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Topic: Very cool geek gear (Read 1044 times) previous topic - next topic

Very cool geek gear

It occurs to me that others may be interested in this device as well.  It's a small DC computer using a free operating system that costs...35.00 brand new.  There is a large community of talented folks developing all kinds of uses and applications for it.  I got into it because A. It's cheap, interesting, and something to mess around with while traveling and B: It's a perfect fit for a motorhome due to good capabilities, many uses, and the fact that it uses less than 5 watts of power to operate.  Here's the main info,

FAQs | Raspberry Pi

You can follow other links on this site for forums where people are using these for automation, machine motion, smart thermostats, network servers, hardware VPN servers, media centers, the list goes on. 

Chuck
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #1 –
Humm... I may have to try one of these out. Would make a pretty cool low powered media player. The price does start adding up once you start adding on the accessories.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #2 –
Alternatively, although not as versatile as the Raspberry Pi, the Ardunio is very cool for home automation projects or any where that you need to roll your own device controller.
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #3 –
Looks like not much general interest here but I'm having a blast with the pi.  Ken, there's really not any accessories necessary as you can run it headless without monitor and keyboard, a micro SD card is 10.00, and a charger is 5.00.  XBMC and Linux software is free for the download so you can have a media server including hardware and software for 50.00.  Adding storage would push the price up closer to 100 with a cheap hard drive.  Disclaimer....this is an enthusiast's device and while some aspects are plug and play, most applications are going to require you using some linux commands to customize.  That's the fun in it for some, but others will just find it frustrating. 

Yeah Don, the Arduino is great, I've never personally put hands on one but have followed them closely.  In fact, there is a shield available for the pi that attaches the Arduino, giving you good processing power of the pi and great IO from the 'duino.  Powerful combo. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #4 –
Arduino or Raspberry Pi as a battery monitor? It would probably require some A to D devices to grab the voltage. The existing devices do a great job, but there remains a lot of discussion about combiners, isolators, etc. A geeky RV operator could address all sorts of issues with a programmable monitor that could measure some conditions and control some relays.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #5 –
Chuck, glad you started this thread.  I too have been experimenting with the RPi and Arduino.  There seem to be many potential applications in the RV world (tank/temperature/voltage monitoring and water pump/fill switch/lighting control as a start).
I was into some basic home automation some 40 years ago with my homebuilt Heathkit computer (when 4k was the norm for computer memory) and look forward to some geeky RV time this summer.  [Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were getting into computing at about the same time I did; they we a bit more successful...]
Grant
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #6 –
Yes, the possibilities are many.  I'm looking forward to having some time to dig deeper into these things when traveling as my hands start going crazy after a couple of days of R&R and the whole hobby fits into a small tupperware box.  Thinking seriously about an RV adaptation of a Nest thermostat, or something similar.  The easy implementation of wireless into the pi opens lots of possiblities for some engine/electrical monitoring. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #7 –
Hi Chuck,

I've been playing with Arduinos, XBee's, and device clouds to put together a remote monitoring platform for my bus. This sort of thing is very useful to me since I store my bus at a distant location and I like to be able to monitor inside temperatures, battery voltages, door locks, etc, remotely via the internet. I've been thinking that pet owners may find a feature like this quite valuable - imagine leaving your pets in the bus for a day while you remotely monitor inside temps via your handheld. The idea of controlling generators and air conditioners is also in the plan.

I've been playing with M2M (machine to machine) buy as you go cellular data plans. This allows me to run a gateway that connects to a cellular router. I have yet to install this new toy in my bus but I am running it from my home. If you go hereyou can monitor my swimming pool water temperature. There's a thread herewhere we've been talking about it.

David Brady
'02 Wanderlodge LXi, NC
David Brady
Asheville, NC
2004 Prevost H3 Vantare
2002 Wanderlodge LXi (sold)

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
The easy implementation of wireless into the pi opens lots of possiblities for some engine/electrical monitoring. 
I just received a wifi adapter to use with the Raspberry Pi (works fine, but only with the Ethernet connection also in place; something to work on when I get back home).

I like the idea of remote monitoring and there are many relatively inexpensive one-wire sensors (temperature, pressure, motion,..) to work with.

Came across this link from the site you provided the link to David; it gives a good explanation of some of the different options available  Digital Diner: Arduino Uno vs BeagleBone vs Raspberry Pi

Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #9 –
We are using a combination of laptops, tablets and smartphones right now while we're in the coach. Generally I start a tethering app on my Android Smartphone and connect other devices (tablet and laptop) to the Internet through it. This works ok but I've been thinking that it would be nice to have a way to keep some files (music, etc.) in the motor home and have a dedicated computer there.

Since I already use Linux as my main computer system for both work and personal and even have a "cloud" Linux server upstairs which pays its way as a backup server for several clients, I've been thinking that the Raspberry Pi would be a good place to start.

What I want is minimal size so it can be installed anywhere using a remote (Bluetooth) keyboard and mouse, HDMI output so either the TV set in the salon or the bedroom can be used, USB capability for accessing storage devices, and WiFi capability. I also like the idea of being able to hard-wire the unit into the coach's 12vdc power system.

So just a few minutes ago I ordered a new Raspberry Pi 512mb basic system, USB power supply (for developmental purposes), a case, 64gb SDHC memory card, a remote keyboard/mousepad, a powered hub, and a 6' long HDMI cable. All from Amazon as it seemed easiest.

