ISSUES
We're currently trying to resolve
ISSUE 1 - Feb 4, 2022 - Description:
We're helping a friend implement this solution at their house. Although their Eagle-200 has connected to the meter, the Eagle-200 is not providing instantaneous demand data. Rainforest Automation support claims the issue is a result of the Eagle and meter clocks not being aligned. The city reports the time in the meter is correct. Rainforest claims it is not correct. But additionally......
The Python code that works for our installation does not work in the friend's installation. Even the simplest of API requests (e.g. get_wifi_status) fails. It appears all necessary access parameters have been changed to reflect his installation (auth token, local IP address of the unit, etc.). The return is an Error 400 (which I believe is "Bad Request".)
We're struggling to understand why an API request delivered to one unit would fail when delivered to another unit.
- The Suncatcher solution requires real-time data from a hardware device: The Eagle-200 from Rainforest Automation.
- The Eagle-200 connects wirelessly (via Zigbee) to a smart electric meter to provide instantaneous and historical information on electricity purchased from the utility (or returned to the grid when a PV solar system is in place).
- The primary means of viewing this information is via a smartphone app called EnergyVUE. We have this working in our home, but are unable to get our friend's EnergyVUE app to display the real-time instantaneous data from the Eagle-200 system in his home.
- Rainforst Automation Tech Support has given up getting it to work.
- The Eagle-200 has a REST API that can be used for programmatic access to its information. We've written a Python program to access this data in order for us to make real-time decisions about car charging......based on the amount of solar panel output being sold back to the utility.
We're helping a friend implement this solution at their house. Although their Eagle-200 has connected to the meter, the Eagle-200 is not providing instantaneous demand data. Rainforest Automation support claims the issue is a result of the Eagle and meter clocks not being aligned. The city reports the time in the meter is correct. Rainforest claims it is not correct. But additionally......
The Python code that works for our installation does not work in the friend's installation. Even the simplest of API requests (e.g. get_wifi_status) fails. It appears all necessary access parameters have been changed to reflect his installation (auth token, local IP address of the unit, etc.). The return is an Error 400 (which I believe is "Bad Request".)
We're struggling to understand why an API request delivered to one unit would fail when delivered to another unit.
The Suncatcher system optimizes the way you charge your Tesla to ensure that real-time excess power generated by your solar panels is used whenever possible.
Suncatcher software runs on a Raspberry Pi or PC and interacts with an Eagle-200 monitoring device (from Rainforest Automation) and your Tesla to ensure that your car only charges when excess energy is being generated by your solar panels.
Current Status: Beta Testing (Contact Jim if you want to be a beta tester)
Additional Info
Suncatcher Technical info: Blog posts
Suncatcher on GitHub: Haselmaier/Suncatcher
Kathy's Solar Page
Kathy's Electric Vehicle Page
Suncatcher software runs on a Raspberry Pi or PC and interacts with an Eagle-200 monitoring device (from Rainforest Automation) and your Tesla to ensure that your car only charges when excess energy is being generated by your solar panels.
Current Status: Beta Testing (Contact Jim if you want to be a beta tester)
Additional Info
Suncatcher Technical info: Blog posts
Suncatcher on GitHub: Haselmaier/Suncatcher
Kathy's Solar Page
Kathy's Electric Vehicle Page
Solution configurations
Suncatcher Basic
Includes: Suncatcher Software v4 Limited Tech Support You provide: Raspberry Pi or PC Eagle-200 |
Suncatcher Pi
Includes: Suncatcher Software v4 Raspberry Pi Limited Tech Support You provide: Eagle-200 |
Suncatcher Complete
Includes: Suncatcher Software v4 Raspberry Pi Eagle-200 Limited Tech Support |
Note: All configurations require the user to be able to run and edit a Python program, set up a Raspberry Pi and connect it to your home network, and set up the Eagle-200 (easy). A utility-provided "smart meter" is required to use the Eagle-200 device. (If you have an off-grid solar system, contact Jim.)