prpd_usb

Read data of your NEDAP PowerRouter via USB. Current output modules: json on stdout, mqtt and a prometheus exporter.

Tested with

• NEDAP PowerRouter PR37Bi Software version 7.1.2

Support for

• NEDAP PowerRouter PR50SB Software version Unknown
• NEDAP PowerRouter PR37SB

Status of this project

It worked fine, but the Battery of the PowerRouter broke and the whole system will be replaced, so I have no system to test with.

Installing

# install dependencies as root
apt-get install python3 python3-venv

git clone https://github.com/BenediktSeidl/prpd_usb.git
cd prpd_usb
python3 -mvenv v
source v/bin/activate
pip install .

# print data on stdout
prpd_usb -vvv stdout

Deployment

This is just an example how to make use of prpd_usb there are many other ways to visualize the data or install the software

The example assumes a debian installation, for example on a raspberry pi.

# don't forget the install step above!

apt-get install prometheus docker.io

# prometheus setup
cat >> /etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml << EOF
  - job_name: prpd_usb
    scrape_interval: 30s
    scrape_timeout: 20s
    static_configs:
      - targets: ['localhost:9091']
EOF
systemctl restart prometheus
# the target page of prometheus should now show prpd_usb target
# which is currently red, but should get green after the last step
# http://<address of rpi>:9090/targets

# grafana setup
systemctl enable docker
systemctl start docker
mkdir /home/pi/grafana
chown 472:root /home/pi/grafana
docker run \
    -p 3000:3000 \
    --restart always \
    -e GF_SECURITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD=password \
    -e GF_USERS_ALLOW_SIGN_UP=false \
    -e GF_ANALYTICS_REPORTING_ENABLED=false \
    -e GF_ANALYTICS_CHECK_FOR_UPDATES=false \
    -v /home/pi/grafana:/var/lib/grafana \
    -d \
    --name grafana \
    grafana/grafana
# surf to http://<address of rpi>:3000/
# login with user admin and the password above (you should change it)
# configuration -> data sources -> add data source
# choose prometheus; change url to http://<address of rpi>:9090/
# save & test

# prpd_usb setup
cat > /etc/systemd/system/prpd_usb.service << EOF
[Unit]
Description=prpd_usb
StartLimitIntervalSec=0 # always restart

[Service]
Restart=always
RestartSec=20
User=pi
ExecStart=/home/pi/prpd_usb/v/bin/prpd_usb prometheus --prom-bind 127.0.0.1

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target
EOF

systemctl enable prpd_usb
systemctl start prpd_usb

See doc/grafana_dashboard.json for a simple dashboard you can import into grafana. Please note that this dashboard shows the fields of PR37Bi if you use this tool with another model you will have to adapt the dashboard on your own. All fields should start with prpd_usb_.

Updating

cd prpd_usb
source v/bin/activate
pip install .
# as root:
systemctl restart prpd_usb

Development

The USB-Port on the NEDAP PowerRouter, is just a Serial Port in disguise and uses some popular FTDI chip that is recognised by the linux kernel. You can find some information about the protocol here

running faker

Provides sample data to test without an PowerRouter

# new terminal: link tty
socat PTY,link=/tmp/tty10 PTY,link=/tmp/tty11

# new terminal: create fake data
prpd_usb faker /tmp/tty10 PR37Bi

# test prpd_usb
prpd_usb --device /tmp/tty11 stdout

Disclaimer

Use at your own risk!