Nov 13, 2011

The local Dominion Post newspaper out of Morgantown, WV interviewed me a couple of weeks ago.

Initially when they contacted me (and assigned an intern news reporter) I was not exactly sure of what they were looking for, even after the phone interview - was still not exactly sure, but a number of emails eventually clarified that they were essentially trying to promote local small businesses that they felt were doing interesting projects especially in the area of renewable energy.

I found the article quite favorable and am quite happy with it, as it covered not only my software development effort - but also the work that I have done as a wind turbine designer/manufacturer. Most of my effort has been directed towards the PowerDashboard software that I have been developing over the last 7 years, and as an estimate I figure that I have a solid 2-1/2yrs into the development and refinement of the software which continues to grow as I add more functionality.

Here is a link to the article: Dominion Post, November 13, 2011

November 1, 2011

A few more medical issues - again all related to fallout from my foot". This time it's the thyroid, and it's amazing what a small obscure little organ can cause. Things like constantly falling asleep even in the middle of a conversation with my wife, making it even harder to concentrate to do software updates.

Medicine seems to finally getting it under control now - it's been a long year, but finally I am able to get back to doing long desired updates to the PowerDashboard software. With luck I am hoping to have a new release of PowerDashboard in the first quarter of next year.

April 4, 2011

Updated Apox driver to version 2.04.06. This zip file contains drivers for i386 and amd64 based computers.

NOTE: This Apox driver zip file needs to be unzipped to your hard drive *prior* to installing. Expand all the files contained in the .zip file into a folder named "C:/ApoxDriver", and point to your device installer to this directory.

January 18, 2011

Last year I came down with a very bad case of an antibiotic resistant staph infection around the end of July. Nasty stuff and I'm finally starting to really get past it.

So not a lot has happened with software during this period of time as far as bug fixing and new enhancements- I apologize for this time lapse. However things are starting to come back around, LabJack A/D device integration is progressing and looks very promising. No additional DataQ enhancements will be done as the product quality just isn't there for measuring very low Mv levels (such as what a shunt may produce).

The future looks great for PowerDashboard and upcoming versions will be adding even functionality such as:

• Support up to 3 Wind Turbines
• Display up to 8 gauge sets for solar arrays
• Utilizing the LabJack for 'FLEXNet' style functionality where it will be used for multiple shunt measurements and enhanced digital switching controls

So the goal is to connect a wind turbines to the LabJack, we can use one port to measure Volts and determine RPM. Another port that would connect to a shunt and measure the Mv across it to determine Amps, and hence output Watts!

As always software upgrades are provided to licensed users at no additional cost.

July 10 , 2010

To better serve you we have implemented a working help desk. From there you can submit a trouble ticket, view frequently asked questions, contact us, or let us know about updates/changes/improvements that you'd like to suggest for our website/software.

We have began software updates for a WindOnly version of our software that will be available to wind/water turbine users.

This version will not communicate with an inverter to acquire information so it can be put into just about any system. It supports turbines that put out AC (typically 3-phase AC) so that rpm can be derived from the waveform.

It will use an 'off the shelf' LabJack A/D controller with one analog connection to the turbine AC output to measure voltage and RPM, with another analog connection to a shunt to measure DC amps. The recommended unit is:

• LabJack U6

If you envision connecting a Davis 6410 anemometer (and why wouldn't you?) then it is recommended that you purchase the LabJack as it will also provide a simple direct connection for the bare anemometer as well as a future turbine.

Additional information can be gotten from the WindOnly page.

May 21, 2010

The Outback version of PowerDashboard is now available! If you want to be one of the first to purchase a special discount price (only $99) is currently available for a limited time - Click Here for additional information.

Jan 2010

The Outback version of PowerDashboard is in Beta-testing at multiple sites and it appears that it will be available in mid to late February

Auxiliary external device control is nearly done! The 'aux control' is a major enhancement that can perform digital switching of external devices, by utilizing relays. This will allow you to be able to switch things like loads/generator/lighting/etc both on and off, by defining 'Triggers' based on one or multiple user defined parameter(s), a lot like the auto-shutdown capability for wind turbines - but better!

While the DataQ devices work great for acquiring anemometer (wind speed/direction) and turbine RPM measurements, they don't appear to work very well for consistantly reading the ultra-low voltage drop across a typical 500amp/50Mv shunt. So we have temporarily put a hold on the WindOnly version of the software.

Other A/D controllers from manufacturers such as : Hytech, MCC and LabJack are being evaluated.

Currently a number of these are being tested and the results so far have been pretty exciting! These devices potentially offer far more analog input ports and other capabilities than the DataQ units, and at just a little more cost.

These newer A/D controllers are like a 'DataQ on steroids' and open up new possibilities, such as:

• Up to 16 analog/digital devices
• Direct DC monitoring
• Connnect multiple shunts (similar to PetaMetric and FlexMax)
• Monitoring of up to 4 separate wind turbines

Dec 2009

Development has been completed to interface with the current line of OutBack products.

Once released, PowerDashboard (and PDLite) will also work with:

This is exciting news as now off-grid as well as on-grid customers will have access to the most complete software package for monitoring their renewable energy systems. And of course; remote access software and support for either wind or water turbine is available at no extra charge!