Wattson - is it wireless?

ely_ellis

Hi all,

I got a Wattson monitor last year, quite cheap.
It's not that accurate, but does give a good indication of what is comming in, spare and going out.
I read that it can be wirelessly connected to an online monitor system (can't remember which), but you need the necessary hardware connected to your home broadband and an account with them.
My Wattson sits in the kitchen and my computer is upstairs, so to connect and download the data I have to unplug it and take it upstairs to connect it up. Such and easy task but I mostly forget and as a result I have large gaps in data.
So....
Firstly, does Wattson have built-in wifi, bluetooth or other wirless connectivity or does it require a 3rd party add-on.
Secondly, if it can be wireless, anyone know if I can wirelessly connect it to my computer so I can read the data every time the computer is turned on, then I will never forget!
Does anyone have any good source of information for the Wattson or useful links / tips they could share.
Thanks

EricMears

It is wireless though doesn't alas seem to be compatible with a normal WiFi network.

'Holmes' will download data continuously and display it on your computer screen. But (i) Wattson - Computer needs to be a USB connection (though you might get away with a very long cable) (ii) Wattson was only downloadable from the Energeno website : I don't think that's still working although a version does still seem to be available from http://holmes.software.informer.com/ (N.B. I haven't tested the link and have absolutely no idea whether it is a genuine copy or one that's been mucked about with)..

I've just checked my computer and I do still seem to have the Wattson installer programme & manual in my downloads folder. Can email you a copy if you give me address.

Pleased to see your remark about not being all that accurate. There are some people who swear it's 100% reliable but I'm in your camp

ely_ellis

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the offer but I already have the software 'Homes' installed on my computer.
It's just the fact that I have to 'drag' the Wattson upstairs to connect it up. (Yes, I know, its not exactly difficult and I'm just lazy:rotfl:).
It would be nice to get some more technical information on the Wattson, to be able to connect it wirelessly to my computer would mean I could get the data at least daily and also upload it to various monitoring sites (free ones of course).
I do upload my Solaredge data to some sites, but that only shows generation!
I also managed to get the latest firmware for the Wattson and the program to flash it if you're interested. Can't notice any difference from before though! Not sure which version it is, but can check if you want.
(EDIT)
Just looking on the internet and come across 'Wattson Anywhere' site which metiions something called an ' Optismart Gateway'. Any ideas anyone?


Cheers

EricMears

ely_ellis wrote: »

Hi Eric,

It's just the fact that I have to 'drag' the Wattson upstairs to connect it up.

Then you need a longer USB cable.

5m ones are readily available or you can get special ones for even longer distances. You really ought to be able to work out a route from an upstairs room to a downstairs one that's less than sixteen feet long (maybe you could move location at one or both ends ?)

OR, you could connect up something like an Arduino or RaspberryPI next to Wattson then communicate from that to your PC via a WiFi network ?

legoman62

ely_ellis wrote: »

Hi all,

I got a Wattson monitor last year, quite cheap.
It's not that accurate, but does give a good indication of what is comming in, spare and going out.
I read that it can be wirelessly connected to an online monitor system (can't remember which), but you need the necessary hardware connected to your home broadband and an account with them.
My Wattson sits in the kitchen and my computer is upstairs, so to connect and download the data I have to unplug it and take it upstairs to connect it up. Such and easy task but I mostly forget and as a result I have large gaps in data.
So....
Firstly, does Wattson have built-in wifi, bluetooth or other wirless connectivity or does it require a 3rd party add-on.
Secondly, if it can be wireless, anyone know if I can wirelessly connect it to my computer so I can read the data every time the computer is turned on, then I will never forget!
Does anyone have any good source of information for the Wattson or useful links / tips they could share.
Thanks

I'm using the energyhive hub, and have both the Wattson and energyhive dashboards which can be viewed remotely.

https://www.energyhive.com/content/products

You can buy elsewhere slightly cheaper....not sure about support tho:D

ely_ellis

EricMears wrote: »

you could connect up something like an Arduino or RaspberryPI next to Wattson then communicate from that to your PC via a WiFi network ?

That is a possibility I suppose.
Already have long USB cables, one passive and one active but without drilling holes in my celing it's a long way round.

Was hopeing someone would know a way of communicating wirelessly. Maybe a USB to Bluetooth adapter, one that doesn't need software that can plug directly into the USB socket on the Wattson then. (Probably just answered my own question).