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This is the first in a four-part series about the long awaited Hyperion Emeter Mk.II. The new one does everything version one did and so much more. In this installment: An overview and Bernard's first impressions.
 
First Look at the Hyperion Emeter II
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By BEC BEC is offline
Old Jan 18, 2009, 09:30 PM
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Introduction – One good measurement is worth a thousand advertisements


Voltage range/resolution: 0-75V, 0.01V
Current range/resolution: 0-75A, to 150A for 30s, up to 300A for 5s*, 0.1A
Tachometer range: to 65,000 RPM, one to seven blades
Tachometer types: Optical and brushless phase sensor (connected to RDU)
Power: Internal 5-cell 750 mAh NiMH battery
Emeter II Dimensions: 2 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 1 5/16 inches (58x120x30 mm)
Remote Data Unit Dimensions: 1 3/8 x 1 1/8 by 1/2 inch (36x29x14mm)
Weight: 5.3 ounces (150g) for the Emeter II, 1 ounce (28g) plus connectors for the RDU
Suggested Price: $199.95 for Emeter II, RDU, connecting cable, charging cable
Manufacturer: Hyperion HK
Available From: These Distributors
*Note: The maximum currents listed above are highly dependent on ambient air temperature and especially the amount of cooling airflow that passes through the RDU.

Measuring the real performance of electric power systems is something just about every modeler who runs an electric powered vehicle needs to do if he or she is to move beyond prepackaged combinations or to find out which performance claims are written by the engineering and test department rather than the marketing department. For that matter, a number of prepackaged or frequently recommended combinations are more marketing hype than reality.

In order to do that, as a minimum you need a tool that can be inserted into the power system (usually between the battery and the speed control) that can read out real time voltage and current. The simplest of these devices do just that. Some add calculated values such as power and ampere-hours in real time, and some also capture peak values so you don't have to remember them to write them down. Add a hand-held tachometer so you can get RPM readings at the same time and you have the tools to figure out what's real and what's not and what combinations work better or worse as you start to mix and match components. Such a tool is also vital to help you not find the limits of a motor or electronic speed control or battery by burning it up. Some of these tools will also interface with a Windows PC so you can capture and graph data from your tests.

You can also use such a tool for a bunch of other things, such as to check to see if chargers are doing what they say (especially if they don't have a display of their own) and in conjunction with some kind of load, test and evaluate batteries.

One of the most versatile and sophisticated such tools available to us over the past few years combined the multifunction electrical meter with a tachometer in one unit and added the ability to capture and store "snapshots" of that data all in an easy-to-use handheld device. It also had other capabilities including the ability to interface with a Windows PC to log data as it was being gathered. This tool was called the "Emeter" and was built and sold by Hyperion HK.

Enter the Hyperion Emeter II – Making a Cool Tool Even Better

In July of 2006 I reviewed the Hyperion Emeter here on the Ezone, with the idea that I follow that review with a second part showing how the Emeter worked in conjunction with a PC to enhance its data capture and analysis capabilities. But by early 2007 Emeters got to be hard to find long before I got the second article done (I tend to be kind of slow while trying to be thorough).

It turned out that the wizards behind the Emeter were doing a complete makeover to address some of the little things about the first version that folks (including me) had offered some feedback about. They were also adding quite an amazing array of new capabilities. David Radford first outlined what an "Emeter Version 2" would be like in this post on February 25th, 2007.

Well, as often happens with projects involving hardware, software and multiple suppliers around the world (*sigh* take a look at the Boeing 787) the Emeter II, as it is now officially dubbed, has taken rather longer than anyone wanted. But it does exist, and I have one that I can introduce it to you. This is the first of a projected four-part series of articles about the Emeter II and how it can be used to find out what's really going on in your power system (both statically and in the air/water/on the ground), as well as the other things that can be done with it.

By the way, according to the Hyperion support page for the Emeter II and RDU they will be available from your favorite Hyperion distributor by the end of January 2009. Suggested retail price for the entire package (Emeter II, remote data unit, connecting cable and charge cable) is $199.95 US.

