PV Monitoring

[greenslade]

so not quite the easy fix that we hoped. I do think the issue is to be found in the laptop, because, afaik, there's nothing to stop the inverter producing data so long as it's active... and the kaco software carries on running. Good move to try a different laptop....

 

[greenslade]

anyone know if the 'old' Wattson solar can be retro-fitted with a y-cable and extra sensor plugged to transmitter to behave like the new Wattson solar? Or is it fundamentally a different device? Steve

 

[LydiaJ]

so not quite the easy fix that we hoped. I do think the issue is to be found in the laptop, because, afaik, there's nothing to stop the inverter producing data so long as it's active... and the kaco software carries on running. Good move to try a different laptop....

Well, things were no different with a different laptop. I agree with you that it can't be the inverter - unplugging the USB cable from one laptop and back into the other one produced immediate data. And I also agree I don't think it's the software either. I am coming to the conclusion that it must be the USB port, especially since you've had no trouble logging through a serial port. I found a document online explaining how to get into the power management of the USB hub and disable "allow the computer to turn off this device to conserve power" but when I followed the instructions I found the relevant boxes were already unticked, possibly as a result of the setting I changed the other day. I am going to restart the laptop now, though, in case it's the sort of setting that doesn't properly change until you reboot. Otherwise, I am now pinning my hopes on the serial cable. I've just had an email to say it was shipped today, so it should arrive soon and then we'll see what happens with it. Thanks for your support.

 

[greenslade]

Yes...I would think that's the most likely reason. In my case, when I used the serial port it just worked... surprised me!

 

[sharpener]

anyone know if the 'old' Wattson solar can be retro-fitted with a y-cable and extra sensor plugged to transmitter to behave like the new Wattson solar? Or is it fundamentally a different device? Steve

Having read the installation guide http://www.diykyoto.com/store/assets/0000/0667/YCB-ENG_1.0_12-11.pdf it looks as though the extra sensor is wired in antiphase using the Y cable so as to subtract the PV current from the total and derive a net figure for household load (not a very elegant piece of design!).

So yes, I can't see any reason why it would not work but I have not tried it. What does their tech support say?

 

[greenslade]

yes, it looks like that to me too. I might give their tech support a bell - maybe they'll send me an upgrade kit! Steve

 

[LydiaJ]

Yes...I would think that's the most likely reason. In my case, when I used the serial port it just worked... surprised me!

Woohoo! My serial cable came in the post yesterday and I connected it up. This morning it started logging all by itself. We were right: it was the USB port that was the problem.

Thank you so much for your input. Knowing that it worked for you with a serial cable was the thing that moved my attention from the Kaco-Viso software to problems with the hardware.

 

[GreggElectrical]

Just though Id let you know what I used in the end.

http://www.greenenergyoptions.co.uk/assets/media/GEO_Solo FIT_PV.pdf

Great unit. Only problem so far is the range is a little limited. If your meter is in the garage you may has issues using the device at the other end of the house.

All my customers love it though and if you take a copy of the username and password of each device you have a free online monitoring solution for all your P.V systems. Fantastic.

RRP is around £130.00.

 

[dansk]

Easy fix for the range problem. Needs re-pairing to better channel, on back press pair button till it says "net left" switch off and reboot, whilst booting up remove battery from transmitter and re-insert whilst holding down little pair button, it should connect automaticly on the best channel available.

I had same issues, this fixed it.

 

[dansk]

can you explain the online part for me? dont they need to be online?

 

[GreggElectrical]

can you explain the online part for me? dont they need to be online?

Ill admit its not a perfect solution but the way I do it is explain to the client that if they regularly upload their information I will check their generation against others in the area and make sure its generating what it should be. This gives the client an incentive to upload.

I then take the login information from their unit and store it at my end. That way I can log in when I want and view all previous uploaded data.

Its great when a customer is wanting to know how much they should be generating. Simply log in on phone browser and show them others past information. Also useful as a selling tool.

I must say the website is the best bit of this system. Im really impressed.

Thanks for the Pairing Tip!

 

[dansk]

Cool, none of my customers bar one has ever used the online portal, ive got some here so im going to have a go with it.

 

[GreggElectrical]

Yeah, ill admit that getting people to log on is the problem.

It helps if they have seen it working. Give them the incentive of on going monitoring at your end.

To test it I put it on my incoming meter so I had some recorded information