[RE-wrenches] LIGHT GAUGE IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

[Philip Boutelle]

Dana,

It looks like the LightGauge is available only to their customers, similar
to how we at Real Goods only offer our in-house monitoring system, PVWatch,
to our customers. However, the LightGague is really a re-branded eGauge, and
you can get an eGauge with all the same functionality as the LightGauge for
any system. Or any solar integrator or RE parts distributor could apply
their private label to an eGauge (both the device and the website/LAN
interface) and have their own in-house monitoring system, just like
Lighthouse Solar did.

On the accuracy, I asked eGauge why they aren't revenue grade, and the
answer is cost: about $50k to get certified when they looked into it, which
would take a small company a long time to recoup. But he thinks it would
pass the test/be within 2%, as long as the CT ratings are matched as close
to the measured load as possible. If they can get a significantly cheaper
certification test, they will jump at it.

I know I plug this device a lot; I don't work for eGauge, but I'm a huge fan
of the product. The only major downside: high cost, especially with the new
inexpensive ENVI available (not an apples to apples comparison, as the
eGauge provides greater functionality, but at maybe 4 times the cost of an
ENVI).

-Phil
Real Goods Solar

On Tue, Jun 22, 2010 at 3:11 PM, Dana <dana at solarwork.com> wrote:

> Hey all - The Lighthouse light gauge is not available for
> "at least  a couple of months". It looks like a great
> monitor if accurate.
>
> Thanks,  Dana Orzel
>
> Great Solar Works, Inc
> E - dana at solarwork.com
> V - 970.626.5253
> F - 970.626.4140
> C - 970.209.4076
> web - www.solarwork.com
> Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"
>
> August, here's one for you to check out:
>
> http://lighthousesolar.com/lightgauge/lightgauge.php
>
> This may be one of those other products mentioned but
> marketed under a
> different name. Be sure to report your findings back to the
> List.
>
>
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