Emeter II, Remote Data Unit and connecting cable
 

Upgraded hardware

The general outline of the Emeter II package is substantially as David described it in that post nearly two years ago. Compared to the original Emeter, the Emeter II has:

  • A much larger (over double in size) and backlit display, which is graphics capable and which displays key data in larger characters than on the original
  • A five AAA cell 750 mAh NiMH battery compared to the four cell 1/3 AAA battery of the original – a huge increase in internal energy storage available
  • A separate charging port for the internal battery. The supplied cable can be connected to any 12-15VDC source – and get this: polarity doesn't matter!. Also the Emeter II can be charged while it's being used
  • A "Remote Data Unit" in place of the Emeter shunt which can also function separately from the Emeter II as an airborne data logger. In addition to Volts/Amps logging it also can accept a phase RPM sensor and up to three temperature sensors. There are plans for other sensors as well. The RDU also has a built in ambient temperature sensor and barometric altitude sensor
  • A much longer interface cable between the RDU and the Emeter II than that of the older Emeter shunts (now about two feet or 60 cm).
  • A dial-operated potentiometer in addition to the original's four button user interface. This dial is primarily (at least for now) for use with the servo/ESC interface. This servo driver function is usable while doing other tests
  • Eight "snapshot" storage locations vs. the five of the original Emeter.
  • A built-in optical tachometer that is more tolerant of different lighting conditions than that of its predecessor (though it still really doesn't like fluorescent lights)
  • A slot for a standard Secure Digital (SD) memory card (not included). This card enables a wealth of features which I'll describe shortly and also serves as the means of communicating things like logged data files and firmware update files between your computer and the Emeter II – no interface cable required (USB or serial), nor must the computer be a Windows machine
  • Maximum current handling of 150A (up from 100A) with a resolution of 0.1A

While adding all of this makes the Emeter II physically larger than the original, it still fits comfortably in my hand, and if anything it feels more solid, in part because of the extra mass due to the much larger battery pack. The case is still the rugged-feeling muted blue plastic of the original.

The Emeter II comfortably fits in my hand Emeter I and Emeter II side by side
 
Emeter I shunt and Emeter II RDU Shunt with my Anderson Powerpole adapters on it and the RDU
 

Many more feature and capabilities

All of these hardware upgrades allow for a rather astonishing list of additional features and functions, as well as making some of the more interesting features of the original (such as being able to estimate power out and efficiency of a power system based on prop constant data) MUCH easier to use. Please take a look at the original Emeter review to get acquainted with what it could do if you're not already familiar with it – that way what follows will make more sense (and I don't have to reiterate ALL the functions here).

Features and capabilities that are added to the original Emeter's list, or are substantially improved include:

  • A multi-level menu system so as to navigate the widely expanded features list easily
  • Context-sensitive help files (stored on the SD card) for each of the many functions, called up right on the Emeter II's display
  • Recording (to the SD card) of all the parameters of a test run (not just eight snapshots) without the need for a computer. Sample rates from one sample every eight seconds to four samples per second are currently supported. The resulting log files are comma delimited text files which can, of course, be imported into spreadsheet programs for graph generation
  • Storage of the prop constants file (also on the SD card) so they can be called up and immediately used in thrust and efficiency calculations. Prop constants not included in the file can still be entered much like on the original Emeter
  • A real time date and time clock and several independent stopwatch modes including a countdown timer and a lap timer
  • The ability to program Atlas digital servos as well as Titan and Atlas speed controls
  • A built-in servo driver that can be used to set up servos in your airplane or drive a speed control during a test, using the dial on the face of the Emeter to control it. A pattern or profile operation for the servo/ESC drive can also be programmed consisting of a series of set positions and time (from 10 ms to 8 seconds) at each position. These profiles are stored on and can be recalled from the SD card
  • The ability to call up stored log files and display a summary of the log's contents, a graph of the data, and a screen for each data point collected. Currently two recorded parameters can be displayed at once vs. time on the graphs. [Note: The maximum log file size generated by the RDU is less than 500Kb, so you can store MANY of them on even a small – by today's standards – SD card. That means that "tiny" 32MB card that came with your camera will be fine for use with the Emeter II]
  • The remote data unit (RDU) can be used in your airplane (or other vehicle) like other on board data loggers. It is similar in size and weight to other loggers and like others it can also record RPM via a brushless phase sensor and up to three additional temperatures. More on the RDU itself below
  • Display of the four temperatures (the ambient plus those from the sensors) along with the time, the electrical and calculated parameters and RPM on the Analyzer screen
  • Addition of calculated thrust to the Tachometer screen
  • Addition of maximum altitude and the three temp sensor temperatures to the Peaks screen

