AutoConnect VS IoTaWatt

And for Wifi management on ESP32, this awesome repo that "does it all": https://hieromon.github.io/AutoConnect/ -- this repo creates its own access point you can connect to with your phone to pop-up a "captive portal" (like you see at hotels or airports) to enter your own Wifi credentials -- this is only done once -- after that, the ESP32 will connect to the last known good Wifi network. If you don't want that, just use the built-in Wifi functions to create a local Wifi hotspot to connect to. Then creating web pages on the ESP32 is easy -- you can use the "PageBuilder" JSON syntax, or host regular HTML/JS/CSS files on the SPIFF/LittleFS partition and server those in response to incoming requests.

Or if you don't want to have a hardcoded ssid and password in your program, you can use the AutoConnect library

I want the device to be portable, so I want the esp32 to automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi every time I switch it off and back on. I have used this library, and it serves the exact purpose of what I want to do in my project : https://github.com/Hieromon/AutoConnect

I want to save power on a battery powered sensor but I also want to have AutoConnect set up to set up and configure the wifi. Since having the wi-fi running it can take up a lot of energy I would like to make sure that none of the battery is used during the programming set up. I was thinking that the AutoConnect would only run when it detects that it is plugged into a 5v usb port. I also want a switch so that the usb can power either the sensor (lower power) or the wifi configuration (high power) parts of the program. How would I best accomplish this?

It is this one right: https://github.com/Hieromon/AutoConnect ?

If anyone is interested in having this type of real-time usage data for their own own home, I highly recommend IoTaWatt: https://iotawatt.com

It's a completely local energy monitor that you can install into your home's circuit breaker panel, and then view dashboards or read data via an API from a local web server running on-device. You choose how many sensors you want, but you can monitor your whole home as well as individual circuits.

For example, I track and trigger automations when my various appliances (laundry, dishwasher, microwave, etc) start/stop. It's very cool. Just be warned that it does require some research, basic understanding of electricity, and comfort working with high voltage mains connections if you plan to DIY it but I found it approachable and easy to setup.

What it looks like: https://i.ibb.co/qBVmBD1/IMG-1595.jpg

I use an IotaWatt system. It's super easy to install and manage. It uses inductive sensors at your circuit breaker so you can see your total usage and per circuit usage. It also easily hooks into HomeAssistant but that's a bit more advanced of a project.

I have an IotaWatt and am pretty happy with it. It was not the cheapest option; but is simple, reliable, and local only which checked all my boxes. I did install it myself; BUT this involved opening up and poking around inside my breaker panel. AFAIK this is pretty much required for any per-circuit home power monitoring. Insert "The power inside your breaker panel can kill you instantly and painfully" warning. My panel is mounted on the wall (rather than inside); and I guess I could have put the clamps on the wires where the exit the panel. But it would have been much harder to identify circuits. Also it would probably be much messier.

For individual circuit energy monitoring, I use Iotawatt. This involves installing CT clamps in the main breaker panel to monitor the circuits you want to monitor. I’m comfortable doing it myself but if you’re not, DO NOT mess around with it, hire a professional electrician instead because you can get electrocuted.

IoTaWatt https://iotawatt.com

If you really want to mail down your sources of current draw, I can’t recommend this enough: http://iotawatt.com

Since you have home automation, you may already know of IoTAWatt - it's a little cheaper than others, and works really well on its own or with HomeAssistant etc.

Sense is really good at measuring overall usage. Their neural network analysis to identify individual devices is anything but reliable. If this is important to you, I suggest you monitor individual circuits with something else (eg. iotawatt).