Ive got an idea to use the Arduino to upload Solar panel usage data (from Sonny Beam device) to my ISP hosted website via FTP, so I can view the data from anywhere.
The Sonny Beam is has a USB interface, and I need to connect to my wireless router via Wireless Ethernet.
Im a relative newby, so what do I need ?
Here's my thoughts ...
Harware requirements :
Ardiono Dela
Wireless 11G/b ethernet shield (which one, any recomendations ?) or Ethernet shield (to connect to router)
Software requirements :
Serial for USB capture of the Sonny Beam device information
Poll serial device for new data on a time (daily or weekly etc), or on output from Sonny beam
FTP library to upload data directly to file via Ethernet
Any ideas comments or suggestions gratefull received...?
I assume you would want the Arduino to act as the USB host controller, in which case you probably need to add a shield for that.
Will you be powering this from the solar panel? Does it provide enough power to support all this hardware 24/7? It would be ironic if your monitoring system consumed more power that the panel produced.
Im not sure what you mean by host controller - I am making an assumption the Sunny Beam can simply be polled via the Arduino USB port periodically. If thats the case, then I only need an Ethernet or wireless shield to connect to the router and some FTP library to send the data to the ISP website.
I am expecting to power the arduino separately - but it could be powered from the USB of the Sunny Beam (although I need to check the specs)... and no - the solar panels on the house generate about 3Kw even at this time of year!
