Connecting to 2 Eastron SDM120 Modbus Meters

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-11T06:52:40.885Z

Hello. Thanks for the advice. I tried deleting one of the meters from config file and then restarted. Nothing appears in the inputs list. This is the log - I can see that there’s an issue with the SDM120.

2023-04-11 07:47:51,694 INFO     MainThread EmonHub emonHub (emon-pi variant) v2.2.6
2023-04-11 07:47:51,695 INFO     MainThread Opening hub...
2023-04-11 07:47:51,695 INFO     MainThread Logging level set to DEBUG
2023-04-11 07:47:51,695 INFO     MainThread Creating EmonHubJeeInterfacer 'RFM2Pi'
2023-04-11 07:47:51,696 DEBUG    MainThread Opening serial port: /dev/ttyAMA0 @ 38400 bits/s
2023-04-11 07:47:53,706 INFO     MainThread RFM2Pi device firmware version: [emonPi.29.20]
2023-04-11 07:47:53,707 INFO     MainThread RFM2Pi device current settings:  E i5 g210 @ 433 MHz q1 USA 0 
2023-04-11 07:47:53,708 INFO     MainThread Setting RFM2Pi calibration: 230V (1p)
2023-04-11 07:47:54,709 DEBUG    MainThread Setting RFM2Pi pubchannels: ['ToEmonCMS']
2023-04-11 07:47:54,710 DEBUG    MainThread Setting RFM2Pi subchannels: ['ToRFM12']
2023-04-11 07:47:54,711 INFO     MainThread Creating EmonHubMqttInterfacer 'MQTT'
2023-04-11 07:47:54,714 DEBUG    MainThread Setting MQTT pubchannels: ['ToRFM12']
2023-04-11 07:47:54,715 DEBUG    MainThread Setting MQTT subchannels: ['ToEmonCMS']
2023-04-11 07:47:54,715 INFO     MainThread Setting MQTT node_format_enable: 1
2023-04-11 07:47:54,716 INFO     MainThread Setting MQTT nodevar_format_enable: 1
2023-04-11 07:47:54,716 INFO     MainThread Setting MQTT nodevar_format_basetopic: emon/
2023-04-11 07:47:54,717 INFO     MainThread Setting MQTT node_JSON_enable: 0
2023-04-11 07:47:54,718 INFO     MainThread Creating EmonHubEmoncmsHTTPInterfacer 'emoncmsorg'
2023-04-11 07:47:54,719 DEBUG    MainThread Setting emoncmsorg pubchannels: ['ToRFM12']
2023-04-11 07:47:54,719 DEBUG    MainThread Setting emoncmsorg subchannels: ['ToEmonCMS']
2023-04-11 07:47:54,720 INFO     MainThread Setting emoncmsorg apikey: set
2023-04-11 07:47:54,720 INFO     MainThread Setting emoncmsorg url: https://emoncms.org
2023-04-11 07:47:54,720 INFO     MainThread Setting emoncmsorg senddata: 1
2023-04-11 07:47:54,721 INFO     MainThread Setting emoncmsorg sendstatus: 1
2023-04-11 07:47:54,722 INFO     MainThread Creating EmonHubMinimalModbusInterfacer 'SDM120'
2023-04-11 07:47:54,734 INFO     MainThread Connecting to Modbus device=/dev/ttyUSB0 baud=2400
2023-04-11 07:47:54,735 DEBUG    RFM2Pi     device settings updated: E i5 g210 @ 433 MHz q1 USA 0
2023-04-11 07:47:54,745 INFO     MainThread Setting SDM120 read_interval: 10
2023-04-11 07:47:54,745 INFO     MainThread Setting SDM120 nodename: sdm120
2023-04-11 07:47:54,746 INFO     MainThread Setting SDM120 prefix: 
2023-04-11 07:47:54,746 ERROR    MainThread Unable to create 'SDM120' interfacer: sequence item 0: expected str instance, int found

Filipe · 2023-04-11T07:59:25.384Z

I haven’t got any kit yet, so you are miles ahead of me! I’m just researching which way to go: HomeAssistant or emonCMS.

