[RE-wrenches] Remote monitoring for off-grid system

[Dan Fink]

Mac;
We generally work with systems in very remote areas that can't support
always-on internet, as satellite internet uses a lot of watt-hours and GSM
cell usually has no coverage. So mostly SD card logging for us.

We work on many systems with small wind turbines, and the APRS World wind
data loggers have many extra analog channels, and Jim can provide you with
inexpensive conditioner/amplifiers for current measurements. The loggers
can be used realtime/internet too.

Our lowest-cost solutions are from Dataq Instruments; their USB loggers and
DAQ starter kits are super cheap and simple, with simple software for
deployment and data retrieval. For current measurements (and net
watt-hours), we've seen some great deals on buckets o' shunts off Ebay. If
readings get squirelly, get some conditioners from Jim.

The Wattmon that Eric posted looks really interesting and inexpensive, I'm
going to get one and try it out. Also curious about their software. Thanks
Eric!

With a spreadsheet, once you get above 10k data points things get slow. At
50k data points, Micro$oft Office and OpenOffice can't cope so you need to
move to a database system like MySQL (free). Steep learning curve, but easy
to find a college kid who will set it up for you cheap.

I'm also interested in what anyone else here has to say about different SD
card loggers and their software. Very low power use or self-contained
battery a must. The Dataq pen drive ones use little lithium batteries that
last 2 years or more in use.

Dan Fink,
Executive Director;
Otherpower
Buckville Energy Consulting
Buckville Publications LLC
NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers
970.672.4342



> Another monitoring question I have for wrenches.  Does anyone have any
> recommendations for a standalone, versatile data logging device, that I
> could leave on sites with no internet connection, and get trends (battery
> voltage, SOC, battery currents etc) over time?  I like to show people that
> they are using more power than they think.
>
> Thanks
>
>
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