Home Automation

[Robbo]

12 minutes ago, Wanderer Vagabond said:

30 seconds ago was the first time that I've ever done that (tried it just to see what you meant), since I've never done it before I don't quite see how Cortana would have been searching under those conditions when it was eating up my allowance.

It’s does a web search as well using Cortana for recommendations on what you are typing and shows them in the menu part.

Edited August 29, 2018 by Robbo

[Wanderer Vagabond]

1 minute ago, Robbo said:

It’s does a web search as well using Cortana for recommendations on what you are typing.

But I've never used that search facility before, ever.

[Robbo]

5 minutes ago, Wanderer Vagabond said:

But I've never used that search facility before, ever.

You’ve never pressed the windows button and type something?

[Wanderer Vagabond]

Just now, Robbo said:

You’ve never pressed the windows button and type something?

No, the very first time I've ever done that was when you put the instructions above, prior to that I have never used that facility.

[Robbo]

3 minutes ago, Wanderer Vagabond said:

No, the very first time I've ever done that was when you put the instructions above, prior to that I have never used that facility.

I do it all time as I can never find anything in Windows 10!

[Wanderer Vagabond]

1 minute ago, Robbo said:

I do it all time as I can never find anything in Windows 10!

I have shortcuts to pretty much everything I want in Windows 10 so never randomly search the computer for anything, which is why I cannot understand Cortana doing a search on a facility that I've never used.

[Robbo]

24 minutes ago, Wanderer Vagabond said:

I have shortcuts to pretty much everything I want in Windows 10 so never randomly search the computer for anything, which is why I cannot understand Cortana doing a search on a facility that I've never used.

It’s probably doing something else as well, it keeps a track of the apps you open for “better searching” as well.   I’m not up on windows these days as I work with Linux stuff.

[Wanderer Vagabond]

6 minutes ago, Robbo said:

It’s probably doing something else as well, it keeps a track of the apps you open for “better searching” as well.   I’m not up on windows these days as I work with Linux stuff.

I have absolutely no doubt that it is indeed doing 'something else' as well and, since Microsoft chose to 'give' me Windows 10 for free I can safely assume that it involves the monetisation of my data. I can reluctantly live with that, what I'll be buggered that I'll put up with is them using my data allowance to do so; if they want data from me they can pay for unlimited mobile broadband for me, if not they can naff off

[Robbo]

6 minutes ago, Wanderer Vagabond said:

I have absolutely no doubt that it is indeed doing 'something else' as well and, since Microsoft chose to 'give' me Windows 10 for free I can safely assume that it involves the monetisation of my data. I can reluctantly live with that, what I'll be buggered that I'll put up with is them using my data allowance to do so; if they want data from me they can pay for unlimited mobile broadband for me, if not they can naff off

You can class a network interface or WiFi that’s on a metered connection, if you haven’t done that it will be worth doing.... https://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/features/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-downloading-and-installing-updates-automatically-1667095

[Wanderer Vagabond]

6 minutes ago, Robbo said:

You can class a network interface or WiFi that’s on a metered connection, if you haven’t done that it will be worth doing.... https://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/features/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-downloading-and-installing-updates-automatically-1667095

Yes, I've already done that since Microsoft 'generously' offered to update my Windows 10 to the latest version, a mere 3.5 Gb out of my monthly allowance had I not blocked it. The only thing I'm allowing to update is Windows Defender.

[WotEver]

1 hour ago, Wanderer Vagabond said:

No, the very first time I've ever done that was when you put the instructions above, prior to that I have never used that facility.

I never use that facility either. 

[Richard10002]

1 hour ago, WotEver said:

I never use that facility either. 

Nor me. Didn’t know it existed, and never needed it.

[rusty69]

and thanks for

[Wanderer Vagabond]

2 hours ago, WotEver said:

I never use that facility either. 

 

1 hour ago, Richard10002 said:

Nor me. Didn’t know it existed, and never needed it.

Glad its not just me then. I thought I was sort of half tech savvy but had never heard of that search facility (and have never needed it)

[Robbo]

Something a little more on topic which may be useful if your in the Apple world...

 

As home automation is all about controlling stuff having a easy and quick to get at UI on your phone/pad will be quite handy.  As I use a iPhone/iPad I can use HomeKit for controlling my devices.  The advantage is that your favourite devices can be added to the control centre so minimal faffing in getting too them when needed as well as they can also be controlled via Siri if wished.

 

However Homekit devices need to go through the Apple system, so you limit your choice, especially one suitable for a boat environment.   Ie. The Philips Hue is compatible, but Third Party bulbs are not and show as disconnected in the HomeKit system ?   Thank you Apple!

