Wanting to monitor house power with solar

Devices & Integrations
#8

Received this gem from Aeon technical support:

the HEM is configurable to show negative numbers as they do appear. You will need to set parameter 2 [1 byte dec] to 1. By default, this is set to 0 which reports the absolute value instead.

Woohoo! Now I’ve got some work to do.

2 Likes
#9

Why? This doesn’t seem like an unreasonable configuration (i.e., measure power company usage distinct from solar production & home usage).

Well, good luck with negative power draw data first!

#10

It works! It’s easy to overlook but this stuff being in the cloud makes it a lot easier to test.

1 Like
#11

I am still new to this, can you give some step by step help on how you fixed it?

#12

I plan/hope on updating one of the existing devicetypes for this, which would include:

  1. This functionality update.
  2. Add a switch to flip the power reporting. Because (like me right now), configuring the device to report negative/positive will flip reporting to negative for some people while they are using power. I believe typical convention is positive for usage. And it’s better to have a software flip, than to have to open the panel and reverse the clamps. Safety!
  3. Clean it up for Android including getting colors to work. I believe all the devicetypes are dependent on strings too much. It’s not that I think that strings shouldn’t work, it’s that I don’t think it’s the best way to handle the data and I have a theory that it’s what’s bringing down the android app (not saying that the Android app isn’t the problem, it is, but that there are two causes and I am going to try and fix one of them).

So I have time scheduled this weekend to do this, believeI can get it done.

#13

Code for my Android compatible, solar tracking Aeon Labs HEM2 device type in this post: https://community.smartthings.com/t/another-aeontec-home-energy-monitor-device-type-add-android-solar-and-calibration/27231/2

That post also has my reset SmartApp.

#14

This answered my prayers as I am new to this stuff and hooked up my HEM and realized it didn’t take into account my solar generation… so now I have your device and app code implemented, I’m seeing this for my display:

2015-11-16 20.32.20.png1440×2560 123 KB

Not sure what the other tiles should be doing but they aren’t… and my amperage is way too high… it’s sunny right now and I’m using light power… I should be putting about 25 amps on the grid right now…
whatta ya think?

#15

Hit configure button in device at least once. Wait a few minutes. Also make sure your leads aren’t flipped (one lead). The clamps have markings on then referenced in the instructions. Be careful.

Make sure it’s the Hem v2 you are using.

#16

When you say “configure” button… do you mean edit device? I have edited it and set the $/kWh value to my cost… tried to switch the 1 to a -1 but the - sign isn’t allowed to be typed in that field… saved it and still see what I posted. I have the clamps on opposite directions.
It’s a brand new Aeon DSB28-ZWUS (v 2)

#17

In the pic you sent, scroll to the bottom, there should be a configure button. Press it. Doesn’t look like anything happens, but if you know how to watch your logs, you’ll see some magic happen. If you don’t, no worries, usually the values will fill out.

And sometimes a reset is worth trying too, that just fixed for me. My reset smartapp might be a victim of the scheduler failures of recent, I will keep an eye on it.

However, do note that my device started yesterday not reporting the min/max amp and volt values, so I need to dig into the issue and see what recent ST change messed that up.

However, current values should still be accurate and working.

#18

Thanks Brian…
I’ve been busy this week and just got back to this project…
yes, I found the config/reset, etc at the bottom… didn’t think to scroll down.
and yes I see the logs reflect the reset, refresh and configure actions. Very nice!
I’m wondering if I need to flip one clamp because I never see a negative current reading, even at night with no solar output.
Did you say the “Calibration for Power reporting” option (-1, +1) should be positive or negative to enable negative readings ? (sets parameter 2 to a “1” ) or is that embedded in your code? (and I can’t enter -1 anyway into the app’s edit option)

EDIT: I found it in your code:
zwave.configurationV1.configurationSet(parameterNumber: 2, size: 1, scaledConfigurationValue: 1).format(), // Enable (=1) pos/neg reporting

Yeah I never see negatives… hmmm

#19

A few things:

  1. Possibly flip one clamp, but first check:
  2. Positive is usually consumption, so if your array is small or your usage is large, you could conceivably only see positive values.
  3. Where did you put the clamps? They should be closer to the utility than where your solar ties in to get net readings. Mine ties in on a breaker, and my clamps are on my main lines.
  4. Config automatically sets negative/positive reporting. It simply configures the device to NOT mathematically adjust the readings. You don’t have to set the calibration value for that to be working using my device. If you ever make more than you use, you should see a sign flip no matter what, if you’ve satisfied what I’ve listed above.

Report back your results, hope that helps.

#20

Thanks Brian…

My system is 9.36kw (36 panels x 260W) and this time of year I’m pumping 20 to 25 amps onto the grid mid-day based on my handheld current clamp meter clamping the lines coming from my inverters into the main panel… I can also see by my net metering watt meter (utility company meter) that the direction of flow is outbound (blinking arrow going really fast to the left). My HEM is clamped on the two mains at the very top of the box where they enter from the Utility meter, hit the main breakers and drop down into the breaker rails… so they are as close to the utility company as I have access.
Day or night (excess power to grid or drawing power from grid) I see positive readings in the app… and the peak currents seem quite a bit higher than would be reasonable for either direction of power… (readings in the 42 amp+ range) which can’t be right… maybe the HEM is hosed.

