This is a non-programmer’s solution to automating the switching ON of appliances in my home when the power being generated by my Fronius inverter is sufficient to run it. Fronius make it very easy with their browser software settings to trigger 12V ON/OFF events when user-set inverter power generation thresholds are reached
I have just applied the good-ol' KISS principle to the project so there is little complexity in building, operating and maintaining the system. Anyone can reprogram it, disable it, circumvent it, or just use its automatic features as built.
(NOTE - Stage 1 of this project used 240V Sonoff 'Standard' devices and for a range of safety and insurance reasons I have now converted to an all-12V system.)
For around $AU100 you can build a load management control box linked to your Fronius inverter that can remotely turn appliances ON and OFF automatically, plus a range of other features.
Some reasons for undertaking this project and using the elements within it include:
I wanted a simple way to Automatically turn appliances ON/OFF - IF the required amount of power is being generated.
(you need to test your own appliances – but I was surprised that my older ‘dumb’ washing machine and dish washer remember their program many hours after being switched off. That means you can start their cycle, turn them off and they will re-start their cycle once power is automatically turned ON)
Appliances can be set to operate the night before or early morning and will turn on when the required level of watts are being generated.
Make it easy for any appliance user in the house to quickly and simply determine the level of power being generated and what appliance(s) they can use – without referencing a computer - or outside the house to check the inverter.
No programming skills required by using the eWelink app that has highly reliable switching, conditional control logic, scheduling, timers and inching features built-in - that does everything very simply ‘out-of-the-box – anyone can simply set the conditional logic, etc, so everything operates seamlessly and very reliably.
Be able to control all Sonoff devices using Google Assistant.
The ability to interrogate Sonoff devices via Google Assistant to indicate the actual available power being generated in order to check if the appliance Sonoff switches are showing a FALSE-POSITIVE ON status’ some time after the initial ON trigger.
Still be able to control devices should the WAN be missing (LAN control is possible via eWelink).
Simple to reinstate everything back to original safely (12V) and very quickly.
For clearer pictures, click... 'HERE'
The System Block Diagrams
An Overview of How the Various Systems Interact
Very clever idea. I’m keen to give this a go. I’m thinking that instead of directly turning on the device, creating a small display or perhaps just 4 lights or LEDs that illuminate when each threshold is met. For instance my Wife does like leaving the water turned on to washer all night as we’ve had leaks before. This way she can just check the display or lights and know when appliances can be used. Thanks so much for the detailed write up. Cheers, Chris.
great project - nicely written up -> will try and duplicate