 

One solution is too use Node-Red and the HomeKit "node", this node simulates devices in HomeKit so you can easily add devices to show up in HomeKit. 

 

https://swifting.io/blog/2017/04/05/39-homekit-devices-simulator-using-node-red-raspberry-pi/

 

I will post some Node-Red Flows once I've had a bit of a play...   One idea I have floating around is too turn the Inverter off automatically when it's not in use, but will turn on if I want the TV on, etc.  

Edited August 30, 2018 by Robbo

[nicknorman]

I suggest that the problem with building a system based on a “fudge” to get around the restrictions Apple impose, may backfire if and when Apple decide to change things a bit so the fudges no longer work. They are pretty good at doing that!

[Robbo]

27 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

I suggest that the problem with building a system based on a “fudge” to get around the restrictions Apple impose, may backfire if and when Apple decide to change things a bit so the fudges no longer work. They are pretty good at doing that!

My project won't be based on HomeKit, this is more icing to enable a nicer UI and Siri for the Apple stuff.   

 

The system(s) I'm devising, is that the main stuff like the lighting system, power sockets, etc. is not dependent on something else but can be centrally controlled and monitored.   

[Robbo]

Has anyone delved into energy monitoring using a Pi?   I know someone here used a pi to monitor stuff on their boat but I can't find it ?   

 

At the moment for monitoring AC, I'm looking at these energy meters like the EM111 from Carlo Gavazzi with the Modbus connection so I will be able to connect them to the Pi or in my case via the Relay Board as that has a Modbus RTU/TCP Gateway.

 

 

[Robbo]

If anyone is interested in connecting multiple IoT devices or other stuff together then this introduction to Node-Red is a good start...

 

 

Edited August 31, 2018 by Robbo

[Robbo]

2 hours ago, Dr Bob said:

I've got an old Phoenix multi 2k, a bluesmart IP22 30A charger, a BMV 712 smart and a 20A solar controller. The last 2 have Bluetooth. It would be nice to be able to network them together like I did on my lumpy water boat and all the raymarine kit but I never get past first base as it sounds to complex and the intrrgave too expensive. 

 

2 hours ago, Robbo said:

It depends on what you are after by networking them together I suppose?   Victron have a open source following so if you like playing (and quite technical) you may be interested (As you know I'm looking for central control/monitoring using a Pi).

 

https://www.victronenergy.com/live/open_source:start

 

The GX screen that Victron do is actually open source and you can implement on a Pi -https://github.com/victronenergy/venus/wiki and some blogs regarding https://www.chronicle.me.uk/victronPi/, https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2018/04/11/homemade-pi-open-source-raspberry-flavour/, 

 

44 minutes ago, Dr Bob said:

Robbo,

thanks for the response.......with a pause, to see if anyone jumps in to answer the OP's original questions.

....

....

....

....

Nothing heard! Yes it does look a bit technical...no, a lot technical. I think it would be good to be able to log data from the solar controller and data from the BMV 712 (both of which have bluetooth) onto a Pi. I have very limited experience on the Pi....just about managed to programme the one at home to send the IP address to No-IP so I can connect remotely to the home cctv with a dynamic IP broadand supplier, and runing Kodi on the Pi on the boat....but that is just plug and play. A first idiot question. How do you physically connect them together? I assume you can connect the pi to the 2 victron boxes by bluetooth? ....but is it better to hardwire it .....not sure what connectors are present on the victron boxes. Then, assuming I can get the Pi to record data, how to download the info from the Pi to the mac book? Macbook does not have a network connector. Pi (next to the BMV and solar controller) is at the opposite end of the boat to the router so out of wifi range and bluetooth only gets half way down the boat.

I will have a good dig into the links you gave above.

 

Apologies to the OP for taking over the thread, but at least it will be at the top of the VNC list and others will jump in.

Robbo, can I pm you?

Above from another thread but more relevant here...

 

I'm still looking myself and looking to do Bluetooth bit as well when I have the MTTP.    The direct wired method to connect to the BMV, MTTP would be to use a VE Direct cable to USB.   It's basically a serial protocol that Victron use on their cheaper stuff.   There is more info on how their protocols here, but the document doesn't have the bluetooth bit yet.  https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Whitepaper-Data-communication-with-Victron-Energy-products_EN.pdf

 

What you do with it once you've got it connected is another thing as it's all raw data.   I'm looking at the the Open Energy Monitor project (not for the hardware but the software) but it's all early days for me.   It's certainly not plug and play doing it this way to get a nice graph.

[Dr Bob]

2 hours ago, Robbo said:

 

 

Above from another thread but more relevant here...

