Monitoring dedicated 240V circuit

[electron]

So as part of my quest to automate/monitor my electric car charging station, I would like to monitor usage, and integrate it via one of my servers.
 
I currently have an old ZigBee based, but it's no longer supported, plus I would like a dedicated unit for just this circuit, to minimize cost.
 
I'm considering getting a used ITRON meter, which the utilities use, since I still have to run the circuit, so I have some flexible mounting options.  Plus it supports wireless data transmission (there a cheap SDK available via a 3rd party), and if I can't get that working I should still be able to monitor the test pulse signal (which triggers every 1kWh or so).
 
That said, I'm hoping there is another affordable option, which is a lot easier to integrate with a PC.
 
What's the best bang for the buck solution out there?

 

[az1324]

You're going to end up doing/spending more than if you just did one of the DIY chargers.    :horse:

 

[JimS]

http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/

 

[Automate]

I don't know anyone using them but I did come across this.  http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Single-phase-DIN-RAIL-Energy-Meter-LCD-display-MODBUS-communication/910878_858090684.html
 
For the price it looks interesting with a RS-485 port that uses Modbus, a simple protocol that should not be too hard to write a driver for.
 
I don't understand all the current ranges they list.  Anyone know what they mean by the sets of current numbers such as 5(30)A?  Maybe the higher number is with a current transformer or maybe they are trying to show the accurate amperage range?
 
 

 

[roussell]

I don't understand all the current ranges they list.  Anyone know what they mean by the sets of current numbers such as 5(30)A?  Maybe the higher number is with a current transformer or maybe they are trying to show the accurate amperage range?

 
They're showing 'basic current'('Max Current'). The number to to use for sizing is the one in parentheses and is in Amperes. The Basic Current  number is essentially a specification guideline. For example, IEC standard IEC62052-11 recommends that the Max Current should be 4 times 
or more the value of the basic current for direct-connect type meters.
 
Thanks for the link BTW, that's cheap enough to play with. I think I'll pick one up.
 
Terry