Do you want PacketFlux injectors to cost what CMMs and CTMs do? No. And
neither does Forrest.
We've done several radio swaps year after year. I take a spare
SyncInjector/PowerInjector/RackInjector/whatever and swap it.
Yes, it would have been cool to see the cards for the RackInjector be
easily front swappable like storage on a server. Again, complexity and cost.
On 12/21/2017 2:40 PM, Darren Shea wrote:
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,
nDarren
*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]
<mailto:[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] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[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]
<mailto:[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
--
*Forrest Christian*/CEO, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc./
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT
59602
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[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> |
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--
--
*Forrest Christian*/CEO, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc./
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> |
http://www.packetflux.com <http://www.packetflux.com/>
<http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian>
<http://facebook.com/packetflux> <http://twitter.com/@packetflux>
