I am hoping someone here might have recommendations for a product that can data log volts, amps, and frequency coming off an AC generator. Ideally, the product would be able to connect to local wifi and transmit the data in real time. If no such product exists then an alternative would be to data log on site and download the data periodically in person.

I thought Fluke Connect would be a good solution, but it seems as though there needs to be a mobile device present near the fluke device at all times. There are some Fluke multimeters that can data log, but wanted to get this communities opinion on possible alternatives.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Budget ?
From where I sit you can do this with a cheap DSO's and a current probe using 2 channels and the frequency can be taken from the voltage or current measurement.
Ideally the DSO would have WiFi connectivity and logging capabilities and ability to access/control the DSO remotely via its webserver.

A decent current probe will add some cost, do you already have one ?

 

Thanks Tautech - I will definitely look into that. I was hoping to find something more readily available and off the shelf. My turn around time is fairly short (1-2 weeks) and my budget is fairly large. Considering I was going to purchase Fluke Connect at $1,000+, anything cheaper is a win.

 

Thanks Tautech - I will definitely look into that. I was hoping to find something more readily available and off the shelf. My turn around time is fairly short (1-2 weeks) and my budget is fairly large. Considering I was going to purchase Fluke Connect at $1,000+, anything cheaper is a win.

RE devices might fit the bill. The EM540 is a very nice up to 3-phase energy monitor device with RS485 MODBUS interface.
https://www.mouser.com/new/carlo-gavazzi/carlo-gavazzi-em5x0-energy-analyzers/
https://www.solar-electric.com/carlo-gavazzi-em540-energy-meter.html

There are various Solar energy monitors that can use this to track and log just about anything you can imagine IRT AC power from the utility, generator or inverter.
One example:
https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Energy_Meter_EM540/en/installation-and-configuration.html
https://manuals.plus/victron-energy/em540-3-phase-energy-meter-manual


Or you could build your own system using the EM540 with a microcontroller running MODBUS. Mine tracks solar energy usage and battery energy levels.



Remote MODBUS wiring to PIC18 controller about 30ft away that logs the data into a simple text file.


https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/...rge-controller-datalogger.194146/post-1829107

 

Thanks Nasaspook. Those options seem to be the solution for real time data. I have not yet looked closely at them, but wondering if any have wifi capabilities and a way to monitor/record remotely.

 

Thanks Nasaspook. Those options seem to be the solution for real time data. I have not yet looked closely at them, but wondering if any have wifi capabilities and a way to monitor/record remotely.

Yes. https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/cerbo-gx

 

Do you know if the EM540 has the capability of measuring frequency? If so, at what range?

 

Do you know if the EM540 has the capability of measuring frequency? If so, at what range?

Yes, it can supply the frequency of 100th of a Hz @ 60Hz (maybe higher resolution 0.001 Hz but that's what I use in my logging program). The line frequency is a 32 integer MODBUS register that you divide by 1000 for the frequency. From 45 to 65 Hz is the device range.

https://www.gavazzionline.com/pdf/EM540_DS_ENG.pdf
Measurement resolution: Frequency 0.01 Hz display, 0.001 Hz MODBUS

From 45 to 65 Hz ± 0.1% rdg
https://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/support/mame/detail.php?id=54

 

Curious why everything has a lower range of 45 Hz. My generator's prime mover (water) can result it moving as low as 20 Hz. Would love to find something that can measure that.

 

Curious why everything has a lower range of 45 Hz. My generator's prime mover (water) can result it moving as low as 20 Hz. Would love to find something that can measure that.

These devices are designed to monitor standard utility frequencies. It might work at 20Hz (with likely some loss of accuracy that can be corrected for) but it's a totally non-standard line frequency that's far out of spec for any normal AC powered device.

A typical 60Hz chart (10S sample rate) of my inverter. It runs a little high usually.