Looking for Wireless, Datalogging Wattmeter

[zzyzx]

After playing with my Bluetti AC300 / B300 / PV200 for the last 6 months, I have been using a PowerWerx wattmeter between the solar panels and the AC300 to check various panel outputs. It is a fine quick-check device.

Now that I have scaled my panels to three, Bluetti PV350s, I can no longer use the current wattmeter, as the maximum input voltage is 60vdc and the panels are in series. In addition, I would like to datalog and chart the watt-hours in 1-hour increments throughout the solar day to easily assess panel performance daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, etc. The Bluetti app (to the best of my knowledge) doesn't offer this useful feature.

Is there an off-the-shelf portable device that would allow me to do this?

 

[再生可能 エネルギー]

This multimter provides wireless recording:

INFURIDER Digital AC/DC Volt Amp Clamp Meter,​

Wireless Bluetooth Auto Ranging 1000A Ammeter​

Clamp Multimeter for Voltage,Current,Ohm,Cap,Temperature Tester​

$44​

​

DC Voltage: 600mV/6V/60V/600V/1000V (+/-0.5% +2)​

AC Voltage: 6V/60V/600V/750V(+/-1.0%+3)​

DC Current: 600A (+/-2.5% +10) ; 1000A (+/-3.0% +10 )​

AC Current: 600A (+/-2.5% +10 ); 1000A (+/-3.0% +10 )​

​

 

[zzyzx]

This multimter provides wireless recording:

INFURIDER Digital AC/DC Volt Amp Clamp Meter,​

Wireless Bluetooth Auto Ranging 1000A Ammeter​

Clamp Multimeter for Voltage,Current,Ohm,Cap,Temperature Tester​

$44​

​

DC Voltage: 600mV/6V/60V/600V/1000V (+/-0.5% +2)​

AC Voltage: 6V/60V/600V/750V(+/-1.0%+3)​

DC Current: 600A (+/-2.5% +10) ; 1000A (+/-3.0% +10 )​

AC Current: 600A (+/-2.5% +10 ); 1000A (+/-3.0% +10 )​

​

THANKS for the info, but what I really want is to track watt-hours.

 

[zzyzx]

While meandering on the net, I came across a few, commercial products ($$$) that had promise for my needs, but I also found an inexpensive favorite among "enthusiasts", who appear to have found ways to export the display data.

The Peacefair PZEM-021 or (- 051) energy meters are very popular and inexpensive. Available on eBay, Amazon and AliExpress HERE, this meter seems perfect for my needs without superfluous "frills".

One such export method can be found HERE. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has done something like this or would like to work with me in exchange for $$$, as I have very limited experience with Teensy, Raspberry PI or whatever. Anyone interested?

 

[A.Justice]

Wireless in what way? Do you want Bluetooth communication or a wireless display?

 

[efficientPV]

Don't know what you call datalogging. There is an Atorch DC 100A 300V meter which has bt and graphing for $14 to your phone. It will save total data and you can graph as long as your phone is connected. Good use for an old phone. A little buggy, but cheap.

 

[Kornbread]

While meandering on the net, I came across a few, commercial products ($$$) that had promise for my needs, but I also found an inexpensive favorite among "enthusiasts", who appear to have found ways to export the display data.

The Peacefair PZEM-021 or (- 051) energy meters are very popular and inexpensive. Available on eBay, Amazon and AliExpress HERE, this meter seems perfect for my needs without superfluous "frills".

One such export method can be found HERE. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has done something like this or would like to work with me in exchange for $$$, as I have very limited experience with Teensy, Raspberry PI or whatever. Anyone interested?

Too much hacking for me. I've was looking at this Solar Home Energy Monitor Looks like you can add up to 8 ct for 8 separate circuits. WiFi, and options to remote turn on/off circuits. The bad thing is that ... all your data belong to me. Read the eula.

