an overhaul. And more technical information.

I'll have to agree here. It's nearly impossible to find anything and looks like 2 or 3 different sites that were duct taped together. I'm trying to get the DomoTiga developers to add support for the Brultech, and here is their response:

I have clicked around some time on both web sites you have mentioned, omg what a mess...

This experience didn't convince me building support for their products, do you have any other resources which can make change my mind?
 
I'm interested in the ECM-1240, but have a question that has gone unanswered by email for a week, and I haven't had luck reaching anyone by phone, so maybe someone (Paul?) can point me in the right direction.

I have a 200A panel. Both phases enter on busbars instead of through wires. The busbars are 3/4" wide and 1/4" deep. The first phase enters over an insulated busbar, but the other phase enter over an uninsulated busbar. Both of these feed into the disconnect breaker, which then feeds straight down on busbars to the other breakers, so the only place to monitor is the main feed.

I don't know if the 200A CTs would fit over these busbars, and if they did, I don't know if it meets code for a busbar to be clamped around an uninsulated feed. I'd rather know the answer before I purchase the unit and then find out that my electrician says it's not possible.

Any got any pointers on this?

Thanks.

Chris
 
I'm interested in the ECM-1240, but have a question that has gone unanswered by email for a week, and I haven't had luck reaching anyone by phone, so maybe someone (Paul?) can point me in the right direction.

I have a 200A panel. Both phases enter on busbars instead of through wires. The busbars are 3/4" wide and 1/4" deep. The first phase enters over an insulated busbar, but the other phase enter over an uninsulated busbar. Both of these feed into the disconnect breaker, which then feeds straight down on busbars to the other breakers, so the only place to monitor is the main feed.

I don't know if the 200A CTs would fit over these busbars, and if they did, I don't know if it meets code for a busbar to be clamped around an uninsulated feed. I'd rather know the answer before I purchase the unit and then find out that my electrician says it's not possible.

Any got any pointers on this?

Thanks.

Chris


We have rectangular split core CTs on order and should be here in two weeks. They were selected for use in the same type of panel you speak of. I can email you the dimentions if you wish to try to determine if it will fit your panel.

Paul
 
We have rectangular split core CTs on order and should be here in two weeks. They were selected for use in the same type of panel you speak of. I can email you the dimentions if you wish to try to determine if it will fit your panel.
Paul, This is exactly the type of technical info that should be available on the web site. I'm in the same situation (wierd main panel) and I've already bought a new panel to be installed shortly, but I might have gone another route had I known this was possible. Keeping a web site up to date takes some resources, but a well contructed web site is a great sales and support tool. A lot of us will simply blow off companies that don't have a decent online presence.
 
Your website needs an overhaul. And more technical information.

I'll have to agree here. It's nearly impossible to find anything and looks like 2 or 3 different sites that were duct taped together. I'm trying to get the DomoTiga developers to add support for the Brultech, and here is their response:

I have clicked around some time on both web sites you have mentioned, omg what a mess...

This experience didn't convince me building support for their products, do you have any other resources which can make change my mind?


I agree that their web site is a mess. Pretty indicative of a small business growing fast because of a great product. The 1240 has been absolutely rock solid and does exactly what it says. Improving the website to match the quality of their hardware would be great. Adding software support either via web or windows bases would be nice. I'm hoping that a big player notices them because the hardware just works.

Yes I'm a happy customer.
 
I am building a house with a very complex electrical system and I'd like to use an ECM-1240 (or two) to monitor it.

I have 400A service (split-phase), w/one main panel and three 100A sub-panels. I also have a Solar System with battery backup which has a 200A backup panel with two 100A sub-panels. The solar inverter is connected to the electrical meter via a side-line-tap configuration.

I plan to use ECM1 Channel1 to monitor the main electrical feed (before the side-line-tap), and Channel2 to monitor the Solar connection. All the other loads will be monitored either via an entire panel (pool equipment), or load groups (HVAC system), but I have some questions about how all this works.

The 1240 has two main channels (which support net-metering), and five aux channels. Does this mean the aux channels don't do Power Factor Correction?

The aux channels can handle a single 240V load up to 40A (two micro CTs required) or several 120V loads can be grouped. Is there a limit to the number of 120V loads? Do they all have to be on the same phase? Are the CTs wired in series? Why are your MicroCTs limited to 40A? Is it a wire size limit, or does the CT produce too much voltage for the -1240's aux channel? Do you have a 400A CT available? My main panel is fed via three 500 kcmil wires (I think that is ~.7" sans insulation), but I'm not sure what the connection is prior to the line-side-tap...

Thanks -- Bob

P.S. If you could upload the ECM-1240 installation manual to your web-site that could be very useful...
 
Hi Paul,

Sorry for the belated response, I don't visit CT as much as I used too and missed your reply. I'm not sure if you recall ( i can send you the full email thread if required), but since installing my ECM1220.h earlier this year I have never been able to get it to connect via USB to any PC or laptop. After many support emails, you finally sent me some test software to run which confirmed there was a comms fault fault on the ECM1220 itself and you were going to arrange for replacement unit to be shipped. I am still happy to send the ECM1220 back to you if required as it currently is mounted on my wall, and although working correctly via the LCD, it cannot communicate with my automation server at all.

Let me know if you need further information?

I can be PM'd if you prefer.

Cheers
Andrew


quote name='BtechRep' date='Jul 13 2009, 04:46 PM' post='118810']
I agree with you Sandpiper. I have a Brultech 1220.H which has never comunicated with any of my PC's satisfactorily. Unfortnately, I am in New Zealand (at the bottom of the world) so cannot send the thing back easily for replacement. It does seem that support for the 1220.H has fallen by the wayside, as my repeated emails to the company were not responded to. So I am left with a gadget on the wall with limited functionality. Perhaps I should have waited for the 1240...

Good luck getting your anwsers,
Andrew

Macca,

Sorry, I didn't realize you still had issues. Please refresh my mind so that we may find a resolve to your issues.

Paul
 
Hi Paul, I have replied to your PM. Please let me know if you get it so that we can resolve the issue.

I look forward to your reply and appreciate any help.

Cheers
Andrew
 
Back
Top