ESP32 based Power Measurement Board for my Camper Van - Build and Installation | makermoekoe

This video is sponsored by PCBWay. Get your own prototyping PCBs starting at 5$ here: www.pcbway.com...
The SharedProjects page by PCBWay can be found here: www.pcbway.com...
The VanMeter is a little add on for my camper van for measuring the power consumption of up to four different things. Here I am using it to measure the power of all the loads in my van, the solar panel power and the power of the 230V charger. There is another channel which is currently unused - or as you can see in the end of the video, was used to measure the correct voltage (differential measurement) of the solar panel. Unfortunately I didn't find the solution so far, but I would be happy if you have a hint for me.
There are two more things which I haven't shown in the video. The first thing is that I have used the ESP32Remote ( • ESP32 WiFi remote with... ) as a remote display next to the phone APP. The other thing is that the VanMeter can not only measure power consumption, but also is able to control up to eight different outputs. The pinheader on the right side of the PCB is optimized to be used with one of those eight channel relay boards. These can be used to control lights, outlets, pumps, heater elements or whatever you want. Something like a smartvan.
As you have probably noticed, this build is still a work in progress and some features are not yet implemented. Some other things will be added to this board in the future. So stay tuned!
The APP which I am using here is Blynk: blynk.io
The PokitMeter which I have used in the end of the video can be found here: shop.pokitmete...
I'm on Patreon! Your little help is appreciated a lot! Check it out here: / makermoekoe
Links:
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My camera equipment:
Camera: amzn.to/35sIGeg (*)
Microphone: amzn.to/3aZm2vq (*)
Camera clamps: amzn.to/2zUBYSF (*)
Mini tripods: amzn.to/35vCoe2 (*)
LED panel: amzn.to/35tbgfG (*)
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Music by Joakim Karud (Like a Tulip, Loudness Clarity, If I could I'd, Hold On)

[@ThePaFcio]

All the effort to hide number plates at the beginning to just leave them in plain sight with the drone shoots ;) Nice project nevertheless!

[@makermoekoe]

I didn’t expect that people are watching my videos till the end 😁 thank you!

[@DejanMarkovic93]

Now people can find him and offer a job.

[@MyIgel]

Thats what i thought :D

[@RuhjedVentula]

Reverse psychology

[@simonkufeld7903]

I was really hoping for Hamburg, it would be cool to meet

[@dillanclark864]

I love projects like this. I hope to one day have enough understanding of electronics to be able to produce quality things like this. Great work!

[@dansxmods]

Lovely, so inspiring, would love for you to do a more in-depth demonstration of the esp programming and components used to do the in circuit programming. What programmer you used etc. Thanks for sharing

[@Nickname0135]

If you want to program, you can just use a standard USB-to-Serial converter and pull GPIO0 and enable pin low in the right pattern by hand. Then the chip goes into programming mode and you can start programming.

[@ducki8845]

Hey i still can see your plate number after 11:33. Btw, cool project as always. Keep it up xD

[@makermoekoe]

Wasn’t expecting people who watching my videos till the end ;) Thank you!

[@dougsteel7414]

Excellent. Can you please explain how you connected your Mac to an ESP32 to program it? Some kind of USB-UART bridge?

[@DmitriyKhazansky]

I checked your GH and didn't see any schematics loaded. Any chance you'll be sharing these?

[@nikostrassmair]

I really like this project! Some inspiring new techniques, for example (4:56) using some thread inserts to establish a good power connection. Is it possible to see any schemtics or parts list? Really cannot find the name of your power connector (8:40). 🤙

[@evpart]

ESP32 From china? be careful. but pcb assembly work is good!

[@RakshithPrakash]

Lmao

[@goodstock8888]

1:11 what is product?

[@makermoekoe]

It is an Omnifixo and I‘m in love with it!

[@goodstock8888]

@@makermoekoe OK ! thank you , I will buy it.

[@goodstock8888]

but I don't find where can buy .

