It sounds like a perfect application for an Arduino. http://www.arduino.cc/
It's an open source microcontroller with easy programming and lots of interface options. For abnout $100 you could hire a programmer to configure it to do what you need. You don't say what the inverter is, but if it has a programmable contact that can be configured to indicate on backup, the the logic can be IF (Utility=0 & Inverter = 1) Then Send Email Easy Peasy. Otherwise, if you want a commercial product, try this http://www.flightsystems.com/pdf/326techdetails.pdf Model 326 Power Failure Detector - Description of Operation Power interruptions at remote industrial sites and other unattended locations, such as second homes, can be potentially damaging to property. A means of warning the property owner/manager of any prolonged power outage is needed. The Model 326 Power Failure Detector meets this need by constantly monitoring the status of the power at a property, with or without a standby power system. An alarm results from either a loss of utility power or a failure of the standby power system to start and transfer the load. The alarm can be local, or remote by means of an automatic telephone dialer. On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 3:11 PM, Jason Szumlanski <[email protected]>wrote: > Yeah, I realize you can use a computer. I was hoping for a more > commercialized standalone device to send email or SMS with just an Ethernet > or wireless connection. You said "for little money." I misinterpreted that > as "simple." > > Jason Szumlanski > Fafco Solar > > > > On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 3:05 PM, Dan Fink <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Jason; >> >> The relay and an indicator light or buzzer is easy -- Grainger or Radio >> Shack parts. >> >> There are multitudes of monitors for anything -- voltage, current, >> temperature, water level, switch state, specific gravity (!) that have >> live serial port output possibly in addition to memory card logging. Once >> you have data on serial out, it's easy to network it anywhere, including >> emails and even live web page widgets. Talk to Jim Jarvis at APRS World if >> you want a custom solution, and also Atkinson Electronics, but it is also >> easy DIY. It can take a small computer to format and send more complicated >> data in an email or web friendly form, but there are Linux boxes the size >> of thumb drives, and the software is all free and open source. If you are >> into it (or have a colleague that is) you can build your own using Arduino >> too. >> >> Basically, once you have something that can read a serial port, you can >> do anything with the data it gives you -- beam it via wifi, cell, >> satellite, what have you. >> >> >> DAN FINK >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 12:41 PM, Jason Szumlanski >> <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> Can you elaborate on this? It sounds like something I could use in other >>> situations... What equipment is required? >>> >>> Jason Szumlanski >>> Fafco Solar >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 2:25 PM, Dan Fink <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> I agree, Chris. For very little money you could even monitor the relay >>>> to have it email, phone or SMS them when the grid goes out. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Dan Fink, >>>> Executive Director; >>>> Otherpower >>>> Buckville Energy Consulting >>>> Buckville Publications LLC >>>> NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers >>>> 970.672.4342 (voicemail) >>>> >>>> On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 11:17 AM, Chris Mason < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Couldn't you power a relay from the incoming utility, so it closes on >>>>> loss of utility? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Options & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: [email protected] > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > -- Chris Mason President, Comet Systems Ltd www.cometenergysystems.com Cell: 264.235.5670 Skype: netconcepts
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