The PVmon (Photovoltaic Monitor) program will allow a Palm PDA to collect data from a Solar Power Inverter.  This particular version is customized for a PV Powered PVP2800-XV, but other customizations may exist. There may also be a general data logging program that could be applicable to a wide variety of equipment. Email the author for more information.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

A Palm V or Vx is known to work.  A Palm IIIc with OS 3.5.3 did NOT work with the PVP2800-XV, but that was because of the unusual way the inverter used the modem control lines.  Even this could be worked around by rewiring the null modem adapter - email me if you want to try.
Hotsync cradle or cable with Serial connector
Male-Male null modem cable or adapter
AC charging adapter for cradle (optional)

When PVmon is first started, it creates a log file called pvm1.csv. This is a standard Palm DOC file, and can be read with a variety of readers, or uploaded to a PC for analysis in a spreadsheet.  PVmon always writes to the log file.

To manually take one sample, tap the "single" button.  For this version, the captured information includes: input voltage, input current, output voltage, output power, total energy output, efficiency, and heat sink temperature.

To continuously sample, first set the desired sampling period. The next sample will be taken on the next round time boundary after midnight. For example, if the present time is 3:31 pm, and the sample period is 5 minutes, the next sample will be taken at 3:35 pm. The sampling period can be set as low as 1 second, but be aware that depending on your equipment, it may not be possible to sample that quickly.  Tap the "Start/Restart" button to begin continuous sampling.  

KNOWN ISSUES

The log file will run out of space after about 64,000 samples, at which point, the file will need to be compacted.  The easiest way to do this is to upload pvm1.csv to a PC via TextSync, open the file in an editor and save it again to touch the timestamp, then save back to the Palm.  In the process of saving the file back to the Palm, the 64,000 records will be compacted down to less than 1000 records, leaving lots of room for more samples.  Note that under normal conditions, it will rarely be necessary to compact the log file.  For example, if the sample interval is set to one hour, it will take over 7 years to fill the log.

Copyright  2007, Roderick Young.  This program is distributed under the terms of the GNU Public License (GPL) version 2.0, which may be downloaded from http://www.gnu.org

A better description of how to hook everything up may be seen at:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/roderick/pvm/pvmon.html