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Home Environmental Sensor Array

Progress

Summary Status

Phase 1 is done. Mounted the enclosure on my wall and put it in service. There are a few follow-up tasks but the HESA is working as designed.

Click here to read the latest updates on my blog.

Phase 1

Description

Create a device that will sense when water is spilling in to the basement. The device will shut off power to the water softener and notify people that there is a problem.

Features

  • Check for water in the basement. If found:
  • Shut off power to water softener
  • Send email to mail address
  • Auto-startup on power up
  • All components mounted in enclosure that is mounted on wall and connected to 120v power

External Features

  • Email address that forwards mail to several email addresses as well as texting

Schematic

Components

  • 120v to 5v USB power converter and USB cable for Raspberry Pi
  • Duplex power outlet
  • Power plug for input with power cord for PC
  • Power switch
  • Powerswitch tail to control power
  • Water sensor cable
  • Connector plugs (2)
  • Ethernet cable
  • Enclosure

Consumables

  • Wires to connect Raspberry Pi ports to devices
  • 100k resistor for LED in enclosure
  • Flat edge connectors for electrical wires
  • Eyelet connectors for electrical wires
  • Wires to carry 120 volts of electricity
  • Solder

Python Code

Tasks

  1. Order Raspberry Pi and its components – Done
  2. Order Powerswitch tail – Done
  3. Setup Raspberry Pi with basic configuration – Done. View the blog entry.
  4. Create email group on my website to redirect email to multiple accounts – Done. View the blog entry.
  5. Write Python module to send email – Done. View the blog entry.
  6. Assemble Powerswitch tail – Done. View the blog entries here, here, and here.
  7. Write Python module to control Powerswitch tail – Done
  8. Write Python program to incorporate all features for phase 1 – Done
  9. Design a sensor to detect water – Done. Decided to go with bare wires.
  10. Design portable test system – Done
  11. Obtain materials for portable test system – Done
  12. Ensure that the basic design works 100% – Done
  13. Design enclosure – Done
  14. Obtain materials for enclosure – Done
  15. Build enclosure – Done
  16. Mount device in basement and test – Done
  17. Install FTP on raspberry pi – Done
  18. Install website files to the raspberry pi – Done

Follow-up tasks

  1. Make a backup of the SD card – Done
  2. Publish on Instructables – In progress
  3. Install Avahi to be able to access the pi by its host name rather than IP address – Done
  4. Print a raspberry pi base on the 3D printer – Not started
  5. Replace ethernet faceplate with one with one or two openings rather than four – Done
  6. Make HESA python program start as a service rather than in the rc.local script – Not started
  7. Install MySQL administration tool – Not started
  8. Populate MySQL tables – Not started
  9. Test development web server – Not started

Phase 2

Description

Make the device more user-friendly and interactive. Replace the Pi with a Beaglebone Black to make it able to connect to more things. It should record daily data and statuses in a web-based database. It should check the internet connection regularly. If there are any non-standard conditions, alert the humans with email (if possible), lights, and sound until the problem conditions are gone.

Features

  • Record resistance readings multiple times a day in a web-based database
  • Record system statuses in a web-based database
  • Check internet connectivity
  • Display status on LCD screen
  • Turn on light if internet connection is lost
  • Turn on siren if flood condition recognized
  • Repeat messaging every 24 hours

External Features

  • Web site that displays reading results in tabular and graphical form

Components

  • Beaglebone Black
  • Green LED for normal operating conditions
  • Yellow LED for internet lost
  • Red LED for hazardous condition
  • 16×2 display
  • Siren
  • Manual power switch for siren
  • Reset button

Tasks

  1. Obtain Beaglebone Black – Done
  2. Update O/S on BBB – Not started
  3. Figure out how to power up BBB without USB cable – Not started
  4. Make support / case for BBB – Not started
  5. Get HESA python program working on BBB – Not started
  6. Make HESA start automatically when BBB boots up – Not started
  7. Create MySQL tables to store status updates – Not started
  8. Make HESA program update status in MySQL table – Not started
  9. Make web page on rynok.org to display HESA status – Not started
  10. Find working 16×2 LCD display – Done
  11. Get LCD display working with BBB – Not started
  12. Add LCD code to HESA python program – Not started
  13. Install LCD screen in HESA enclosure front panel – Not started
  14. Design circuit that includes reset button – Not started
  15. Obtain components for reset button circuit – Not started
  16. Install reset button circuit in HESA enclosure – Not started

Phase 3

Description

Add a battery backup feature so the system can send alerts and shutdown gracefully in case of a catastrophe. Detect other environmental problems, record regular readings and send alerts.

Features

  • Battery backup
  • Detect power outage and send email alert
  • Add a button to shutdown the Pi, then shutoff power
  • Add a button to reboot the Pi
  • Low temperature detector
  • Monitor carbon monoxide levels
  • Monitor radon levels

Components

  • Battery power supply
  • Device that detects primary power outage
  • Temperature sensor
  • Carbon monoxide sensor
  • Radon sensor

Members: Ken Becker

projects/home_environmental_sensor_array.1388610628.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/01/01 21:10 by kennethsbecker