Re: RE: Wattson

[Kevin Hawkins <yahoogroupskh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Martyn Wendon wrote:
> Hi Kevin,
>
> Well your xAPP sounds better than mine!
>
> I just made up a Schema (power.usage) and made it replicate the exact
data
> that the device sends in the xml packet.  I like to try and keep
things
> simple with this type of connector and just have them present the data
with
> other xAPPs deciding what to do with it.
>
> Having said that thought the fixed time slots and xLobby integration
sound
> good.....
>

My code is unfinished but anyone is welcome to try the app 'as is'.

For me allowing the receiving apps use the data without having to each
decode the data was the goal.  Using BSC allowed immediate integration
with all the third party and commecial HA software that xAP supports.
Using your own schema is an equally valid approach though...
> I've also noticed the slightly inconsistent readings too, but wasn't
sure of
> the cause.  It's interesting that the xml also shows 3 channels of
data, so
> I wonder if additional clamps can be obtained to connect to the
transmitter?
>
You can attach additional sensors but this is intended for three phase
supplies and not for independent circuits .
> My incoming power is split between the house and node zero, so it
would be
> good to be able to get data from each "segment".  Although
at only £28 each
> it's not too much of a stretch to buy another couple!
>
I have broken my circuits into most of the consumer unit feeds on a per
fuse basis - but using pulse meters. I only have the one RF current cost.

xLobby is in a state of change at the moment.  It used to be free but
was purchased by Calrad and then went purchasable to existing users for
a few weeks and is now only available to HA integration partners.  A new
v3 is in the works but development is still sporadic.  Some users are
unhappy with Calrad over this. The older free v2 is still available for
download and use but is not ongoingly being developed.  The xAP plugin
works with both v2 and v3, the most recent version is on the xLobby
France Forum and there's an update in testing too.

K
>
> Cheers,
>
> Martyn (off to investigate xLobby)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kevin Hawkins" <yahoogroupskh@xxxxxxx>
> To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 5:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [ukha_d] RE: Wattson
>
>
>
>> Hi Martyn,
>>
>>    Snap - I've also (half) written a xAP connector for it which
reports
>> BSC level devices with display text information  that reflect the
time
>> period stats that the device reports and also current usage.  The
>> periods are converted from the rolling time slots of the XML into
fixed
>> time slots .
>>
>>      The BSC level device outputs are useful in that this then
allows
>> you to easily draw realtime  graphs for the past 24 hours (2 hour
>> intervals) or the last minute in 6 second intervals.  I
implemented it
>> in xLobby using level sliders to draw bar graphs...which update in
>> realtime.
>>
>>    Of course as you have done the xAP data could go into a DB via
say
>> xAP Floorplan or OPNMax - which can draw very detailed graphs.
>>
>>    One issue I'm experiencing is that the device does not give
>> consistent readings.  Turning a kettle on for example shows a 3KW
jump
>> but then turning it off only shows a 200W drop.  I believe this is
>> because other wires are adjacent to the clamp but I need to
investigate
>> further.
>>
>>     I had envisaged a way of checking that light bulbs hadn't
blown by
>> switching lamps on very briefly in a 'check cycle' and double
checking
>> the expected increase in current usage.  Perhaps  doing this
during
>> times when the building was unoccupied eg when the alarm was set. 
This
>> alongside a check that watched when the automation system turned
things
>> on/off and monitored the expected current changes.  Idratek's
Cortex for
>> example already allows associating a wattage to each light you
create.
>>
>>    I understand that later versions of the current cost are
planned and
>> may offer a USB interface....   On the existing Current Cost a
special
>> cable is orderable direct from the company for around a tenner. +
P&P
>>
>>     K
>>
>> Martyn Wendon wrote:
>>
>>> ....which is a TTL->USB cable and comes up as a comm port
under
>>> Windows.....then a quickly hacked together xAP to chuck the
xml data over
>>> xAP.
>>>
>>> xAP Floorplan is currently logging the data for me and when I
get a
>>> chance
>>> I'll whip up a web page to display statistics and such.
>>>
>>>
>>> Not bad for £28!
>>>
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Martyn
>>>
>>>
>>>
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