Measuring your electrical use

[Cienega32]

No no, Andrew. That diagram is without the DataHunter device and with the EP-1 and bridge replacing that concept. It would be like your duo diagram but with the bridge in place of the cat to my wireless router.

[Sigdigit]

Be sure to let us know if you go this route, and a breakdown of the cost please.  If it's reasonable, I'll probably do the same thing.  A year ago, the cost of the WET was NOT reasonable.  I can't believe they still haven't made this thing WiFi.  Anyway, I plan on going with TWO ECMs, as I don't wan't to crowd multiple circuits on each channel.

[mackbig]

The pp2-200 package is listed at $441.65.
You get 2 ecm1240's, 1 mux2, 1 etherport ep1, 20ct-40's, 6ct-80's, 2 split 200's.

My package last year was:
-1 ecm1240, 1 etherport ep1, 6 ct-40's and 2 split 200's
I order some extra ct's a few days later:
-6ct-40's, and 2ct 80's
I just ordered (arrived this morn) the expansion package which included: 1 ecm1240, 1 mux-2, 9ct-40's and 4ct-80's.

total cost including delivery(s) $469.32

So I did not suffer too bad doing piecemeal.  If you factor C$ pricing and delivery its pretty much a wash, with one extra ct40 to boot.

Andrew

[Sigdigit]

Just looked at their online store for the dual ECM plug and play package (200 amp) with their wireless gateway, it is $608.37 with shipping.  Yikes!

[mackbig]

Hooked up the 2nd ECM this eve.  I have allocated 3 of the 5 aux channels.  Still debating what else to add. I also need to figure out how to add CH1 and CH2 on the second ECM to act like regular aux channels (combination of resistor and software setting on ECM). 

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

Andrew

[Cienega32]

I forgot to call them today - was up too late with stuff and it was so beautiful out today, I felt it best to sit inside in front of the keyboard all day forgetting the clock .

I was able to breakdown my wants and needs on the Brultech tho' and I can't see anything other than a Duo. That would be packing them both too. I want everything covered as "zoned" as I can get it. I'm sure there's a few branches I could gang up but...

And I 2nd sigdigit's "Yikes" for this toy and $44 for shipping?! Yet another (4th time) potential Boltek purchase for me out the door. Hopefully, I can hit some good tickets on this weekend's games because I'm buying this thing tomorrow.




Just a small edit to my previous rant about a State Senator here - he wants 20 cents for anything over 400Kwh and 30 cents for anything over 800.

[mackbig]

Its does seem steep, probably why I legged into it, not that a multi ecm system was even a thought when I bot it.  

Ask about shipping, they can probably do better.  When SLO bot his I think he said $15 for shipping, when I hit the paypal link last year it said $21 for me.  When I talked to sales girl by email, I said that was ridiculous that he could get it to Cali for less that I could get it and we are in the same province.  She went on Canada Post web site, and quoted be prices from $7 to 23, I went with 9.75 Xpresspost (1 business day, with a tracking number, seemed the best as the $23 one was next business day by 9am, which was overkill considering I am not home on business days).

I just put the approx measurements (erring on larger) 9*9*6 at 3 pounds to somewhere in Las Cruces NM.  Priority Worldwide (next day by noon) was $61, Xpresspost USA $31.40 (4 business days guaranteed with tracking), there is also a $21 one that is 4 days (not guaranteed, and no tracking).

Good luck, and let us know when you pull the trigger.

Andrew

[Cienega32]

I called them Friday afternoon forgetting the Ontario region time zone. For some reason I had Vancouver in my head... so they were closed.

But I did EBay another WRT54G tonite so I made some progress 

[mackbig]

Seeing your usual post times (4:30am local) I did not think you did the time zone thing, or slept for that matter 

Andrew

I called them Friday afternoon forgetting the Ontario region time zone. For some reason I had Vancouver in my head... so they were closed.

[CNYWeather]

Andrew, you'd give the Brultech a 2 thumbs up? I'm pondering that and the TED.

I like the multiple zone monitoring of the Brultech though. Was wondering about the realtime
data. Easy enough to get it to spit out on to my site?

Thanks!
Tony 

[mackbig]

Tony,
I would give it two thumbs up.  There is no shortage of real time data (you can set down to the second).  I have only ever tried the Tenware suite of software, but its pretty good.   The developer is very open and flexible, and has made several on the fly changes to the packages just for my online needs (some same day).  I wrote the script on my page to parse a CSV that the software always pumped out, but the changes I requested were to specify update interval, location, one line of data, and put multiple ECM;s on single line of data.

My total energy usage is bang on with my smart meter on days I have tracked.  I now am watching 13 separate channels, only 3 combined ones (ecm-ch2.  ecm2-ch1 and ecm2-ch2).  I just added the rest on the weekend, I have to double check the resistors used on those because "my rest of house" has been showing a small negative wattage under certain conditions.

Andrew

[CNYWeather]

Cool!!


Thanks Andrew.  

How are you connecting it now? Wireless or direct connect to your router? I'm ready to buy now.

[mackbig]

I have the ECM's by my panel which is south-west corner of my basement.  My cable modem/router are in north east corner of basement.  I ran a single cat5e cable back to the LAN.  The ECM (now ECM's) connect via serial cable to an Etherport (ep-1) that is attached to the cable run.   My main on the second floor pc runs the TenECMServer which collects all the data from the ECM's then serves it to any pc on my network for the other applications.

Andrew

How are you connecting it now? Wireless or direct connect to your router? I'm ready to buy now.

[CNYWeather]

Thanks Andrew.

Now just waiting for that final approval from the CFO (wife)   

[Sigdigit]

Hmmmm, approval from wife....No, I think I will have to do some kind of Enron maneuvering!

[CNYWeather]

I ordered mine the other day. Cant wait to try and electrocute myself   

[Cienega32]

I hope you mentioned Andrew's name for the 40% discount like I did.   

I don't think mine will be here until at least Monday tho'.  but I guess that'll give me some time to clear the corner of the garage a bit and actually plan my attack.

[mackbig]

Congrats Tony and Pat,

Did you both get the dual ECM package.

I just hooked up my last two channels last night.  Put a pair of the 80's on my Oven, and Dryer.  Tidied up the wiring and closed up the panel.  Ended up with 6 extra CT40's and 2 80's.  I'm sure I can find a use, perhaps when I got to a third ECM. 

Here is a tip for setting up your Aux5, CH2 (and ch1 and ch2 on second ECM)
Put a second CT40 on a known channel's wire.   Hook up the primary to aux1-4.   Then test it on the Aux5 or Ch2, that way you will know you got the resistor correct on AUx5, and on Ch2 the resistor and CT settings.  For example Aux1 is drawing 100 watts, hook up the second to Aux5, if it says 200 watts, you know the resistor is wrong..... This might not make sense now, but when you start playing hopefully it will.

Andrew

[Cienega32]

Yes, the Duo-200 is what I bought. And I traded the M-80s for a pair of S-60s. The Splits would serve me better than the Micro-80s. I don't see why I can't use the 40s on everything and the splits can be on the pool sub-panel for the time being. Later down the road I can put the splits on the "planned" sub-panel for "the shed". (If that panel ever happens...)

I'll probably play in the garage today in hopes that it comes this afternoon.

Last nite, I realized that Monday is a holiday here so now I'm agitated  . I hate waiting for new toys. Besides, if it doesn't, that means I'll have to pull these d@mn New Mexico weeds out of my yard all week-end...

UPDATE: Nothing like being in the back yard for a minute the same time the mailman comes with my Brultech! I can pick it up Tuesday (Signature Required). GRRR!!!

[Cienega32]

Of course... 

While waiting for Tuesday to roll along, I figured I would get my old garage box back to working order. I had been using it for VM95/Cams up until Feb so time to get the old garage stuff back on it and set up the DD-WRT bridge for the Brultech and this box, etc.

POOF! says the 8 year old power supply... ending the life of my last available pre-New Mexico move ATX cage.

So now I wait for that and the 50' of CAT to string it in when it's running...

Virtue - patience BETTER be thy name.

[mackbig]

You get Saturday mail delivery?  That's nice.  Long weekend no less?  Of course missing the chance to sign, not so nice.
Andrew

UPDATE: Nothing like being in the back yard for a minute the same time the mailman comes with my Brultech! I can pick it up Tuesday (Signature Required). GRRR!!!

[Cienega32]

Surprised me too. They've been trying to get rid of Sat mail for a while now and, out here, I thought they already did  .

The tracking and priority mail website showed it for Sat but the guy came 2 hours earlier than usual so I really wasn't ready. The Fortress Of Solitude has a secure perimeter so I have to watch the front for deliveries so I can lower the draw-bridge and distract the fireproof alligators in the moat.

BUT - I am off in a few to pick it up! I don't know why but I'm pretty excited about this  !

[Cienega32]

It's in my grubby little hands as I type.

I'm not all that thrilled with seeing that one of the units looks as if it's been used already - flimsy, open-ended plastic bag, no wall-wart box, two screw-downs (AUX3 & GND) open and rattling - none of which can be said about the other unit. but I guess "Brand spankin' new" is a subjective term nowadays... I buy a new car, I want the new car smell. As long as it works, I guess.

Looks like a t-storm or two heading down the river so I'm putting off anything with it until tomorrow (or later, after I send them an email).

Ooops! I for got to hit post!

[mackbig]

Pat,
Oops.  Hopefully it was just a quick real world test as it was heading out the door.   When they sell in tandem they have to change the "command byte" function on one of the units so they both dont talk on the same frequency.   I would let them know though, they will fire out a another unit if you ask.

Before you start working in the panel you might want to connect it directly to your pc via serial port (or usb to serial) and just double check the firmware, and command byte for each.  If you do need to set this manually or flash the firmware it will need to be direct connect (command byte can be done wireless or via etherport, but firmware flash has to be hard connected)

I have just been playing with it quite a bit lately with it, so any questions let me know here or by pm.

Andrew

[Cienega32]

Andrew, that was my basic impression on both counts. Looking thru the booklet later, it seems as if it may have been a bench deal and the CMD byte I had assumed was to isolate the 2 from each other but not knowing if they needed to be in sync and just to be sure, I did send Tammy an email.

It's not slowing me down but just something that caught my eye.

I went out and was prepping the panel area yesterday when I ended up yakking with my neighbors until the sun went down. Hadn't seen them in a month or so. Like you suggest, I do plan to fire it up on the bench first and see what I'm dealing with. From there, I'm sure I'll have a few Q&A sessions for you.

(I just checked mail - Tammy confirms no problem and assures me the "other" ECM is "clean")