Difficulty getting Dashboard to display Virtual Channels

[jloram]

Dashboard is up and running with a GEM and an ECM-1240. I'm running ECM Engine G ver. 2.48

I've set up the Virtual "Main Panel Channels" to be composed of three Gem real channels monitoring the feed to three subpanels. Virtual Channel 1 is the sum of three Airconditioning units on three Gem channels, and Virtual Channel 2 is two water heaters on two Gem channels. I've set up aliases for the Virtural Channels.

VirturalChannelSetUp.png (24.46 KiB) Viewed 1488 times

Engine G's 'Real Time Display' looks right (has the right values)

RealTimeDisplay.png (34.49 KiB) Viewed 1488 times

But, while Dashboard shows the aliases of the Virtual Channels, it does not show the graphs or data.

NoVirtualChannelsDashboard.png (26.17 KiB) Viewed 1488 times

Is there an Engine G user manual/document that provides details on setting up Virtual Channels?

thanks, getting closer, -john-

[ben]

I'm wondering if this is due to lack of data, is there any graphs there yet?

Ben

[jloram]

I'm wondering if this is due to lack of data, is there any graphs there yet?

Ben

You may be on the right track. I can get a bar chart on the "Summary Tab" for "Last Two Days" and longer periods, and on the "Historical Data" tab for Weekly and longer periods, but nothing on "Live Data" tab, and nothing on any tab for periods of less than two days.

-john-

[jloram]

I'm wondering if this is due to lack of data, is there any graphs there yet?

Ben

After serveral days I was able to to get Dashboard to display KWH charts for the virtural channels, but never Watt charts. For example: On the Summary tab I get charts for "Last Day (KWH)", but nothing for "Last 24 hour (Watts)", and the Live Data tab does not display any charts for the Virtual Channels. Is that to be expected?
-john-

[ben]

After serveral days I was able to to get Dashboard to display KWH charts for the virtural channels, but never Watt charts. For example: On the Summary tab I get charts for "Last Day (KWH)", but nothing for "Last 24 hour (Watts)", and the Live Data tab does not display any charts for the Virtual Channels. Is that to be expected?
-john-

There's a more up-to-date dashboard version here, not sure if it'll fix the problem though. Uninstall the Dashboard (not Cassini) and use the DashboardSetup.msi file to reinstall it.

http://brultech.com/files/Release32.zip
http://brultech.com/files/Release64.zip

[jloram]

After serveral days I was able to to get Dashboard to display KWH charts for the virtural channels, but never Watt charts. For example: On the Summary tab I get charts for "Last Day (KWH)", but nothing for "Last 24 hour (Watts)", and the Live Data tab does not display any charts for the Virtual Channels. Is that to be expected?
-john-

There's a more up-to-date dashboard version here, not sure if it'll fix the problem though. Uninstall the Dashboard (not Cassini) and use the DashboardSetup.msi file to reinstall it.

http://brultech.com/files/Release32.zip
http://brultech.com/files/Release64.zip

Ah yes! Thank you, Ben. This version has improvements in several areas, though not in display the virtual channels.

At your suggestion I took a look at using third party software to support all the new features in the GEM (1-wire thermal sensing, pulse counting channels, etc.), but I'd rather not open that can of worms just yet, (though I admire the efforts of those that have). Will Brultech be releasing full software support for the GEM any time soon?

-john-

[Teken]

After serveral days I was able to to get Dashboard to display KWH charts for the virtural channels, but never Watt charts. For example: On the Summary tab I get charts for "Last Day (KWH)", but nothing for "Last 24 hour (Watts)", and the Live Data tab does not display any charts for the Virtual Channels. Is that to be expected?
-john-

There's a more up-to-date dashboard version here, not sure if it'll fix the problem though. Uninstall the Dashboard (not Cassini) and use the DashboardSetup.msi file to reinstall it.

http://brultech.com/files/Release32.zip
http://brultech.com/files/Release64.zip

Ah yes! Thank you, Ben. This version has improvements in several areas, though not in display the virtual channels.

At your suggestion I took a look at using third party software to support all the new features in the GEM (1-wire thermal sensing, pulse counting channels, etc.), but I'd rather not open that can of worms just yet, (though I admire the efforts of those that have). Will Brultech be releasing full software support for the GEM any time soon?

-john-

John,

I can't speak for Brultech. But, the Dash Box (DB) does indeed support the capture and rendering of the pulse, 1 wire sensing, and voltage. Right now, they are hard at work in integrating the current / amps into the DB and the ISY.

Teken . . .

[jloram]

Ah yes! Thank you, Ben. This version has improvements in several areas, though not in display the virtual channels.

At your suggestion I took a look at using third party software to support all the new features in the GEM (1-wire thermal sensing, pulse counting channels, etc.), but I'd rather not open that can of worms just yet, (though I admire the efforts of those that have). Will Brultech be releasing full software support for the GEM any time soon?

