Wattnode-lcd

Preparing for the Test Run

Assembling Test Run Elements (June 28th)
- Ingredients
  - Computer Power Cable
  - Soldering Iron
  - Junction Bar
  - WattNode Pro w/ 30 volt current transformer
  - Digital Display (preprogrammed for kwh)
  - Connection Rings
  - Spare wire
  - Pliers and Dikes and Roach Clips
  - Itty-bitty-teeny-weeny-green-flat-head screw driver
- What Happened (on the day in question)
  - Recieved detailed insructions from Professor Peck (including emergency CPR procedures)
  - Learned to solder on connection rings and the process of tinning.
  - Cut open black insulation of power cable and attached current transformer (CT) around black wire facing the line side.
  - Chopped power cable in two on the line side of the CT and installed junction bar and spliced in black and white wires to power WattNode.
  - Connected digital display to WattNode (see pic below)
  - Connected CT to WattNode (using a tinned jumper wire to set up the WattNode for 120 VAC)
  - In a wild move of hyper-safety awareness our very own nervous nelly wrapped large amounts of electrical tape around junction bar.

The WattNode/WattsUp? Test Run

It was a dark and relatively quiet and cool evening on Dennis 4th floor. Colin and Ehren started by plugging the WattsUp? device into the powerstrip and plugging the hacked power cable into the WattsUp? and the computer. By organizing the equipment in series, these two strapping lads were able to see if both devices returned the same result.

http://wiki.cs.earlham.edu/images/a/af/Wattupbefore.JPG

from a mess of wires

http://wiki.cs.earlham.edu/images/9/9c/Wattupafter.JPG

to beauty and perfection

As a service to anyone trying to understand what the heck the setup looked like this picture was carefully taken:

http://wiki.cs.earlham.edu/images/7/79/Wattupsetup.JPG