I'm sure I've missed a few, and as Mark and Phil are still working hard on the firmware this list will continue to grow, just as it did for the original Emeter. In fact it's grown a little just while I was putting this overview together.

Getting around all these features is very straightforward and feels very familiar, even though the menu system is deeper. In general, a button will be labeled "next" to scroll down the current list and another will be labeled "go" to select the highlighted item and go to the next menu down. At the lower levels there will also be a "menu" button which takes you back up a level.

A Walk Around the Emeter II

As I mentioned above, the Emeter II is bigger than the original, but it's still fairly compact at about 2 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 1 5/16 inches and about 5.3 ounces (58x120x30 mm and 150g). The case is a dark blue plastic (it feels like polystyrene to me) and has a generally solid feel.

On the front face below the molded in "Emeter II" logo is the backlit graphical monochrome LCD display that's about 1 ¾ inches (44mm) square. Below it are four push buttons labeled "A", "B", "C" and "D" on the case. Their actual functions at any given time are displayed at the bottom of the display right above them. Below the buttons is a dial that is a little less than ¾ of an inch (19mm) in diameter labeled "servo". This is the control for the built-in servo driver.

On the top end is the photocell for the built in tachometer. On the left side is the slot for the SD-format memory card. On the right side are the power switch ("0" for off, "1" for on) and the jack for charging the internal NiMH battery. On the bottom are four sockets. The two on the left are wired in parallel and are for the servo-driver function. Having two allows an external power supply (such as a receiver battery) to be connected without need for a Y-lead. The third socket from the left is for connecting Atlas digital servos while they're being programmed and will also be the connection for a direct computer interface. Of course, as I mentioned above, the SD card can be used as a means to transfer files between the Emeter II and your computer. Finally, on the right end on the bottom is the socket for the cable connecting the Emeter II to the Remote Data Unit (RDU). The provided cable can also be connected to a Hyperion Titan speed control so that you can program it from the Emeter.

Inside one finds the five-cell battery and a neat, clean board layout. There is a definite look and feel of quality and care about it.

The front of the Emeter II showing the four button one dial user interface The optical sensor for the tachometer in the top
 
The left side, showing the SD slot edge on The SD card slot location as seen from the front
 
The right side, with the power switch and charging jack The charge cable plugged into its jack
 
The bottom, showing the servo, ESC programming and RDU interface cable sockets The back - "Designed in Australia, Made in Korea"
 
A look inside. Five cell AAA Intellect NiMH pack on the left, everything else on the right
 

The RDU itself is about 1 3/8 x 1 1/8 by 1/2 inch (36x29x14mm) and has very heavy power leads that are about 1 3/4 inch (45mm) long coming out of each end. It weighs about one ounce (28g) plus the weight of your chosen connectors, which you must install on the leads. Mine now weighs 1.3 ounces (37g) with Anderson Powerpoles on it. By the way, I had to spread open the "cups" in the 30A Powerpole contacts to get them on the heavy-duty wiring. These would not be a good choice if you were going to use the RDU anywhere near the 150A limit. I'm not really sure what would be – 6 to 8mm gold bullets perhaps. This is rather beyond my realm of expertise.