[@makermoekoe]

@@goodstock8888 omnifixo.com

[@smart_electronics_il]

@@makermoekoe Strong magnets? I also wanted to buy such a holder, but my country is not on the delivery list ..

[@dibyojyotibhattacherjee4279]

Amazing project man, it could be really helpful, if you could share your electronics journey with us, like how u got started with it, and now where you are... :)

[@JoeRKsChannel]

I love the TagConnect POGO programmers :)

[@EmanueleSpatola]

Amazing project!! What is the programmer with pogo pins you used? did you program the esp32 with uart or jtag?

[@arendwierks4532]

If you have not found the programmer already: it is a connector made by the company TagConnect. I use it all the time, really handy.

[@danilolattaro]

So let me understand: you connected the channel 2 between the solar panel and the MPPT charger? That makes sense if you want to measure the panel voltage, but when using a MPPT that's not really useful info I guess. If you connect the channel between the MPPT charger and the battery, then it will share the ground and you can correctly measure the power really going to the battery.

[@J0hn1o1o]

But If you really need to Know the PV-Panel's Voltage. Why don't you Connect the negative Output of the Solarpanel to the Vans Frame? Or your Common ground?

[@kikihobbyrepair]

Another nice project. I also like designing and building electronics stuff but I still have a lot to learn 🙂

[@TechNick1414]

This is very cool! I love your projects! Well for the solar sensing, two ideas come to mind for me. Hope they help! 1) You could make two inductors or use a transformer to measure the positive and negative lines, and plug it in to the formula for a transformer. Also, factoring in the power loss. Inductors/transformers is my favorite idea. 2) You could setup a voltage divider with a relatively low resistance power resistors with the same resistance, however, I'm not sure exactly how much power that would steal from your system via heat over the resistors. Guess you'd have to calculate it, and see if it's acceptable to you. It could require heatsinks and fans for the resistors possibly. You could apply your sensing to +/- of the resistor not inline with solar line to measure voltage, you'd know the resistance, then you can calculate current. Of course, you'd have to also apply the formula for a voltage divider to calculate the total current. Which should basically just be double if memory serves, assuming you use the same resistor values for both.

[@leonmoto1931]

Cool project, as always. Keep it up!

[@hansmaulwurf8027]

All die Mühe das Kennzeichen beim ersten Einbau zu verdecken und dann sieht man es am Ende im dronen shot

[@alexkck88]

Nice Project! Could you point me to the programmer and needle adapter that you are using? It looks similar to the segger cable (which I have and where I do not want to cut off the retention pins). So a second set without the retention like you use it would be neat (hopefully without the price tag).

[@psvyme48paulh45]

Nice great idea with the iron bro nice van👋👍🙏🇬🇧

[@andreybreski8190]

Вы можете добавить в ваш проект калькуляцию энергетического баланса для батареи. То есть, условно на выходе из батареи вы потребили 300 Ватт энергии, а за тот же период из солнечной панели и зарядного устройства в батарею вернулось 290 Ватт энергии. Баланс составит -10 Ватт.... ;)

[@johnthompson3643]

Wow! Super talented

[@Tobele91]

How are you measuring higher currents like 30A from a charging booster or solar power? I would have assumed that there has to be an external shunt and something like a INA226.

[@wildad3850]

Use ACS712 hall effect sensor.

[@jigotai9407]

please link this orange pcb holders

[@saadtiwana]

Very nice video. Thanks for sharing. What is the name for the in-circuit programming cable you used? Tag-Connect?

