monitor power meter wheel

[drvnbysound]

Here is another solution:

http://www.bluelineinnovations.com/default...n=1.274.285.388

If you simply want to monitor your power consumption, it should fit the bill. However, the last time I checked this could not be interfaced with - if you were wanting to tie this information into a larger HA system.

 

[Rupp]

Here is another solution:

http://www.bluelineinnovations.com/default...n=1.274.285.388

If you simply want to monitor your power consumption, it should fit the bill. However, the last time I checked this could not be interfaced with - if you were wanting to tie this information into a larger HA system.

Yep, this is the same device mentioned in post #3 and post#4.

 

[drvnbysound]

Yep, this is the same device mentioned in post #3 and post#4.

heh, I guess thats what I get for not following the links... sorry about that

 

[auto_man]

I will definitely document when I do it. I am currently in progress of working on it.

 

[Rupp]

Yep, this is the same device mentioned in post #3 and post#4.

heh, I guess thats what I get for not following the links... sorry about that

No worries. This device is marketed under so many names it would be impossible to to list all the links. The more the merrier. I just wish there was a way to interface with this device so you could get the data into the computer

 

[Dave X10]

.......... I just wish there was a way to interface with this device so you could get the data into the computer

Yes. And I am not a stickler about those things. I've never felt that everything needs to talk to each other... or even be automated. But.. whereas it really would be cool to walk over to where ever I'd put that thing... and see what I am spending. I already pretty much know that.

But it would be nice to at least be able to collect the data in a spread sheet format... if not fully intergrate it into Home Automation program(s). Otherwise... I just wonder if the kill-a-watt meter isn't a more useful item.

 

[Rupp]

.......... I just wish there was a way to interface with this device so you could get the data into the computer

Yes. And I am not a stickler about those things. I've never felt that everything needs to talk to each other... or even be automated. But.. whereas it really would be cool to walk over to where ever I'd put that thing... and see what I am spending. I already pretty much know that.

But it would be nice to at least be able to collect the data in a spread sheet format... if not fully intergrate it into Home Automation program(s). Otherwise... I just wonder if the kill-a-watt meter isn't a more useful item.

Yea, HomeSeer took a good approach and they allow users to select devices to automatically shut off when the power usage goes to a preset level when using the TED plugin. This is one good way for these types of devices to pay for themselves over time.

 

[damage]

Yep, this is the same device mentioned in post #3 and post#4.

:wacko: heh, I guess thats what I get for not following the links... sorry about that

No worries. This device is marketed under so many names it would be impossible to to list all the links. The more the merrier. I just wish there was a way to interface with this device so you could get the data into the computer

put the display in front of a webcam, have it periodically snap pictures and run those pictures through OCR software i'm sure some of that can be automated.

 

[Dave X10]

Yea, HomeSeer took a good approach and they allow users to select devices to automatically shut off when the power usage goes to a preset level when using the TED plugin. This is one good way for these types of devices to pay for themselves over time.

TED plugin.... I need to read up. Thanks.

 

[damage]

here's a free open source OCR program. you can also train it to better recognize particular character sets (ie those specific to a particular LCD display perhaps?) http://code.google.com/p/tesseract-ocr

once you get the data in, you can use google's visualization tools to build some gauges & charts, etc. http://code.google.com/apis/visualization

my system is built on mysql and the gui's are ajax based, so making the charts was trivial. here's a screencast of a webpage i did using data from my brultech 1240 with google's api's http://bit.ly/8DfzTz

 

[auto_man]

Thanks for the info damage. That was a neat site.

here's a free open source OCR program. you can also train it to better recognize particular character sets (ie those specific to a particular LCD display perhaps?) http://code.google.com/p/tesseract-ocr

once you get the data in, you can use google's visualization tools to build some gauges & charts, etc. http://code.google.com/apis/visualization

my system is built on mysql and the gui's are ajax based, so making the charts was trivial. here's a screencast of a webpage i did using data from my brultech 1240 with google's api's http://bit.ly/8DfzTz

 

[auto_man]

Well got part of it figured out. I ordered a laser pointer : Laser for 1.54 . I will then buy a photo resistor 5pack for 2bux from Radio shack. Will have to tie it all together then go from there.

 

[sda]

Any help appreciated.

Here's my project:

http://www.ludditelab.com/one_wire_project...der/index.shtml

Its based off the Sean Adams circuit but uses a 1-wire counter.

I basically gave up on this over a year ago because "something" was going wrong and the counter wouldn't increment "sometimes". Not sure if it was related to temperature (100+) or light (meter is in full sun), or some other cause. And PG&E switched me to a digital meter last summer anyway.

I've got plans to redo my panel and add my own non-digital meter between the main disco and a whole house sub, so I'll probably revisit this again in the future. It bugs me it didn't work like it should have.

The Brultech seems to be the way to go, and that's the way I'll be going.

 

[JimS]

I haven't tried this myself but have a couple suggestions....

I would think having the detector above the meter and the laser (or other light source) below the meter would make it easier to shield the detector from the sun. Also a smaller tube for the detector would help reduce ambient light (but require more accurate aim).

Instead of PVC water pipe you might try PVC electrical conduit. It still may pass some light but the gray pigment should cut it down a lot. You can't get the same fittings but they are the same size so you can mix and match.

Some systems like this use modulation to help reject background light while still picking up the signal. That's the way IR remotes work. The light source is pulsed at some frequency and only that frequency is detected. The light level when the source is off can be adjusted out.

 

[auto_man]

Thanks that is a good suggestion pulsing. I have all my parts, but due to weather conditions its been miserable to work outside. I expect it will be beautiful weather in the next 2 weeks so I will attempt to work on it again. Right now i plan on installing the laser above the meter and shooting through the hole in disc on every revolution.

I haven't tried this myself but have a couple suggestions....

I would think having the detector above the meter and the laser (or other light source) below the meter would make it easier to shield the detector from the sun. Also a smaller tube for the detector would help reduce ambient light (but require more accurate aim).

Instead of PVC water pipe you might try PVC electrical conduit. It still may pass some light but the gray pigment should cut it down a lot. You can't get the same fittings but they are the same size so you can mix and match.

Some systems like this use modulation to help reject background light while still picking up the signal. That's the way IR remotes work. The light source is pulsed at some frequency and only that frequency is detected. The light level when the source is off can be adjusted out.