Arduino & Raspberry Pi projects

[fritz_monroe]

So, I just picked up a couple Raspberry Pi boards.  My wife will give them to me for Christmas.  I got to thinking that I would like to expand my knowledge of programming and electronics.  So an Arduino would be a nice addition to these computers.  But I'm not really sure what I would use an Arduino for on the homestead.

So, first question is are any of you messing around with Arduinos?
If so, what types of projects are you using them for?
Anything homestead related?

[flippydidit]

<whistling>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTs7VRFV36c

 

[kckndrgn]

Can't offer much, other than I have been interested in the Arduino for some time now. 

Haven't done anything with it yet, due to time and money constraints, but check out http://www.instructables.com/, they have a whole section for it.

I've seen projects for controlling solar panels to get the most sunlight, controlling a watering system for the garden, perimeter security, the list goes on and on.

[Moonvalleyprepper]

I have not messed with one yet but have plans to in the future.

My project ideas for it are:

brewing controller / monitor,
aquaponics controller / monitor,
green house monitoring / automation.

I'm kind of a lunatic when it comes to recording and analyzing data, so being able to have something constantly collect data that I can later graph and analyze is what I would like to use it for. Well that and automation of as many trivial tasks as I can.

[Moonvalleyprepper]

<whistling>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTs7VRFV36c

 

Holy Sh^t!!

add that to my list also!

That kid really should be wearing a mask though..

[rikkrack]

aquaponics controller / monitor,
green house monitoring / automation.

This ^

Have both in the same place. Aquaponics in my greenhouse and have to monitor constantly for temp, pumps, waterlevel, as well as pH O2. Fans, heating elements, could go on. currently using weather station remote sensors in the greenhouse for some data. Manually checking pumps, waterlevel, temps and adjusting as needed. Takes up time. Would be nice to automate.

And the remote sentry was awesome. That would be pretty cool too.

[fritz_monroe]

Holy Sh^t!!

add that to my list also!

That kid really should be wearing a mask though..

Pretty cool.  But that's not actually shooting the pain balls.  He says in his description that he didn't want paint all over the yard so didn't load it.

Initially I'm looking for some simple projects to get to know all about the boards.

[flippydidit]

Correct Fritz.  He's just cycling the compressed air for demonstration purposes.  If you'd like to know more about his sentry gun project, here is the link:

http://projectsentrygun.rudolphlabs.com/home

There are sections in there on the processing codes and arduino codes he used, as well as tutorials.  If you're REALLY serious about it you can purchase controller cards and other items that are linked to other sites (servos, switches, wiring, etc).

Even if you aren't planning on building one (or more), the articles about the arduino and different ways to connect the components, as well as building the software, is pretty interesting.  It may give you insight on your other arduino projects.

[fritz_monroe]

Can't offer much, other than I have been interested in the Arduino for some time now. 

Haven't done anything with it yet, due to time and money constraints, but check out http://www.instructables.com/, they have a whole section for it.

I've seen projects for controlling solar panels to get the most sunlight, controlling a watering system for the garden, perimeter security, the list goes on and on.

Instructables is one of my favorite sites.



I'm really looking more for stuff that will help build my coding ability and my electronics knowledge.  I have electronics training, but it's been 15 years or more since I've used it.  I can solder fine.  I know how to code, but it's all been school work.  Except for bash shell scripting and some Python.

[slingblade]

How about a multicopter?  http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/

[Moonvalleyprepper]

Pretty cool.  But that's not actually shooting the pain balls.  He says in his description that he didn't want paint all over the yard so didn't load it.

Ah, must have missed that the first time. I was a little concerned that someone could be clever enough to come up with that, then  test it on them self without a mask. 

[flippydidit]

Aww come on.  You've never done something so clever that it made you do something really stooopid right after that?

 

[Moonvalleyprepper]

Aww come on.  You've never done something so clever that it made you do something really stooopid right after that?

 

All the time, but I try not to let videos of it escape onto the internet. 

