Tired of AC bricks? Try the DCBuddy

[ashburn2k]

I would remove the photo with power supply, as it gives an impression that this device comes with a power supply. ( some people doesn't read ) TBH I was expecting it come with this power supply until i read the fine print. So you wont need to deal with people who complains later when they got the device without power supply. or put a text next to your photo says power supply not included.

 

[ashburn2k]

Is home assistance feature turned on? I tried to add it in my home assistance app but not seeing the device

 

[theatrus]

Is home assistance feature turned on? I tried to add it in my home assistance app but not seeing the device

It is enabled. If Home Assistant doesn’t somehow detect the devices automatically, try adding them by IP:

Go to Settings -> Integrations -> ESPHome -> Add device. Enter the IP address there.

 

[theatrus]

A quick design overview of the "dumb" hub: multiple inputs all ORed together, with multiple outputs:

The big double-cross things are automotive fuse holders. By far the tallest thing on this board which is a bit unfourtunate. But since I can't depend on the fault current of a single supply (as there are >1), some solution is needed in case something happens.

What this solves:
- Multiple same voltage power supplies for redundancy or more load handling (4 wires to support the HLG-480H)
- Mixing in a 12V battery backup into a 24V/32V system (the OR bridge will prevent it from powering anything) for VorTechs

What it doesn't solve:
- Automatic backup switchover with a 24V battery in a 24V system (the higher voltage battery will first power equipment before the DC supplies)
- Multiple voltages and bridging the CAN bus between them (why this may be needed, stay tuned)

In either case, it's a "simple" device. High current MOSFETs acting as diodes, LM5050 controllers for that, and fuses on each output.

What's next in the R&D department:
- Various adapters as needed (got my 1Link WAV pumps, was going to poke at those soon)
- DCBuddy Intelligent Hub (switchover support)
- DCBuddy Battery (managed battery charger/power converter)
- DCBuddy HD (high current output ports for lights, large pumps)

And one teaser to scratch an itch I had:

A reverse osmosis and auto-water-change refill controller. Automatic flushes, pressure management, and a variety of switches so I can automate refilling my salt water mixing container when it runs dry (and turn off the water change pumps until I reset it and told it I added salt ).

I also have an environmental sensor unit (temp, pH, floats, 0-10V) in the concept phases just to complete the Home Assistant hardware puzzle.

 

[ashburn2k]

maybe diy doser?

 

[theatrus]

I added a DC side transfer switch and dedicated DC power supply. Does the v2 diagram below represent what you're thinking? How is your DCBuddy hub different than the DC Auto Transfer Switch? I'm trying to figure out if I wait for your hub or continue to build out what's in the diagram.

You are filling a hole in the industry with this. Keep up the great work! I was always amazed that Ecotech Marine was about the only company that designed battery backup into the product line. Seems like BRS would have developed an off the shelf system to work with the Apex.

So following up on the 1Link / WAV pumps:

1Link module is roughly as I expected. Some weird stuff happening in here, but the 1Link ports are just pass through. They did opt for PTC current limiting (the yellow flat components, LittelFuse RUEF250). There is a way for the Xmega16 MCU to read the current on each port through a 0.010ohm shunt (though does this actually show up anywhere in Fusion??). Classic Neptune hot glue into the case mounting. DC24 ports are relay controlled.

For the WAV pumps - the peak current I recorded was 1.5A at 100%. These pumps start hard. Steady state swirling water around my garage sink is 1.3A at 100%. So right in the 30-35W envelope. Power supply they ship is 120W. The WAV pumps are also nice about detecting when they're out of the water and shutting down.

Now, the bad news: If Aquabus gets disconnected but power is kept to the pump, no problem the pump keeps on running. If the 24V hiccups for any reason, and there is no Aquabus, the _pump remains off_. I tried setting the advanced options Fallback to ON on the WAV tile, which didn't do anything. Ideally this means any battery backup needs to be able to run the APEX head unit to make sure the pump is pumping if there is any battery switchover glitch (which is bound to happen).

 

[theatrus]

I would remove the photo with power supply, as it gives an impression that this device comes with a power supply. ( some people doesn't read ) TBH I was expecting it come with this power supply until i read the fine print. So you wont need to deal with people who complains later when they got the device without power supply. or put a text next to your photo says power supply not included.

Fixed this photo to be clearer

 

[theatrus]

So following up on the 1Link / WAV pumps:

1Link module is roughly as I expected. Some weird stuff happening in here, but the 1Link ports are just pass through. They did opt for PTC current limiting (the yellow flat components, LittelFuse RUEF250). There is a way for the Xmega16 MCU to read the current on each port through a 0.010ohm shunt (though does this actually show up anywhere in Fusion??). Classic Neptune hot glue into the case mounting. DC24 ports are relay controlled.

For the WAV pumps - the peak current I recorded was 1.5A at 100%. These pumps start hard. Steady state swirling water around my garage sink is 1.3A at 100%. So right in the 30-35W envelope. Power supply they ship is 120W. The WAV pumps are also nice about detecting when they're out of the water and shutting down.

Now, the bad news: If Aquabus gets disconnected but power is kept to the pump, no problem the pump keeps on running. If the 24V hiccups for any reason, and there is no Aquabus, the _pump remains off_. I tried setting the advanced options Fallback to ON on the WAV tile, which didn't do anything. Ideally this means any battery backup needs to be able to run the APEX head unit to make sure the pump is pumping if there is any battery switchover glitch (which is bound to happen).

