
Revolutionize Your Home Energy Monitoring with Voidbox Industries' PwrTool 500!
2025-09-02
Author: Ming
Introducing the Game-Changing PwrTool 500
Voidbox Industries is here to transform how you track energy use with their latest creation, the PwrTool 500! This robust power monitor, priced at just $149, is launching through a crowdfunding campaign on Crowd Supply. Designed with versatility in mind, it easily integrates into Home Assistant, allowing you to unlock unparalleled insights into your energy consumption.
Why the PwrTool 500 Stands Out
Chloe Madison, the visionary behind this innovation, describes the PwrTool 500 as "an open-source battery and power monitor tailored for off-grid energy systems." What sets it apart? It’s built to handle systems ranging from 12V to 48V DC, peaking at a whopping 500A across 6V to 60V DC, giving you the power to truly understand your energy flow, generation, storage, and usage.
High-Tech Features Galore!
Unveiled a year ago, the PwrTool 500 boasts cutting-edge technology like the Texas Instruments INA238 power monitor chip and a Voidbox FLIP_C3 Espressif ESP32-C3 microcontroller. Experience real-time insights into not just power, but also ambient temperature and humidity. Plus, the inclusion of a 45W N-channel MOSFET ensures efficient load control, while its Qwiic/STEMMA QT compatibility allows for easy expansion with external sensors.
Open and Customizable: No Vendor Lock-in!
Say goodbye to the hassle of proprietary ecosystems! Unlike conventional 'smart shunts' that keep your data locked away, the PwrTool 500 offers fully open hardware and software. Madison highlights, "With direct access to sensors, firmware, and GPIO, you can tailor the PwrTool 500 to your system's unique needs without any vendor lock-in."
Seamless Home Integration!
Connecting to Wi-Fi has never been easier! The PwrTool 500 can automatically register itself in Home Assistant, thanks to its pre-flashed ESPHome firmware. With its clever design, users can easily switch between hot- and cold-side installations. This tool not only empowers you but also supports community-led development, as it’s open source under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 license.
Get on Board!
Join the energy revolution with Voidbox Industries by supporting the PwrTool 500 on Crowd Supply. With comprehensive project documentation available, including schematics and bill of materials, you'll have everything you need to dive into this exciting venture. Don't miss the chance to bring smarter energy management to your home!