A few weeks ago I was able to purchase a pre release of the Dash Box (DB). The DB is a mini Linux server which attaches to the Brultech ECM-1240, Green Eye Monitor (GEM).
The role of the DB is to capture and store the Power, KWH, Temperature, Pulse, Voltage, and Current statistics. This will allow the user to have a on site data server to recall historic energy events through out the home.
Full details and specifications can be found here at the new Brultech site:
http://www.mypowerpanel.com/web-server/
To place an order for the Dash Box (DB) please a e-mail to sales@brultech.com. Advise Tammy that you wish to purchase a unit. Please advise her if you also require the STS cable for a direct connection, or the type of connection you wish to have. 12/2/2013
I purchased the DB because I wanted an extra level of back up & redundancy. There are times when the SEG (Smart Energy Groups) goes down for maintenance etc. This in effect causes data loss.
Not good if you want to track your power consumption and stats. With the DB I will have the best of both worlds where I can see the same data on line via the SEG, DB, and locally at home.
With this in place, I am assured of data being in one place or another.
During the ordering process I took the time to order two Split 30 CT's as they have a 1% accuracy. I have two projects where I need to know the exact level of power consumption. So, having these two little guys on hand will fit that bill nicely.
I have installed one of these Split 30 CT's on the Secure Room circuit. This will monitor all of the critical system that automate, control, manage the security, HVAC, Networking elements in my home.
Since this Split 30 CT is different from the rest. You must ensure you enter the GEM's internal website and enable the use of this CT. As there are no working options in any of the current tools.
EDIT: Below is the area in the GEM you will select the Split 30 CT. Once you login to the GEM's internal website you will go to the *Channel Option*.
Scroll down and select the Single Phase (Special CT) than click save. This will allow you to see and select the Split 30 CT in the drop down menu from the *Channel CT* menu tab.
Once inside of the *Channel CT* tab. You will select the channel in (Channel 1-2-3 etc) question and then assign the Split 30 CT attributes to the channels using this CT. Click on save and you're good to go. Failure to perform this end task will cause the readings that are captured to be displayed incorrectly.
NOTE: Connect the Split 30 CT to ports 2-3 of the GEM module.
You get one small 5 volt power adaptor.
This is a special RS-232 (STS Cable) cable that connects the DB to the GEM. There are two makes of this cable and the included data sheet explains the difference and how to wire it into the GEM.
This cable must be requested at the time of ordering. As you can connect to the DB via, Zigbee, Wireless, Ethernet, RS-232.
NOTE: The STS Cable is now included when you purchase the Dash Box July 06, 2014
I again opted to connect to the GEM via a hard line. As I have a lot of equipment that cause RFI / EMI in the building. This will ensure no data loss due to poor connectivity.
The included document explain how to wire the RS-232 cable given the color wires you receive. Brultech will high light the cable you have on the included data sheet which you will see below.
Highlighted document which states the color of the wire to what pin out on the GEM device.
This is the Dash Box (DB) in its virgin glory! As some of may have noticed it looks nothing like the advertisement. I was expecting a white / gray piece of plastic box like the GEM.
When in fact its a solid, heavy, and nicely crated piece of aluminum.
Out of the bubble rap and into the Teken air.
The front view of the DB unit. Upon boot up the DB will display Red, Orange, Green LED's, to indicate the boot process, or what state it is in for programming.
COM 1 & COM 2 have small differences when in use. I will try to address each one as more insight and testing unfolds. As there have been on going efforts to make my complicated install all work in unison.
For those who may not recall what I am trying to do. Here is a quick summary of my end goals.
1. Be able to log, control, and react to my environment.
2. Using a combination of the UDI ISY-994iZ IR Pro, GEM, SEG, and DB.
3. The end goal is to make all four devices / services talk and play nicely with one another.
NOTE: If you intend to use all four devices / services together. I have found that configuring the GEM, DB described below to work. Should there be any changes to the physical connection I shall update accordingly.
The STS cable will connect to the GEM's COM 1. The other end of the phono jack will connect to the DB's COM 2. This has allowed me to stay connected to both GEM / DB, while Brultech works on firmware to resolve the connectivity issues of sending data to the SEG site. Please note in the posted picture the wiring is incorrect!
This is the back of the DB unit. The USB port is intended for a wireless antenna. This will allow the DB to operate as an access point. The little black hole is for the ZigBee radio antenna which I intend to purchase in the future.
On the back of the unit is a very small hole. This hole has the reset switch which will allow the user to reset the Admin password, network settings, and default the DB should it be required. The users manual explains how to read the LED's etc to perform each of the tasks.
Below is the *Initial* wiring of the RS-232 cable to the GEM. I say initial because in my special configuration I had to move the wire from COM 2, to COM 1. The reason was to resolve a conflict with the DB and the ISY which I will explain later on.
For your point of reference this picture is upside down. So please read the pin outs on the GEM to ensure the wires are correctly terminated on your device.
Once you have configured the DB on the network and able to gain access to the DB device. You will be presented with this default view. At the top you will see the *Usage Now* this is a live power reading for the home which updates every 30 seconds.
The meter will show the minimum, max, and current power readings. This purple power bar also serves to inform you of the system is on line, having connectivity issues, etc.
To the right is the *Billing Rate* in my area its a flat rate so this is what I used. The user can select Flat, Tiered, Time of Use. More information pertaining to this area will be listed below.
Next is the *Kwh Used Today* It will show the ongoing consumed power along with the costs for that moment in time.
Last, is the *Active Serial* it will display the GEM serial number, local time etc. If at anytime these numbers are not present or accurate. You will know there is something wrong that needs to be corrected.
Below is what Brultech calls the Dash Board. You can create multiple dash boards to reflect your needs or system. Selecting the dash board will provide you graphs, charts, etc.
At the top of the home page are Dashboards, Loads, System. Selecting the Loads will provide you the channels which reflect the monitored loads for the home.
These are the current loads and the images to reflect them. I tried to use as many stock photo images that reflected my homes actual equipment. While others were used to portray an accurate idea and intent of my system.
The Loads view is a current static snapshot of the power reading of each circuit. It is intended as *At a glance* view. Below each channel is a LED which represents if the load is on / off.
Brultech had the for sight and idea to first inform the client a load is on. But, also gave the user to tailor this ON / OFF setting.
So, in essence you could set it to some preferred level to know if something was on or at a specified threshold. I am using it for a few things such as the Sump Pump.
At idle the Sump Pump consumes 1 watt. So leaving it at the default of 0 would not be very helpful. So once it turns on above say 3 watts the LED would turn green. In the future Brultech will incorporate sms / e-mail alerts for pre defined thresholds of when a circuit is active or not.
Having this ability will be fantastic as it allows you to monitor important critical loads. Say for example the fridge is not running at all, or running forever?
You could receive an alert, then resolve that issue. Its all about awareness and having the ability to reduce losses whether it be power use, or equipment failure.