 

[zzyzx]

Don't know what you call datalogging. There is an Atorch DC 100A 300V meter which has bt and graphing for $14 to your phone. It will save total data and you can graph as long as your phone is connected. Good use for an old phone. A little buggy, but cheap.

I'm interested in collecting real-time watt-hour data from the meter and storing it on a network drive via wifi. I wish to graph the data on an Android device, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc to analyze solar panel production throughout the seasons. It will also help me locate my foldable and portable solar panels temporarily on the roof for maximum production throughout the year.

I am interested in the Peacefair meter because of its popularity.

 

[zzyzx]

Too much hacking for me. I've was looking at this Solar Home Energy Monitor Looks like you can add up to 8 ct for 8 separate circuits. WiFi, and options to remote turn on/off circuits. The bad thing is that ... all your data belong to me. Read the eula.

Interesting, but too many features, requiring too much $$$.

 

[zzyzx]

It turns out that Peacefair has a number of useful PZEM products, including THIS. Add various youtube videos, such as THIS, THAT, & OTHER and there appear to be many "how-to" examples for me to explore! ?

 

[再生可能 エネルギー]

THANKS for the info, but what I really want is to track watt-hours.

Interesting, but too many features, requiring too much $$$.

What about Solar Assistant ?

Real-time solar monitoring and control from a Raspberry Pi.​

 

[zzyzx]

What about Solar Assistant ?

Real-time solar monitoring and control from a Raspberry Pi.​

This requires the Raspberry Pi be connected to a supported inverter. I plan to connect my energy meter directly to my portable solar panels.

 

[zzyzx]

13.72US $ 30% OFF|Peacefair Newest Pzem-017 Dc Current Meter 0-300v Rs485 Modbus Voltmeter Power Energy Wattmeter With 50a Shunt Usb Cable - Current Meters - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

This holds promise for sending the solar panel output data that I desire (primarily watt-hours) via Modbus-RTU protocol. A longer-term goal.

14.56US $ 42% OFF|PZEM 025 Newest 0 300v 100A Shunt Bulit in DC Digital Battery Tester Bidirectional Ammeter Voltmeter Power Energy Watt Meter|Battery Testers| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

For my immediate need to replace the Powerwerx wattmeter (0-60Vdc max), I plan to use this. Both were ordered. Now the 30-day wait.

 

[MurphyGuy]

IOTAWATT

I just bought one and I freaking love it.

 

[efficientPV]

This is another nice contender I use https://www.aliexpress.com/item/225...10318cf16587490958927819eab6a!66484836091!sea

 

[amdrake]

13.72US $ 30% OFF|Peacefair Newest Pzem-017 Dc Current Meter 0-300v Rs485 Modbus Voltmeter Power Energy Wattmeter With 50a Shunt Usb Cable - Current Meters - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

This holds promise for sending the solar panel output data that I desire (primarily watt-hours) via Modbus-RTU protocol. A longer-term goal.

14.56US $ 42% OFF|PZEM 025 Newest 0 300v 100A Shunt Bulit in DC Digital Battery Tester Bidirectional Ammeter Voltmeter Power Energy Watt Meter|Battery Testers| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

For my immediate need to replace the Powerwerx wattmeter (0-60Vdc max), I plan to use this. Both were ordered. Now the 30-day wait.

It's been a long time since you posted this. The Pzem-017 looks promising for what I want. Did you get it, and if so, how did you interface to it, software-wise? In addition to my large solar system, I have a small, standalone one that I'd like to monitor through a PC interface. I could try to write the interface code to work through a USB port, but perhaps you've already done this?

 

[zzyzx]

It's been a long time since you posted this. The Pzem-017 looks promising for what I want. Did you get it, and if so, how did you interface to it, software-wise? In addition to my large solar system, I have a small, standalone one that I'd like to monitor through a PC interface. I could try to write the interface code to work through a USB port, but perhaps you've already done this?