[Moonvalleyprepper]

I just noticed that they have classes for Arduino building and programming at the TechShop in Detroit. I'm going to make this one of my 13 in 13.

One of the cool things about these being open source is it will be easy to share the programming, and the hardware can be duplicated by anyone who wants to make the same project.

[Special K]

I would think that the clever monkey would combine something from this page:

dx.com/s/motion+sensor

With one of these Xbee transmitter/receivers:

http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5827-Xbee-Pro-60mW-with-Wire-Antenna.aspx

And, again using an Xbee as a receiver reporting back to an Arduino that is acting as a command-and-control station, receive reports from their new custom-built perimeter intrusion detection system

[backwoods_engineer]

So, I just picked up a couple Raspberry Pi boards.  My wife will give them to me for Christmas.  I got to thinking that I would like to expand my knowledge of programming and electronics.  So an Arduino would be a nice addition to these computers.  But I'm not really sure what I would use an Arduino for on the homestead.

So, first question is are any of you messing around with Arduinos?
If so, what types of projects are you using them for?
Anything homestead related?

Since I design with microcontrollers professionally, I write in C rather than the Processing language used by Arduinos.  But I am very interested in the prepping applications of microcontrollers, and particularly the Raspberry Pi.  Flippydiddit and I have been discussing a sequential-cycle solar cooling system, and I think that would be a good application for one as a controller.

[mxitman]

I think one of those sentry guns mounted on top of my chicken coop would keep the predators away..LOL...That's pretty sweet. I've done some stuff with Microcontrollers, specifically picaxe because it's cheap...haven't messed with any arduino yet though.

[microdevil45]

This ^

Have both in the same place. Aquaponics in my greenhouse and have to monitor constantly for temp, pumps, waterlevel, as well as pH O2. Fans, heating elements, could go on. currently using weather station remote sensors in the greenhouse for some data. Manually checking pumps, waterlevel, temps and adjusting as needed. Takes up time. Would be nice to automate.

And the remote sentry was awesome. That would be pretty cool too.

I have been watching this guy for sometime and here are a couple of his videos about using automation for his greenhouse.  I have been dabbing in arduino to get my greenhouse somewhat automated. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU9x_W9X-tM&feature=share&list=UUnSxSWSpUWwHpr_2WKIF9Xg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h9cLpLw_9E&feature=share&list=UUnSxSWSpUWwHpr_2WKIF9Xg

[Greysen]

If you want something that's not too over the top to try, tie it into a plug and SSR and thermocouple or thermistor and use it for temperature regulation and timing.  Works well with a crock pot for yogurt making.  If you want to get fancier, try working a PID into it to improve the temperature control.

Slightly more advanced, you could use it to drive a servo and open and close cold frames for temperature regulation.

Otherwise, there is a lot of projects out there tying them into hydroponic controls. www.thinkgeek.com has a couple of interesting ones.

-G

[justanotherjoe]

Arduinos are great fun, when I had my backyard pond I used it as a data logger for water/air temp with a ethernet shield. They have many potential uses in homesteading and survival. A lot of the projects you see are "art" based I would love to see me useful things related to gardening, solar, and remote monitoring.

[flippydidit]

backwoods_engineer,

This is another area that I see designing projects for the TSP community and beyond.  I sent you PM about some ideas.  Let me know what you think.

[rikkrack]

You definitely have a market here. There are those of us who are not as techno savvy but would like to use/buy the final end product without paying a huge amount.

There is also the modified home security options for remote homesteads. I am thinking if you have an internet connection available, or maybe some other way to transmit the data, a motion sensor with camera. Then text alert when something is detected. I know there are similar products out there, but home grown with the  prepper/homesteader in mind might be good market.

[justanotherjoe]

You definitely have a market here. There are those of us who are not as techno savvy but would like to use/buy the final end product without paying a huge amount.

