[colinosj]

I've just bought a Owl energy monitor and the usb software for monitoring usage. The software is rubbish, does anyone know of an alternative software that can ne used in conjunction with the Owl system.

I agree, it really is shocking (had I known I definitely wouldn't have bought the USB connect).

The live usage being limited to a span of 2 minutes is pathetic (I want 10 or 30 mins or, better still, user settable) and the software is not exactly "intuitive".

I can never get it to connect and have difficulty telling when it finally does actually make the connection. There is no way I am going to go outside to the electric box and push the "Check" button every time I want it to work (which seems to be the suggestion built into the software)!

[johnrevill]

Ditto - I wouldn't have paid money for this if I'd known how poor the software is...

Interestingly, I was just go to see if there was any new developments happening with it on the official OWL site forums but they seem to have disappeared??

[johnrevill]

I found an old link: OWL | Forum • Index page

But the forums have been locked: OWL | Forum • View topic - The Forums Have been Closed and Locked

However, see the last post here: OWL | Forum • View topic - OWL USB Connect

There is talk of updated software and also an API. I'm emailing them now to find out more...

This my first post on AV Forums so Hello to everyone.

I have just been bought an OWL USB Connect and like everyone else is saying, it really isn't too good in terms of software design. I got in touch with OWL and they got back to me very quickly with an e-mail saying that the forums had been closed (I wonder why?) and an attachment with the API (the full source code) to get started with your own front-end design. Now I'm no programmer, but with the help of Google I managed to compile the source code and get the results that the instructions from OWL said I should.

I have a friend who is a .NET programmer and I am trying to persuade him to help me out programming something a bit more intuitive and user friendly. If I get anywhere with this little project I'll post here and let you know.

Andy

[Tommo25]

Hi, didn't do any searches before ordering the OWL USB connect, am now stuck with a pretty but useless device. 2 mins logging - big wow!

Did you get anywhere with your API?

Thanks,

Glyn.

Hi Tommo25,

Yes managed to get my brother-in-law interested. He's shown me how to tweak it to output to a text file and to a Google Chart. Google Charts (Google it!) come in all shapes and sizes, but he's used the line graph and made the API generate an output to show usage over time and not just two minutes either.

Now I don't know much about programming and when I get more time to play with it, I will. But just looking for the Google Charts has thrown up a very exciting looking project from Google. Have a look at this

Google PowerMeter

I don't think they do it for the Owl yet, but I would think that a little bit of pressure in the right places might yield some good results.

Best regards,

Andy

Apparently the API does not work with Windows 7 and an API release is due at the end of the month (end of May?) to enable use with Windows 7 & Home Server (according to OWL support).

Also this maybe of interest ...

electricowl
Log data from your OWL energy monitor on your PC via a USB connect device

electricowl | Get electricowl at SourceForge.net

It did not work for me but then I have Windows 7 ...

Originally Posted by Slyatslys

It did not work for me but then I have Windows 7 ...

The "electric owl server" was easily fixed by recompiling for a 32 bit environment. I have the server and client running under my 64 bit Windows 7 and am happy to send you the server (which is all you need) by email. Its only 13 kb when compiled so tiny! It looks like the api.dll file is 32 bit only and the application was compiled to assume that any 32 or 64 bit environment was OK. Setting the application to know the dll was 32 bit only solved the issue. The 32 bit dll file runs just fine under Windows 7 x64.

I have my OWL posting my energy use to my always on home server, through which I have set up an external port and can watch my power consumption from anywhere on the planet.

Cool

That would be great!

Thanks for sending that through.

[nieldm]

Would there be any chance of emailing me the compiled server executable as well, please? It would be very much appreciated!

Many thanks
Marc

[PJB3683]

If possible would there be any chance of emailing me the compiled server as well, please? It would be very much appreciated, as the supplied software fails to work.

Philip

[neilh57]

Like the others, could you also email the compiled server and any instructions I might need to get it all flying.