Phil

borpin · 2023-04-11T08:00:51.923Z

SellaTheChemist:

This is the log

Please use Ctl-E as asked so it formats the log correctly.

Please post all of the Interfacers section of the emonhub configuration (using Ctl-E to format)

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-11T08:16:07.594Z

Ah! Oops. Apologies. This time I hope I’ve pasted correctly.

### This interfacer manages the RFM12Pi/RFM69Pi/emonPi module
[[RFM2Pi]]
    Type = EmonHubJeeInterfacer
    [[[init_settings]]]
        com_port = /dev/ttyAMA0
        com_baud = 38400                        # 9600 for old RFM12Pi
    [[[runtimesettings]]]
        pubchannels = ToEmonCMS,
        subchannels = ToRFM12,

        group = 210
        frequency = 433
        baseid = 5                              # emonPi / emonBase nodeID
        calibration = 230V                      # (UK/EU: 230V, US: 110V)
        quiet = true                            # Disable quite mode (default enabled) to enable RF packet debugging, show packets which fail crc
        # interval =  300                         # Interval to transmit time to emonGLCD (seconds)


[[MQTT]]

    Type = EmonHubMqttInterfacer
    [[[init_settings]]]
        mqtt_host = 127.0.0.1
        mqtt_port = 1883
        mqtt_user = emonpi
        mqtt_passwd = emonpimqtt2016

    [[[runtimesettings]]]
        pubchannels = ToRFM12,
        subchannels = ToEmonCMS,

        # emonhub/rx/10/values format
        # Use with emoncms Nodes module
        node_format_enable = 1
        node_format_basetopic = emonhub/

        # emon/emontx/power1 format - use with Emoncms MQTT input
        # http://github.com/emoncms/emoncms/blob/master/docs/RaspberryPi/MQTT.md
        nodevar_format_enable = 1
        nodevar_format_basetopic = emon/

        # Single JSON payload published  - use with Emoncms MQTT
        node_JSON_enable = 0
        node_JSON_basetopic = emon/

[[emoncmsorg]]
    Type = EmonHubEmoncmsHTTPInterfacer
    [[[init_settings]]]
    [[[runtimesettings]]]
        pubchannels = ToRFM12,
        subchannels = ToEmonCMS,
        url = https://emoncms.org
        apikey = xxxxxxx
        senddata = 1                    # Enable sending data to Emoncms.org
        sendstatus = 1                  # Enable sending WAN IP to Emoncms.org MyIP > https://emoncms.org/myip/list
        sendinterval= 30                # Bulk send interval to Emoncms.org in seconds

[[SDM120]]
    Type = EmonHubMinimalModbusInterfacer
    [[[init_settings]]]
        device = /dev/ttyUSB0
        baud = 2400
    [[[runtimesettings]]]
        pubchannels = ToEmonCMS,
        read_interval = 10
        nodename = sdm120
        # prefix = sdm_
        [[[[meters]]]]
            [[[[[sdm120a]]]]]
                address = 1
                registers = 0,6,12,18,30,70,72,74,76
                names = V,I,P,VA,PF,FR,EI,EE,RI
                precision = 2,3,1,1,3,3,3,3,3
            [[[[[sdm120b]]]]]
                address = 2
                registers = 0,6,12,18,30,70,72,74,76
                names = V,I,P,VA,PF,FR,EI,EE,RI
                precision = 2,3,1,1,3,3,3,3,3

borpin · 2023-04-11T08:55:39.722Z

SellaTheChemist:

This time I hope I’ve pasted correctly.

Yes perfect

Take care not to post your API Key (it was part of the config - I have edited it out).

SellaTheChemist:

baud = 2400

I think this should be 9600 (from other posts I do not have one).

Also check this really is the right serial interface.

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-11T09:35:23.706Z

Thanks for saving me from myself.