[@TecSanento]

I was about to start Something similar, but you should definitely add some switching capabilities and we could program some energy management into this, like turn the water heater on, when there is access energy- check if the inverter is about to overload an empty battery or alternator and soon - I would definitely help with that

[@TecSanento]

I would go as far as calling this a smart camper, add some illumination sensor, motion sensor temperature and humidity probes and you could automate some serious stuff 👍🏻

[@TecSanento]

Yeah, just read the video discription, you are already halfway through 👌🏻

[@Quemedices684]

I agree, My daughter has a van and I want to build a PLC to avoid deploying the LiPo battery, charging at freezing conditions, switch the inverter on only when needed (I.e. fridge thermostat). Instantaneous power metering is important, but actual SOC is even more

[@letsmakeit1973]

Great video. I didn`t think that somebody interesting in this theme. 21V - it`s no load voltage. While charging the battery, the charge controller regulates the voltage so 13V is correct voltage if you measure load voltage. I did the same - measuring current and voltage but I calibrate this measurement, cause it strong depends of the temperature of PV panels. I used prepared parts based on Arduino platform.

[@lightdark00]

Yep, The only thing that really matters is how many amps you are getting from the solar panel(s). If you see a low amount on a sunny day, something needs to be fixed.

[@letsmakeit1973]

@@lightdark00 Yes, you are right, only amperes are important, I have two panels that give out 11 amperes on a sunny day - this is the maximum that they can give. But to calculate the power, you also need to measure the voltage. Or do you mean to take the open circuit voltage when calculating the power?

[@robertneumann9352]

21V is under load! I think this is a MPPT Solar Charger, so the voltage can go from 0-21V, but i wouldn’t be interested in that either. The output is what counts 😉

[@AlanGonzalez-om4rr]

@@robertneumann9352 Quite late, but I guess he's interested on the input to know if the panels for example are dirty.

[@julesd]

this is really really cool, mate... I also have a vw camper (mine is a type 2) and I also put an ESP in mine, but I used an ESP8266 and it went in my dashboard with a screen as an instrumentation display. I hooked up GPS and a few other bits and pieces, but there is tons more i would like to add to it... a few voltage readings like yours (i have liesure battery as well as normal batter and solar too) I am nowhere near ready to build a board with SMC yet, but watching your videos makes me bother braver and inspired. Keep it up, and please, if you have a built version of this you want to sell, please give me a shout.

[@simonkufeld7903]

that’s the most professional work I have seen anywhere in youtube so far

[@shidasheran]

Hello my friend..it's great work...brother, I made a Solar MPPT device that supports all systems 12 24 36 48 volts...159 Amp Hybrid, but I need such a device to read all commands...Is this device suitable? for the task

[@tilencavnicar6052]

Great work man! Can you make one video about you programing pins (seen on 8:25) and where did you found this? I'm looking for something like that for my designs to make a universal pinout for programing ESP32 and STM32 and don't have to place FTDI chips on every PCB or make costume swd connectors. Thanks!

[@wichuras]

Negative output (unused) of charge controller is same as GND of car battery. Solar charge controllers like this are switching low side, and don't have connection betwen solar negative and chage negative. when you connect it (solar panel negative) to PCB negative, whitch have same reference ground as battery - solar controler propably will have a hard time, and u risk overpowering a lead acid battery. even 16,5V will it handle for a while, but rest of connected electronics may not ;) try some other methods for lookup a solar voltage, with galwanic separation on both sides (positive and negative) like a separate module with serial bridge / BLE, or doble optoisolator for serial/I2C and some AtTiny404. Secondary module will be powered from solar panel with some buck converter or linear voltage regulator. just a hint ;)

[@loveboy7639]

How much

[@akthamahmed2171]

Awesome Project and Nice PCB Shape I Loved 😍

[@dnlarts]

Amazing project, wow. We'd for sure like a more detailed version! Keep it up!

[@criznach]

Wow that's great. I have a similar heater and setup in my teardrop. What charger did you use? Inverter?

[@protoTYPElab44]

Cool and awesome , plus the pcb assembly is very neat,

[@marciooliveira8017]

Could you help me with the MLT 5030 buzzer circuit? Which diode you used? thanks

[@OlegShumihin]

unfortunately they stopped blynk support. Thus I lost my money I spent on their Energy and deleted my account. All by subscription now but it was a good idea

[@vladhristov2316]

Amazing job dude!

[@KaloyanDobrev]

Is this a music or electronics video? Not eve a word of explanation?

