Hi, I installed a emontx v3 with wifi and 3CT+temp, AC-reference+DC supply around the beginning of Jan and connected it to emoncms online to visualize the data. But the measurements are not making sense. Just to give some basic numbers:
Service: 25A 3Phase
Top consumers:
5,4kw EV charger (2-phase combining into 1-phase)
9kw (3-phase) Heatpump
2kw EVSE charger (1phase)
Looking at the graphs in emoncms, I would expect 5kw+2kw draw normally at about 17:00 CET as the total system draw at least. (PV generation is minimal (below 100w) during this time), but I see only about 3,5-4kw max, spread over 3 phases. I charge one nissan Leaf that’s depleted until 20%, and one completely depleted phev.
The heatpump cycle shows as negative for one phase.
I think I’ve identified the heatpump cycle, but two phases show the draw as positive, and one phase show it as negative with the same load profile (ie visual representation of the load, only inverted). If I reverse the CT on that phase, I get a proper representation of the heap pump draw, but the normal load on that phase is 500w negative, showing exported power during night time, which is impossible. (see attachment)
The PV production should visualize as a 3-phase banana
Currently one of the CT’s is inverted in regards to the current flow indicators on the CT, and the PV production is reasonably represented as a 3-paralell banana. (see attachment). But if the current indicators are facing the same way, one of them indicates an inverted power curve during PV production times?
Initial thoughts:
I must have done something wrong. Does it matter which order the CT’s are connected to the emontx? Something related to phase shift?
I checked the installation instructions again, and while the fit is tight (rigid thick cables), there’s play and not forced. I’ve changed the dip switch to use DC for power.
I’ve also tried to replace the CT, since I had one spare, no change.
Could it be calculating UK power, like 120v or similar? Could explain the lower calculated power than expected.
I used a fairly low end clamping clamping current meter to check the current on one of the phases, and it seemed to be accurate.
Measured 3A@256V, 3*256/1,71 (=449w, which at the time showed approx 495w locally. The square root of 3 was off the top of my head so it was off by 0,02.
The sketch that is loaded when you receive your emonTx will be for the UK single phase system. If you have not changed it, then the phase with the a.c adapter should be correct, the other two will probably be negative and showing approximately half of what you expect.
If you download the zip file from this link, you will have the full documentation and installation instructions as a PDF file.
You will need to install the Arduino IDE to configure and compile the new sketch, and to load it into your emonTx you will need a programmer.
Thank you, I’ve had a look around the forum and there’s alot of info from other members. If I just get the basics sorted I’ve got plenty of inspiration for other uses
I wasn’t aware that there’s different firmware if I use it in Sweden compared to UK. I have no programmer, so I will need that then. Is there any way I can confirm that I have the UK “sketch” now?
If you are using the sketch (= Arduino-word for “software”) that was in the emonTx when you bought it, and you did not ask for anything different, it is the UK single-phase version.
The easy way to confirm that, without a programmer, is to put all three or four c.t’s on the same cable facing the same way. If all read the same value (within a percent or two), it is a single-phase sketch.
Hi, sorry for the late reply, but yes, I got it confirmed that the emontx was delivered with UK firmware, causing these odd measurement results. I’m ordering a programmer and loading the firmware you specified.
I’ve now recieved the programmer, along with some other goodies.
I tried the emonupload method to update the firmware, but there doesn’t seem to be a precompiled 3-phase firmware on github.
I tried to compile the source myself but Platform IO doesn’t look at all like the screenshots in the userguide. I must have missed something. And to be honest, IDE’s are not my natural habitat.
Does anyone have the .hex-file on hand, pre-compiled, and can share it with me?
I can’t support Platformio. I can only advise you on how to use the official Arduino IDE. I did try Platformio, but it moved files and directories about and destroyed my system, it took many hours to recover. I cannot work with that.
It is impossible to provide a complete set of pre-compiled versions, because there are far too many combinations required to suit all the different individual circumstances. The only realistic way is to compile a version after setting all the choices in the source file.
If you are unable to install the Arduino IDE - I gave you the link above, then you can edit the source file to set the options you need and send it to me, I will compile it and send it back. But for that to be successful, you MUST get the options right first time. If you compile it yourself, you can adjust everything as much as you wish.
But the libraries that the sketch requires must still be downloaded and installed according to the instructions in ‘Learn’. (Those cover Windows 10, MacOS & Linux operating systems.)