Still nothing. I may well have the wrong USB socket but I don’t know how they are addressed/which is which and where to set that in the config file. There are two blue ones and two black ones… I have tried connecting only one and moving it between ports shutting down each time, but nothing shows up in the Inputs. utterly baffled.

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-11T14:31:00.635Z

Just to add from the log, this is the line which reports there error:

Unable to create ‘SDM120’ interfacer: sequence item 0: expected str instance, int found

Does anyone know what i can do about this?

Bill.Thomson · 2023-04-11T14:42:22.126Z

Forum user Nick Ireland had an issue that threw the same error code.

In that particular instance, it turned out to be the data rate setting.

Ref:

Sdm120 Emoncms

Added an SDM120 modbus meter on the supply for my new ASHP and connected to my emonpi via the adapter bought from our hosts. I’ve copied the config as detailed here (EmonHub Interfacers - Guide | OpenEnergyMonitor) and the log is showing … 2022-09-06 08:53:33,363 INFO MainThread Creating EmonHubMinimalModbusInterfacer ‘SDM120’ 2022-09-06 08:53:33,364 INFO MainThread Connecting to Modbus device=/dev/serial/by-id/usb-1a86_USB2.0-Ser_-if00-port0 baud=2400 2022-09-06 08:53:33,365 INFO …

borpin · 2023-04-11T16:03:41.023Z

SellaTheChemist:

Still nothing.

It looks like the ‘stable’ branch has not been updated in a while @TrystanLea

In the WebUI, the Admin menu, select components

Scroll down to the bottom, and next to emonhub select the master branch from the dropdown. I think it switches immediately. To check then click update

image1425×94 4.58 KB

[edit]
It is a small change so possibly not the cause.

Can you confirm the baud is 9600 and you restarted emonhub after changing it?

[edit2]
In fact if you have moved the USB around, restart the emopnPi instead.

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-11T17:06:34.780Z

Ok. Now I’ve got bigger problems.
I did the update, powered down the emonpi. As I powered it back up it seemed to switch on and off a few times. And now although as it powers up it sayd 2 CTs detected and 5 DB18B20 there is no data feeding through. I communicated with me but alll the inputs are now NULL.
And the Admin panel says that emonHub: emonhub: Activating loaded activating auto-restart
but there’s a blue circle beside it and pressing Start or Enable doesn’t help.

Now in a deeper hole than before.
I think I need an exorcist.

Andrea

Bill.Thomson · 2023-04-12T00:54:55.622Z

I think your reply should be pointed at @borpin. It was he who spoke of an update, not me.

I suggested the data rate setting might be the cause. Brian did ask for a confirmation WRT
the data rate. Is it set to 9600? Until we know for sure what it’s set at, helping you is problematic
at best.

borpin · 2023-04-12T06:03:06.265Z

SellaTheChemist:

I did the update

Just switched the branch?

First try switching it back to stable.

If that doesn’t work, try a full emoncms update (from the update tab).

At the end of the update, the window disappears. If you click

again, it will reappear briefly.

Please download the update log, and then post that here.

glyn.hudson · 2023-04-12T11:26:08.253Z

SellaTheChemist:

plugged through the RS485 adapters into the two black USB ports.

You only need to use one RS485 adapter, both SDM120 meters should be connected to the same RS485 modbus USB adapter.

By default, the Modbus IDs are set to 1, therefore you need to set the modbus ID on the 2nd meter to 2. This can be done via the LCD menu, see the SDM120 user guide.

borpin:

I think this should be 9600 (from other posts I do not have one).

The baud rate of 2400 is definitely the default for SDM120, or at least it has been for the few hundred SDM120s that I’ve setup:

https://docs.openenergymonitor.org/emonhub/emonhub-interfacers.html#sdm120

You can check the baud rate for your meter by scrolling through the SDM120 LCD menu. It’s possible to change the baudrate via the SDM120 LCD menu, this is maybe what @greentangerine did?

