System monitoring/logging software

[Dan Lenox]

All,

I have been extremely busy as of late desiging and writing software for monitoring and logging of my system. I have designed this software to be totally inclusive and acquire/display data from: weather system, battery bank, inverter, diversion controller, solar panels, charge controller and weather station.

Currently it is connected via a CANBUS --> RS232 dongle that connects with my Xantrex XW series inverter. There is a ton of information being spit out from this system with about 5000 messages per minute. Much information about the battery bank, power input and output, grid connection and inverter are available through it.

The interfaces to the other devices will use analog-->digital (A/D) ports.

Here is a list of the current features:
- runs under MS Windows 2000, XP, Vista
- efficient multi-threaded code, only uses 6-8% CPU
- asynchronous serial I/O
- totally configurable for each piece of equipment
- total graphic user interface (like your car dashboard - but better)
- configurable warnings and ranges
- logging output configurable for frequency and file formats (csv, html, xls)
- screen click-thoughs to see detailed output for each system
- colors are configurable
- battery 'LED' display
- status and warning lights
- ability to switch in/out a line resistor
- able to control a stator shorting switch to manually/automaticaly shut down turbine

Below is the main dashboard screen shot:

Initial phase will perform monitoring/logging of information, next phase will include:
- system control
- automatic shutdown
- effectively give MPPT-like control over wind turbine
- graphing capabilities for log data
- ability to remotely connect using web browser

If successful the next phase will give ability to connect to other makes/models of inverters as well as more control in what is being logged.

I would like to know if there are any features that you would like to see in this type of software as well as inverter models that you are using.

Dan Lenox

[Rob Beckers]

Great UI Dan!
I'm curious (having spent 24 years writing mostly Windows software in a previous life), what did you program this in?

As to the information presented: To see production (past 24 hours, past month etc.) would be useful. You mention MPPT-like control of the wind turbine; how are you planning to do this? If I remember correctly you are directly charging batteries from the wind turbine, with a diversion controller to keep things under control.

The inverter I deal with, mostly, is the PVI-6000 from Power-One. It's a grid-tie MPPT inverter for wind turbines (there's also a solar version of the same thing). It has an RS485 and USB port. I have no documentation on their communications protocol though.

-RoB-

[Dan Lenox]

Rob,

The code is written in C#, using MS Visual Studio 2008. I have been developing software for 32+ years now, everything from embedded to real time systems.

First of all my system is grid-tied, nextly I am using a .6 ohm 6kw line resistor. I can automatically switch the resistor in/out depending on the wind speed detected to get higher output.

Nextly since I am grid tied I can change my system voltage that I sell at, this gives me the ability to set the voltage from anywhere between 48-58volts (normally set at about 54v).

By raising my system voltage I can get the turbine to output more by allowing it to spin faster. Of course when the wind is low (5-10mph) the voltage needs to be lowered to get optimal results.

Still learning...

Dan

[Rob Beckers]

Truly impressive Dan. You're a renaissance man!
By the way, you started a thread about your wind turbine a while back. If you have the time, it would be interesting to hear the conclusion of that. How the turbine is working out and such.

-RoB-

[Dan Lenox]

Rob,

I've been so busy for the past 2 months with this software that I have not had the time to acquire good output stats from my wind turbine.

I can say that I have added a .6 ohm 6kw line resistor as it seems that I still have a bit of a stall problem. In doing some testing I got these results:

14mph wind

w/o resistor output=500 watts, 120rpm
with .5 ohm resistor output=700 watts, 135rpm
with 1.0 ohm resistor output=928 watts, 165rpm


In my case, it certainly helped my mid-wind speed performance, without affecting low-wind performance. In higher winds I manually short-out the resistor to keep the turbine in check.

Eventially the software that I am making will automatically do this for me.

I have noticed the best output with the turbine turning 240-275rpm, which in an 18mph wind I am producing about 1500watts. A little underperforming but I am quite happy with.

Dan

[Dan Lenox]

Now that I can start logging I will start getting back and looking at performance.

Dan

[Mike Grzesiek]

Dan,

Hi I'm new here, and was looking around when I came on your post.

I was wondering how you were comming on developement? and if you had been able to include any other inverters in it's monitoring capibilities.

