Measuring your electrical use

[Cienega32]

You are the King of Dirt!

Oh, you have NO idea! It seems to be my life at this point and I've been told that I sing the old Spic & Span commercial in my sleep...

"Stronger Than Dirt!"

[Cienega32]

Any updates from you guys on this device?

Do any of you have those instantly quick electric resets at your location? I see the polling by the device is pretty quick and I wonder if it shows the voltage dip when it does happen.

[mackbig]

Its working away doing its thing.  I have not figured out how I am going to setup my different circuits yet.  I got 12 more CT's. After today, I dont think the a/c will be on much, so I will change that one soon.  Got aux5 working with a resistor.

Got my php page working pretty good. I can keep tabs on my house, and see what my wife left on, or if she is watching tv...

http://www.mackweather.com/hydroz.php

The software author, that Chris mentioned.  Tenholder/Tenware is great, I suggested a few things to him, (most important to be able to create a one row csv file of data, and have it overwrite itself periodically) and he put them in the program that same day.  Which made my php possible. 

I dont get "instantly quick electric resets" at least not that I am aware of... I dont know how accurate the voltage is, while the watts seems bang on (compared meter for several 24 hour periods vs, the dbase, and on smaller device loads vs my "killawatt" type device.   However the voltage is actually sent to the unit by the plug in transformer.  Right now it says 121.6, usually hovers around there... my ups says 118 right now.

Andrew

Any updates from you guys on this device?

Do any of you have those instantly quick electric resets at your location? I see the polling by the device is pretty quick and I wonder if it shows the voltage dip when it does happen.

[Cienega32]

Got aux5 working with a resistor.

Why the problem w/ AUX5? Why the resistor?

Good to know the software developer is so accommodating That's always a big plus!

[mackbig]

its not a problem really, its a feature.  They setup aux 5 to function as 3 types of monitors.  If you choose to use it as a power meter to just watch another set of breakers for wattage/etc you simple have to put a 20 ohm resistor on it, they provide several diff ohm value resistors for different applications.

Andrew

"Aux 5 channel may be used for counting pulses or reading DC voltage from various environmental sensors."
"The Aux5 input may be used for other instrumentation applications instead of power
metering. The available options are:
1. Power metering
2. Unipolar voltage measurement
3. Bipolar voltage measurement
4. Pulse counting"

Got aux5 working with a resistor.

Why the problem w/ AUX5? Why the resistor?

Good to know the software developer is so accommodating That's always a big plus!

[Cienega32]

OK. I saw it being the same as "kitchen" on your page so I was confused. Are you using it that way in order to test the resistor usage/accuracy against the known value from the other one?

[mackbig]

Yup, that's correct. Needed to use a "known" value so I knew it was working correctly.  I will hopefully redeploy some this weekend.

Andrew

ps; I also thought the a/c aux had a "leak", but then flipped the breaker off and it went to zero, so it appears my central air draws 19 watts to be in standby mode.

OK. I saw it being the same as "kitchen" on your page so I was confused. Are you using it that way in order to test the resistor usage/accuracy against the known value from the other one?

[Sigdigit]

Get the serial over ethernet interface, and plug it into something like a Linksys WET54G

Wow!  I checked on Amazon.com to buy the WET thing and it like 270 bucks!!!  The good news is I called Brultech and said I wanted this the unit to be Wifi and the tech told me it is in the works.  He also said they will sell me a second monitoring unit (to be able to monitor more channels) at a reduced price.  So I'm holding off for now but I'll be checking back often.  When they come out with Wifi, or any other inovations, I'll post an update.

[mackbig]

Thanks for the post, got another item for my "list"

Spoke to tammy (sales@brul...com). 
They do have the expansion packs now.  I am just trying to figure out if they will back the micro ct's out of one, since I already ordered a bunch for my pirmary unit.  http://www.brultech.com/price2ecm1240.html  but 129 is a good deal for a second one.   Its hard to tell if their "multi rs232" is ready.  They dont have a picture or a price, but she did send the future package list (no prices) and it says all expansion kits (non wireless) will have rs232 multiplexer included in package

Now I dont have to pick what to monitor, put too many ciruits on one channel.

Andrew

  He also said they will sell me a second monitoring unit (to be able to monitor more channels) at a reduced price.  So I'm holding off for now but I'll be checking back often.  When they come out with Wifi, or any other inovations, I'll post an update.

