How I Automate My Pool Pumps,
and: Can We Do Better?

Johannes Ernst

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

Part I:
What's running "in production"

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?

  1. Download and write UBOS for Raspberry Pi to SD Card
    ubos.net/quickstart
  2. Prepare USB stick as UBOS Staff
  3. Save WiFi info to UBOS Staff
    github.com/jernst/rasptimer/tree/master/files-for-ubos-staff/wifi
  4. Save site template file to UBOS Staff
    github.com/jernst/rasptimer/tree/master/files-for-ubos-staff/site-templates
  5. Boot with SD card and UBOS Staff (first time)
  6. 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!

Part II:
New requirements

A multi-vendor negotiation problem

Thank you!

Links:

 

Johannes Ernst, Indie Computing Corp.

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