You should know better than to lick chinese components by now...
On Fri, Dec 22, 2017 at 12:44 PM, <ch...@wbmfg.com
<mailto:ch...@wbmfg.com>> wrote:
Sometimes if I lick the chinese components my tummy gets upset...
-----Original Message----- From: Robert Andrews
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2017 11:41 AM
To: af@afmug.com <mailto:af@afmug.com>
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Remote generator start options packetflux?
Not a lot of pure hardware products that have virus problems...
On 12/21/2017 03:22 PM, Chuck McCown wrote:
That is always a problem. And much more so if your product has
software inside. My products I can put them into production,
take them out, advertise, not advertise pretty much on a whim.
When you have software you always have features, oddities,
perhaps bugs, anomalies that need to be hunted down and killed.
Software is born, lives and dies but is never done.
When I was doing software dependent products I spent all my
spare time adding features and killing bugs. I like this much
better the way I do them now...
*From:* Lewis Bergman
*Sent:* Thursday, December 21, 2017 4:03 PM
*To:* af@afmug.com <mailto:af@afmug.com>
*Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] Remote generator start options packetflux?
Of course, that might lead Forrest back to the initial place in
this thread which was "I didn't sell that many of them". Not
saying he wouldn't, but he has mouths to feed and only one of
him. As a result he tries to gauge interest before taking on
projects. I'll bet he could tell you pretty quick if it seems
like something he would be interested in.
On Thu, Dec 21, 2017 at 4:06 PM Darren Shea <darr...@ecpi.com
<mailto:darr...@ecpi.com>> wrote:
Well, I certainly understand that cheap and flexible tend to be
opposites, which is why I would think the best way to do what I
suggested would be to make the module a pricier option, not a
default. A multi-purpose tool has the potential to be more
useful to
a wider range of people than something which is practically a
uni-tasker. Having to shut off all the APs on a RackInjector to
replace one is not fun – having to perform surgery on a
deployed
RackInjector while 7 fully-functional APs have to be shut
off during
the process is even less so.____
____
Even as an internal add-on card with a bunch of cables to
each of
the jumper blocks could be a major factor in deciding how to
build-out a new site. Front-swappable might also work
(maybe each
card could be in a drawer-like setting with a
front-accessible screw
or two to lock it down most of the time) if we’re keeping the
jumpers for cost. Just brainstorming…____
____
____
*From:*Af [mailto:af-boun...@afmug.com
<mailto:af-boun...@afmug.com>] *On Behalf Of *George Skorup
*Sent:* Thursday, December 21, 2017 3:32 PM
*To:* af@afmug.com <mailto:af@afmug.com>
*Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] Remote generator start options
packetflux?____
____
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,____
__n__Darren____
____
*From:*Af [mailto:af-boun...@afmug.com
<mailto:af-boun...@afmug.com>] *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
<dmilho...@wletc.com <mailto:dmilho...@wletc.com>>
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
<lewis.berg...@gmail.com
<mailto:lewis.berg...@gmail.com>> wrote:____
Bummer. Guess there was not enough demand or to
make
variants? ____
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017, 5:18 PM George Skorup
<george.sko...@cbcast.com
<mailto:george.sko...@cbcast.com>> 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
<eric.kuh...@gmail.com
<mailto:eric.kuh...@gmail.com>> 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/____
<http://tinycontrol.pl/en/lan-controller/____>
____
and one of these:
http://tinycontrol.pl/en/relays-board-10a-v3/____
<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____
<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 <li...@gogebicrange.net
<mailto:li...@gogebicrange.net>> 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 <tel:406-449-3345>
<tel:(406)%20449-3345> | Address: 3577
Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
<https://maps.google.com/?q=3577+Countryside+Road,+Helena,+MT+59602&entry=gmail&source=g
<https://maps.google.com/?q=3577+Countryside+Road,+Helena,+MT+59602&entry=gmail&source=g>>____
forre...@imach.com <mailto:forre...@imach.com> |
http://www.packetflux.com
<http://www.packetflux.com/>____
<http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian
<http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian>>
<http://facebook.com/packetflux
<http://facebook.com/packetflux>>
<http://twitter.com/@packetflux
<http://twitter.com/@packetflux>>____
____
-- ____
____
____
-- ____
*Forrest Christian*/CEO, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc./____
Tel: 406-449-3345 <tel:406-449-3345>
<tel:(406)%20449-3345> | Address: 3577
Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
<https://maps.google.com/?q=3577+Countryside+Road,+Helena,+MT+59602&entry=gmail&source=g
<https://maps.google.com/?q=3577+Countryside+Road,+Helena,+MT+59602&entry=gmail&source=g>>____
forre...@imach.com <mailto:forre...@imach.com> |
http://www.packetflux.com
<http://www.packetflux.com/>____
<http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian
<http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian>>
<http://facebook.com/packetflux
<http://facebook.com/packetflux>>
<http://twitter.com/@packetflux
<http://twitter.com/@packetflux>>____
____