[Cienega32]

Have you Brultech users seen this FireFox add-on from www.jaynick.com?

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11465

I found it while looking for his add-on for TED - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/7258

[mackbig]

I tried it on my mac downstaris, did not work for me (at least instant gratification wise).  I also did not think i needed it that in my face.  Never bothered with the pc, since that has all the real ecm apps on it, if I want to see usage while at that computer.
Andrew

Have you Brultech users seen this FireFox add-on from www.jaynick.com?

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11465

I found it while looking for his add-on for TED - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/7258

[Cienega32]

I didn't know if it would be helpful or not for the Brultech. I'm using the one for my TED and it gives me what I need without running the "FootPrints" software on this one machine. I haven't tried it at the laptop across the network - no sense in having that extra stress follow me around! 

It all started when I was looking into the TED function of Weather Display. A user on the WD forum made mention of it.

[tomwxman]

I didn't know if it would be helpful or not for the Brultech. I'm using the one for my TED and it gives me what I need without running the "FootPrints" software on this one machine.

Hey are you still having trouble w/your TED's USB connection? I have a TED but would need to have it upgraded (send back for new firmware); wondering if I should pull the trigger on this...

[Cienega32]

My USB problem was mainly due to all the crap I have had on USB ports/hubs grabbing com ports on this one machine. After using 'StartWatch' (and VirtualVP) to slow those things down and order their starts, I don't have the problem anymore (to speak of). As long as TED/FootPrints fires up last for me, it seems OK. If not I just reset the TED or the 4 port hub it's on with my mouse and keyboard and it's all good.

The more I de-centralize all this stuff on this one machine and clean up after myself  , the less that problem seems to occur on reboots but I haven't seen it drop out on it's own very much at all recently.

I don't know what they want for the upgrade but it is handy to have it online. They have a newer model out now as well that uses Google gadgets and is prettier  !

I still really, really want a BrulTech!

[mackbig]

I tried the toolbar again.  Its kind of misleading "says you need a Brultech 1240, and ECM Server"   I played around with ip's adn ports for a while.  A few googles later, it seems that it only works with the Brultech ECM server software.....    I am using the Tenware ECM server.   So it sounded generic, but became specific.   I like the tenWare stuff, running 4 apps in total....

Andrew

[Cienega32]

Sorry about that, Andrew - I didn't really look at it too closely, not having a Brultech...  

- but I am "enjoying" the one for my TED (which sits behind me)! No more flipping Windows with it right up there as a FFox toolbar. I don't even use the 'FootPrints' software anymore.

[mackbig]

Dont apologize, you did not write the description, if it worked I would have had the toolbar installed on ff on my Mac, then I would not have to go upstairs to the real computer.   but I was able to make a small php page to show current near-real time usage using my blackberry.  cant wait for 10+ circuits once I get my expansion 1240 (if santa is nice)

We should all blame Chris-Sloweather, if it werent for him, tiny tim could get that operation....  Yet another not so cheap tech toy.... hopefully the warm fall will mean the money tree will have another bloom.

Andrew

Sorry about that, Andrew - I didn't really look at it too closely, not having a Brultech...  

- but I am "enjoying" the one for my TED (which sits behind me)! No more flipping Windows with it right up there as a FFox toolbar. I don't even the 'FootPrints' software anymore.

[Cienega32]

We should all blame Chris-Sloweather, if it werent for him, tiny tim could get that operation....  Yet another not so cheap tech toy.... hopefully the warm fall will mean the money tree will have another bloom.

Andrew

    I'll tell you this - it took a lot of thinking on my part in deciding between the Brultech and the Teeter EP950 inversion table I so badly needed. The Teeter came last week  . Of course, this all started a year ago with "I need a Boltek"...

And the list just keeps growing! C'mon, PowerBall!

[Cienega32]

Get the serial over ethernet interface, and plug it into something like a Linksys WET54G.

And that wireless bridge could also be used by ethernet cams, correct?

[mackbig]

Correct.
I am sure you deduced this, but if not just remember the "wireless" brultech 1240 is not wifi.

Andrew

Get the serial over ethernet interface, and plug it into something like a Linksys WET54G.

And that wireless bridge could also be used by ethernet cams, correct?

[Cienega32]

Correct.
I am sure you deduced this, but if not just remember the "wireless" brultech 1240 is not wifi.

Andrew

Get the serial over ethernet interface, and plug it into something like a Linksys WET54G.

