open energy monitor

[Mike]

Take a look at this open source energy monitoring project that we all could do:

 

http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/

 

[___]

Late to the party, but I built one of these for my house. I duplicated the basic idea ten times, got an Arduino with 12 input channels, and now I can measure all the circuits independently. I didn't add a voltage measure though, so this measures current only. Gives you a good idea of what is going on, but far from perfect. I also have a small noise problem, there is always a small reading even when no current flows, so I cannot really measure anything below 30 Watts or so.

 

It did allow me to draw some really nice pie charts so I can see where everything is going. In winter... pretty much 35% of it still going to heating water, and some 20% to heating rooms in the house. Scary numbers.

[Clint]

Mike are you going to build one?

[Mike]

i might do Clint, but planning a new system fully off grid. considering one of them import hybrid units plus a 1kw turbine......just trying to figure the best batteries

As i noticed end of last month Eskum / muni prices  went up..... availability now at R155 and my imported went up by R102 however did they increase the cost for exported ... not a chance in hell, that stayed the same, hence the fack them and go off grid mindset

[Clint]

That's why I want to get off the grid .My brother just got charged  twice for electricity after they installed a new type of meter

I don't trust them anymore.

[Mike]

yep, i am looking after a private nature reserve out here, they refused Eskom and muni for elec and water, all the homesteads are totally off grid  and use boreholes for water.absolutely stunning. the one home has ...7km's of private beachfront and 40hec of backyard.