Power monitor

[Baldo]

Anyone using a power monitor that's compatible withA+? Would like to fit one to my stby generator so it notify me when it comes online.

[fillibar]

I use an Aeon Labs home energy monitor without issue. 1st Gen model, but I think others in the forum have the 2nd Gen without trouble. But they are meant for detecting energy use, not whether it exists. Not sure of your whole setup... But as a workaround you could always plug a small network device (some sort of SBC, even an ESP6266) into a line powered only by the generator. When that device becomes active (as a presence sensor) you know the generator has turned on.

[Baldo]

I've considered your suggestion as the generator has two outlets which are only powered when it's running. Your suggestion may be the more reliable way to go. I've seen a few other devices which work via WIFI to determine generator state but haven't really liked those options. Thanks.

[fillibar]

Let me know how it works out. We do not have a generator now but it is on "the list" of future home improvements we hope to do.

[Baldo]

I've considered WIFI in the past as it would be easy to do. I have a Generac and it has a USB port on the panel and I thought about just putting a USB WIFI button in that but I believe that is powered all the time so that won't work. The biggest problem with the WIFI chip I see is getting the voltage down to the 3.3 V needed. I'm sure I could build a small circuit to reduce the voltage and just wire into the outlet that's only powered when the gen is online. I'm also testing out a Zipabox controller and it is supposed to get MODBUS connectivity in the future. This would be great as Generac uses the MODBUS protocol. I will let you know what I come up with as it's on my idea list...with many other things.

[fillibar]

I have a couple of the Particle Photon and Digistump Oak boards around. They both have a microUSB input for power. Or something like a RaspeberryPi. I would power them with a simple USB power plug (since you can find those everywhere now). The benefit of something like that (if you are into it) is to can have them do more. The Photon is even OTA programmable from their cloud IDE. Oaks are OTA through the Particle cloud, but only with an Arduino IDE (not the Particle one yet). Pi... Well that is basically Linux so do whatever you want.
Good luck!

[Baldo]

Thank you...I will look into this...sounds interesting.

[fillibar]

Oops... I just realized the RasPi was a TERRIBLE idea. Unless more is done from a power perspective, they do not tolerate sudden power cuts well. The Photon and Oak are both microcontrollers that would be fine unless you happen to be flashing them at exactly the wrong moment.

[Baldo]

ok..no Pi...LOL

[Automate]

Oops... I just realized the RasPi was a TERRIBLE idea. Unless more is done from a power perspective, they do not tolerate sudden power cuts well. The Photon and Oak are both microcontrollers that would be fine unless you happen to be flashing them at exactly the wrong moment.

Or you could make the SD card of the RasPi read only similar to this question for a kiosk application.  https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=22596

[SecureComp]

I am using a whole house power monitoring system as well as a Peanut and an Aeon Labs Power Switch.

Aeon Labs DSC06106-ZWUS - Z-Wave Smart Energy Switch

They all work w/ the A+

[fillibar]

The key piece Baldo was looking for though is when his generator kicks in. A home energy monitor or Peanut cannot tell you that. Only if something is using power, not providing it.

[SecureComp]

The key piece Baldo was looking for though is when his generator kicks in. A home energy monitor or Peanut cannot tell you that. Only if something is using power, not providing it.

I was thinking about it being available vs not.  The status msg being used as a poor man's presence detector via some scripting. Or a power switch w/ a default on condition that powers a light for a physical indicator. Not sure what the OP is actually doing.

If the goal is to just know if the generator kicks on, any WiFi device such as a cam or Arduino and presence detection??

[Baldo]

Exactly on the power. I was thinking of putting the power monitor on the generator legs so when the load was picked up by the transfer switch...the monitor could send a message via the A+ that the load was detected indicating the house was on Gen versus Utility. I've found a couple of things: IGenerac Watchdog which is WIFI but not sure I want to go this route. still kicking this around. The other device (ZIPABOX) is allegedly going to get MODBUS integration which is the protocol Generac is using. I'm thinking my next generator may be one with a solution versus dealing with Generac as they are not customer friendly.

[rf134a]

You can use a wifi power switch or other wifi smart power switch. When a new wifi device connects to A+, you'll receive a notice. If you're vigilant in deleting the device every time it connects, this can act as a proxy that your generator has turned on. A highly unsecure Orvibo S20 can be had for around $20.