DAQEMON

Data Acquisition Application for Open Energy Monitor CMS

Introduction

DAQEMON is an application running on an OpenWRT router or access point, collecting data from MODBUS-enabled electicity meters, and sending the data to a server, hosting an EmonCMS.

DAQEMON comprises of a service and a web-based user interface, integrated into Luci - the default OpenWRT's user interface

Requirements

To use DAQEMON you need the following:

1. an OpenWRT router or access point with a free USB port (for other OS options please refer to Other OS below)
2. a USB-RS485 converter
3. a MODBUS-enabled electricity meter
4. an account on an EmonCMS instance

Installation

Hardware installation

1. Follow the instructions provided with your electicity meter for proper installation and MODBUS connection
   ⚠ Ensure you read and follow all safety precautions written there
2. Use a twisted pair wires or CAT3/CAT5 cable for MODBUS connection
3. Connect the other end of the MODBUS wiring to USB-RS485 converter
4. Plug the USB-RS485 converter into the USD port on your router

Software installation

DAQEMON is available as a ipk package and is installed with the OpenWRT's package manager.

Installation with the web UI

1. Download package from this link to your PC
2. Login to your router (further referred as http://router/)
3. Select menu item System > Software or navigate to http://router/cgi-bin/luci/admin/system/opkg
4. Click button Update Lists... and wait till all the package lists are downloaded
5. Click button Upload Package... and select the downloaded DAQEMON package
6. Click Install on the next screen

Command line installation

1. Login to your router via SSH or serial console
2. Execute the following commands:
   # opkg update
# opkg install https://github.com/hutorny/download/raw/master/luci-app-daqemon_git-21.290.63317-e33393e_all.ipk
   

DAQEMON Configuration

Initial Setup

1. Select menu item Daqemon > Setup or navigate to http://router/cgi-bin/luci/admin/system/opkg
2. Check if the MODBUS settings are correct for your electricity meter and adjust if necessary
3. Click Find first button to search for the connected device. If you have more than one MODBUS device connected, use Scan instead.
4. Wait till the scan completes
   Alternativelly, you may enter all MODBUS slave IDs manually, for example: 7 9 66
5. Enter the server's URL and API key, click Save
   The API key is available from your account page in EmonCMS. If you do not have an account yet, you may sign on using the Register button
   If the URL and the API key are valid, the server version will be shown below the API key text box
6. Select Daqemon (if available) or Default device profile
7. Come up with a node ID and a name that will identify this DAQEMON instance and enter them in the Node ID and Name text boxes
8. Click button Create Node
   If everything is correct, the Save button will change its title to Next
9. Click Next to continue with the configuration

Configuration

1. Open the configuration page by selecting Daqemon > Configuration (if not forwarded from the Setup page)
2. Select the deivce model (if your model is not listed you may try GENERIC)
3. Come up with a device name and enter it
4. Select inputs to collect
5. If necessary, change inputs' attributes: polling interval, QoS, tag
6. Click Update button and confirm the actions execute on the server
7. Click Save & Apply

Supported device models

• GENERIC¹
• DDM18SD
• DTS6619
• DTS238-4
• DTS238-7

¹ GENERIC model reads a float32 value from address 0x40100 (function code 04)
Consult you meter's manual to decide if your meter is compatible with the GENERIC model.

Other OS

DAQEMON service may also run on a Linux computer. This, however, requires manual installation and configuration.