X10 Community Forum

💬General Category => Mac/Linux & Open Source and the X10 Home => Raspberry Pi, Arduino & other SBC => Topic started by: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 08:59:36 AM

Title: Need direction
Post by: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 08:59:36 AM: Ok Pi experts, the weather in Ohio isn't conducive to my farming hobby, and I'm ready to take the plunge while I have a little bit of time.

Someone give me a link to a nice starter kit that I dont have to pay an arm and a leg for. I need a power supply and s card.

Ebay is too confusing.

Would like the gpio pins, as I doubt my 1st attempt will be involve x10, but wifi is a must.

I'm looking at sending SMS emails to my phone reporting contact closures on grain tank sensors. Dallas 2 wire will come next.

I don't need tiny and I dont need a lot of processor power.

I'm guessing my 1st one or two will get destroyed by dust or heat or me doing something j shouldn't do, so I want cheap.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: dhouston on October 14, 2018, 09:38:40 AM: https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_pg_1?fst=p90x%3A1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ARaspberry+Pi+3+-+Model+B%2B&keywords=Raspberry+Pi+3+-+Model+B%2B&ie=UTF8&qid=1539524203 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_pg_1?fst=p90x%3A1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ARaspberry+Pi+3+-+Model+B%2B&keywords=Raspberry+Pi+3+-+Model+B%2B&ie=UTF8&qid=1539524203)
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: petera on October 14, 2018, 09:47:03 AM: As soon as the kit is delivered and you’re ready to go report back for further instruction.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: dhouston on October 14, 2018, 09:51:44 AM: You will also need...
https://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi-tutorials/17209332-adding-a-real-time-clock-to-your-raspberry-pi (https://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi-tutorials/17209332-adding-a-real-time-clock-to-your-raspberry-pi)
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: petera on October 14, 2018, 10:10:20 AM: While alerts can be done via the on board WiFi, this board in addition might be worth looking at. Instant SMS alerts via the cellular network. https://www.robotshop.com/eu/en/gsm-gprsgnssbluetooth-hat-raspberry-pi.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0oveBRAmEiwAzf6_rDkhC7l2NPeswkm7Uzz36AEor6N6eJz31nwlLpuRiy7ZsToEitc-SRoCfBQQAvD_BwE
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 10:25:07 AM: I'm already using python based on a PC to send alerts to cell via a SMS gateway.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: dhouston on October 14, 2018, 10:53:05 AM: Quote from: petera on October 14, 2018, 10:10:20 AM
While alerts can be done via the on board WiFi, this board in addition might be worth looking at. Instant SMS alerts via the cellular network. https://www.robotshop.com/eu/en/gsm-gprsgnssbluetooth-hat-raspberry-pi.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0oveBRAmEiwAzf6_rDkhC7l2NPeswkm7Uzz36AEor6N6eJz31nwlLpuRiy7ZsToEitc-SRoCfBQQAvD_BwE (https://www.robotshop.com/eu/en/gsm-gprsgnssbluetooth-hat-raspberry-pi.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0oveBRAmEiwAzf6_rDkhC7l2NPeswkm7Uzz36AEor6N6eJz31nwlLpuRiy7ZsToEitc-SRoCfBQQAvD_BwE)
Since the RPi 3 has Bluetooth, what are the advantages of the robotshop board? Also, what is the battery holder for?
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: Tuicemen on October 14, 2018, 12:47:03 PM: You really can't get any cheaper then the Zero W and since you don't need the processing power of the 3 B+ it makes more sense to go with one of those.
These will fit in a plastic outlet box or just about anytthing so you can protect it from the elements the cases that are available for all PIs are not made to protect them much.
https://www.adafruit.com/category/933?src=raspberrypi
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: brobin on October 14, 2018, 01:25:30 PM: For the Pi Zero W, this $35 kit has everything you need - and probably more - in one box: https://goo.gl/RufHoy
I bought the $27 version because I already had some of the items but this one is a better value. There are some excellent 'getting started' tutorials at sparkfun.com that you'll find useful. The Zero can send email which means you can get SMS texts as well. (See https://goo.gl/vyP5dO for gateways) Have fun!
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: dave w on October 14, 2018, 03:22:22 PM: Quote from: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 08:59:36 AM
I'm guessing my 1st one or two will get destroyed by dust or heat or me doing something I shouldn't do, so I want cheap.
rofl I don't think you need to worry about that.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: petera on October 14, 2018, 03:58:05 PM: Quote from: dhouston on October 14, 2018, 09:51:44 AM
You will also need...
https://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi-tutorials/17209332-adding-a-real-time-clock-to-your-raspberry-pi (https://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi-tutorials/17209332-adding-a-real-time-clock-to-your-raspberry-pi)

Purely for flexibility.

Not sure where the grain tanks are located in proximity to his AP. Cellular practically guarantees all bases are covered. Bluetooth would be ideal but limited in range.

Also with a power pack attached as a UPS the Pi is covered in the event of power outage.

Just something to consider.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 07:27:26 PM: We have an 80 elevator at the tanks. A guy uses that tower as a relay point for wireless internet which he let's us tap in exchange for the tower.

Free wifi at our farm.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: petera on October 14, 2018, 08:15:19 PM: Wow :)% No problem with antenna height so. What broadband speed do you have. A lot of options open for you with that infrastructure.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 09:06:17 PM: I've never tested the speed. I've never had any reason to use high speed.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: HA Dave on October 14, 2018, 10:15:14 PM: Quote from: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 07:27:26 PM
We have an 80 elevator at the tanks. A guy uses that tower as a relay point for wireless internet which he let's us tap in exchange for the tower.
Free wifi at our farm.

Years (decades) ago when I was a child.... Dad had an 80 foot tower in the back yard. The use of the tower was for police and fire radio.

In the Army we had a mobile relay setup we used in remote areas (also decades ago). We would relay radio in a 577 personnel carrier (APC) (http://www.military-today.com/apc/m577.htm) 24/7 for days on end using a generator.

It makes me wonder if a grid of relayed radios could solve the rural Internet problem.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 10:26:41 PM: This is on a private grid used as a redundant system for governmental services. Our receiver points to a water tower. This network is run by a guy that maintains the public services radio systems including M.A.R.C.S. High band repeaters are also connected as well as remote generator control.

We just happened to have the right platform in the right place.

Now that I've posted that, I would hope our grain elevator does not become a target.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: HA Dave on October 14, 2018, 11:00:51 PM: Quote from: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 10:26:41 PM
This is on a private grid used as a redundant system for governmental services. Our receiver point...…………

I am wondering about a possible business venture model. A way to provide a needed service.... while making a reasonable profit.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: Knightrider on October 15, 2018, 06:52:09 AM: It was tried 3 times. Always went belly up.
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: petera on October 15, 2018, 07:51:32 AM: An interesting paper on Mesh Networking with Bluetooth and very achievable on the Raspberry Pi. Could be very suitable in your environment. Worth a read while you're waiting on your key delivery. https://cdn.hackaday.io/files/21641925888544/P2P%20Local%20Mesh%20Communications%20Network%20for%20Developing%20Countries%20Rev%20April%2030%202017%20D.doc
Title: Re: Need direction
Post by: HA Dave on October 15, 2018, 09:21:42 AM: Quote from: Knightrider on October 14, 2018, 09:06:17 PM
…... I've never had any reason to use high speed.

Facetime, or skype.