Thanks in advance

[Barsteward]

Wish I had researched this subject earlier, would have saved me hours of messing around.
Like everyone else it would be much appreciated if you could mail me the server



les@thewoodpecker.org.uk

Thanks in advance

[NikB]

Please could you email me the software too. Thanks.

[Nightcustard]

I would be very grateful if you could also post me the compiled Win 7 code....

[timothytim]

This page has a download for Win7. Also has a link to the full API, but it is not working.

http://mclear.co.uk/2010/05/10/lates...nect-software/

[darf]

We develop the Adroit industrial SCADA/HMI and would like to develop driver to M160 for the software. Can someone send it to be. Our software is a Windows application.

[sharger]

Looks like smart metering roll out is coming to the UK very soon... Smart Metering | Smart Meters | Compare Gas and Electricity Prices ... so is there any need to pay out for energy monitoring software or am I missing something?

[sjpt]

I agree the software is poor. (I guessed it might be; most niche hardware vendors produce rubbish software). I contacted OWL and got quick response: with a pointer to their API, which I couldn't get to recognize my device; and to third party electricowl (mentioned above), which I got to work after a little fiddling. That does not do what I want, but could for a good basis for it.

No comment from OWL about my comment they should have a forum. Nor did they mention that they had had one and killed it!

At least the CM160 logs the per minute data even when the computer is not logged in. The standrd OWL supplied driver service (eg C:\Program Files\2SE\The Owl\theowl_be.exe) saves this cumulatively in an SQLite database (eg C:\ProgramData\2SE\be.db). If you are happy with analysis of per minute data rather than the more detailed realtime data, you could run the service but not the GUI, and then have a standalone program with an SQL->graphics/analytics bridge. If I get time I may write such a program; if so I'll post here.

There must be a generic SQL->graphics/analytics bridge out there somewhere, but I can't find it? Any suggestions?

[fabd]

hi everybody,

first message on this forum... I found the thread interesting, and i tried electricOWL, but doesn't work.

After installation, OWL Server start, but CM160 Server is looking for the USB adapter on COM3 and doesn't found it...

I tried to kill process, plug/unplug the adapter as i read in the forum, but still doesnt work...

Does anyone have an idea ?

Java and framework 4 are present and the OWL software is working fine, but like sjpt says, its really poor...

THANKS for your help !!!

[rfmoore]

Similar problem to FABD's post#22 my owl is setup on COM10 however CM160 server looks for it on COM3 which is in use on my 32bit win Vista machine. I am only just computer literate. Is there any way I can change the COM port for which CM160 is serching from 3 to 10?

[fabd]

Are you sûre you have an owl cm160?
It was my problem. I have a cm120 instead of cm160.

[rfmoore]

I think it is it's marked as part number cm160 did you solve your prolem with the cm120?

[fabd]

No. I m waiting for my cm160

Does the 2se software works for you?

[rfmoore]

Yes but it only saves the 2 minutes data shown I cant seem to save any more.

[Leightong]

Originally Posted by smbunn

The "electric owl server" was easily fixed by recompiling for a 32 bit environment. I have the server and client running under my 64 bit Windows 7 and am happy to send you the server (which is all you need) by email. Its only 13 kb when compiled so tiny! It looks like the api.dll file is 32 bit only and the application was compiled to assume that any 32 or 64 bit environment was OK. Setting the application to know the dll was 32 bit only solved the issue. The 32 bit dll file runs just fine under Windows 7 x64.

I have my OWL posting my energy use to my always on home server, through which I have set up an external port and can watch my power consumption from anywhere on the planet.

Cool

I have also been using Electricowl for some time now, and find it adequate for my needs. To be able to monitor remotely from my iPad though, I have to use RDP. It would be cool to be able to setup some kind of web interface that shows the real time stats or better still, an IOS app. Any keen programmers out there?