Skip to main content

EG4xxx LCD Manual

eGauge meters in the EG4xxx line feature an integrated LCD display which can be used to view data and make
changes to the device configuration. Navigation is handled through the small control toggle located to the left
of the CT ports. The control toggle has three potentials - left, right and pressed in. By default, the LCD scrolls
through a list of registers (the contents of this list are customizable) and also displays the device hostname
and current IP address.

To access the main menu, press in the control toggle. The following screen will appear:

all_main.png

Figure 1: All items in Main Menu view

The main menu has four options. However, the number displayed on a single screen may vary based on
orientation and font size. Simply scroll using the left or right toggle controls.

Status Bar

The status bar appears at the top of the LCD (main and sub-menus do not show the status bar). There are four
primary pieces of information displayed in the status bar, as shown below:

stat_bar.png

Figure 2: The status bar icons

Heartbeat indicator – alternates between full and empty indicating that the eGauge is running and the
display is active.
• Connection type – shows the communication technology in use. There are four possible connection
types:
the_unknown.png - Unknown (generally shown immediately after reboot)
eth.png– Ethernet
hp.png– HomePlug power-line communication
wifi.png– WiFi adapter 
• Connection Strength – Signal/link quality. A single dot indicates 0% signal. The taller the bar, the
stronger the signal.
• Page – The active displayed page and total number available (active/total). You may scroll through
pages displayed by moving the control toggle left or right.

Registers

Registers is essentially the “default” state for the LCD. When this option is selected, the LCD will scroll
through every register configured in the eGauge device web interface under Settings → LCD along with
the device hostname and current IP address. The active page number is shown in the top right corner of the
display. Note that the registers displayed will vary from device to device, depending on configuration.

reg_scroll.png

Figure 3: Example of scrolling progression in Register view

Info

The Info section contains device-specific data. This data may be useful for troubleshooting. As some of
this data may be sensitive (particularly the MAC address), it should not be shared with anyone other than
eGauge technical support and individuals who are authorized to make configuration changes to the eGauge.
The available information is summarized below:

  • Name – eGauge hostname. A unique name identifying the eGauge. This can be
    used to access the eGauge remotely, using a URL in the form http://DEVNAME.
    egaug.es where DEVNAME is replaced with the hostname as shown here. Note:
    the eGauge must be configured for and connected to the d.egauge.net proxy-server
    for remote communication.
  • Model – The model number of the eGauge. This may be useful for troubleshooting
    purposes (different models may have different troubleshooting steps) and identifying
    the capabilities of the hardware (some models may have features that others lack).
  • Serial # – A unique identifying serial number, guaranteed not to change. This
    is generally not needed by the end user, but it may be requested by eGauge technical
    support or sales. This serial number matches the sticker on the device exterior.
  • IP Address – Current IP address of the eGauge on the local network. A user can
    connect to the eGauge using this address provided the computer being used is on the
    same network as the eGauge. This address may change depending on the network
    and connection method used.
  • MAC  – the MAC address of the communication interface in use by the
    eGauge. This will change depending on the type of connection in use. This will not
    be the same MAC address required for registration purposes or remote configuration
    assistance if an external USB adapter is in use.
  • Time – the current system time set on the eGauge. The eGauge should automatically
    obtain the correct time via NTP, but in cases where it cannot the system time can be
    verified here.
  • Date – the current date set on the eGauge. The eGauge should automatically obtain
    the correct date via NTP, but in cases where it cannot the date can be verified here.
  • Board Temp – internal temperature of the eGauge. Not the same as ambient temperature.
  • Board Humidity - internal humidity level of the meter.  Note that this is not ambient humidity, but the detected humidity level on the eGauge circuit board. This feature is only available on meters equipped with this sensor.
  • Firmware – current firmware version. Firmware release notes are available at: http://egauge.net/revs.
  • Kernel – current kernel version. Generally not required, updated along with firmware
    when required.

Tools

The tools menu provides access to some basic eGauge utilities.

  • CTid - can be used to blink the LED on a CTid sensor connected to a chosen port. Toggle the selection switch left and right to scroll through the port numbers.  Press to start blinking when the desired port is displayed.  Pressing a second time will stop the blinking and exit back to the Tools menu.
  • Reboot - reboots the eGauge. The same thing as Tools → Reboot. Useful for troubleshooting purpose
  • FW Update – allows the user to update to the latest firmware. Firmware release notes
    are available at http://egauge.net/revs/. Note: This tool requires Internet connectivity to the meter.
  • Factory Reset – resets all settings on the eGauge to factory defaults. Warning – this
    will cause a loss of data recorded on the device. Depending on the network settings,
    it may also prevent the eGauge from connecting to the local network or proxy server
    again. Care should be taken when using this option.