 

I'm still looking myself and looking to do Bluetooth bit as well when I have the MTTP.    The direct wired method to connect to the BMV, MTTP would be to use a VE Direct cable to USB.   It's basically a serial protocol that Victron use on their cheaper stuff.   There is more info on how their protocols here, but the document doesn't have the bluetooth bit yet.  https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Whitepaper-Data-communication-with-Victron-Energy-products_EN.pdf

 

What you do with it once you've got it connected is another thing as it's all raw data.   I'm looking at the the Open Energy Monitor project (not for the hardware but the software) but it's all early days for me.   It's certainly not plug and play doing it this way to get a nice graph.

ok, thanks robbo, I will have a look. TA.

[Dr Bob]

27 minutes ago, Robbo said:

That’s correct, although they have Bluetooth as well which may be just vedirect as well - I’ve not had a chance to google and the victron site isn’t updated on that protocol.    What are you looking to achieve with attaching them to your Pi?   Are you just after using Victron Connect from your Mac or looking at using some third party toy?

Ok, having read the various threads and looked at many of your links, I would like be able to get better access to the data that the mppt and bmv are holding. At present, I use the victron app on the android phone to display the bmv712 data but this only works on one old phone and I cant connect my main mobile. I would like a more permanent graphical display...as per one of your links....but I would also like to record volts, amps,  amphrs used every minute (or second) so I can graph it at a later date and the same for the solar information. I see the Pi being able to grab and store the data (although the german link below says it is better to store the data on a remote server) but I would need to transfer the data from the Pi to my macbook to process it.....hence the question of file transfer from the PI to the macbook. I would also want to be able to connect remotely when off the boat to the system to be able to see the current data, or download the data files to get the historical data (maybe then I dont need to connect my macbook!).

Looking in detail at the links you provided I found the following.

 

https://www.chronicle.me.uk/victronPi/

This looks an interesting and 'cheap' way of displaying data from the bmv712 and solar controller and it looks fairly straight forward to actually do...ie within my limited abilities. The display looks good but not sure if it stores data for later download and analysis...or could the code in the Pi be modified to do this? It almost looks plug and play if you follow the instructions and download all the software. Is this right?

 

https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/venus-gx

I finally went to victron site and found this unit which I guess will do everything I need but at a cost. Am I right in thinking that you can get a Pi to do most of this?

 

https://github.com/oekoluk/Victron-Data-Reader-and-Logger

This one looks really interesting as it logs data from the bmv and mppt …..read using google translate......but I am lost when looking at the Github web page. How can you see the software code? Do I need to register with the site first?

 

Looks like all I need is a new Pi with the appropriate operating system installed and a couple of VE direct leads to get started. Just found 20M of LAN cable so I can connect the Pi to the router.

[Robbo]

I will dump a load of links at the moment for you to explore, and see if I can do a better reply when I get home from work (will need to explore myself a bit)..

It does read like you could use the Pi with the Venus software to take to the VRM website (for remote access).

 

First, if you've not got the Victron Connect app for the Mac ; https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software

 

Running Venus on a Pi blog; https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2017/09/06/raspberry-pi-running-victrons-venus-firmware/  and the link from that on how to install on a Pi which looks fairly straightforward - https://github.com/victronenergy/venus/wiki/raspberrypi-install-venus-image

 

A start guide for VRM; https://www.victronenergy.com/live/vrm_portal:getting_started

 

Vedirect to VRM product from Victron that may be of interest; https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/ve-direct-lorawan

Edited September 6, 2018 by Robbo

[sirweste]

Cool thread. Glad the luddites have finally buggered off to any of the other threads. Nearly two pages of shite puns!!!!

 

Anyhow, when I first got the boat I really REALLY want to automate my solar panels on a 2 axis motor driven frame. 

I assumed using Pi, with a sun time table to work out angles and an electronic GPS to set the default zero that day. 

This is the thing that I want automated. Maximise the power potential to save on running the bloody engines. 

 

 

I'd also like to sort out my down lighting. As presently it's real hard to find low enough lumen with a decently wide beam and a nice warm light. I thought of some sort of home auto system with dimmers, seemed like a lot of work though! 

[TheBiscuits]

2 hours ago, sirweste said:

Anyhow, when I first got the boat I really REALLY want to automate my solar panels on a 2 axis motor driven frame. 

I assumed using Pi, with a sun time table to work out angles and an electronic GPS to set the default zero that day. 

This is the thing that I want automated. Maximise the power potential to save on running the bloody engines. 

I suspect on a boat you will use more power doing solar tracking than you will gain by doing so.

 

You might be better off installing another panel and not bothering with the hassle of sun tracking.  This is the approach that most of the UK solar farms take.