[@dominicluedicke]

Hey Nice project. Hey, which flash adapter do you use for flashing?

[@dustinmcdermont699]

How much amperage can those tiny little chips take? Goodness sakes not much, don't smoke em

[@RixtronixLAB]

Cool video, thanks :)

[@The4tticuz]

Richtig richtig cool, gefällt mir sau gut! Ich bin auch ein wenig am basteln, das wird aber niemals dieses Niveau erreichen. Magst du verraten wie du die Ströme misst? Die Spannungen wahrscheinlich über einen Spannungsteiler, oder? Viele Grüße und bitte mehr von diesen Videos 😍

[@IngoHerges]

Sieht man im Video. Der IC der an den Terminals sitzt. Acs irgendwas

[@hrb1081]

Da kann man echt neidisch werden wie gut du das kannst!

[@falcon7350]

i have tried to make a order on the webiste but i need to use there Assembly Servic but i dont know the needed info to add in for ordering >> number of parts and so on

[@falcon7350]

so a month letter and no support with this

[@zion2st2.05]

En qué país es eso así me.voy a vivir a ahí acá en Argentina eso es más que imposible ni existen esos componentes electrónico y si los hay tengo que vender el auto para comprarlos, muy buen video.

[@job5049]

Absolut genial! Wirklich schade, dass dazu nichts auf deinem Github erschienen ist. Arbeitest du noch aktiv an diesem Projekt?

[@TheSkualo75]

Hi, I need to contact you for a professional project. Thanks

[@efinandes]

Want to order the PCB, but without BOM it's useless...

[@klausnielsen8607]

You asked for comments for your nice job. Problem concerning measurements of the solar voltage. I wonder if the problem is different GND reference. If so you need to make a galvanically isolated circuit containing ADC and glue logic and transfer the result via optocouplers to your ESP32....? Nice job

[@hitower78]

Gerade entdeckt :-) Interesantes Projekt fürs Auto :-) Was kostet es fertig (ohne 3D Druck?)

[@richardhlavna]

Will it be able to install esphome into the board? Do you have specs on website?

[@Buciasda33]

Use Flux mate... The Amtech stuff is the best, but it's very expensive. I'll search for a better price / performance product, but at the moment we're out of components, so I'll take a year off Electronics Engineering :)

[@HungLe-nj4qw]

hey I love your program connector

[@makermoekoe]

It is a DIY board with a Tag-Connect cable👌🏻

[@ConstantijnC]

Nice project 👍👍

[@grillpig3860]

Könntest du mir bitte die Artikelnummer zu den Tastern geben? Bzw. ein Link wäre auch gut. :D

[@Jindraxx20]

Great video !! And very nice work there !

[@tscherbakow80]

Why don't you hide your license plate on drone shoots? ^-^

[@technicahmett]

It is a good idea and an amazing job.

[@killer_x_treme]

How are you sampling the input voltage? Directly with a microcontroller or did use a buffer amplifier? The PV input will be likely to be very noisy due to the switching of the charge controller. Proper filtering and buffering is mandatory in this case to get a reliable reading.

[@calfolkionized]

Great project! I'm wondering which app is used on the iPhone side? It looks great 👍 Keep up the good work!

[@ThePlexman]

looks like a Blynk app to me

[@calfolkionized]

@@ThePlexman thx!

[@FuzzyScaredyCat]

I know you did this a while ago, but just a quick question. I've had jlcpcb make a couple of boards with smd components before, nothing major, but they've got the option of how many you want them to make eg 2 of 5. for the SMD side. If I order say 2 do they include the cost of the parts to make 5 and send those with the order or do I need to source them myself?

[@TheAzuratis]

I don't know if you found a solution yet, but mine would be an ATtiny directly powered by the solar panels. It reads the voltage and sends it via UART over an optoisolator to the ESP. If the ATtiny does not send data, it's 0 volts. So the ESP only needs to have a timeout on the voltage value for the solar panels. There also should be some brownout protection so that the ATtiny shuts off correctly.