Settings

Certain settings can be modified directly through this menu. The Settings menu is broken down into three
subcategories – Display, HomePlug, and Wireless.

Display

LCD display settings are configured here.

  • Contrast - controls the LCD contrast level. Range from 0-80%
  • Brightness – controls the LCD backlight brightness. Range from 0-100% in 20%
    increments.
  • Duration – the amount of time until the backlight turns off, measured from the last
    input on the control toggle. Can be set to “always” (backlight always off), “after 30s”,
    “after 1m”, “after 5m”, “after 1h”, and “never” (backlight always on).
  • Font – font size used by the eGauge LCD. Can be set to “small”, “normal”, or “large”.
  • Orientation – display orientation. Since the eGauge can be mounted in a variety
    of ways, this can make the display easier to read. Can be set to “normal”, “counter
    clock-wise”, “upside-down”, or “clockwise”.
  • Timezone – timezone used by the LCD display and eGauge. This reflects the device
    interface option Settings → Date & Time → Time Zone.

HomePlug

HomePlug functionality can be accessed through this menu. Note that the “Join others” option will only
attempt to pair with HomePlug adapters or eGauges currently in join mode themselves. If no HomePlug
adapters or eGauges are present and in join mode, it will time out.

  • Status – shows the current status of the HomePlug interface. This may take up to 30
    seconds to fully load. If the eGauge is connected to one or more HomePlug adapters,
    this will return “Status: member”. Otherwise, it will return “Status: alone”.
  • Join Others – attempts to pair with another nearby HomePlug adapter for 240 seconds. Make sure to randomize (using Random PW, see below) first. Returns “Status:
    member” if successful, otherwise returns “Status: timed out”
  • Random PW – randomizes the HomePlug encryption key on the eGauge, causing
    it to leave any HomePlug network it may have been connected to. Should always
    returns “Status: alone”
  • Default PW – sets the HomePlug encryption key on the eGauge to the protocol default of “HomePlugAV”. This allows the eGauge to communicate with any HomePlug
    adapter or eGauge using factory default settings. Will return “Default PW set” when
    successful.

Wireless

If using an EG42xx model meter, wireless functionality can be accessed through this menu. When using
WPS, access to the wireless router is required.

Status – shows the status of the WiFi interface. This may take up to 30 seconds to load. 

  • If the eGauge is connected to a WiFi network, “Connected to ” is displayed. 
  • If no wireless adapter is detected, “No WLAN device” is displayed. 
  • If the eGauge has a wireless adapter, but not configured for a WiFi network, “Status: inactive” is displayed. 
  • If a network is configured but can’t be found, or the password is wrong, “status: scanning” may be displayed.

Setup via AP - Activates the EG42xx access point for 60 minutes to allow for wireless connectivity to the meter interface. For details on connecting to the EG42xx Access Point please see: EG42xx Wifi Connection

  • If the eGauge is not connected to a WiFi network the Access point will broadcast and the LCD will display the SSID and the number of seconds remaining before the AP automatically deactivates.
  • If the eGauge is connected to a WiFi network already, you will be asked if you want to disconnect from the Wifi network. Choose No to leave the meter connected, choose Yes if you want the meter to disconnect and activate the Access point functionality.
  • While the meter is in the process of connecting to a Wifi network "connecting" is displayed along with the number of seconds remaining until the eGauge stops trying to connect to the chosen WiFi network.
  • If the eGauge is unable to connect to the local WiFi network, "Timed out" is displayed.

WPS Setup – connects the eGauge to a router using WPS push-button pairing. To perform WPS setup, consult your router’s manual. Generally this process requires holding a button labeled “WPS” on your router between 1 and several seconds, then initiating the “WPS Setup” function on the eGauge. 

  • If the eGauge successfully connects to a network, “Connected to ” will be displayed 
  • If already configured for a WiFi network, “Disconnect first” will be displayed. Navigate to Settings → Wireless → Disconnect to disconnect before joining. 
  • If the eGauge can’t find a router to pair WPS with, it will display “Status: timed out”. This may be due to the router being out of range, or never being put into WPS pairing mode. 
  • If no WiFi adapter is found, “No WLAN device” is displayed.

Disconnect – Reset the WiFi configuration, forgetting any networks it has been configured to connect to. 

  • Forgetting all networks should return “Success”.
  • If no wireless adapter is found, “No WLAN device” is displayed.
  • If no wireless network has been configured, “Already disconnected” is returned.
Back to top