Brultech ECM plugin for Homeseer

[WayneW]

My next step is to write the client that will archive the data from the server to an SQL database with daily, monthly, and annual charting capability. I'm comfortable with the selection of both the charting engine and database engine to use, so now it is just about writing code.

Any chance that your client will be able to get data into Cacti/RRDtool?

 

[tenholde]

The servers are NOT compatible. While it would be nice if they were, I chose a different approach. After much cosideration, I decided upon a server that pushes (broadcasts) the data one time to any number of listeners instead of multiple listeners establishing sessions with the server and polling for data. This minimizes the network traffic and significantly simplifies the client interface. As in any design, there are tradeoffs of course.

So the Brultech server doesn't do any broadcasts? So the Brultech server and multiple Firefox browsers running the toolbar will produce a lot of chatter? I like the idea of pushing data also.

Will your server support multiple ECM-1240s on serial ports? Or might this be on your to-do list? I bought the ECM-1240 with only a serial output as I have multiple serial ports available, but I am wondering if I should have gotten a radio equipped unit to make multiple ECM-1240 support easier?

Right now it supports a single RS-232 connection. I have been thinking about how to support multiple ECMs. In your case, would you attached multiple ECMs to multiple serial ports?

tenholde

 

[WayneW]

Right now it supports a single RS-232 connection. I have been thinking about how to support multiple ECMs. In your case, would you attached multiple ECMs to multiple serial ports?

Yes, I have an EdgePort USB with 8 serial ports, so each ECM would get a dedicated port. Does your server support multiple ECMs with the Ether radio stuff? I knew I was going to have to run wires from the ECM to the exterior electric panel CTs, so I figured is wasn't hard to run a serial cable from my garage ECM to my wiring closet. But maybe by being cheap and buying radio-less, I have made it harder to support multiple ECMs? Or maybe I could use an IP-serial converter?

 

[tenholde]

Right now it supports a single RS-232 connection. I have been thinking about how to support multiple ECMs. In your case, would you attached multiple ECMs to multiple serial ports?

Yes, I have an EdgePort USB with 8 serial ports, so each ECM would get a dedicated port. Does your server support multiple ECMs with the Ether radio stuff? I knew I was going to have to run wires from the ECM to the exterior electric panel CTs, so I figured is wasn't hard to run a serial cable from my garage ECM to my wiring closet. But maybe by being cheap and buying radio-less, I have made it harder to support multiple ECMs? Or maybe I could use an IP-serial converter?

I am researching this right now, but it appears that the best way to support multiple ECMs is via Xbee wireless. The Xbee dongle appears to be able to handle multiple, simultaneous ECM senders. This would only require the server code to differentiate packets received on the same serial port by ECM serial number. The multiple serial port, one for each ECM, would require significant more complexity to coordinate separate RS-232 streams from each ECM device.

tenholde

 

[Btech]

Right now it supports a single RS-232 connection. I have been thinking about how to support multiple ECMs. In your case, would you attached multiple ECMs to multiple serial ports?

Yes, I have an EdgePort USB with 8 serial ports, so each ECM would get a dedicated port. Does your server support multiple ECMs with the Ether radio stuff? I knew I was going to have to run wires from the ECM to the exterior electric panel CTs, so I figured is wasn't hard to run a serial cable from my garage ECM to my wiring closet. But maybe by being cheap and buying radio-less, I have made it harder to support multiple ECMs? Or maybe I could use an IP-serial converter?

I am researching this right now, but it appears that the best way to support multiple ECMs is via Xbee wireless. The Xbee dongle appears to be able to handle multiple, simultaneous ECM senders. This would only require the server code to differentiate packets received on the same serial port by ECM serial number. The multiple serial port, one for each ECM, would require significant more complexity to coordinate separate RS-232 streams from each ECM device.

tenholde

I know that there is no problem receiving data from two (or more) ECM-1240 on seperate RS-232 ports using the old VB6, by using two or more instances of the MsComm control. Using the CommEvent, the data for each unit may be collected seperately.

I would imagine there should be a way to use multiple COM ports in a single application using .net. Maybe someone can clarify this.

Paul

 

[WayneW]

You should think about upgrading to the current release of HomeSeer. More and more plugins are dropping support for 1.7.

I didn't want to hijack the thread, but so that you know my feelings on the HS2 matter...