[@Bugdogz]

Just out of curiosity, what are specs of your device? It has 4 channels. What are min/max voltage and amps per channel? Does it work with AC? What is the sensor update rate? Thank you.

[@sporkeh90]

This is very much fun for us PCB nerds, but to be honest we are all kinda reinventing the wheel here. Its the only thing Im less enthusiastic about in the maker community.

[@terlumunjoseph6779]

i love your sound tracks whre can i get them to listen

[@michah3956]

Where is schematic? Did you use ina219?

[@apostolhslebakhs3136]

Which programmer is the one you program your system ??

[@syifaul_qolbi8088]

I want to ask, can the esp32 wifi distance be adjusted or shortened from the program? Thank you

[@KloaGustl]

How can I find these little assortment boxes you use for SMD components?

[@MohamedAfzal]

whats the battery voltage and solar panel output voltage?

[@AlexKite68]

Thank you for inspirational video! Please post the link for orange PCB clamps featured at 7:03 - seems they are perfect for soldering.

[@neutron-au]

Hey, what software do you design your PCBs on? Looking for something on mac :) Cheers!

[@davidkclayton]

Watch those lead acid battery especially the deep-cycle ones as they spit out a lot of acid vapor. Nice to see that you have the electronics right beside the vent of the battery. Get back to me in a couple years and let me know what your board looks like. Just speaking from experience

[@TribalDagger413]

Great work! That app for monitoring the power output is nifty too 👍

[@IngoHerges]

Blynk

[@DiyintheGhetto]

Hello what Chip is that on the board for the current metering? The 8pin.

[@reducedlunch2222]

Components? Make sure they can all handle the voltage. Maxed out might actually be trying to tell you it's out of range.

[@BenWard29]

Camper Van Beethoven

[@AdelKhen]

Very cool! :))

[@indrajitdesai7402]

8:18 what is the name of that programmer that you used here ?

[@newsogn5148]

I have been binging your videos I’m very inspired by what your able to make

[@GoatZilla]

Did you ever look at any chips like the TPS1HB?

[@bnk28zfp]

can younsell this board to me? thanks!

[@ukraineSpaceman]

Thanks.

[@2903douglas]

Show Man! What a great masterpiece. Congratulations from Brazil!

[@liangstephen2566]

Setting constant temperature furnace at 200℃

[@japrogramer]

How about using collars to measure the em field to determine voltage amps and watts? Is there an advantage to having terminals?

[@kartoffelwaffel]

I watched the entire video waiting for the intro to end

[@smntsn]

Your piece of art deserves at least 50kw of battery. Thanks for the vid :)

[@BeetleJuice1980]

How about a project to take measurements from motor like voltage, rpm,oil&engine temps?

[@muhammadwali101]

Very nice and good work I like the video so much... appreciate you guys

[@em21701]

The threaded inserts into the 3d printed frame is a clever way to make captive nuts for the ring terminals.

[@ZoeyR86]

I built something just like this it's an esp32+io expanders + power monitoring board has 32 outputs and has full control. Of all of them 6 of them have pwm dimming. Interfaces with home assistant everything runs locally in my RV (a 1998 48ft class A pusher fully remodeled bunk slide converted to a work center ) i also used tag-connect cables lol

[@nnighthawk]

Ein sehr schönes und vor allem optisch ansprechend ausgeführtes Projekt! Mir sind im Video deine Platinenhalter aufgefallen, die sowohl waagerecht als auch senkrecht zu funktionieren scheinen. Halten die mit Magneten an der Platte? Magst du verraten, wo du die her hast?

[@lzk3v]

do you hava a smd kit link to share with us

[@1_HighDuke]

3:20 what do you call that type of connector?

[@hermantho828]

I’m looking to learn hardware design and pcb, I wonder how to get start on this?

[@D3M0320]

Did you code the iPhone app yourself as well or use some of Espressifs dedicated tools?

[@acestu]

Nice, you need to calibrate your Ender though as it is under extruding