PC based logger- volt, etc?

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EAdams
EAdams Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Does anyone make a economical PC based logging device that would let me log what my panels generate (volt, amp, etc) and what time?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?

    Some charge controllers have data ports, what is the controller you plan to use?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • EAdams
    EAdams Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
    #3
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?

    The one I currently have is a Northern Tool 7amp cheap controller. No port. There a lower end charger that has a port??
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?

    Then you are needing to look at a multi-channel data recorder.
    Set one channel for voltage, and another to measure the voltage - or + across a shunt to gather Amps data.
    We use the Omegas at work all the time, but they are pretty pricey

    http://www.microdaq.com/data-logger/voltage-current/1.php
    http://www.dataloggerstore.com/c684/versatile_multifunction.php
    http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/DataLoggers.html

    You might want to consider a new MorningStar Charge controller and use Solar Guppys freeware to log it with. Apparently, MorningStar has a data port on some of their controllers.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • EAdams
    EAdams Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
    #5
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?

    http://store.solar-electric.com/modubachco25.html

    Wonder if this one has a connector. It says that the battery priority (2 banks) on charging (50/50, 90/10, etc) can be changed via PC. Nothing about logging.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?
    EAdams wrote: »
    http://store.solar-electric.com/modubachco25.html

    Wonder if this one has a connector. It says that the battery priority (2 banks) on charging (50/50, 90/10, etc) can be changed via PC. Nothing about logging.

    from the spec sheet: "The SunSaver Duo is epoxy encapsulated for environmental protection, is user adjustable via DIP switch or connection to a personal computer, and has an optional remote temperature sensor."

    So, I would guess it would work (connection to a personal computer). Solar Guppy can say for sure, as he wrote the software. The logging is not an advertised feature, it's something that SG apparently discovered.

    WHOOPS. (wait while I open mouth to change feet)

    Solar Charger Monitoring Software for the MorningStar Sunsaver Mppt

    I guess it's ONLY for the Sunsaver Mppt controller.
    http://www.solar-guppy.com/forum/sc-view-morningstar-sunsaver-mppt-pc-monintoring-software-t634.html

    But, it's not too much more than the dual battery one you were looking at.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • n3qik
    n3qik Solar Expert Posts: 741 ✭✭
    #7
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?

    Been there looking for the same thing. The Lascar USB Voltage Data Logger
    Measuring and Recording 0 to 30 Volts DC was the best bang for the buck I could find for something independent of the charge controller.
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  • EAdams
    EAdams Solar Expert Posts: 34 ✭
    #8
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?
    n3qik wrote: »
    Been there looking for the same thing. The Lascar USB Voltage Data Logger
    Measuring and Recording 0 to 30 Volts DC was the best bang for the buck I could find for something independent of the charge controller.



    Have a source? Cost? Thanks
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  • Brock
    Brock Solar Expert Posts: 639 ✭✭✭✭
    #9
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?

    This is out there cost wise, but it looks really expandable and does tons of logging for just about anything, temperature, humidity, voltage, amperage and more all in real time and updates to the web without a computer. I think it was designed by someone with an off grid home. I think I know what I want for Christmas.

    http://www.welserver.com/
    3kw solar PV, 4 LiFePO4 100a, xw 6048, Honda eu2000i, iota DLS-54-13, Tesla 3, Leaf, Volt, 4 ton horizontal geothermal, grid tied - Green Bay, WI
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  • SolarJohn
    SolarJohn Solar Expert Posts: 202 ✭✭
    #10
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?
    EAdams wrote: »
    Have a source? Cost? Thanks

    The lascar voltage data logger costs about $70.00, but a replacement battery costs about $18.00 from Radio Shack (the last time I checked). So, if you're planning to use the data logger all the time, it might get a little costly. I use mine only periodically, and am still on the original battery. It seems that battery life is long.

    One of the previous posts has links, so I'll not repeat that here.

    By the way, I really like my Lascar data logger, but I've lost data a couple of times. I don't know if that's the fault of the data logger, or the really old laptop computer I'm using it with.

    I'm planning to gather data with a laptop computer in the future, but I haven't worked out the details yet. I'll poll my Morningstar Charge Controller via a serial port connection. I got the idea from Roderick who posts on this forum. You can also contact him via: Roderick.young9lycos.com (Change the 9 to @). I'll be posting more about this on my blog, once I get started: http://solarjohn.blogspot.com

    John
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  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #11
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    Re: PC based logger- volt, etc?

    EAdams, can you clarify what you meant by "economical" in your original post... there is a monitoring method using an XBM and a Palm PDA that can be downloaded to a PC.. but it isnt 'cheap' but well worth the money if you need more than "just to know".;)

    Eric
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
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