Something that you may want to consider, would be and interface for TED (The Energy Detective http://www.theenergydetective.com/index.html). It monitors your household power usage, and might make for an interesting comparison on your dashboard - input versus output.

Anyway. If you would like someone to test your software on other inverters (I'll have an Aurora and a Windyboy operational in October), I'd be happy to help. I would also be able to supply you with output dumps from these devices (as well as the TED)

[Colin McGonagill]

What are you using to capture the data? Is it generated via inverter as serial, or are you using some sort of daq card?

I am in the midst of trying to write my own program, and unfortunately don't have the programming experience (more like 6 years) with C and its derivatives. I have thought of using python or LabView(Labview is to much $$$ though to be practical) but need to get my capture method figured out first.

Sorry for the mini-hijack, but that program looks slick I love the realtime gauges display. You should get some analog outs and hook up some real gauges and mount them on the wall in your house or garage.

[Dan Lenox]

Colin/Mike,

Been a while since I've posted to this thread, actually I forgot all about it.

Over the past 2 years I've greatly expanded on the capabilities of my PowerDashboard software. Many things like graphing, free remote access software and the capability to display gauge sets for up to 4 solar arrays.

Recently I have also completed a port of the software and it now can work with the entire Outback product line, including inverter, solar chargers and FlexNet. Obviously the Outback does not use 'dongles' but still requires a COM port or RS232 to USB adapter. The nice thing that it provides is a single remote interface for installers whether the installation is Xantrex XW or Outback.

I also have a freeware version available, it has limited capabilities, such as only displaying a single PV array, however it is still useful. The full product has *far* more capabilities.

Next I will be completing integration of LabJack A/D devices as there have been issues with the DataQ, it appears to be a bit more finicky than I like.

Once the LabJack is completed, it will allow inputs so that I can monitor/display up to 3 wind turbines.

So I've been making tons of improvements, unlike the large corporations I can be much more flexible as far as more updates and rapidly respond to new needs. I have 33+yrs of software development experience including real-time and imbedded systems.

Dan Lenox

[Colin McGonagill]

OMG. Labjack. I forgot about them. I am going to have to get a ethernet board with relays. I have been trying to hash together my own PCB stuff and a ghetto daq from an ardunio. I almost bought something from measurement computing but this kills them for the price.

I don't know if you have seen my other posts but I have been working on my own geothermal system. I have a lab prototype but I am working on a production (cheap) prototype now.

I need 4 linerized temperature inputs (RTD or Thermocouple), 4 Pressure Transducers, then 4 other analog inputs. I will then need 6 digital outs for relay valve control, plus one analog for a needle bypass. The motor controllers will probably have to have a couple lines of digital I/O and 2 analog inputs. That is just for my generator. I want to add daq for the inverter too.

The linearized measurements are becoming a pain (to much $$) but the labjack site had what seemed to be a suitable workaround. I am going to have to do processing on a computer then have it spit back control data to the generator. I am just trying to figure out what language to right it in. I could do Matlab, Python, C or whatever.

I saw you are using a can bus protocol, I have never used protocols like that, is it hard to do?

You said the DATA Q didn't hold up, how come?

Is your Xantrex a grid tie system? Cause that is what I am going to have to use.

[John Young]

I just found this site while I looking for some way to monitor my xantrex system. It appears that you have such a system.

What can you tell me about it?

Thanks
John Young

[Dan Lenox]

Colin,

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you, medical reasons, and only recently getting back to normalcy here..

The DataQ devices I have a love/hate relationship with. Their drivers have not been touched in years and can easily crash a system! I've also had a couple of units simply fail recently. Ok for what they are but in my opinion I want better.

The LabJack is by far a superior product, many more inputs/outputs plus fantastic drivers and support staff.

Currently my software works with Xantrex XW systems, plus full range of Outback product line. This summer I will be adding Aurora inverter into my PowerDashboard product, plus providing simultaneous monitoring/logging of up to 3 wind turbines using the LabJack.

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John,

Rather than taking up space here you should check out my website (http://www.briery.com) as far as product capabilities.

I'm continually updating the software with new enhancements and capabilities.

Dan Lenox