General Discussion

Damn you sweedish guys! I need one of those lighted magnifying workstations. I might move there just to get this sale haha.

These are the reading i got. send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:0 send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:1.5.3 send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0 read: 0-0-2 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=0,l=1,sg=0:M sensor started, id=2, parent=0, distance=1 send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=7,sg=0,st=ok:pHmeter send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,sg=0,st=ok:1.0 send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=0,t=21,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=ok: send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=ok: pH:3.36 send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=24,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:3.36 send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:21.3 send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:21.1 send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:21.0 send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:20.8 pH:3.86 send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=24,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:3.86 The 14.79 is from the PH the rest the temp sensor. as you can see both values are on parent 0. is it possible to get the ph on parent 0 and the temp on 1?

@hek Thank you, it's working again. Glad I could help (finding a bug ;) )

Great! Thanks for reporting back.

It is a development branch define.

@BulldogLowell that's a great idea. It will require some learning (a guest will probably not be able to figure out how to handle the lights) but once learned, it should be really easy to operate.

@TheoL said: @the-cosmic-gate Great! And you're also good with a soldering iron. I don't think I could replace an SMD resistor ;-) i didn't solder the SMD :) just replaced the whole radio :) much more easy btw: congratz :P

@TRS-80 said: Your concerns are absolutely valid! And, BTW congratulations for being one of the few nowadays that question these sort of things (privacy, security) in general, instead of just blindly accepting them! Why would you not consider rolling your own? There are a number of inexpensive hardware available, and a number of software choices (and/or combinations of softwares that integrate well together) that will let you do almost whatever you want. Going the commercial "out of the box" route may be the easiest to get started, but you may eventually run in to proprietary lock in, incompatibility, and/or missing one or more certain features that you really need (some of which, may not even be apparent at the current time). It is for these reasons that I tend personally to lean more in the direction of rolling my own, and using open source software, hardware, etc. You can do whatever you want to, and it's almost always costs less money. :) If things end up not working out with one system, you can change software later and go in another direction, you still own your hardware. But, you will need to spend a little time learning some things. Is that so bad? :) There are many guides, much useful information, and many helpful communities (like this one!) on the internet nowadays; it's really not that difficult. Plus, it is very rewarding learning and figuring things out and accomplishing them. :) How much/what kind of data do you need to store? Just the HA setup? Sounds like maybe security system video as well? Video can take up a lot of HDD space (or bandwidth, so much in fact that it is probably not practical to upload). Do you also need a backup solution also for perhaps photos and/or other data? Give us a little more information about what you want your ultimate, complete dream system to eventually look like and include, and that will allow us to recommend some hardware and software which will (eventually) meet that goal. Begin with the end in mind, I say. It will save you a lot of time, headaches, and $ down the road. Thanks for effort! :) However, I just feel that it's way more complex, which is a bit unfortunate. It's not motivating for me to change software/hardware over time, it feels a bit unnecessary and it may increase the odds of adding devices in an non-optimal way. The things is that I don't have so many devices to start with and I see this as a project. Therefore, getting a solution, that will eventually solve all my problems, is more suitable for me. I don't need to think so much about the hardware/software, instead, I can focus on the devices and what they can do together :) I don't mind learning new stuff, it's just that I already have a pile of those things already haha, or at least time consuming hobbies/duties. In the future, I would like to have the following: lamps, sensors, kitchen appliances, blinds, speakers, TV, smoke detectors, alarm system, assistance/surveillance for pets and kids. I want multiple integration and communication to set up scenarios; Moreover, dinner time, movie time, gaming time, morning routines, alarm package, party or social gatherings and so forth.

@TheoL you are probably completely correct. I don't actually plan on building it.... it was just an interesting thought exercise.

@GertSanders I'm yet to 'label' mine but it has 3.3, 5 and 12v. I too have a switch aswell. I will get a full tooling setup done this weekend to join you guys. [image: 1460135853436-image.jpg]

@micah said: @alexsh1 said: @micah I think you can get a Samsung Class 10 microSD card for like $10 or something. I would avoid using a noname card from eBay/Aliexpress. Saves a lot of time. BTW - this is hardly RPi's fault, isn't it? Your right, it isn't the RPi's fault, although would it kill them to just include an 8gb flash chip on the device Re flash on the device - That's completely different discussion. What needs to be onboard is an endless talk - there are a few of those threads on raspberry.org . Personally, I am fine with the microSD card.

@mfalkvidd thank you for the link. I found an Arduino mega for around 13 euro. It's worth to try that.

Some years ago I found an add for a Holy Herb detector chip (lost the paper though). I guess it was at the beginning of the same month as this thread ;-)

@TheoL not really :disappointed: ,I think I'm going to use relays instead of the motor controller Thanks.

@hek Thanks for the quick reply. Now that I understand that things are operating as intended it is not really an issue. The serial GW appears to be very reliable and I plan to have it and the controller on a UPS. From my perspective, I'll treat the GW as part of the controller. Providing the controller is reliable then I'm OK.... On a side note, in your other posts you point to your example which uses the ACK to set the relay. Although this is very elegant it does not suit my case where I want the relays to be stand alone such that they continue to operate the lights, extractor fan,etc. when the GW/controller is down. This is way more important (to me) than the possibility of the controller getting out of sync occasionally. I have been considering using Z-Wave for some of the relays but there does seem to be plenty of issues with that protocol .... sigh! @mfalkvidd Thank you for the link. Unfortunately my searching skills aren't too good...it's an age thing ;-) I agree that documentation is the important thing here. If we understand how the protocols work then we can live within their limitations. MySensors already does way more then I expected and way easier too. If I have to use some Z-Wave or even hard wire something, it's no big deal (well now that Domoticz, OpenHAB, etc. can bring them all together). Well that's my theory for now ;-) Cheers Chris

Perhaps something similar to the power- or water flow pulse sensor example sketches? https://www.mysensors.org/build/pulse_power https://www.mysensors.org/build/pulse_water

A power bank (or et least the ones I used) has a very high self discharge. Most of the times these consist of a a few lithium cells with a cheap (boost) regulator. Better use standard (rechargable) cells.

@mfalkvidd said: Very cool, I love the big red button. Where did you find it? I did found it i my box with electronic parts :) i once got a number of these switches of a friend of mine. BTW the clock radio has a led strip connected emulating a Wakeup light, shows the out door temperature on request, since it is MYS connected the alarm can be triggered via my HA controller and the most important feature it switches on my coffee machine upon wake up time. I will post a detailed description in the comming days,