The RDU on my trusty postal scale, pre-connector installation The RDU, an Eagle Tree Micropower V2 and a quarter for size comparison
 
The side of the RDU showing the window for the status LED Top of the RDU, with the Emeter II interface cable plugged in
 
Bottom of the RDU. Note that it will read current in both directions, so you can connect the battery to the "source" side whether you're testing a motor or a charger
 

In addition to the power leads it has two sets of connector pins on each end. On one end they are labeled Aux and Rx. The Aux connector is where the temperature and future sensors will be connected. The Rx connector is for remote triggering of logging on and off and, with the use of an appropriate Y-lead, the pulse width of the throttle channel (from which one can infer the throttle command). On the other end are the connectors for the Emeter cable and the brushless phase RPM sensor.

When the cable is connected between the Emeter II and the RDU, the Emeter displays and can capture Volts, Amps, calculated Watts and Ampere-hours, as well as RPM, among a number of other things. If the Emeter and RDU are NOT connected together then the the RDU captures and stores the data itself and will give you the option to upload it to the Emeter (actually the SD card) the next time you turn the Emeter on with the two units connected.

A Brief Tour of the functions

Here are a number of pictures of various displays to illustrate what the Emeter II is set up to do and what the user interface looks like. Over the rest of the articles in this series I hope to share with you how these many capabilities are used, both on the test stand and aboard your model.

The main menu and help files

The startup screen - seen for about 1 second when you first power up the Emeter II. Besides looking cool, this is where you see what the current Emeter firmware version is. The top level menu
 
Stepping through the top level menu. The currently selected value is the larger text. Click on the picture to see the animation stepping through the options more clearly On board help example for the main menu "Readings" item. The on board help files are stored on the SD card
 
Next screen (reached, not surprisingly, by pushing the "next" button on the previous page) And the next one
 
Subsequent screen Last screen. Pushing "menu" on any of these returns to the menu above
 
Another example of the on board help screens - this is the "tips" for programming Titan ESCs - click on the picture to see the animation more clearly
 

The Readings Function - The main action is here

The main Readings menu An example of using the Analyzer function during a battery discharge, then storing and retrieving a snapshot of one of the data points. Click on the picture to see the animation
 
A tachometer screen example, showing the Emeter II reading the fluorescent lights in my workroom as if they were a two-bladed prop The battery test screen
 
An example of the Peaks screen List of the eight snapshot positions
 
Message while saving a snapshot (which is hard to catch with the camera) Showing a snapshot of data taken while a battery was being discharged slowly
 
The prop constants screen showing the value from the onboard props.txt file for the APC 12x8 thin-E prop
 

Programming for ESCs and Servos

The initial screen for selecting what devices to program. This list will be expanding with firmware updates Prompt to plug in the Titan ESC
 
Connecting..... List of programmable parameters
 
Saving the results
 

Stopwatches

A list of various stopwatch modes A stopwatch example - the countdown timer - another animation.
 

I haven't experimented with this at all yet.

The Servo Tester - manual and automated testing

Setting the low end for cycling a servo Setting the high end. Then when "start" is selected, the servo is exercised between these two points
 
You can also define then retrieve pre-programmed patterns. This is useful for automating things like motor/prop tests
 

A servo or ESC can also be driven manually whenever it's plugged into the Emeter II by just turning the dial on the front.

Retrieving data from the RDU when used as a standalone logger

The message you get when you plug the RDU in after it has been used for one or more "In Action" or standalone data recordings The data in the process of being saved
 

Examining and visualizing logged data captured by the Emeter II or the RDU in standalone mode

Selecting a log file from the SD card to open A summary of the entire log file. This is what you see first after opening a log file
 
All the data can be displayed for EACH sample taken. Here is one Another detail screen for a point further on
 
The first 50 seconds of the log file, current and voltage graphed against time A graph segment from further on
 
And further on....
 

Setup of the RDU and the Emeter II itself

An example of the remote data unit setup screen - logging starts when the current exceeds one amp Another example - this time logging starts five seconds after the RDU is powered up
 
An example of the Emeter setup screen
 

Firmware updates

To initiate an update you need to hold all four buttons down and then switch on Update in progress
 

Conclusion, for now

The Emeter II has been long in coming, but it looks like the wait has been worth it. Even without getting to test out the whole range of its capabilities (yet) I can tell that this little jewel has the potential to handle many of the test scenarios I can think of in a small, portable, upgradable package. It's also very easy to work with.

