Once the measurement has been completed, the data will be sent to an ESP32 -MicroController, a cheap component that costs around € 10, which is often used in home automation. Buhart has installed a web server on this microcontroller to record historical data.
The equipment is controlled by small electrical components such as Triacs or Solid-State Relays (SSRs), used as very fast switches. The choice of the component depends directly on the power to be controlled – in general between 2 and 3 kW for a boiler, but there is no specific upper limit. “It is essential to select the right current and to think about integrating a good cooler,” Buhart explained. For a boiler of 3 kW, for example, it is recommended to use an SSR of 60 Ampien and to adjust the power accordingly. All these recommendations, including selection of components, precautions for assembly and concrete examples, are clearly detailed on the project website.
For control, Buhart preferred to use the “multi -sine” and “sinus train” approaches instead of traditional sinusoidal cutting extraction, which tends to create interference on the network. The first includes sending only a limited number of complete sinusoids per second, for example one in five to send 20% power), and the latter trusts the sending of continuous sequences during a certain period. The details are also described and available online.
Energy management
To access the data, there is no smartphone app, only a web interface that is accessible from a telephone or computer. The most important information is available in real time, including injected power, consumption and history.
The French engineer also developed a device for a live local display based on a small, 3D-printable box in the form of a small house, which shows the available current in real time. A color code provides fast lecture: red when consumption exceeds production, green when the solar production is excess.
The router management software can be downloaded directly from the F1ATB website, whereby the user connects the router with their computer via a USB port and installs the program.
How did the idea to develop this Doe -the -Supervisor? “After installing solar panels at home, I looked at the technical limitations, and, like others for me, the question quickly arises how I could improve my self -consumption,” Buhart said. “The boiler is in itself a super battery. With the router it can be used during the day and not only during off -peak hours at night.” User requests and the needs of the engineer then dictated the development of the device
In the future, Buhart said that he is working on new developments and configurations for the solar router. If the device were to introduce industrial production, a certification process would be required. Certification is currently not planned.
