Martin Thygesen
New member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2017
- Messages
- 4
Cost Effective Rigs for working out kWhrs before building a system?
Before sizing my battery requirements I was looking at how I would go about sampling my daily utilisation over time to ensure I don't "Over Build" the system.
Yes, things change and building up is one method but I'd prefer to get an accurate cost of DIY vs buying a COTS build from a supplier.
The following are 2 paths I was looking at
1) using a AeotecZ-WAVE Energy Meter Genby Aeon Labs & some Z-WAVE software to record and store the power on separate Clamps
https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-energy-measure
Pros: can use separate clamps to measure separate circuits (up to a max of 3 clamps per unit)
Pros: Wireless connection between meter and the software/hardware controller
Pros: does no consume a DIN Rail in the Outdoor Power Cabinet
Cons: requires a Z-WAVE software and controller to read the data and store it.
Cons: Accuracy is a little less as based on EMF field strength
2) using a DIN mounted MOD-BUS / RS485 Energy Meter
https://www.ebay.com/p/45a-sdm120-m...5-kwh-kvarh-u-i-p-pf-hz/1183885657?rmvSB=true
Pros: Significantly cheaper meter cost (TCO ~$20 per circuit vs $130 for 3 circuits)
Pros: Collection of measurement per circuit metered is simplified for measurement, rather than custom creation of a Z-WAVE data sample.
Pros: MODBUS is well established tech and something HVACElectricians understand.
Pros: can measure bundled circuits on the same DIN device, as one DIN unit could do multiple A/C units or other high load units.
Cons: Still requires a MOD-BUS controller/software to interface with the DIN unit.
Cons: Requires RS485 cable from DIN unit to Controller hardware/software unit. (could investigate RS485 over Wifi module......)
I was looking at using Homeseer which can interface with both MODBUS and Z-WAVE, as a method of collecting and sampling the Measurement data over a 24 hour sample.
If you have other ideas on an effective setup please let me know in this forum as I think there are other options around.[/b]
One of the reasons I was looking at these two options is they allow me to have a continuous feedback measurement platform after I make a Solar/Battery purchase.
(yes, I probably could fool a Solar/Battery Installer into temporarily putting a portable measurement unit into my board, subject to a sale, however I don't like doing this if I go down the DIY build path.. karma)
- Martin
Before sizing my battery requirements I was looking at how I would go about sampling my daily utilisation over time to ensure I don't "Over Build" the system.
Yes, things change and building up is one method but I'd prefer to get an accurate cost of DIY vs buying a COTS build from a supplier.
The following are 2 paths I was looking at
1) using a AeotecZ-WAVE Energy Meter Genby Aeon Labs & some Z-WAVE software to record and store the power on separate Clamps
https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-energy-measure
Pros: can use separate clamps to measure separate circuits (up to a max of 3 clamps per unit)
Pros: Wireless connection between meter and the software/hardware controller
Pros: does no consume a DIN Rail in the Outdoor Power Cabinet
Cons: requires a Z-WAVE software and controller to read the data and store it.
Cons: Accuracy is a little less as based on EMF field strength
2) using a DIN mounted MOD-BUS / RS485 Energy Meter
https://www.ebay.com/p/45a-sdm120-m...5-kwh-kvarh-u-i-p-pf-hz/1183885657?rmvSB=true
Pros: Significantly cheaper meter cost (TCO ~$20 per circuit vs $130 for 3 circuits)
Pros: Collection of measurement per circuit metered is simplified for measurement, rather than custom creation of a Z-WAVE data sample.
Pros: MODBUS is well established tech and something HVACElectricians understand.
Pros: can measure bundled circuits on the same DIN device, as one DIN unit could do multiple A/C units or other high load units.
Cons: Still requires a MOD-BUS controller/software to interface with the DIN unit.
Cons: Requires RS485 cable from DIN unit to Controller hardware/software unit. (could investigate RS485 over Wifi module......)
I was looking at using Homeseer which can interface with both MODBUS and Z-WAVE, as a method of collecting and sampling the Measurement data over a 24 hour sample.
If you have other ideas on an effective setup please let me know in this forum as I think there are other options around.[/b]
One of the reasons I was looking at these two options is they allow me to have a continuous feedback measurement platform after I make a Solar/Battery purchase.
(yes, I probably could fool a Solar/Battery Installer into temporarily putting a portable measurement unit into my board, subject to a sale, however I don't like doing this if I go down the DIY build path.. karma)
- Martin