I will consider HS2 when HST grows up and stops censoring their board and they realize that Blade's plugins help sell their product, not threaten it.
Nice stuff from Blade (I can name him here), Jon00 and you would be the only reason I would consider upgrading. HS2 core doesn't do anything that HS1.7 doesn't, that I care about.
Just for example, here is today's censoring silliness.
http://board.homeseer.com/showthread.php?p=869431
http://board.homeseer.com/showthread.php?p=869476

So, I realize the market may be shrinking slowly, but there is still an interest in HS 1.7 scripts and plugins. My HS 1.7 is paid for, mature, stable, requires no maintenance or betas, and doesn't phone-home.

 

[tenholde]

Right now it supports a single RS-232 connection. I have been thinking about how to support multiple ECMs. In your case, would you attached multiple ECMs to multiple serial ports?

Yes, I have an EdgePort USB with 8 serial ports, so each ECM would get a dedicated port. Does your server support multiple ECMs with the Ether radio stuff? I knew I was going to have to run wires from the ECM to the exterior electric panel CTs, so I figured is wasn't hard to run a serial cable from my garage ECM to my wiring closet. But maybe by being cheap and buying radio-less, I have made it harder to support multiple ECMs? Or maybe I could use an IP-serial converter?

I am researching this right now, but it appears that the best way to support multiple ECMs is via Xbee wireless. The Xbee dongle appears to be able to handle multiple, simultaneous ECM senders. This would only require the server code to differentiate packets received on the same serial port by ECM serial number. The multiple serial port, one for each ECM, would require significant more complexity to coordinate separate RS-232 streams from each ECM device.

tenholde

I know that there is no problem receiving data from two (or more) ECM-1240 on seperate RS-232 ports using the old VB6, by using two or more instances of the MsComm control. Using the CommEvent, the data for each unit may be collected seperately.


I would imagine there should be a way to use multiple COM ports in a single application using .net. Maybe someone can clarify this.

Paul

It is certainly doable, using multiple serial ports. My point was only that using the Xbee aproach seemed like it would be much more straight forward.

tenholde

 

[mdiehl]

Right now it supports a single RS-232 connection. I have been thinking about how to support multiple ECMs. In your case, would you attached multiple ECMs to multiple serial ports?

Yes, I have an EdgePort USB with 8 serial ports, so each ECM would get a dedicated port. Does your server support multiple ECMs with the Ether radio stuff? I knew I was going to have to run wires from the ECM to the exterior electric panel CTs, so I figured is wasn't hard to run a serial cable from my garage ECM to my wiring closet. But maybe by being cheap and buying radio-less, I have made it harder to support multiple ECMs? Or maybe I could use an IP-serial converter?

I am researching this right now, but it appears that the best way to support multiple ECMs is via Xbee wireless. The Xbee dongle appears to be able to handle multiple, simultaneous ECM senders. This would only require the server code to differentiate packets received on the same serial port by ECM serial number. The multiple serial port, one for each ECM, would require significant more complexity to coordinate separate RS-232 streams from each ECM device.

tenholde

I know that there is no problem receiving data from two (or more) ECM-1240 on seperate RS-232 ports using the old VB6, by using two or more instances of the MsComm control. Using the CommEvent, the data for each unit may be collected seperately.


I would imagine there should be a way to use multiple COM ports in a single application using .net. Maybe someone can clarify this.

Paul

It is certainly doable, using multiple serial ports. My point was only that using the Xbee aproach seemed like it would be much more straight forward.

tenholde

I think I'll be adding my two cents to Waynes opinion, I'm using Homeseer Basic for just Z-Wave and am stilled ticked at Homeseer for dropping it, plus I'm not shelling out the $200 buckos for Homeseer 2.0, I just don't need that much. Homeseer Basics Log says the plug-in is loaded, but thats it...

What I'll be needing is basically a stand-alone app. for display and graphing. I much rather send a few greenbacks your way, than to Homeseer...., hint, hint.

 

[tenholde]

Right now it supports a single RS-232 connection. I have been thinking about how to support multiple ECMs. In your case, would you attached multiple ECMs to multiple serial ports?

Yes, I have an EdgePort USB with 8 serial ports, so each ECM would get a dedicated port. Does your server support multiple ECMs with the Ether radio stuff? I knew I was going to have to run wires from the ECM to the exterior electric panel CTs, so I figured is wasn't hard to run a serial cable from my garage ECM to my wiring closet. But maybe by being cheap and buying radio-less, I have made it harder to support multiple ECMs? Or maybe I could use an IP-serial converter?

I am researching this right now, but it appears that the best way to support multiple ECMs is via Xbee wireless. The Xbee dongle appears to be able to handle multiple, simultaneous ECM senders. This would only require the server code to differentiate packets received on the same serial port by ECM serial number. The multiple serial port, one for each ECM, would require significant more complexity to coordinate separate RS-232 streams from each ECM device.

tenholde

I know that there is no problem receiving data from two (or more) ECM-1240 on seperate RS-232 ports using the old VB6, by using two or more instances of the MsComm control. Using the CommEvent, the data for each unit may be collected seperately.


