GE i210+c help

quique
quique Solar Expert Posts: 259 ✭✭
Hi guys,

I have 2 questions about the i210+c meter. I have been unable to find a fitting operating manual for it online. I found for the i210 but the differences are too many.

The first is the display. The model I have has a display with up, down, left and right arrows. I would like to know what they mean? Also there is the EOI which Im unsure of as well.

And second, I need to be able to visualize the customer's delivered energy. It has been programmed to be displayed on screen 23. I am told a magnet is used to put the meter in alternate mode but I have no idea how to do that. Please help!

Thanks

Comments

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    This is the only manual I could find:

    http://www.gedigitalenergy.com/products/manuals/SmartMetering/i210_Installation.pdf

    I did not find anything about magnets... My old GE semi-smart meter could use a magnet to access other "interesting" information... Take a read of this manual and see if anything applies:

    http://site.ge-energy.com/prod_serv/products/metering/en/downloads/kv2ci_oi.pdf

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • quique
    quique Solar Expert Posts: 259 ✭✭
    Other "interesting" information? What do you mean? It sounds like it's information I shouldn't have access to? This is what the power company guy told me.

    I just want to be able to see the energy I deliver to the grid.
  • quique
    quique Solar Expert Posts: 259 ✭✭
    OK I saw it in that manual you posted for the k2v.

    So it is used to view delivered energy. Thanks.

    One last question, is there a way to get the info from the meter without having to go out to it? Such as the meter communicating wirelesly to a computer or device or even hardwired somehow?
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    From what I have read, some folks (using other meters) have been able to connect through the OPTICOM port... An IR port (IR Led to right, photo transistor to left--if like my old meter) that is good for up to 56kBaud. There are some DIY projects on reading the meter--But I am having a very hard time finding any current information (a decade ago, there where DIY projects out there). Found one similar project in UK:

    http://www.rotwang.co.uk/projects/meter.html
    http://helpful.knobs-dials.com/index.php/Electronics_project_notes/DIY_home_resource_metering
    http://www.gridinsight.com/ (wireless power meter receiver project)
    http://phk.freebsd.dk/Eldims/ (read the ~5 msec IR pulse per 1 WH of energy usage)

    Note that some meters do send a ~5 mSec pulse for every 1 WH of energy usage (through the IR Comm port, or though another LED--IR or Visible--Depends). From what I have read, if you have GT Solar, you cannot tell the direction of energy usage/generation--So that is pretty useless for detailed energy logging.

    And a few comments from what I remember a decade ago reading... One guy got the OPTICOM port to work on his meter, then his utility freaked out (worried that he was messing with the meter?).

    Another person was able to read the meter, but only got something like the meter serial number--Need a password to go deeper into the meter.

    It is also possible there is an IR diode (or com link) on the back of the meter--Some utilities use this to permanently wire up their site communications. I could not find any details--This just a comment in passing I read somewhere.

    Other options is to install your own Whole House Monitor like:

    http://www.theenergydetective.com/

    A few people use this type of equipment here on the forum and have posted some nice graphs/data that they have sucked into their personal computers.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset