Can't calibrate ampdata too random

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leko
 
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:51 pm

Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by leko »

Hello again,

I have been working on the tweet-a-watt project and everything has been going great. However I have noticed some problems with a couple of the tweet a watts. After plugging them into the wall and running the python code in debug mode in order to calibrate them. Some of them don't show consistent current numbers. There is nothing plugged into these kill a watts.

Also when I was checking the tweet a watts I noticed that the VA reading was not at zero when I was testing them, also with nothing plugged into them. I didn't check the kill a watts before installing the transmitter chip. So I am not sure if its a problem with the kill a watt or if I maybe short circuited something?

This is the data I get in debug mode.

Code: Select all

<xbee {app_id: 0x83, address_16: 10, rssi: 72, address_broadcast: False, pan_bro
adcast: False, total_samples: 19, digital: [[-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1]
, [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1]], analog: [[748, -1, -1, -1, 483, -
1], [836, -1, -1, -1, 485, -1], [823, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [721, -1, -1, -1, 48
2, -1], [592, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [427, -1, -1, -1, 477, -1], [279, -1, -1, -1
, 471, -1], [176, -1, -1, -1, 464, -1], [127, -1, -1, -1, 455, -1], [174, -1, -1
, -1, 454, -1], [280, -1, -1, -1, 463, -1], [441, -1, -1, -1, 479, -1], [599, -1
, -1, -1, 483, -1], [728, -1, -1, -1, 483, -1], [823, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [841
, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [774, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [667, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1],
[507, -1, -1, -1, 480, -1]]}>
ampdata: [485, 482, 482, 482, 477, 471, 464, 455, 454, 463, 479, 483, 483, 482,
482, 482, 482, 480]
voltdata: [836, 823, 721, 592, 427, 279, 176, 127, 174, 280, 441, 599, 728, 823,
 841, 774, 667, 507]
10      Current draw, in amperes: 0.440227703985
        Watt draw, in VA: 57.6622390892
                Wh used in last  2.03099989891  seconds:  0.0325311116003
<xbee {app_id: 0x83, address_16: 10, rssi: 71, address_broadcast: False, pan_bro
adcast: False, total_samples: 19, digital: [[-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1]
, [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -
1, -1], [-1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1, -1]], analog: [[692, -1, -1, -1, 480, -
1], [812, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [843, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [781, -1, -1, -1, 48
3, -1], [680, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [529, -1, -1, -1, 481, -1], [372, -1, -1, -1
, 475, -1], [227, -1, -1, -1, 467, -1], [145, -1, -1, -1, 458, -1], [124, -1, -1
, -1, 452, -1], [209, -1, -1, -1, 457, -1], [331, -1, -1, -1, 469, -1], [507, -1
, -1, -1, 482, -1], [673, -1, -1, -1, 483, -1], [789, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [835
, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [826, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1], [738, -1, -1, -1, 482, -1],
[620, -1, -1, -1, 481, -1]]}>
ampdata: [482, 482, 483, 482, 481, 475, 467, 458, 452, 457, 469, 482, 483, 482,
482, 482, 482, 481]
voltdata: [812, 843, 781, 680, 529, 372, 227, 145, 124, 209, 331, 507, 673, 789,
 835, 826, 738, 620]
10      Current draw, in amperes: 0.444022770398
        Watt draw, in VA: 59.1157495256
                Wh used in last  2.03100013733  seconds:  0.0333511376125
As you can see the ampdata array is not consistent.

Thanks

adafruit
 
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Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:21 pm

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by adafruit »

yeah it sounds like maybe something is not soldered right and thus drawing power.. try removing the wires from the 2902 chip
does the KaW show 0 watts now?

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mikejr88
 
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:46 am

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by mikejr88 »

I had the same problem. Used a scope and believed my wiring to be fair and correct. Soldering to surface mount chips ain't easy. Downloaded receiver and transmitter parameters from http://www.ladyada.net/make/tweetawatt/download.html and found, I think, the DP parameter to be incorrect. Changed it to the X-CTU parameters, works pretty good now. Hope this helps someone.

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mikejr88
 
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Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:46 am

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by mikejr88 »

Seams I still have the same problem. Works at work but not at home. ???

adafruit
 
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Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by adafruit »

do you let it sit for a while once you plug it in?
is there something strange in your wiring like grounding issues?

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mikejr88
 
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:46 am

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by mikejr88 »

Yes, I let it sit. I have seen the red LED fade and come back. I was in my kitchen with my laptop trying to eliminate interference with the cordless phone, unplugged it no help. Down stairs with my desktop I turned of WiFi router, no help. I am thinking the newer KaW with the surface mount chips is a little different and can't supply the power needed. I could easily be wrong though. I was thinking of etching a custom board for the transmitter to eliminate possible bad solder joints. I'm an electrician at an industrial plant and troubleshoot down to card level, not component. Electronics training about 25 years ago, almost old fart. Will check for ground issue. Could be my soldering job at the 2902. No doubt in my mind the connection is good from the wires to the chip but maybe caused a bad connection between the 2902 and board. Just my thoughts.

adafruit
 
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Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by adafruit »

if you post a photo i'll look
but i dont understand why it would work well in one location (work) and not another (home)

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mikejr88
 
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Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:46 am

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by mikejr88 »

A photo? Do you mean a screen capture of ampdata or a photo of KaW?

adafruit
 
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Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by adafruit »

both

BULSK8
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:44 pm

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by BULSK8 »

Hi

I am having the same problem, all the connections are correct, I have the small chip too, everything works fine expect for the ampdata(jumps).

I need your help

Best Regards

Bulmaro Valdés
Mexico

adafruit
 
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Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by adafruit »

is the voltage a nice sine wave?

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mikejr88
 
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Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:46 am

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by mikejr88 »

My Pics
KaW Watcher.jpg
KaW Watcher.jpg (245.64 KiB) Viewed 2657 times
KaW_0004.JPG
KaW_0004.JPG (593.65 KiB) Viewed 2658 times
KaW_0006.JPG
KaW_0006.JPG (542.04 KiB) Viewed 2658 times

adafruit
 
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Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by adafruit »

nice camera :D
do you mind letting me see underneath the TX xbee?

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mikejr88
 
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Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by mikejr88 »

No problem
KaW_0010_cr.jpg
KaW_0010_cr.jpg (330.17 KiB) Viewed 2635 times

adafruit
 
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Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:21 pm

Re: Can't calibrate ampdata too random

Post by adafruit »

do you have more than one xbee transmitting?
lets say you type in 473 or whatever, does it basically work?
what does the KaW display show when you plug it in for amperate draw?

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