How I automate
my pool pumps...

... with a Raspberry Pi and some open-source software

Johannes Ernst

mail: jernst@indiecomputing.com · blog: upon2020.com
Mastodon: @j12t@social.coop · Twitter: @Johannes_Ernst

Software

Application

Rasptimer

PHP (very simple)
wiringpi
Stores data in cron files :-)

Go to: github.com/jernst/rasptimer

Operating system

UBOS^®

Derivative of Arch Linux
Makes admin of web apps simple
Rolling release: x86_64, EC2,
Docker, various ARM etc.

Go to: ubos.net

Installation & Configuration

Problem: Keyboard? Monitor?

Download and write UBOS for Raspberry Pi to SD Card
ubos.net/quickstart
Prepare USB stick as UBOS Staff
Save WiFi info to UBOS Staff
github.com/jernst/rasptimer/tree/master/files-for-ubos-staff/wifi
Save site template file to UBOS Staff
github.com/jernst/rasptimer/tree/master/files-for-ubos-staff/site-templates
Boot with SD card and UBOS Staff (first time)
Done!

Results

Cost:	~ $165
Labor/fun:	~ a week
Issues	Raspberry Pi (original) → replaced with Pi 2 WiFi coverage → moved dongle outside of metal box; upgraded home WiFi
Advantages	It's a website: any device, no apps needed I'm in control; I can extend as I like No service contract or planned obsolescence ("Google, what happened to Revolv?") Nobody spies on me!

"A Depressingly Rainy Day"

Credit: Kai Kreuzer, twitter.com/kaikreuzer/status/529732872098553856

The world needs (more) "Indie IoT"!

Do you want to live in an Amazon(-only) house?
Internet-of-(my)-things should put people in control of their things
... not overlords in the clouds!

Projects to check out

Rasptimer: github.com/jernst/rasptimer
Mozilla IoT "web of things": iot.mozilla.org
HestiaPi thermostat: hestiapi.com
IotaWatt energy monitor: iotawatt.com
UBOS distro for personal servers and Indie IoT devices: ubos.net
UBOSbox home server: indiecomputing.com/products

Johannes Ernst, Indie Computing Corp.

mail: jernst@indiecomputing.com · blog: upon2020.com
Mastodon: @j12t@social.coop · Twitter: @Johannes_Ernst