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hardware:wattmons [2018/09/07 11:12] jeff Improved description (paragraphs, applications, link to power_control) |
hardware:wattmons [2021/09/13 05:57] |
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- | ======Wattmons====== | ||
- | The Wattmon (short for Watt Monitor) is a highly flexible and versatile platform which can be configured for countless applications. The in-built web server provides all of the tools necessary to customize the device. No programming is required to set up actions based on various triggers, which can control <tooltip title=" | ||
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- | It is well suited for energy monitoring, but it can do much more. Unlike most internet-enabled data loggers, the Wattmon does not only upload data to a cloud server but also stores it locally on an SD Card. The real power of the device lies in the automation of outputs or alerts based on inputs from the data being logged. It has been designed to be used by non-programmers. A simple configuration tool allows for the setting up of the device quickly for a range of inverters and | ||
- | energy meters from various manufacturers. | ||
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- | The Wattmon currently has drivers for devices from the following manufacturers: | ||
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- | The web interface is multilingual and can be configured for English (the default), Español, Deutsch, Français, Hindi and Tamil. | ||
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- | Beyond the provided easy-configuration tools, it can easily be customized for any need in detail, as it includes a powerful OS, a set of [[:uPHP]] functions for scripting, a cron scheduler, a File Manager and a built-in File Editor. Any software feature can be changed or customized, as the system is open and detailed documentation has been provided. | ||
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- | The Wattmon hardware and software platform is the most flexible in the industry. The Wattmon can be used for **//any//** application in monitoring, control and data logging for the <tooltip title=" | ||
- | * **Inverter Monitoring** - Inspect generation and efficiency of gridtie and hybrid inverters | ||
- | * **AC Power Monitoring** - Supervise load and performance of substations and mini-grids | ||
- | * **Off-Grid Battery Monitoring** - Observe battery voltage, current, SoC, charging Trends and health over time | ||
- | * **[[: | ||
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- | The Wattmon is easily used for monitoring Grid-Tie, Hybrid and Off-Grid setups, Solar Water Pumping, and Building Loads ... and it is a manufacturer-agnostic [[: | ||
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- | ====Four Wattmon Variations=== | ||
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- | To date four different Wattmons have been produced. However, only three variations of the Wattmon device are currently being fully supported and circulated: | ||
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- | ====User Manuals==== | ||
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- | These User Manuals are helpful for any of the Wattmons: | ||
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- | ====Why Wattmon?=== | ||
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- | In this article I will try and explain how this little device came into being. | ||
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- | I have always been fascinated by numbers and measurement, | ||
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- | Where I live, power cuts are part of every day life. Most people have a battery and inverter to bridge the gaps in supply for some if not all loads in a house or office. But, information on battery state is mostly unavailable. So people either underutilize or overextend their batteries which of course shortens their lifespan. | ||
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- | Definitely, monitoring all these inputs and loads greatly improves one's understanding and ability to manage energy better. But in addition, intelligent decisions based on the state of the battery and inputs can save money. For example, in a hybrid setup with a set of solar panels, grid charger and inverter, I may need to top up batteries once in a while but my loads could run mainly on solar. | ||
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- | In another example, imagine you have an off grid system that runs a few lights and a solar fridge. On a cloudy day the batteries may not be charged, and the available amp hours in the battery would be less than normal. Wattwon could be set to switch off your fridge relay in case the battery drops below 70% thus ensuring that your lights and other essential loads stay on. You could even switch multiple devices on or off around the house based on such events, or on time. | ||
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- | This total flexibility and feature set is what I kept as my goal while extensively researching existing products on the market, and it turns out that I couldn' | ||
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- | I hope this helps you better understand my reasons for spending such a lot of time on such a little box :) | ||
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- | Akash Heimlich, 28 February 2013 |