SellaTheChemist:

Unable to create ‘SDM120’ interfacer: sequence item 0: expected str instance, int found

I would recommend using the master branch of emonHub. I think this is the reason why you’re getting this error.

Any USB port is fine, it doest matter which you use. However, if you have more than one ttyUSB device plugged in then you should use direct addressing to avoid the ports getting mixed up e.g you’ll need to check the exact address for your device, they are unique to each device.

/dev/serial/by-id/usb-FTDI_FT232R_USB_UART_A10LT01M-if00-port0

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-12T12:32:49.764Z

Thank you @borpin and @glyn.hudson

In haste because I’m at work. I deleted the SDM120 instructions from the config file and then updated everything and Lo! the emonPi started recording again. Phew. Thank you both!

This evening I’ll try to have another fiddle and see if I can hook things up better this time. I assume that, @glyn.hudson by saying that I can put two SDM120s on the same RS485 that I put the A and B wires from both meters into the appropriate slots in the RS485… I’ll try to RTFM for the Eastrons to set them as 1 and 2, respectively.

Can I add that my inability to fiddle with digital stuff really knows no bottom so I’ll probably be back more stupid questions before too long. I owe you multiple refreshing beverages.

Robert.Wall · 2023-04-12T13:06:12.492Z

SellaTheChemist:

by saying that I can put two SDM120s on the same RS485 that I put the A and B wires from both meters into the appropriate slots in the RS485…

Correct - or if it’s easier physically, you can daisy-chain them. (RS485 adapter — Eastron — Eastron)

The data bus works on the principle that the controller (the RS485 adapter in your computer) requests data from one of the Eastron meters using its address, and the meter responds. Hence the need for each to have an unique address (Otherwise both will respond together and chaos ensues.)

Bill.Thomson · 2023-04-12T15:01:57.112Z

Robert.Wall:

you can daisy-chain them. (RS485 adapter — Eastron — Eastron)

Daisy chaining is the preferred wiring topology.

As the picture shows, avoid using the others.

Ref:

www.se.com

Wiring of RS485 Communications Networks | Schneider Electric Global

borpin · 2023-04-12T15:13:21.240Z

Bill.Thomson:

Daisy chaining is the preferred wiring topology.

@glyn.hudson - that might be worth noting and adding to the docs. I’d also add the above information to the Docs as well re ID and Baud rate.

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-12T16:11:24.156Z

OK. All messages read, though probably not fully received. You are dealing with a half-wit…
I’ve checked and the baud rate is set to 2800 (I’ve seen now that one can change it but let’s not…that’s power user material).
I’ve managed to change the set the meters to id 1 and 2.
As to daisy-chaining… D’oh. That makes perfect sense but it may have to wait until the weekend as I’ll need to alter the wiring that I carefully shrink-wrapped for extra tidiness…
Thank you all. More thrills and spills guaranteed.

Andrea

Bill.Thomson · 2023-04-12T16:32:12.183Z

SellaTheChemist:

baud rate is set to 2800

2800?

Perhaps you meant to say 2400?

SellaTheChemist · 2023-04-15T13:22:29.302Z

The weekend has arrived and I’ve had a good fiddle! It WORKS!

For anyone wanting the play by play action, I set the addresses on the Eastrons to 1 and 2. Baud was
set to 2400 (rather than any other semi-random number ending in zero @Bill.Thomson ). The two meters are daisy-chained and then out to a single RS485 adapter, along with their two earth/ground wires. With the EmonPi switched off, the adapter was then plugged into one of the four USB ports. When I turned things back on I pasted @glyn.hudson 's code into the config file and restarted the Hub. And now we have a torrent of numbers for meters a and b coming out of the SDM120s.
I attach a photo which, with deep gratitude I humbly submit under a CC-everything license to help another ignorant peasant to hook up their meters in the future.

eastron-power-meters750×1000 104 KB

[Alt text: two daisy-chained power meters side-by-side showing how where the wires run from the A and B terminals]

I owe several people multiple glasses of a cleansing ale (or equivalent refreshment). I’m thirsty already.

Andrea