Skyview/Zigbee Remotes Forum
Posted by Joshua Janes at 6/15/2009 6:58 AM 
Categories: FORUM
Tags: Southwest Windpower Skystream 3.7
Categories: FORUM
Tags: Southwest Windpower Skystream 3.7
Forum area to discuss - Skyview/Zigbee Remotes
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Keep Turning - Skystream 3.7 Wind Turbine Energy Network: Skyview/Zigbee Remotes Forum
Since I asked for this I had better post : )
I have found skyview/zigbee great in terms of the breadth of information it provides with a nice software package to view the information coupled with great logging capability.
Unfortuntely 2 problems too:
1. The range of the system seems quite limited for me. I have the laptop in a house only 30-40 meters away and reception is variable to say the least.
2. The zigbee USB interface seems to get itself in a state sometimes where the only way to get things working again is to unplug the device from the PC. Rebooting doesnt even fix it (I presume because power to the USB is not removed on reboot). This is a problem for me as I use this to monitor my skystream remotely so unplugging is difficult !
Anyone else found these issues ? Any fixes ? I have found that theres some software on the net to reset the power to a USB device which may help but haven't been ablke to try that yet. (UsbReset32.exe).
cheers,
Scott.
Australia.
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Scott: Zigbee has been upgraded once again here in the states within the last month. Look inside of your zigbee receiver box for a small black piece that looks like a small allen wrench or thin paperclip at the top. Also, the antennas for the unit has been upgraded and is larger with purple strips instead of yellow strips. If you don't have these items, contact SWWP.
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I feel like I am dancing through hoops. I had SWWP send me a receiver with the antenna. It did not help. I am one dog that is ready to bite!
My comm goes down within one week. I do not want to reset the system when the wind is blowing; that costs me more money. We need a remote disconnect since Skystream has to be shut down so often.
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Hi Scott,
SWW sent me recently, I assume an upgrated version.
I installed it with proper driver. Everything is OK. except that it refuses to communicate with my Skystream.
I even went outside (down the tower). Nothing. The signal strength is at -102dBm.
What should I do ?
JD
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Scott,
How did you set up remote monitoring with the zigbee? We are setting one up tomorrow and would like to add this option.
Thanks,
Brian
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Hi Guys, I have set up a VPN connection (all cisco routers etc at work, so mega $$$, but it works well ) on my laptop to connect to work place. When I have the VPN running (logged in) I remote desktop onto our main file server, then VNC onto the laptop at home (home is connected to the work LAN) that runs the skyview software. Can see what is going on from anywhere.
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Hi,
Yes, I am using VNC also and that works well. You install the NVC server on the machine you wish to run the Skyview software on and VNC client on the machine you will access it from. RealVNC has a free version and a version with encryption so you can secure the link.
I also have the machine running skyview behind a firewall that onlyt forwards the VNC port number through to that machine so no other ports are open to hackers to get to my machine. I am using a 3G wireless card connected to a 3G USB modem router (Netcomm N3G005W).
I just need the USB Zigbee box not to hangup so often as I haven't found out how to reset it remotely yet : (
regards,
Scott.
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Hi Scott,
I'm trying to install Skyview 2.0
My laptop is with Windows Vista 64 bits
It's telling me that drivers were not installed properly.
I did install Skyview anyway. When I try to setup my turbine: #1010-3794
I'm getting a signal but my XBee Pro doesn't succeed finding my turbine, even with my laptop at the tower...
How do you react ?
JD (Jean-Denis)
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Two Tricks to make Z work with 64 bit..
You install the Microsoft USB to Serial driver for this..
BUT DONT TURN THE MACHINE OFF WHILE ITS PLUGED IN!
If you do it will Hang on Restart or Blue Screen
But works well I have been using it in 64 bit for 3 Pluss Months
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Thanks Dave.
I just got back from Session. I'll try it and let you know.
JD
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Have a Windows 7 laptop 32 bit. Installed the Skyview 2.0 but can't get the USB connection to work.Get the message "Unable to connect to the USB converter. Please check that the driver is installed".
Tried to install driver but driver error message keeps coming up
Folke
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Has anyone figured out how to reset the Zigbee, or get SWWT Tech Support to respond to any messages for service?
My computer is only 50 feet away, yet I cannot sync to the Skystream to download the data. My hard-wired meter works great!
This is becoming a BIG problem. We do not deserve this.
regards.
Dick Habegger
Phelan, CA
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Is anyone aware of a way to turn off a skystream with the zigbee remote ? You used to be able to do this with the old system but it no longer appears to be supported ?
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After many re-installs of the Skyview software and not recognizing the Skystream, I contacted SWWP. They, as usual, did not respond to my complaints. So, I sent another message and cc'd the California Alternative Energy Commission. I got results this time.
Bo, from Tech Support called me. As most complaints center around the lack of linking up with the Skystream, I stated the same. Bo said tnat you must shutdown the Skystream to initialize the system! Wow, it sounds like a MS blue screen of death! Not the same but you still have a wounded system. Patch work is not part of the game. I paid for something that is not going to work.
I just want to share this so you do not get frustrated with your system. I do not think it will ever be resolved as, I believe, the Skystream is generating noise causing the communications to lock up. Rely on your Skystream meter that you should have installed and do not waste money on the Zigbee/Skyview product.
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All, I have learned something about the Zigbee that may be some help to some. My turbine is ~200' from my home and 53' up at the nose. What I found is if I have the interface (receiver) near a window I lose comm. Move it away and near a wall it resyncs and works again. Place the remote by the window comm drops out, open the window it returns. Here's the key, my windows are of the Low-E type and filled with Argon gas and have a UV coating, the combination of both is enough to attenuate the signal. I can take my laptop with the interface outside and walk a good 800' away an still get good comm with the turbine. So, please check and see what's blocking you. Remember, higher the frequency, the smaller the wavelength of the signal which makes it more susceptabile to interference.
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I have had this intermitten finding of my skystream. Sometimes when I open the monitoring application, it finds it right away and sometimes it never finds it. When it won't find it I go under the 'File' menu and select 'disconnect from skystream'. I then go under 'File and select 'Connect'. It seems to always find it after I do these steps. Not ideal but at least my frustration goes down.
Dylan
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To extend Dylan's comments, I must retract my previous comment about the noise being generated from the Skystream causing the wireless communication to fail.
I received the new XBee receiver/interface from SWWP. It has been in operation for nearly one month. Never have I had communication with my Skystream for that length of time. This includes intermittent loss of wind and high winds generating peak power. It is still working today. Agreed, to reload the program, I must manually use the feature to disconnect and reconnect the interface. It works! After the first cycle; be patient and wait for the communication to begin. It "usually" does. Repeat, if necessary.
It looks like the added antenna has helped to increase the signal level required for continuing communication. What can I say, but: WOW!
Dick Habegger
Phelan, CA
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Hi Dick, so you dont get lockup where you have to unplug and plug the usb connection either ? That would be good !
Scott.
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Hi All, I'm new to this forum... I have had my Skystream up and running for a month now. Has anyone tried or thought about writing there own software to capture the output from the turbine?
Cheers
Grant
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Is this to solve to lockup problems ? I think its probably in the zigbee hardware since you cant fix it by restarting the Skyview software so dont think writing your own capture software will help. OR did you ask this for another reason ?
BTW I now have a new marine turbine with the updated Zigbee box with teh small wire antenna in it, will see if that behaves differently.
rgds,
Scott.
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