Advise needed on my RFXcom setup for e/g/w

[jdbruijn]

I'm planning to use Rfxcom to start logging my e/g/w usage. Could someone tell me if I'm correct in my setup:
I want to use a Rfxmeter with 3 pulsecounters. A photo sensor to count the led pulses for my digital electricity meter, a reflective optical sensor for the gas meter. The only question is about my water meter (Elster V200), it is suitible for pulsecounting and there is a Falcon PR6 pulsecounter available from Elster, but is that counter compatible with the Rfxmeter or can I use an other reflective optical sensor for this?

On the receiving end I wanted to put a 1 port LAN receiver. I'm not sure yet if I want to buy the Homeseer software and plugin. If it is releatively easy to build my own logging application I might just do that, I've no problem developing db applications, the only question would be how hard is it to read from the receiver, or is there default software included with the receiver.

Any comments on the correctness of my setup is welcome before I order the parts (prevent any unnecessary/wrong spending).

Jos.

[b_weijenberg]

Jos,

The RFXMeter + RFXPulse will operate with the power meter and the gas meter.
If the power meter has a blinking LED using visible light you can use the photo sensor. If the power meter has a IR LED use the reflective optical sensor and disconnect the power to the LED in this sensor. (see another thread on this forum)
The gasmeter needs to have a small mirror on the least signaificant counter wheel.

The RFXMeter protocol is available see: http://www.domoticaforum.eu/viewtopic.p ... 1&start=14
For simple logging on Windows of RFXMeter output you can also use xPL http://www.xplmonkey.com/ or HouseBot (about $70)

I'm in contact with a user that is trying to connect the Falcon PR6 to the RFXPulse but up to now without success. I don't understand why it doesn't operate because it is using an open output on CH1P. It is important to disable the debounce on the RFXPulse (close JP3 and JP4). If the water meter has a wheel that has a reflective area on it you can use the reflective optical sensor.

Bert

[jdbruijn]

Hi Bert,

Thank you for your reply.
My power meter has a blinking LED and i'll have to verify the gasmeter, but I don't see any problems there.

The water meter does have a half-wheel that is reflective:

meter.jpg (34.13 KiB) Viewed 6640 times

Will that work?

Thanks,

Jos

[b_weijenberg]

Jos,

Yes, you can use the reflective optical sensor on the Elster water meter.

Bert

[jdbruijn]

Thanks.

Next question :
When to choose for a USB or a LAN receiver? What are the advantages or disadvantages for each when connecting to homeseer or building own app??

Jos.

[b_weijenberg]

Jos,

USB is cheaper,
USB must be located close to the PC (USB cable length) Note: do NOT use USB hubs as there are lots of problems due to disconnects.
LAN can be located on a distance from the PC even via the Internet,
A receiver/transmitter combination requires 2 USB boxes linked with a hand shake cable. A LAN receiver/transmitter is one box with integrated hand shake connection.

Bert