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The Origins

OurCoolHouse

Legacy Setup
For early adopters.

Store! You call this a store?

OK, I'm not a big-time manufacture with a giant distribution system.  But I do believe in providing a quality product that performs as expected.  If you're not sure what you need, you should call or email me (see my info at the bottom of the page).

I've tried to provide a wide range of options below, and if I don't have what you need, I can probably tell you where to get it.  If you are a DIY Dude, just get the bare minimum WEL and build your network from scratch, otherwise the WEL Starter Kit may be the best for you.  One great thing about the Web Energy Logger (WEL) is that you can be as self sufficient as you want when it comes to doing it yourself. 

All the software you need comes included with every WEL.  This includes the monitoring software on the WEL, and an account on the WELServer.com website for display and logging purposes.
 

Here are the options and prices. Click any image for an enlargement.
WEL Starter Kit Enc. (p/n WEL-SK-ENC)
This is for someone who wants a turn-key monitoring system.  This includes the WEL 3.3 board (WEL) in a transparent enclosure with a plug-in power supply (WEL-PWR).  It also includes 10 Encapsulated Temperature Sensors (TSENSE-ENC) and 40 feet of 24AWG twisted triad wire (BUS40-24AWG) suitable for the 1-Wire bus.  Each of these components are describe below with any associated documentation.  

All you need is a CAT5 cable to plug the WEL into your Local Area Network.

Price: $525 each (+ tax in MD)   (Best value with a $25 saving)

The WEL (p/n WEL)
The bare minimum WEL purchase is just the WEL 3.3 board mounted in a custom transparent enclosure.  You don't need to purchase anything else from me.  I'll show you exactly what else you need to build your system, from wiring, to temperature sensors and Watt meters.   The WEL will come fully programmed and ready to post data.  

 Download the User Manual, or view the schematic P1, P2

Price: $375 each (+ tax in MD)

WEL Power Supply (p/n WEL-PWR)
This is just a simple "Wall Wart" that has the correct voltage (9V) and current  (600mA) for the WEL.  The plug has been trimmed off and the wires are exposed for immediate attachment to the WEL.
Price: $10 each (+ tax in MD)
40' Bus Wire 24 AWG (p/n BUS40-24AWG)
Three solid-copper 24AWG wires have been twisted together to make a 1-Wire bus that's well suited to the harsh conditions in a utility room.  This thinner bus is suited to the smaller telecomm T-Splices supplied with the Encapsulated Temperature Sensors (below).
In addition to the standard black and yellow bus wires, a red wire is also included for future expansion, to provide the power that some sensors require.

Price: $15 each (+ tax in MD)
Encapsulated Temperature Sensor (p/n TSENSE-ENC)
This NEW factory-Encapsulated temperature sensor is much more compact than my previous home-made one. The face of the sensor itself is exposed through an opening at the front of the housing so it's also great for sensing air temperatures. The sensor has 24" flexible 24 AWG leads attached which enable it to be located in small places (like inside an existing thermostat housing). Small telecomm Tap-Splices are supplied with the sensor to easily add it to an existing 1-wire bus without stripping or soldering. Anyone using these sensors should order the thinner 24 AWG bus wire (above).
NOTE:  See my instructions for installing these new sensors.
Price: $15 each (+ tax in MD)
CR Magnetics: Current Switch (p/n CR9321-NPN)
This item is an isolated current sense device, which can be used with the WEL Run Monitor inputs to sense when an HVAC device has been activated.  It's ideal for circulator pumps, GSHP's, heater elements and any device that draws more than 300 mA.  You just slip the Current Switch over one of the device's power conductors and connect the red and black wires up to the WEL.  The WEL can display if the device is on or off, and it can record the number of hours that the device is active each day and month. 

Price: $22 each (+ tax in MD)

1-Wire 8 Channel Thermostat Monitor. (p/n WEL-HVAC8S)
This board can be used to monitor up to eight 24 vac thermostat signals.  All 8 inputs are optically isolated from the 1-wire bus, and each other.   The WEL will register a '1' state when 12-24 vac is present across a pair of input screw terminals.  Each input draws only 10mA from the 24 vac signal line it is monitoring.  This board does NOT generate the 24 vac, it simply monitors an existing control signal.  An input might be connected across the C and Y1 lines of a HVAC unit's controller board to detect a Low Cool call.

