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An emonBase is a web-connected base-station that receives energy monitoring data from the emonTx and posts to a remote or local server for web-based logging and visualization. This server could be an installation of emoncms or a service like Pachube.

Nanode RF

As of December 2011 we will be using the NanodeRF board as an emonBase. The NanodeRF was designed by Ken Boak with design input from OpenEnergyMonitor developers. The Nanode RF has been designed to  work perfectly as an emonBase.

Click here for older documentation for using the original Nanode 5 as an emonBase

Hardware

The NanodeRF is an Arduino clone board running at 3.3V with the addition of an ENC8J60 Ethernet controller chip and a RFM12B wireless transceiver module.

The RFM12B wireless module is avaialbe in 3 different ISM band frequencies: 433Mhz (worldwide), 868Mhz (Europe), 915Mhz (USA & Australia only) . The frequency of a module is set in software, for best performance the frequency set should match the intended hardware frequency of the module.

Note: RFM12B modules of the same frequency should be used on the emonTx, emonBase and emonGLCD. Ensure the correct frequency is set in the the Arduino sketch before uploading. 

Nanode RF step-by-step pictorial build guide - thanks to Ian Chilton for compiling

For more information on the NanodeRF see Ian Chilton's Nanode information page. 

Software 

A 5V FTDI cable is required to upload Arduino code to the NanodeRF. The Mini-USB is for 5V power only. 

emonBase Arduino code examples for receiving data via wireless from an emonTx and posting to emoncms or Pachube can be found on the OpenEnergyMonitor GitHub. 

MetPhoto's picture

 I was just about to buy a

Submitted by MetPhoto on Tue, 17/01/2012 - 12:51.

 I was just about to buy a Nanode when I noticed that they are listed (nanode.eu/buy) as being 868MHz while the emonTx is listed as using the 433MHz version (at least on the v1.4 page it is).

Can someon explain this?

 

Thanks

Mark

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glyn.hudson's picture

Re: OpenEnergyMonitor RFM12B frequency

Submitted by glyn.hudson on Tue, 17/01/2012 - 13:48.

We offer both options. Both 433Mhz and 868Mhz can both be used in Europe. 433Mhz can be used worldwide while 868Mhz cannot be used in the US. For more info see: http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/node/271 

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stinor's picture

All OpenEnergyMonitor

Submitted by stinor on Tue, 17/01/2012 - 14:08.

All OpenEnergyMonitor products use the 433Mhz band. I think this is because you're not allowed to use the 868Mhz band outside Europe and it consumes less energy. If you buy a Nanode on this site, you get a 433Mhz version of the RFM12B.

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Larsjo's picture

Setting time

Submitted by Larsjo on Sun, 15/01/2012 - 22:08.

 How do you set the time (hour) if you have to change for winter time/summer time ?

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stinor's picture

parts needed for EmonBase

Submitted by stinor on Fri, 13/01/2012 - 16:30.

Hi, I'm following the excellent step-by-step pictorial build guide but in 'step 13' they use two 3.3v voltage regulators (MCP1702-3302) while there was only one in my package. I first thought this was a mistake but I start to doubt this because also in my second EmonBase kit, there is only one 3.3v voltage regulator present... (the kits are numbered 2051 & 2055). So my question is: which one do I need?

And another thing I would like to know is how you guys power the EmonBase. 

update: No more need to answer this. I ordered 2 big voltage regulators on Ebay and placed them on the board. Everything works fine but it just doesn't look good... ^^

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glyn.hudson's picture

Re: emonBase/NanodeRF kit

Submitted by glyn.hudson on Tue, 17/01/2012 - 13:52.

Just seen your message. I apologise that you were missing a voltage regulator. Glad you got it sorted. We usually power the emonBase with a 5V USB power adapter, make sure you get a good quality one: http://openenergymonitor.blogspot.com/2011/08/not-all-usb-power-supplies-are-created.html

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xotet's picture

Testing Nanode RF

Submitted by xotet on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 17:01.

 

 Well, just builded both emonTX, and EmonBase Kits, and downloaded Firmwares on both, I got this from the serial, It´s working properlly?? Why I have RF fail???

 

 imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/debugz.jpg/

 

 On another hand, can i download Firmware for Pachube with the NanodeRF (With IDE ver 23)

 

  Thanks in advance

 

 

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TrystanLea's picture

Re: testing nanode rf

Submitted by TrystanLea on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 18:58.

Hello xotet, when rf_fail = 0 this means that the rf packet was recieved. If rf_fail = 1 that would be a rf failure. So it looks like RF is working fine for you. However you are getting post fails, it is failing to reach the server. Is that an issue or are you just asking about rf_fail?

We dont yet have pachube firmware, however if you use the ethercard library there is nice pachube example included: 

https://github.com/jcw/ethercard/blob/master/examples/pachube/pachube.ino

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xotet's picture

testing nanode RF

Submitted by xotet on Sat, 07/01/2012 - 13:41.

Hello Trystan, thanks for the info, finally get the nanode working I´m sending values to vis.openergymonitor.org.

 I founded an Issue regarding NanodeRF code stability, It´s getting freezed when failing to connect to server.

 I´m trying to contacto with you via email with no luck

 

 Thanks in advance

 Best regards

 javier

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TrystanLea's picture

Hello Javier, do you find it

Submitted by TrystanLea on Sun, 08/01/2012 - 11:20.

Hello Javier, do you find it freezes on start up? or when trying to get a dhcp lease or dns lookup or after several successfull posts?

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