And that wireless bridge could also be used by ethernet cams, correct?

Right. But wouldn't their EP-1 Ethernet interface plugged into that bridge get around that?

They also have a "WiFi" wireless LAN dual RS-232 port server available as well. It's an 802.11b but its manufacturer (DataHunter) also has one that's 802.11b/g that would "fit" me better.

That's where I was until I looked at "today" prices for a bridge. Then I started thinking that I could also use that bridge for a cam or two and definitely for the garage computer that gets occasional usage.

Geez, I've traded a couple of emails with "Ben" and I'm in the middle of a CT & Channel count. Almost sounds like I'll be pulling the trigger this week. Ben is going to check with Paul on that bridge config and if the DataHunter b/g is no different than their b. If the bridge is feasible, I'll probably go with that. Sure would solve a few connectivity obstacles for me.

<rant on>
El Paso Elec has started "penalizing" anything over 600Kwh a month now. Nothing like seeing a 200+Kwh decrease turn into a $25 increase...    AND we have this idiot State Senator (Fischmann) that's pushing for a multi-tier of 400Kwh increments. 10 cents for the first 400, 15 for the 2nd, 20 for the 3rd and a staple under each fingernail for the 4rd. Real handy in an area that keeps trying to push homes down everyone's throats.

The best part is knowing that if everyone starts living in a box with a 40watt lite and a 12" B&W TV, the PoCo will raise rates to compensate for lack of revenue...
</rant off>

[mackbig]

Pat,
Upon further reading I retract my idea that the bridge will act as an access point as well for your cams.  Seems all it does is provide a wireless link back to your core network.  From there you need to be attached by wires.  I even searched and found some "duo" models by dlink but those either work as bridges or access point, not both.  So you could use it to connect your cams and garage pc but they would have to be plugged into the bridge, or (this is getting pricey), you could connect a Wireless Access Point to the bridge.  Is there anyway to run a cat5 cable to the garage/panel area, back to your router?  You could probably add a WAP, switch and do the cable run for same/less than the bridge (if the cable run is possible)

My setup is
ecm1240 - serial connection - ep1 etherport - cable run back to lan room

In a day or so it will be
ecm1240 - serial connection \
                                        MUX2 - ep1 etherport - cable run back to lan room
ecm1240 - serial connection /

Andrew

[Sigdigit]

Well, still no Wifi Brultech.  They are still using that Etherbee thing.  They also now have plug and play packages that you can monitor from ANY computer on the internet using a Google App.

[Cienega32]

Well, still no Wifi Brultech.  They are still using that Etherbee thing.  They also now have plug and play packages that you can monitor from ANY computer on the internet using a Google App.

Have you seen this offering from them? http://www.datahunter.com/serialan.html Brultech wants 149 for it but the mfg lists it at 129 and also has a SeriaLan b/g as well (149). Seems to get around the EtherBee thing.

That was what caught my eye this time around until I started thinking about the bridge config instead. 2 birds - one stone.

Ben got back to me saying that Paul sees no reason why the standard Ethernet adapter they have (EP-1) would not work with a bridge so I might give that a shot afterall.

Running CAT would really be a can of worms type project with no attic or crawl space in this flat roof house. Two different ceiling heights with the highest between the garage and the LAN room. It probably would be easier to bury some gel-fill and go under the porch sidewalk with it!

So, basically, this is what I would like to accomplish:

1240 - serial \                       GaragePC \
                   MUX2 - EP1 - WirelessBridge <-> LAN(WRT350N)
1240 - serial /                       Cam(s)    / 


I guess I could even throw a cheap, DD-WRT loaded WRT54G in as the Bridge. I use the one now for two other machines in another room (one running VM95/cams) without any problems and I might be able to free it up. I can, at the least, put it in the Brultech loop to see if it does work out. In either case, I would still have the EP-1, allowing me to hard-wire if it does get down to that.

I call sales tomorrow to see what kind of  package I can come up with.

[mackbig]

The datahunter unit does not appear to have any data ports for wired connections.  so i dont think your diagram could work the way its drawn.  of course it still will work.

You just would not need the Mux-2 and ep-1.


1240 - serial \                       GaragePC \
                   ----------- WirelessBridge <-> LAN(WRT350N)
1240 - serial /                       Cam(s)    / 

You could actually stil use the mux but since the datahunter has two serial ports, no need.

You can probably come up with some combo of the pp2-200 package.

Andrew