cheap(er) p1-to-USB cable for smart meter (looking for a ...)

[Dirk]

I want to have Domoticz make a readout of my Smart Meter (Dutch, Stedin). On Dutch shops I find cables starting from 20 euro's. On AliExpress I found this cable for 6 euros (including shipping): https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/ftdi-ft2 ... 4.8.vkFUnV

But the amount of technical info (in hard-to-understand English) overwhelmes me. Is this the same cable and will it work to connect my slimme meter to my Domoticz? (Otherwise: suggestions for cheaper alternatives welcome; I already found a DIY post but that is not feasible for me).

[migwelly]

I want to have Domoticz make a readout of my Smart Meter (Dutch, Stedin). On Dutch shops I find cables starting from 20 euro's. On AliExpress I found this cable for 6 euros (including shipping): https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/ftdi-ft2 ... 4.8.vkFUnV

But the amount of technical info (in hard-to-understand English) overwhelmes me. Is this the same cable and will it work to connect my slimme meter to my Domoticz? (Otherwise: suggestions for cheaper alternatives welcome; I already found a DIY post but that is not feasible for me).

Hi,

This cable Might work.

For some meters, you need to do a modification by soldering a pull - up resistor.
It also depends how they crimp the wires in the RJ 11 connecter.
You only need 3 wires.
5 v
Ground
Rxd

And sometimes the chip needs to be programmed if it is not done by the supplier.

Best,

Migwelly

[Dirk]

Ah, OK. Well 'might work' is not good enough for me I'm afraid. Since I'm a newby and have the time nor experience to do modifications myself, I think I'll either wait for a recommendation of somebody that has tried or just spend the 20 euro's. Thanks a lot for you response!

[JimmyH1969]

Have you ever thought of a WiFi solution? I have a small Wifi ESP8266 adapter connected to my Stedin smart meter and connected it to Wifi.
In Domoticz you can add a "P1 smart meter with Lan interface" and connect it to the P1 Wifi module. Works great overhere.

Not sure if i'm allowed to do this, but it's not as spam intended:
http://www.esp8266thingies.nl/wp/

[migwelly]

Ah, OK. Well 'might work' is not good enough for me I'm afraid. Since I'm a newby and have the time nor experience to do modifications myself, I think I'll either wait for a recommendation of somebody that has tried or just spend the 20 euro's. Thanks a lot for you response!

Which meter do you have?

[Dirk]

@migwelly I have an iskra am550, provided by Stedin.

[joost81]

I've bought a cheap cable from ebay. For most smart meters you need to invert the RxD signal in the FTDI chip.
Most of the China copies are read only, you cannot reprogram them.
So in the end I bought a cable of €20 which is already programmed and has the right RJ11 connector on it. Works out of the box.

[Dirk]

Yeah thanks @joost81. I figured as much: either fiddling to make it work or spend the 20 euro's on a ready-to-go solution. I was hoping to find some kind of deal, like those 6-euro thermometers...

[migwelly]

@migwelly I have an iskra am550, provided by Stedin.

Yes, it will work.
You need to do some modification.

You need to solder a 10K resistor (Pull-up resistor ) between 5 V and RXD
You also need to invert the signals of the FTDI chip.
You need to use FT-Prog for that.

If you need help with that, just sent me a private message.

[Dirk]

Thanks for your offer, but since I've never soldered before, I have neither the experience or equipment to do that.
I'm currently too busy to dive into that, so I'll either wait a bit (until I stumble upon a cheaper cable) or pay the full retail price.

[pvm]

@migwelly I have an iskra am550, provided by Stedin.

Yes, it will work.
You need to do some modification.

You need to solder a 10K resistor (Pull-up resistor ) between 5 V and RXD
You also need to invert the signals of the FTDI chip.
You need to use FT-Prog for that.

If you need help with that, just sent me a private message.

Is it also possible to convert a ready made cable to work with the latest iskra?
My cable works on a 10 yr old meter but not on the new one

[migwelly]

@migwelly I have an iskra am550, provided by Stedin.

Yes, it will work.
You need to do some modification.

You need to solder a 10K resistor (Pull-up resistor ) between 5 V and RXD
You also need to invert the signals of the FTDI chip.
You need to use FT-Prog for that.

If you need help with that, just sent me a private message.

Is it also possible to convert a ready made cable to work with the latest iskra?
My cable works on a 10 yr old meter but not on the new one

Hi,

What cable do you have?
And what chip is inside? Like ( FTDI,... Etc)

Best,

Migwelly

[pvm]

How can I see that?
It is not possible to open the connector and check the chip

[Draakje]

I would like to chip in this conversation as my meter has just been replaced by the ISKRA MA550 (And metering does not work.

I believe I have the FTDI chip (Profolic cable)

Could you make something like a schematic ?
(I can handle a soldering device )

[EnderWolf]

Hi,

I got a ISKRA AM550 meter a little while ago and I bought a Serial converter with a FTDI chip embedded into the pcb, however I am not seeing any data. The manufacturer of the cable has put a 10k resistor between RXD and RTS.

Should I move the Resistor to be between RXD and +5v?

Kind regards,

EnderWolf

Edit: Found the problem, the RTS and RXD cables were incorrectly mapped, after swapping those back the cable is working.

[jeroennus]

I bought a cable via Aliexpress and didn't work right away. I placed a resistor between 5v and RXD and it solved everything... So seems to me that it needs to be attached between the 5v and the RXD.

[asg]

Hi,

I got a ISKRA AM550 meter a little while ago and I bought a Serial converter with a FTDI chip embedded into the pcb, however I am not seeing any data. The manufacturer of the cable has put a 10k resistor between RXD and RTS.

Should I move the Resistor to be between RXD and +5v?

Kind regards,

EnderWolf

Edit: Found the problem, the RTS and RXD cables were incorrectly mapped, after swapping those back the cable is working.

Can you post a picture of the connections to the pcb? I think I've a similar cable, but it lacks a 10k resistor. So I hope I can mod this cable also to be able to read my ISKRA AM550. I've a picture of my cable:

I think I've to move the green cable from CTS to RTS and the white/grey one from RXD. I'm also unsure about the 10k resistor: place it between +5V and RXD or between RXD and RTS.

[jake]

I have the smart meter connected through the gpio of the rpi. That is about free, besides 1 resistor. My colleague built it for me into a little network cable extension block (female-female), so I was able to use 2 regular telephone cables and easy disconnect the gpio to take the rpi out of the cabinet

[terrorsource]

You can always buy them for 10euro's on Tweakers or Marktplaats from a dutch seller
Got my Kaifa Ma105a cable from him and works great!