#21

Where do your panels tie into your service? I bet they tie in between your clamps and the utility, probably at your net meter. So their production flows into the utility, and into your house, but only through your clamps when you use electricity, not when you produce and send back.

If I’m guessing right, you should have a low positive at night, and high positive during the day.

If I’m wrong, then I’d guess one of the clamps is backwards.

I doubt the HEM is hosed of all the options… but everything is possible.

#22

My inverters tie into the main panel through a gang breaker at the very bottom of the main panel, right along with the load breakers (on the same bus bars). The point where I’m clamped on is this side of the utilities net meter, upstream from all the breakers, including the PV inverters tie in breaker.
My meter “going backwards” during the day should be reflected by an opposite indication from the HEM compared to when my meter “goes forward” at night, but they are both positive values, just lower at night.
I’ll try flipping one clamp, but they are definitely clamped in opposite directions currently.
I’m also not getting regular readings in the logs of all values. I get voltage pretty often, amps infrequently and watts rarely.

#23

Hey Brian, Any chance the same configuration will work for the HEMv1?

Thanks!

#24

Can you paste some logs from your device? Your physical configuration sounds fine, if your clamps are “above” your bus bar, and your PV ties in below the clamps on the bus bar, and your utility power is above the clamps, then you are good. As long as solar power is going through your clamps to utility you are fine.

My watts go every 6-24 seconds based on the 6 sec report with a 10 watt diff setting. I think the default differential setting might be 50, maybe you want to lower that. The default volts and amps are 30 and 60 seconds.

#25

It does not, Aeon confirmed to me that HEM1 only reports positive. They can be used to measure solar directly (production only), but not net.

#26

Hi Brian,
Back with you after much futzing with it… I believe part of my issue was signal to/from the HEM… I’ve made some installation changes that are resulting in a lot more telemetry… here’s a snippet of log data now.

0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps one is 13.70 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps two is 9.62 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps is 23.32 A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 energy is 0.44 kWh
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:14 AM: debug Energy Since Last Reset: 155.73
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 volts is 122.86 V
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:02 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power is 2783 W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:52:02 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power one is 1662 W W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:44 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps two is 9.55 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:44 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps is 22.7 A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:44 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps one is 13.16 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:38 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power is 2706 W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps one is 12.97 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 energy is 0.40 kWh
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:14 AM: debug Energy Since Last Reset: 155.73
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power is 2678 W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:51:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 volts is 122.76 V
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:44 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps two is 9.39 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:44 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps one is 12.90 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:44 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps is 22.28 A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:38 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power is 2657 W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:38 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power one is 1563 W W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:32 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power one is 746 W W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:32 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power is 1841 W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:26 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power one is 634 W W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:26 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power is 1614 W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:20 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power one is 746 W W
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps two is 9.32 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps one is 6.42 A A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 energy is 0.36 kWh
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:14 AM: debug Energy Since Last Reset: 155.73
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 amps is 15.74 A
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:14 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 volts is 122.8 V
0410f66d-81dd-4b27-b534-d66a2c500287 9:50:08 AM: debug Parse returned Aeon HEM v2 power is 1823 W

Prior to pulling those logs, I did some measurements in my panel with my handheld current clamp ammeter in concurrence with the UI snapshots shown below.

First with power going out to the grid (generation greater than consumption)
Solar gen measured at insertion pt: Leg 1=14.5 amps Leg 2=14.5 amps Total = 29 amps
Current Measured next to clamps: Leg 1=3.4 amps Leg 2=9 amps Total = 12.4 amps (going to utility)

Second with power coming in from the grid (consumption greater than generation, I turned on the dryer)
Solar gen measured at insertion pt: Leg 1=15.4 amps Leg 2=15.4 amps Total = 30.8 amps
Current Measured next to clamps: Leg 1=21.2 amps Leg 2=12.6 amps Total = 33.8 amps (coming from utility)

Note solar production was slightly higher as it was a few minutes later and the sun is still rising toward apogee.
Note also the negative display in Watts yet positive display in Amps… is that the intention of how it should show opposite current flow?

Then I tried hitting your “Toggle” and this is what I get:

Which totally confuses me…
when I toggle again it goes back to the prior display content.

#27

I can say a couple of things quickly, then review a bit more later.

  1. I don’t use the toggle, in fact I will probably remove it in the device type.
  2. Most people when using power, have the power number (watts) be positive. Solar production is negative. So if I read your numbers correctly, you are opposite of that. It should work, but it’s not what I typically see. I’d flip your calibration value.
  3. The weird fonts/texts after toggle look to be a temporary Android issue I see from time to time. They go away after a few minutes.

I’ll dig deeper later, short on time now. :smile:

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