We have just completed our prototype device which allows users of the CurrentCost \ Watts Clever Classic or Envi wireless energy monitors to capture live readings directly to a standard FAT16 SD Memory Card.
We have expressed frustration with the Classic and Envi models many times in the past in that the device becomes unreliable in it’s data logging role, one reason is the accuracy of the devices clock and another is the requirements of resetting the clock after a power outage. We also consider the history stored on the device very limited.
One of the ways that you can overcome these short falls is to capture live data while connected to a computer, however this requires that the computer be powered on during the whole time.
Our new prototype helps overcome these issues in that it can be powered by a couple of AA batteries and has a built-in real-time clock with battery backup, thus maintaining clock and calendar accuracy. The Wireless Energy connects to our device via a RS232 serial cable during data capture or connects to a computer via serial to configure using our software. The device removes the requirement of having the monitor connected to a PC during data capture.
Once the data capture period is complete you can simply remove the SD memory card and read the file on any suitable computer.
Currently, we have set our device to capture accumulated energy used for each phase and the temperature in 5 minute blocks however our production version will have a configuration setting that will allow your own snapshot period.
We are also reviewing the ability of allowing addition sensors to connect to this device to measure voltage which would open the door to all types of sensor types for conversion via some application software.
I would welcome any suggestions of features or functionality based around the following design before I move towards a production version.
Update 19th March 2010: We are currently adding the ability to plug in multiple sensors to our logger device. This will allow readings such as volts, wind speed, light to be logged along side the CurrentCost Data. A few other suggestions have been emailed directly to me which are well worth further investigation.
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