And in case you’re wondering what nonsense I was referring to, look at D7 and D8 (two exist per 1Link port). Schottky diodes. In anti-parallel configuration. In the 24V line.

It does nothing except waste power. It’s not even giving you reverse protection. They’re not inductive clamps. Or protecting a switch. Or TVS. Literally nothing.

The sense resistor is also a mystery. There are connections back to the MCU but at 10milliohms maybe the XMega didn’t have enough useful gain (claims a 64x PGA) to sense current? Or just decided to never implement 1Link power monitoring. It can’t turn the port on or off so it’s not for overload protection.

Anyway, weird product. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

As for the 1Link adapter, thinking barrel jack power input and the aquabus connector, with the molex output mapped 1:1 (one barrel input to one 1Link). I can map it 2:1 on one port and not exceed 3A, but going 3:1 if you run at 100% will be an issue.

 

[Adamc13o3]

I love this thing! Currently running 2 mp40’s and two vectra S2’s using a 32v power supply. I only ordered 4 cables so I just ordered a few more to add 2 more mp40’s. What a god send. I couldn’t wait to get rid of all those power supplies. Can’t wait until the battery backup option is available for it.

 

[ashburn2k]

so Im looking at the spec sheet, says 10a total, and 3a max per port, and if i run 4 mp40 at 3a each does that mean i can run 3 pump on 1 dcbuddy at most?

 

[theatrus]

so Im looking at the spec sheet, says 10a total, and 3a max per port, and if i run 4 mp40 at 3a each does that mean i can run 3 pump on 1 dcbuddy at most?

Its a bit of a conservative measurement, at least the 10A limit. The 10 pin connector is not the limit, but I haven't done extended stress tests for all scenarios yet, so I set something reasonably safe based on power supplies available. There is no disconnect for being over 10A total, though I wouldn't suggest using a very large power supply (20A+) as the input at this moment.

The bigger limit is per-port current. The current switches and meters burn some power, and running ports at 3A+ actually appreciably increases the heat output. It will self limit, but it limits by turning off the port, which isn't ideal either.

An MP40wqd claims to be 37W at 100%, when run at 32V thats ~1.2A. You could have all 7 ports filled on MP40s at 100%, and be under both limits (per port and total). The HLG-240H power supply will be over limit however, so its realistically 6 pumps max at 100% without moving to a HLG-320H-30A supply.

Realistically you won't be running 7 MP40s at 100%, so the overall power use is lower. You don't want the power supply tripping out if all the pumps coincidentally all hit 100% at the same time though, so plan for worst case if using random flow modes.

Edit: All of this means I should whip together a planning guide for equipment

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

So following up on the 1Link / WAV pumps:

1Link module is roughly as I expected. Some weird stuff happening in here, but the 1Link ports are just pass through. They did opt for PTC current limiting (the yellow flat components, LittelFuse RUEF250). There is a way for the Xmega16 MCU to read the current on each port through a 0.010ohm shunt (though does this actually show up anywhere in Fusion??). Classic Neptune hot glue into the case mounting. DC24 ports are relay controlled.

For the WAV pumps - the peak current I recorded was 1.5A at 100%. These pumps start hard. Steady state swirling water around my garage sink is 1.3A at 100%. So right in the 30-35W envelope. Power supply they ship is 120W. The WAV pumps are also nice about detecting when they're out of the water and shutting down.

Now, the bad news: If Aquabus gets disconnected but power is kept to the pump, no problem the pump keeps on running. If the 24V hiccups for any reason, and there is no Aquabus, the _pump remains off_. I tried setting the advanced options Fallback to ON on the WAV tile, which didn't do anything. Ideally this means any battery backup needs to be able to run the APEX head unit to make sure the pump is pumping if there is any battery switchover glitch (which is bound to happen).

Kinda a bummer, but sounds like you have a workaround with powering the head. I only knew that the pumps will continue to run on whatever setting they were on when disconnecting the aquabus. I never tried disconnecting/reconnecting the power supply with the aquabus disconnected. Glad you caught that. I love these updates as you go along.

 

[theatrus]

Kinda a bummer, but sounds like you have a workaround with powering the head. I only knew that the pumps will continue to run on whatever setting they were on when disconnecting the aquabus. I never tried disconnecting/reconnecting the power supply with the aquabus disconnected. Glad you caught that. I love these updates as you go along.

I enjoy the engineering challenge of doing glitch-free power handover :-D

 

[Adamc13o3]

Why would cause a port to lose power momentarily ? One of my return pumps loses power every now and then.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[ashburn2k]

it might be hitting amp peak at 5A and it will shut off to be safe in case if anything happens.

 

[Adamc13o3]

5a per port or total ? It’s also always shutting the same port.

 

[theatrus]

Why would cause a port to lose power momentarily ? One of my return pumps loses power every now and then.

Thanks,

Adam

Can you check the web interface for this field, which counts the overloads per port:

If it’s tripping that I noticed there is potentially an incorrect threshold in the firmware for detecting overloads.

It should cut out only at 5A+ per port, but may cut out at 4.3. Is this return pump running at 100%?

 

[Adamc13o3]

How do I get to that? This is what I see.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

How do I get to that? This is what I see.

It's in the 2nd screenshot you shared. OCP Count.

 

[Adamc13o3]

They all say zero. What are they supposed to say?