There is also the modified home security options for remote homesteads. I am thinking if you have an internet connection available, or maybe some other way to transmit the data, a motion sensor with camera. Then text alert when something is detected. I know there are similar products out there, but home grown with the  prepper/homesteader in mind might be good market.

It is possible to with arduino to use a motion sensor, door switches, and temp than send out alerts over the internet but I dont think there is much you can do with video. But the raspberry pi in theory should be able to do all that plus stream video or itleast snapshots from a usb webcam. At that point though your better off just using a real computer running linux and zoneminder. Another neat thing is you can get gsm modems for arduino so if you dont have internet available but have just a little cell signal you can basically register it as a cell line on the cheapest plan(text only plan if available) and have it send you sms alerts

[fritz_monroe]

At that point though your better off just using a real computer running linux and zoneminder.

I disagree.  A Raspberry Pi uses about 4 watts, a standard desktop is has a 400W(or so) power supply.  A Raspberry Pi can be run off a car battery for a long time, not so with a desktop.  The Raspberry Pi runs linux and Zone Minder runs on the Raspberry Pi.

rpi-zoneminder

For me, this is the perfect use for a Raspberry Pi.

[justanotherjoe]

I disagree.  A Raspberry Pi uses about 4 watts, a standard desktop is has a 400W(or so) power supply.  A Raspberry Pi can be run off a car battery for a long time, not so with a desktop.  The Raspberry Pi runs linux and Zone Minder runs on the Raspberry Pi.

rpi-zoneminder

For me, this is the perfect use for a Raspberry Pi.

If power consumption is an issue than the pi is def the way to go. But if you want to do multiple ip cameras and would like to be able to record a couple weeks worth of video before overwriting than thats where your going to want a pc since the pi at best has 512 of mem, 700ish mhz cpu and best case about 30gb of storage......but at 30 bucks a pop you could always have one pi per cam you should be able to record about 115 hours at 320x240 and if you only record when theres motion storage would be an issue since hopefully you dont have to much motion at your BOL between visits. Also Im not sure if the PI has been out long enough to have spent an excess amount of time being pushed to its processing limits so who knows how long they would last in a 24/7 recording scenario. There are also other products out there like raspberry pi they just dont get much attention since they start around 100 dollars.

[idelphic]

You definitely have a market here. There are those of us who are not as techno savvy but would like to use/buy the final end product without paying a huge amount.

There is also the modified home security options for remote homesteads. I am thinking if you have an internet connection available, or maybe some other way to transmit the data, a motion sensor with camera. Then text alert when something is detected. I know there are similar products out there, but home grown with the  prepper/homesteader in mind might be good market.

While I really would like to build my own custom multi zone security system..  there are a number of off the shelf systems that are better suited as they have done all the FCC type accepted legal / development work...  One I have been looking at to replace my current (incorrectly wired one) is SimpliSafe.

Will work from a cell phone - no internet needed, all the door and window sensors are wireless. No contracts - you own it.

[flippydidit]

One I have been looking at to replace my current (incorrectly wired one) is SimpliSafe.

Fixed it for you.

http://simplisafe.com/

[flippydidit]

While I really would like to build my own custom multi zone security system..  there are a number of off the shelf systems that are better suited as they have done all the FCC type accepted legal / development work...  One I have been looking at to replace my current (incorrectly wired one) is SimpliSafe.

Will work from a cell phone - no internet needed, all the door and window sensors are wireless. No contracts - you own it.

I guess I missed where it works with cameras.....

Nope.  Read the whole sales pitch.  No camera options.

[fritz_monroe]

True, there are good options available on the market. But that's not the point of the thread.  I'm looking to learn more about this stuff.


P.S.  Since this has turned into arduino and Raspberry Pi projects, I'm changing the subject of the thread.

[flippydidit]

True, there are good options available on the market. But that's not the point of the thread.  I'm looking to learn more about this stuff.


P.S.  Since this has turned into arduino and Raspberry Pi projects, I'm changing the subject of the thread.

Look at you breaking out the Moderator kung fu!