The board provides a pass-through for the 1-wire bus, and it's parasitically powered from the bus, so no external supply is required.  (schematic)

Price: $65 each (+ tax in MD)

1-Wire Remote Current Switch (p/n WEL-CS)
This item combines a CR Magnetics' current switch with one of my 1-wire Remote Run Monitor module.  This enables you to monitor the operation of devices via the 1-Wire bus, without having to run lots of individual wire pairs.  Just string one long 1-wire bus, and attach these current switches where you need them.  The picture shown here is before the final heat shrink is added to the 1-Wire Remote Monitor module.

Price: $40 each (+ tax in MD)

1-Wire Remote Run Monitor. (p/n DIGIN-RTI)
This tiny module can be used to read any contact closure (or optical switch) and feed the open/closed status onto the WEL's 1-wire bus.  This means you are not limited by the WEL's 8 on-board run monitor inputs.  You can add as many inputs as you like, wherever you like.  The Ready To Install (RTI) version of this board comes with two pairs of wires attached.  One black/yellow pair is used to connect to the 1-wire bus, and the other black/red pair is used to connect to the switch to be monitored.  The module is sealed using Heat-Shrink. (schematic)

Price: $20 each (+ tax in MD)

DIY Temperature Sensors (p/n TSENSE-5DIY)
These are raw un-mounted DS18B20-PAR or DS18S20-PAR temperature Sensors ICs.  If you have plenty of time and a steady hand, you can wire and mount these sensors yourself.  Build you own custom temperature probe.    Note: these are the Parasite-Power version of the chips that only require two terminals to be connected. (Call if you need to know which sensor I'm currently shipping: 301-387-2331)
Price: $20 for a pack of 5 sensors (+ tax in MD)
DIY 1-Wire Remote Run Monitor. (p/n DIGIN-DIY)
This tiny module can be used to read any contact closure (or optical switch) and feed the open/closed status onto the WEL's 1-wire bus.  This means you are not limited by the WEL's 8 on-board run monitor inputs.  You can add as many inputs as you like.  The Do It Yourself (DIY) version of this board has no wires attached, so soldering skills are required.  The photo shows a strip of 10 boards. (schematic)

Price: $14 each, or $120 for 10 Units (+ tax in MD)

Add an extra $20 for Shipping to Canada.
The US Postal service charges extra to ship priority mail to Canada, plus I have to insure international shipments. Just click this button once if you want to take delivery in Canada. It adds $20 to whatever your normal shipping charges would have been. (Delivery in 4-7 days)
Add an extra $30 for Shipping to the European Union.
The US Postal service charges extra to ship priority mail to the EU, plus I have to insure international shipments. Just click this button once if you want to take delivery in the EU. It adds $30 to whatever your normal shipping charges would have been. (Delivery in 5-10 days)

Please call or email me for information, availability or to place an order. You can download this spreadsheet for a printable price list.

I currently accept Check or Paypal.

Phil Malone aka: Mr. OurCoolHouse.com  
Phone: 301 387-2331 (9:00am to 9:00pm Eastern Time)
Email: webmaster(at)OurCoolHouse.com  ...Replace (at) with @ 
US Mail: PO Box 501
Mc Henry, MD, 21541
Shipping: 124 Cherry Heights Lane
Mc Henry, MD, 21541

Note: I'm trying to make it possible for people to build their own monitoring systems without requiring a lot of nitty-gritty technical knowledge, but I am expecting the average user to be somewhat technical, with an eagerness to learn more about their particular system.  This is consistent with what I've discovered when dealing with people on my site.  The ones considering energy efficiency, or alternative technologies are often willing to get a bit more "involved" with the process.  And it pays off in the end.

So, if you're considering installing a Web Energy Logger in your new home or business, feel free to call or email me to discuss your thoughts.  It's easy enough for me to ask you a few questions on the phone and help you assess your need, rather than you having to figure it all out for yourself.  It also helps me to be able to predict likely orders, and make sure I have stock on hand. 

Phil.


The Web Energy Logger is an Internet Appliance that monitors a 1-wire sensor network, and posts live data to a web site for display and analysis. The WEL was designed for people interested in monitoring the energy distribution of their own homes or businesses. For more background, visit the WEL homepage.
©2008 Phil Malone - - www.OurCoolHouse.com