Kamstrup Multical 402 Python Script

[marmachine]

Guys,

I have my IR sensor attached to the Kamstrup with this 3D printed holder.
Let me know if you are interested in the .stl

Capture.JPG

When this fits the 403, then i'm interested in the STL.
I've found this one https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:264268 but indeed there is no way to attach that other than tape, yours looks nice!

I'm new to this matter and unfamiliar with Kamstrup, but from my research i learned that they use 'wireless m-bus' technology.
So i wonder; would there be a way to ready live meter data over the wireless m-bus protocol as well? https://github.com/weetmuts/wmbusmeters would that be worth the trouble of trying or is it secure somehow? Someone already did?

[Martini77]

Hi, The Kamstrup has an M-bus interface, but it's not wireless and thus would require you to physically open the meter to connect the M-bus wires/connector. I don't think your provider likes this very much..

[marmachine]

I think that you are correct about opening will not result in a happy provider. However, my provider is capable to send me monthly reports on my usage, so apperently they are able to read my data. If they can, i can or at least try to do the same, right?

In (Dutch) Kamstrup documentation i've found this:

Met de nieuwe ingebouwde 2-weg-communicatie van MULTICAL® 403 en een READy-systeem voor het op afstand uitlezen van meters is het nu mogelijk de ultrasone warmtemeters op afstand te configureren en de datalogger op afstand uit te lezen, zonder directe toegang tot de installatie.

I am not familiar with wireless M-bus nor READy, the documentation points to check the DDD code on the Kamstrup display since that will tell you which module is installed. What code for a specific module, i dont know.

I suspect that my provider uses Wireless M-bus technology for data acquisition on the READy platform. Otherwise my provider does not have access to the Kamstrup Multical 403 inside my house since it isn't wired.

Questions:
How do i navigate to/present the DDD code
If wireless M-bus installed, can i read the Kamstrup data over the air somehow? ( Using modules like these: https://www.mikroe.com/blog/wireless-m-bus )

[Martini77]

Hmm, I have a Kamstrup 403 myself and know that Eneco (my disctrict heating provider) was previously not able to read the usage etc. remotely.
In fact I have joined a 'smart heating' pilot in which they installed an additional piece of hardware locally which is (hard-wired) connected to the M-Bus port.

Apart from this interface, I use an USB connected IR read/write module (http://weidmann-elektronik.de/Produkt_IR-Kopf.html) myself to extract all the data (every 5/15 minutes). Works like a charm for 1,5 yrs now...

Data sheet for the IR module:
https://shop.weidmann-elektronik.de/med ... nblatt.pdf

If yours are able to read this remotely, they must have added some additional hardware in the meter..

I have also read this (Dutch - https://products.kamstrup.com/documents ... e22f13.pdf) documentation on READy.. Interesting stuff and could also be worth to go for, but -according to this documentation- there is different ways to set this up..

[marmachine]

Thanks for the info, the ready to use 'IR Schreib/Lesekopf USB (Optokopf)' looks nice, but is kinda pricy.
The IR solution is my second option when wireless turns out impossible. Found this wiki to build such reader myself: https://wiki.hal9k.dk/projects/kamstrup

On the provider side it seems that READy is a common platform which allows several possibilities, wired and wireless. In my case my provider connects wireless, so assuming they've adopted the platform, that would allow them to use Kamstrup linkIQ-protocol or wireless M-Bus-standard, EN13757-
4, mode C. (C1-mode or T1 OMS-mode)

What i am hoping to find is someone who is familiar with Kamstrup and technical details to explain and find an answer to possibility of reading the data wireless.

[MarkApeldoorn]

Hi,

Finally got the code working for me, but it only reads a few values when I activate the meter.
When running the reading every minute (through a cron job), I only get 4 values after which I get None all the time.

Does the Kamstrup 403 deactivate the IR port after 5 minutes, independent of reading data?

Wkr
Mark

[MarkApeldoorn]

After some more research: the 403 disables the optical sensor after 240sec.
It seems you can keep it awake (longer) by placing magnets around the optical head.
More info can be found here: https://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/li ... /1776625/2

[GilManic]

Hey all,
I was trying to get Multical 403 running with an ESP32 and just want to share some findings ...
I was also struggeling with the "timeout issue" and it seens that not just a magnet is important, but also it polarity - seems they are not just using a "reed switch" but a "hall sensor" wich could differentiate here... placing some magnets left to the reading head did the job for me.
(strangely my front of the 403 looks a bit different and has a metal plate around the window for IR communication).
Also i found different baud settings in different forums - for me 1200 (send & receive) worked.

[marchutt]

Many thanks to all info here, i got it working today flawlessy with my Kamstrup Multical 403 (EnNatuurlijk warmte net meter)

For some help maybe the following is usefull.
1.
I ordered this IR head from Ali Express, and this one is working perfect, without trouble placing the head.
This head is having also a magnet inside, what is needed for good reading the IR.
(And you dont need soldering anything..)

CP2102 USB 2.0 naar OPTISCHE INTERFACE IRDA Nabij Infrarood IR Magnetische Adapter

The head must be placed upside down, and must rest at the 2 pins, under the IR eye at the Kamstrup Multical 403..
After that you can secure the head with some tape or (recommended) a elastic strap. (this was easy and fits always right)

2,
When using the tip to use the serial by id name, instead of the usb port name, dont forget to set the right permissions for this serial name..
Like: sudo chmod 666 /dev/serial/by-id/usb-Silicon_Labs_CP2102_USB_to_UART_Bridge_Controller_0001-if00-port0
("usb-Silicon_Labs_CP2102_USB_to_UART_Bridge_Controller_0001-if00-port0" is the name of the IR reader)

My 2 cents...

[Dinges28]

Hey all,
I was trying to get Multical 403 running with an ESP32 and just want to share some findings ...
I was also struggeling with the "timeout issue" and it seens that not just a magnet is important, but also it polarity - seems they are not just using a "reed switch" but a "hall sensor" wich could differentiate here... placing some magnets left to the reading head did the job for me.
(strangely my front of the 403 looks a bit different and has a metal plate around the window for IR communication).
Also i found different baud settings in different forums - for me 1200 (send & receive) worked.

Hi Gilmanic,
I'm very intreseted in your esp32 solution. I had an ESP32 working on a kamstrup 66c, but the energy provider replaced it with a 403, and I can not get it working anymore.
Could you get in contact with me?