Digital Watt Meter Connected To Microcontroller

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of an educational light bulb display intended to compare the cost-effectiveness of different types of light bulbs (incandescent, high-efficiency incandescent, CFC, and LED). The project involves using a digital watt meter to measure power consumption and displaying the associated costs on an LCD screen, with participants exploring the technical feasibility and potential solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Mickey, seeks to determine if a microcontroller can process readings from a digital watt meter and calculate costs based on a specific formula.
  • Another participant suggests the possibility of using a consumer product to achieve the desired functionality, referencing a specific energy monitoring device.
  • Mickey expresses interest in using a consumer product if it meets the project requirements, questioning its compatibility with the setup of four light bulbs.
  • A later reply indicates that the suggested consumer product can be mounted directly on the device board, although it notes a potential limitation regarding display precision for individual lamps.
  • There is a suggestion to adjust the energy cost calculation to accommodate the precision issue by scaling the cost by a factor of ten.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the best approach to implement the project. There are differing views on whether to build a solution from scratch or utilize an existing consumer product, and questions remain regarding compatibility and precision of measurements.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the precision of the consumer product's display for individual bulbs and the need for further clarification on the integration of the digital watt meter with the microcontroller and LCD screen.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in educational projects related to energy consumption, microcontroller applications, and cost analysis of lighting technologies may find this discussion relevant.

MickeyB@++
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Hello all,

I am currently working on a project for a client in which my objective is to create an educational light bulb display. The purpose of this display is to demonstrate cost effectiveness between 4 different bulbs (incandescent, high-efficiency incandescent, CFC, and LED). Each lightbulb will be connected to a respective rocker to turn it on or off. Furthermore, each lightbulb has been tied to a single digital watt meter so that as you switch on a rocker, the amount of watts actively being emitted are displayed.

The next step is my challenge. What I am trying to accomplish is have a separate LCD screen that will display the costs incurred for using the individual bulb chosen at $0.15/kWh at 3.2 hrs (the average price and time bulbs are used in NY state). Ultimately, I need to figure out a way to use the information that the digital watt meter reads and have it interact with a formula (Cost=(kWh)($0.15)) coded into a micro-controller and display the answer on the LCD screen.

With that being said, is this the correct approach? It is to my understanding that a micro controller must be connected to the LCD screen to display any copy, but is it possible to use the reading from the digital watt meter and input that information into a formula that is coded into a micro controller? and if so, which micro controller and LCD screen combination is required?

*Please note model number for digital watt meter that I have is DS4-B-W

Thank you,
Mickey
 
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Hi Russ,

Thanks for the response! Yes, if there is a consumer product that will do what I am trying to accomplish then I will happily use it.

I did a bit of research on this product, it certainly displays exactly what I want but can it be exclusively connected to my 4 light bulbs on rockers?
 
Yes. It is intended to be installed at an electrical panel, but there is no reason you can't mount it directly on your device board.

One minor limitation is that the display precision is probably too low for single lamps. But you can get around that by multiplying the energy cost by 10 and calling it a 1/10th scale model.
 

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