-john-

John,

I can't speak for Brultech. But, the Dash Box (DB) does indeed support the capture and rendering of the pulse, 1 wire sensing, and voltage. Right now, they are hard at work in integrating the current / amps into the DB and the ISY.

Teken . . .

The Dash Box is an interesting project though I confess that I don't entirely understand it's value. For $300 (am I right? Is that the price?) there are a number of other possibilities (Low end laptops, Android Tablets, even discarded Smartphones), that would provide greater functionality. What it seem to me is really needed is Brultech software to support the Brultech hardware products instead of the current fragmented approach of everybody spinning there own solutions.

But, perhaps Ben or Paul could speak to this and provide us with an overview to their intentions.

-john-

[Teken]

The Dash Box is an interesting project though I confess that I don't entirely understand it's value. For $300 (am I right? Is that the price?) there are a number of other possibilities (Low end laptops, Android Tablets, even discarded Smartphones), that would provide greater functionality. What it seem to me is really needed is Brultech software to support the Brultech hardware products instead of the current fragmented approach of everybody spinning there own solutions.

But, perhaps Ben or Paul could speak to this and provide us with an overview to their intentions.

-john-

Hello John,

The Dash Box (DB) in my view is a one stop shop solution for a energy monitoring data base. As I am sure you can relate, there is a small percentage of people who are more than capable to develop, integrate, and deploy their own solution.

There are however a large majority of users (consumers) who are not developers, integrators, and deployment techs. The DB is a great solution for those consumer(s) who simply wants a off the shelf plug and play device.

The DB is small in size, energy efficient (4 watts), and integrates tightly with the GEM. It continues to be developed and upgraded to provide the end user more power and data tracking.

Many folks would freak if they had to deploy a Linux Server, SMTP Server, SQL Server, etc etc. All of these aspects the *Avid Tweeker / Tinkerer* is more than happy to do. The Average Joe is simply not prepared or interested in doing so.

Consumers want a turn key solution that simply plugs in. Requires about 5-10 minutes set up time, and be on their way. The DB provides this turn key solution to those wanting their cake and eating it too!

Speaking for myself only: I could not build a box, add in all the required software, and maintain it, to do all of the things the DB does for me. The DB is aprox $225.XX before tax's and shipping and any extra accessories the end user wants.

If you have not read the review I have created about the DB please do. It may provide you more insight as to the attributes and the benefits of such.

Cheers

Teken . . .

[jloram]

The Dash Box is an interesting project though I confess that I don't entirely understand it's value. For $300 (am I right? Is that the price?) there are a number of other possibilities (Low end laptops, Android Tablets, even discarded Smartphones), that would provide greater functionality. What it seem to me is really needed is Brultech software to support the Brultech hardware products instead of the current fragmented approach of everybody spinning there own solutions.

But, perhaps Ben or Paul could speak to this and provide us with an overview to their intentions.

-john-

Hello John,

The Dash Box (DB) in my view is a one stop shop solution for a energy monitoring data base. As I am sure you can relate, there is a small percentage of people who are more than capable to develop, integrate, and deploy their own solution.

There are however a large majority of users (consumers) who are not developers, integrators, and deployment techs. The DB is a great solution for those consumer(s) who simply wants a off the shelf plug and play device.

The DB is small in size, energy efficient (4 watts), and integrates tightly with the GEM. It continues to be developed and upgraded to provide the end user more power and data tracking.

Many folks would freak if they had to deploy a Linux Server, SMTP Server, SQL Server, etc etc. All of these aspects the *Avid Tweeker / Tinkerer* is more than happy to do. The Average Joe is simply not prepared or interested in doing so.

Consumers want a turn key solution that simply plugs in. Requires about 5-10 minutes set up time, and be on their way. The DB provides this turn key solution to those wanting their cake and eating it too!

Speaking for myself only: I could not build a box, add in all the required software, and maintain it, to do all of the things the DB does for me. The DB is aprox $225.XX before tax's and shipping and any extra accessories the end user wants.

If you have not read the review I have created about the DB please do. It may provide you more insight as to the attributes and the benefits of such.

Cheers

Teken . . .

I agree with much of what you have said, Teken. I think the vast majority of users want a simple solution (as do I). What could be more "one stop" than loading a piece of software on an existing computer? That's all I'm arguing for.

I run Brultech Dashboard software on an old Dell laptop with Windows XP that draws 6 watts when the display turns off. Admittedly 1-2 watts more than the Dashbox. It doesn't require that I "deploy a Linux Server, SMTP Server, SQL Server, etc etc." because it all there. Dashboard installs easily, runs reliably, and with just a bit more development it would completely support the GEM's new features.

I don't know what the original thinking was when Dashboard development was stopped and the Dashbox product conceived. I suspect it was mostly about the low power consumption, so you didn't have to keep a desktop running to log data from the EMC/GEM monitors. But there are existing solutions which have advantages over a dedicated (and costly) device.
-john-