Unfortunately, the Aliexpress vendor never shipped the items (I ordered both). After going through the dispute process, I finally received a refund. Having never ordered from Alibaba, I decided to order 2 of the PZEM 025 from them and received both in about 3 weeks. These work fine, but they don't datalog data which was my original intention. I'll probably revisit my datalog desire again later this year.

 

[amdrake]

Unfortunately, the Aliexpress vendor never shipped the items (I ordered both). After going through the dispute process, I finally received a refund. Having never ordered from Alibaba, I decided to order 2 of the PZEM 025 from them and received both in about 3 weeks. These work fine, but they don't datalog data which was my original intention. I'll probably revisit my datalog desire again later this year.

Thanks for responding! Sad story, though. I noticed that Amazon has the Pzem-017: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WZ25TV...olid=3BR7JWN2K261T&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it or with a shunt and comm cable: https://www.amazon.com/Consumption-...dp/B08KZDZ98V/ref=psdc_14244471_t1_B08WZ25TVW These don't address the software side, so there would still be some work to do. I'll keep researching my options, but please share any progress you make!

 

[OffGridInTheCity]

IOTAWATT

I just bought one and I freaking love it.

Could someone clarify - is IOTAWATT local network "....More sophisticated users can configure data upload to influxDB...." or yet another cloud based implementation.

It's the cloud and/or phone apps that are a no-go for me personally in all these solutions. The logging data must be on my local internet only and in a way I can access / process it myself and not so complicated I have to write my own CAN communication code. That's what I'm still looking for....

For example, the internet cards in an APC UPS can be configured to append/dump the data logging to a text file like this:
Date Time Name Contact Location System IP
01/01/2020 10:35:33 ups1 Unknown Unknown 192.168.x.x

Smart-UPS 3000
Date Time Vmin Vmax Vout Iout %Wout Freq %Cap Vbat TupsF %VAout
12/31/2019 05:53:35 118.8 118.8 118.8 9.02 33.8 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 35.1
12/31/2019 05:54:35 118.8 118.8 118.8 8.58 31.8 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 33.1
12/31/2019 05:55:35 118.8 118.8 118.8 8.58 33.8 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 33.1
12/31/2019 05:56:35 118.0 118.8 118.8 9.02 32.5 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 34.4

which is something I can process into my own DB / format / graphics.

 

[MurphyGuy]

Could someone clarify - is IOTAWATT local network "....More sophisticated users can configure data upload to influxDB...." or yet another cloud based implementation.

It's the cloud and/or phone apps that are a no-go for me personally in all these solutions. The logging data must be on my local internet only and in a way I can access / process it myself and not so complicated I have to write my own CAN communication code. That's what I'm still looking for....

For example, the internet cards in an APC UPS can be configured to append/dump the data logging to a text file like this:
Date Time Name Contact Location System IP
01/01/2020 10:35:33 ups1 Unknown Unknown 192.168.x.x

Smart-UPS 3000
Date Time Vmin Vmax Vout Iout %Wout Freq %Cap Vbat TupsF %VAout
12/31/2019 05:53:35 118.8 118.8 118.8 9.02 33.8 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 35.1
12/31/2019 05:54:35 118.8 118.8 118.8 8.58 31.8 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 33.1
12/31/2019 05:55:35 118.8 118.8 118.8 8.58 33.8 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 33.1
12/31/2019 05:56:35 118.0 118.8 118.8 9.02 32.5 60.00 100.0 55.08 79.7 34.4

which is something I can process into my own DB / format / graphics.

Iotawatt can run on local network only. That's why I purchased it instead of the other products that require internet access.

The IotaWatt runs on my home's network (LAN) and I have my firewall/router configured to block its internal IP address from any potential connection to the wider web (WAN)

There is a catch. While the basic data does not require any internet access, the fancy graphs and charts do use some cloud files to display the information. (I was surprised by this). There is a work around and you can download those files and load them unto the IoTaWatt's file system and it will no longer require network access of any type. The process of doing this was actually pretty easy.