I would imagine there should be a way to use multiple COM ports in a single application using .net. Maybe someone can clarify this.

Paul

It is certainly doable, using multiple serial ports. My point was only that using the Xbee aproach seemed like it would be much more straight forward.

tenholde

I think I'll be adding my two cents to Waynes opinion, I'm using Homeseer Basic for just Z-Wave and am stilled ticked at Homeseer for dropping it, plus I'm not shelling out the $200 buckos for Homeseer 2.0, I just don't need that much. Homeseer Basics Log says the plug-in is loaded, but thats it...

What I'll be needing is basically a stand-alone app. for display and graphing. I much rather send a few greenbacks your way, than to Homeseer...., hint, hint.

I'm working on the DB program now to archive the ECM data for display and charting.
tenholde

 

[BDHall]

tenholde,

I am assuming that you have HSTouch. Have you had any success integrating the usage charts into your touchscreen? I hope to to be able to display charts and other energy related information on my touchscreen.

I received a notice today that my ECM-1240 has arrived so I plan to pick it up on Tuesday. I still have a little work to do finishing up with the installation of a new load center so depending on my work schedule this week it could be a few days before I get the ECM-1240 installed.

I am installing a seperate box in the wall for housing my ECM-1240 (approx 14-1/4" x 16-3/4" with a door flush to the wall for easy access) with a conduit between it and the load center for the CT cables. I think this will make a fairly neat installation.

Brian

 

[tenholde]

tenholde,

I am assuming that you have HSTouch. Have you had any success integrating the usage charts into your touchscreen? I hope to to be able to display charts and other energy related information on my touchscreen.

I received a notice today that my ECM-1240 has arrived so I plan to pick it up on Tuesday. I still have a little work to do finishing up with the installation of a new load center so depending on my work schedule this week it could be a few days before I get the ECM-1240 installed.

I am installing a seperate box in the wall for housing my ECM-1240 (approx 14-1/4" x 16-3/4" with a door flush to the wall for easy access) with a conduit between it and the load center for the CT cables. I think this will make a fairly neat installation.

Brian

Will40 is working with HsTouch and the plugin. I do not have HsTouch but will work with you to make sure you can easily display what you need.

tenholde

 

[BDHall]

tenholde,

I am assuming that you have HSTouch. Have you had any success integrating the usage charts into your touchscreen? I hope to to be able to display charts and other energy related information on my touchscreen.

I received a notice today that my ECM-1240 has arrived so I plan to pick it up on Tuesday. I still have a little work to do finishing up with the installation of a new load center so depending on my work schedule this week it could be a few days before I get the ECM-1240 installed.

I am installing a seperate box in the wall for housing my ECM-1240 (approx 14-1/4" x 16-3/4" with a door flush to the wall for easy access) with a conduit between it and the load center for the CT cables. I think this will make a fairly neat installation.

Brian

Will40 is working with HsTouch and the plugin. I do not have HsTouch but will work with you to make sure you can easily display what you need.

tenholde

Thanks!

Brian

 

[BDHall]

I have installed the plugin, excellent work by tenholde.

I looked at the chart from the plugin and it looks pretty good.

I was wondering how best to display a chart in HSTouch. I suspect that the capabilities of HSTouch in this area may be somewhat limited at this time. You can display a web page in HSTouch although the ones I have tried did not refresh unless I restarted HSTouch. You can also display an image. I am not sure about refreshing that image if the file is changed, I have not yet tried that. I was hoping to be able to display a chart that could be refreshed at some interval.

Any ideas?

Brian

 

[tenholde]

I have installed the plugin, excellent work by tenholde.

I looked at the chart from the plugin and it looks pretty good.

I was wondering how best to display a chart in HSTouch. I suspect that the capabilities of HSTouch in this area may be somewhat limited at this time. You can display a web page in HSTouch although the ones I have tried did not refresh unless I restarted HSTouch. You can also display an image. I am not sure about refreshing that image if the file is changed, I have not yet tried that. I was hoping to be able to display a chart that could be refreshed at some interval.

Any ideas?

Brian

If a web page has the header set to auto-refresh every x seconds, will it in HsTouch? I am not very familiar with HsTouch, but if you can tell me what you need I can probably supply it. I can format a page with just the chart. The chart is actually generated to a .png file -- can you reference that?

tenholde

 

[drozwood90]

can it be a jpg/gif? My audrey does not support .png.

Thanks!

--Dan