From what I've seen so far (and I've just scratched the surface), this is sure going to be fun!

Next Time: The RDU Goes Flying and Having Lots of Data In The Field Without Needing A Laptop Computer

The next installment in the series will look at using the Remote Data Unit and RPM and temperature sensors to log data in flight and using the Emeter II to display and evaluate that data right on the flying field. Since it's winter time in the Seattle area and as of this writing I don't yet have the brushless phase sensor or temperature sensors, look for this article in the spring sometime.

Last edited by Angela H; Jan 21, 2009 at 06:53 AM..
 
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Old Jan 19, 2009, 07:14 PM   #2
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Bernard,

Thanks for that comprehensive review and for explaining all the features. I'm looking forward to hearing about how the in-flight data logging stacks up. It's nice to see that you can just check it at the field without needing a laptop on site or anything. Very cool!

I remember when I went to get a wattmeter, and everyone said I should get the E-Meter — but it was out of stock and this one was "about to come out." But it was a while back, and I'm glad it arrived — better late than never.

$200 sounds like a good bit of money, but Hyperion's products tend to be worth their money.

Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to future installments!
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Old Jan 19, 2009, 07:37 PM   #3
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Thanks, Napo. I'm looking forward to future installments, too. You can see by the Switchback Senior review (and the SHAFT before it) that I like lots of data.....
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Old Jan 19, 2009, 07:56 PM   #4
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Yeah, I saw those reviews, and they were amazingly thorough! Nicely done.

More (data) is better, right?
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Old Jan 20, 2009, 11:48 AM   #5
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As always, a great presentation!

Some folks who see this thread may not know that I have a preview/review going on the Emeter II & RDU as well. It is located at

http://homepage.mac.com/kmyersefo/em...meter2rdu.html

The article was just updated moments ago and now has info on how I used it to bench test a new motor, monitor the discharge and charge of a battery and make the database of props more user friendly.

In case some of you might think I am jumping in on Bernard's thread, we've been sharing info and ideas about this tool for quite some time now.

We are both awaiting its release to see your reactions to it, once it gets in your hands. It is one great tool!
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Old Jan 20, 2009, 04:23 PM   #6
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The specs are actually 150 amps continuous or 300 amps peak for 5 seconds.
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Old Jan 20, 2009, 04:52 PM   #7
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For those of you attending the Arizona Electric Festival this coming weekend, the Emeter II will be available at the ALL e RC vendor booth.
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Old Jan 20, 2009, 06:32 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnum9
The specs are actually 150 amps continuous or 300 amps peak for 5 seconds.
Not to quibble but the specs I have in the table at the beginning of the article are straight out of the latest documentation from Hyperion. 150A for 30 seconds with adequate cooling, and 300A peak for 5 seconds with adequate cooling.

Ken Myers posted the actual table from the documentation in the other Emeter II thread in this post.
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Old Jan 21, 2009, 04:27 PM   #9
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Sorry, didn't see the table, I was referring to the text of your article where it says 150 amps maximum rather than 300 amps.
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Old Jan 21, 2009, 06:12 PM   #10
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Gotcha.....

Actually I dithered a bit about exactly how to describe it because I know from many discussions here in the various fora that if you say "surge" or "peak" of 300A, some folks are going to try it, burn an RDU out and then complain "but you said it would do 300A" for however long they wanted to run it (not that I'd even want to be within the length of the RDU-to-Emeter cable of a running system at 300A). So to think of it as 150A with a good amount of dynamic headroom is, to my mind, a more appropriate way to put it.

What the heck wiring and connectors would you use even for 150A for 30 seconds? That is a serious question because I wouldn't trust anything I've ever used to that level (with the possible exception of Astro Flight "Zero Loss" connectors - and probably not even those).
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Old Jan 26, 2009, 05:24 PM   #11
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It is released. Check your favorite Hyperion dealer/source.
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