The big issue will probably be getting everything to work directly connected to DC without dongles or inverters. After that will be the connectivity issue.  But getting one in-hand is a start.

I'm going to be moving some data to a "cloud" but right now debating whether to use my own or make use of offerings from Google, Dropbox, etc. I am using a dynamic DNS system to bypass the problem of changing IP addresses right now (much cheaper than a static IP address) and that seems quite useable although the "upload" bandwidth of my provider (and almost every provider) is seriously throttled. I can use OpenVPN to get access or just fall back to sftp/ssh solutions.

Using a cloud for everything isn't practical as there are many times when we are not within range of any sort of Internet connection. So there has to be some sort of robust file storage and local backups (CD/DVD).

Should be an interesting project and beats the heck out of crawling underneath the motor home tracing burned wires and installing shifter cables. :D

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #10 –
Craig,  look at this post and then some of the following in that thread.

Engine Diagnostics

Michelle linked to a post about their very cool in dash PC connected to everything.  I was looking for a non-dash solution for VMSpc and all other PC related stuff.  So far this set up has been great.

A secure coach wifi network is pretty easy.  Some of the cell phone mifi devices work well.  A Cradlepoint wireless router can use your phone or one of these mifi devices or a campground wifi signal to connect to the internet and you still have a secure coach network.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #11 –

Roger... unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it) I don't have an engine that the VMSpc system will work on; not electronic and no data for it to read. I did find a powered USB that operates off of 12vdc which will help considerably in keeping this system 12vdc-only. Not as inexpensive as the 120vac powered hubs but looks sturdy.

Amazon.com : 12 Volt USB hub Industrial 4-Port USB 2.0 Powered Hub for PC-MAC

Craig

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #12 –
I'm kicking myself for not building up a little Atom windows computer that would run streets and trips, gps, some other database stuff.  They are also very low amp draw,small form, and 12V power supplies are readily available.  Hdmi output to main TV and/or a 15" LCD up front for use by navigator.  Regarding the lan for the coach,  using a Pepwave SOHO router, very pleased with.  Nice Android app for monitoring and some administrative tasks, wifi as wan, built in VPN for you guys running home servers etc. Readily accepts many USB wireless modems, I'm using a 760, thinking about trying one of the 4G devices soon.  Seems to be a couple notches up above the Cradlepoint or wifi ranger.   
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
Regarding the lan for the coach,  using a Pepwave SOHO router, very pleased with.  Nice Android app for monitoring and some administrative tasks, wifi as wan, built in VPN for you guys running home servers etc. Readily accepts many USB wireless modems, I'm using a 760, thinking about trying one of the 4G devices soon.  Seems to be a couple notches up above the Cradlepoint or wifi ranger. 

Having been caught in the latest WifiRanger firmware fiasco (bricked our router as it did many, many others) and not getting a warm, fuzzy feeling from watching their reaction and response, at this point in time we would steer folks away from WifiRanger as well.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #14 –
My setup is approaching two years old now.  I had ATT then, a horrible choice especially out West at that time.  All of this helped but if there is no signal nothing will help. I'm with Verizon now, much better coverage and LTE as well. 

The one thing I know for sure is that this stuff is changing all the time.  Sometimes it actually gets better.  We get spoiled pretty fast with all of the techno-gadgets.  We are getting better at just shrugging our shoulders and going for a walk, getting out a paper map or pulling out a book when our wired world is somewhere else.  We have been surprised to get text messages when nothing else seems to be available.

I remember 33 years ago waiting in line at Zion NP to use a pay phone to call my Mom on Mothers's day.  It was a really long line.  No cell phones then.
 
So it is fun to look at new stuff, think about an upgrade, be happy with what we have (it's a lot, isn't it?) and just enjoy a glorious summer day here in Hastings.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: Very cool geek gear

Reply #15 –
Quote from: wa_desert_rat –
What I want is minimal size so it can be installed anywhere using a remote (Bluetooth) keyboard and mouse, HDMI output so either the TV set in the salon or the bedroom can be used, USB capability for accessing storage devices, and WiFi capability. I also like the idea of being able to hard-wire the unit into the coach's 12vdc power system.

So just a few minutes ago I ordered a new Raspberry Pi 512mb basic system, USB power supply (for developmental purposes), a case, 64gb SDHC memory card, a remote keyboard/mousepad, a powered hub, and a 6' long HDMI cable. All from Amazon as it seemed easiest.

The big issue will probably be getting everything to work directly connected to DC without dongles or inverters. After that will be the connectivity issue.  But getting one in-hand is a start.

Craig

Craig - I'm a relative Newbie to the Raspberry Pi but have managed to set it up as a media center (using the OpenElec XBMC system); I am able to operate the RPi remotely, through Wi-Fi, using either an iPad or PC.  I opted for local media storage (a network drive), although the RPi can connect and play media from the internet through my router.  Once you have it set up (which I did with USB keyboard/mouse and HDMI TV connections), pretty well everything can then be done through either a LAN or WiFi connection from your PC.  I don't speak "Linux", so you will likely find things much easier to understand and carry out.  Also, the RPi works quite well from a micro usb car charger/adapter, so 12V shouldn't be a problem for the Pi.
Have fun!
Grant
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV