Forrest,
That’s really interesting – am I jumping to conclusions, or does that
modular design of the underlying architecture mean it would be possible to
design a module which would replace the jumper options on the current
RackInjector with a fully controllable, web-accessible, interface? Honestly,
that’s the only reason we haven’t deployed ours – the fact we are mixing PMP450
and 450i/450m APs and ePMP 1000 and 2000 APs means that having to partially
disassemble the RackInjector to change an AP is a statistically likely and
pretty daunting task. Having a module to give the programmable flexibility of a
LMG CTM-2M, for instance, without having to remove the unit from the rack, open
up the case, and move around jumpers when switching AP types would be a big
thing…
Thanks,
n Darren
From: Af [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Forrest Christian (List
Account)
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2017 9:57 AM
To: af
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Remote generator start options packetflux?
I'd like to explain where we are in the grand scheme of things. Getting the
rackinjector out the door took pretty much all of our R&D engineering for the
last year or so. BUT... there's a reason for this, and it is related to the
technology which is underpinning the web interface on that device. And which
is related to our fairly near-term future as far as packetflux goes...
The architecture underneath the rackinjector control system is far more layered
and abstracted than it would need to be to provide just the web interface.
Every piece of data is abstracted into a generic data format inside the unit,
and the system is designed in a way to greatly simplify the addition of
additional features. The overriding idea is an on-site system which is able
to gather up status from the entire site and also be able to control an entire
site.
To sort of give you a glimpse, in the rackinjector, there is a module for
gathering up data from a NMEA GPS stream (GPS lock status, etc), a separate
module for measuring the timing of the PPS pulses, a separate module for the
analog digital controllers, another module to pull data from sitemonitor
expansions (the expansion cards in the rackinjector are running the same
underlying protocol as the sitemonitor expansion cards are today), and so on.
Each of these modules pull data from their information source and makes it
available in a generic manner to the system. For instance, the number of
satellites in view is accessed in exactly the same way internally as a voltage
reading. This abstraction allows me to add additional modules to pull data
quickly - all I have to do is to create a chunk of code to pull data from say a
solar charge controller or pull values via SNMP from a radio. The difficulty
varies of course based on how hard it is to access the data, but it's a lot
easier than writing an entire stack for each device.
Today the rackinjector is running what we call internally the "DeviceManager"
code on top of this. Generally what this is is a purpose-built web interface
which is built on the underlying architecture. The web-interface actually
pulls the data it needs from the underlying system using another generic chunk
of code so it is relatively easy for us to add additional fields and support
for additional devices. The "DeviceManager SNMP" module allows quick
development of SNMP mibs again for specific purpose appliances. There's a few
other tricks coming as well. Our intent with this code base is to build a set
of specific-purpose appliances to pull data largely from one device or a couple
of devices and provide it in a simplified manner to the user. For instance a
Solar Charge controller monitor. Or a RackInjector controller. The key point
here is that the DeviceManager codebase is designed largely to hide all of this
from the end-user, while making it easy for us to build these products quickly.
Now, back to the main point: This same flexible architecture permits us to
also build various automated control systems on top of the same underlying
architecture. If you replace the fixed-function devicemanager interface with a
programmable, scriptable, flexible interface, all sorts of things start to
happen. Including all of the items we're discussing in this thread. We
already sell all of the physical interfaces needed to get a generator
controller running - you can plug a unregulated power supply into a voltage
input to get a rough idea of the AC voltage, or can get the DC voltage using
another voltage input. You have contact closures in the form of another
sitemonitor expansion module. And so on. What is missing is some sort of
on-site automation, and that's where we've been heading with this entire
architecture for about 2 years now.
I don't know how quickly this is going to happen. The next 30 days I'm
focused on 'finishing' the rackinjector - meaning shipping the cambium sync
cards and the new 'either polarity' cards, and getting a new firmware out for
it which has the "Devicemanager SNMP" code running in it. Once that is done
we can re-focus on how to prioritize the future of this architecture.
On Thu, Dec 21, 2017 at 7:40 AM, Dave <[email protected]> wrote:
Forrest,
We had a discussion about this as we now have 4 generators and I have 3 of
your standby controllers taking care of
these sites without issue since we installed them.
