Raspberry Pi IoT

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

Raspberry Pi IoT

8Baker · Member

Not as of yet, but the PI is a wonderful little computer ideally suited for permanent mounting in a rig.

I've yet to start my build, but I have a Pi 3 ready to go in, along with temperature sensors and relays to hook up to the gpio pins to run simple climate control (bleeding heat build up from the fridge either inside our outside my bus) and panel cooling (to test, might use more power cooling panels than the increased efficiency gains in the PV cells).

I haven't looked at IoT applications yet, but I'm curious as to their continuous power needs.

I intend to have the Pi on 24/7, as it's going to be doing a bit of climate control as well as some casual war driving, plus our main computer for emails, social media and movies. They use so little power it seems negligible in the long run.

If you are wiring in lights (and can be bothered) maybe look at putting in latching relays hooked up in a multi-way switch configuration with the physical switches, you will save time later if its something you want to implement in the future.

What applications of IoT where you thinking about specifically? I'm sure that with a little wiring and some basic components, most automation can be achieved probably cheeper than buying a device.

Baker

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

At this stage there is not a lot really needs automating. The Truck (24V) was built with a big old petrol 240 v 8Kva genset along with about 300 Ah batteries for 12 volt (mostly incandecent 12v globes) and a third circuit for leeching 240 volt from a fixed power source. All very Mezozoic technology.

I already have a 400 W solar array with 300 Ah of batteries set up as 24V which I have just transfered "holus bolus" into the truck from my caravan to run all the USB, LED, 2 x Engels, car radios and a bunch of computers monitors and model aircraft and soldering stations.

The big job will be to nut out the existing wiring in the truck and to integrate the systems together. After that I will want a Server for all the computers so as to not have files and databases all over the joint.

First thing will be to have all the lighting / apliances run off a tablet / Phone. using Open Hab (or sim) After that I might start getting kinky and building in atomated steps , panel tilting , possibly furniture raising / lowering, water management, using the same sorts of techniques.

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

P.S. I bought 2 Pis from Bangood and they come with a LiPo pack good for 9 hours (aparently). There is one coming out with a 1 Tb SSD hat acording to Altronics. Which will make the whole Central Control system very robust and sleek. Once I have some runs on the board I will start some documentation to show / document / explan to myself what the Hell I am actually trying to do. I am using the common or garden rely modules from Bangood sinse they are ridiculously cheap, though perhaps not so cheerfull. and can be used like LEGO.

So you have a bus as a platform?

Cheers Muzz.

8Baker · Member

yup, picking it up tomorrow :)

sounds like you have plenty of power to spare, I'm trying to keep tare weight down so it's drivable on a C class license (I'm from the UK, so cant get an LR license), and am just going with a 24v 220Ah solar system, maybe only 300w of panels, should be enough for my needs.

I'm brand new to Aus, you got any tips on any good component shops, somewhere to get a grab bag of mixed resistors for example?

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

Welcome to God Own Eeaarth !! Watch out for the Dipthongs Mayte, thaey can be narstie little buggers!

I am surprised you are saying you are not able to get a LR Licence? I have an HR since the Cretaceous so am not sure of the process. Would have thought you could get a Heavy Licence LR MR or HR. Even if it means sitting the licence test. Where abouts are you Located? Just getting ready for the Summer here in Perth and the WX is glorious.

I use Element 14, Altronics, Bangood tends to be annoyingly long lead times and poor quality comps. Never mind the quality, feel the length. Jaycar.

Altronics is the best for me.

Bet you are excited? Make sure you send us a pic of the Bus. I assume you are talking about a Coaster or similar?

8Baker · Member

indeed, 2004 coaster.

Doing roadworthy and paperwork today, picking her up later and then breaking out the measure.

I dont actually have access to funds till monday, which sucks, I've already sourced most things. fridge, hob, sink etc.

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

I have an 81 coaster I am looking to sell. It isnt in great nick but it is sound. It is just too small for full time living and a big bloke like me.

They have a lot of good points however.

I will be interested to see how you proceed with the fit out.

-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Thursday 7th of September 2017 01:28:54 PM

Waytra · Member

We use a raspberry pi to run our entertainment. It has a 2Tb hdd attached, full of movies and an ipod full of music. It is also wireless so we can run photos etc from the laptop or direct from our phones, or from my wireless camera.