Would it be feasible to just remove the Transformers and just give a link for
separate purchase ?
My issue as with many would like to see a box with many inputs to monitor
different things like AC,DC voltages, tempatures
make and brake contacts. Also, the need for active outputs to turn on off
things or just for a cycle with timer.
A nice gui would be ok to be able to log in for manual control or configuration.
There are some very expensive things out there to do all of this but I know
with a little work it can be done with out much money involved.
I have a very specific need to integrate a 26vDC generator with a site that is
a 48v plant. I have everything installed and connected but I need some
automation to start and stop when needed.
The generator has a voltage sense on its output to detect if the battery bank
is below 22vdc and if so it will kick on for an amount of time to restore
charge. The problem with this is there is a 1000W converter between it and the
48v battery bank.
Anyone with suggestions is welcome
Dave
On 12/21/2017 03:18 AM, Forrest Christian (List Account) wrote:
The short version: I never sold that many, and this particular product came up
in discussions about product liablity insurance. Not that it was unsafe, just
that there was some discomfort with the fact that I was monitoring the AC power
line. To remedy this I would have either had to redesign to remove the AC
monitoring hardware, or send the whole thing through UL listing. Based on the
volume, I didn't really see any reason to spend a lot of R&D time or money
doing either.
I do expect the functionality in the generator controller will be able to be
replicated as a side effect of planned technology to be incorporated in an
upcoming product.
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017 at 8:23 PM, Lewis Bergman <[email protected]> wrote:
Bummer. Guess there was not enough demand or to make variants?
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017, 5:18 PM George Skorup <[email protected]> wrote:
Yeahbut Forrest doesn't make the generator control board anymore.
On 12/20/2017 5:01 PM, Lewis Bergman wrote:
I think packetflux is likely the easiest with the most to offer our of the box.
I know if one other out of the box solution that cost about 3 times as much.
First can not only start it but he can use his shunt to make sure it is
actually started and producing current.
If you want to do it yourself you could work some coding and such but it
doesn't sound like that is what you want to do. Arduino, raspberry pi, etc.
Could do this but you have to build it all yourself. Not really fast but fun if
you like that kind of thing.
You would need some electronics knowledge if you don't want to spend a few days
googling. I guess you still have to know enough to make Google work.
Again, see Forest for his genset setup. I know a lot of people in this list use
it.
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017, 4:39 PM Eric Kuhnke <[email protected]> wrote:
assuming you have a generator that does auto-choke and is wired for electrical
remote start, like the small generac units sold for RV use and similar... where
all you need to do is turn on a relay for 4-5 seconds to crank a starter, then
turn off the relay again.
one of these: http://tinycontrol.pl/en/lan-controller/
and one of these: http://tinycontrol.pl/en/relays-board-10a-v3/
or a thing like this:
http://denkovi.com/ethernet-relay-card-5-channels-snmp-http-xml-real-time-clock-din-box
there are quite a few different DIN mount relay-controllers with basic http
interfaces to turn on and off things. Some support things like receiving an
snmp trap to trigger a relay for automated scripting.
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017 at 2:30 PM, Brandon Yuchasz <[email protected]> wrote:
We are looking at adding a remote start to a generator at an off grid site we
have and I am gathering information on options at this point.
Right now we are all Solar at the site. It’s a new site and if / when we draw
down batteries beyond where we are comfortable we turn go to the site turn off
the PV and start a generator manually and run a 48v battery charger on the
bank. It’s a fairly low tech solution right now. We log in turn off the PV
array and a guy goes out and pulls the rope on the generator and batteries
start to charge. He then leaves and in three hours generator runs out of fuel
and charging stops. Log back in turn the PV back on and that’s the end of the
process.
We are considering a few different options at the site and I don’t want to
complicate this to much by offering to much information to start. Ill go into
more details later but for now I am looking for a way to start a (different)
propane generator remotely during the dark months. Most likely once a week in
December and January.
So assuming electric start is an options on the generator. What options do I
have for throwing that “switch” from the office. I am positive I am not the
first one of us to want to do this.
Thoughts everyone? I want to KISS so when I am not around others can do this
with minimal training.
Thanks,
Brandon
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