Installing Ubuntu, linux, on an Mac Mini (2018) and MacBookAir (2010)

It's almost become a sport to revive old Macs..... 😉

This short post will address some obstacles found during install of a new OS.

• The Mac Mini:s WiFi controller wasn't found !
• The MacBook Air didn't manage to do a USB boot with Ubuntu !

Signal K, stream data changes

Updated 2025-06-28 !

Are You searching for a solution where You want to create graphs and gauges from SignalK(SK) data ?

Use NodeRed(NR), installed as a SK plugin, with the standard dashboard and it's easy to create info as seen in the picture. And this is without a database as InfluxDB and tools like Grafana.

You use the WebSocket interface, or SK subscribe nodes, to subscribe to changes in data from the SK server. 

Signal K quick install, Raspberry Pi, Ubuntu

Updated 2025-06-23 !

I have got some questions installing, just, Signal K(SK) so will do a summary with links.

Signal K is the hub to receive data, from different devices in different data formats, and send it on to different equipment, or databases, in different formats. Most common for standard marine equipment are the old NMEA 0183 and the newer NMEA 2000 protocol which is also handled. 

Besides the SK "hub" function developers have created plugins for different purposes. This is due to that SK is open-source ! Sharing is caring !

In this post you can check the devices I'm using connected to the SK server and also my setup.

One-liner Internet speedtest, Linux CLI, Node-Red, Home Assistant

We’ve been using Mobile Broadband for several years and have always been keen to measure the speed from our Internet Service Provider (ISP).

I’ve posted several variants, mostly Node-RED(NR) flows and programs that often use Python. I’m now slowly converting to Home Assistant(HA), and was glad there was an integration,  Speedtest, to do the job. But I couldn’t get it to work since HA didn’t like that the test took more than 10 seconds, 

Then I tried a Speedtest NR node, but it didn’t install because it needed Python dependencies...... (NR was installed as a HA "Add-on")

Volvo Penta D4/D6 water pump leak

Updated 2025-06-10 !

The sea water pump, labeled 3589907 and replaced by 21380890, was leaking a little so a change of seal was necessary. Numbers below refers to the explode view.

• Detach the generator belt from the pump pulley and the 2 hoses from the pump.
• Unscrew the water pump, 4 scews, from the engine block.
• Remove the cover, 7, from the pump.
• Pull out the impeller, 6.
• Remove the cam, 4, by unscrewing screw 18.
• Remove the washer, 22.
• Remove the lock ring 14 and washer 21.
• With a pliers try to remove the seal 8.

Home Assistant with VirtualBox or Proxmox or Ubuntu KVM ???

After testing Home Assistant (HA) for a while, I’ve realised it could improve my home automation, despite that I'm using Apple HomeKit.

When I tested HA with Node-RED and some other "Add-ons", on a Raspberry Pi 3 (RPi) I found that its computational power wasn’t enough.

The following setup could be any computer but I recently bought an Apple Mac Mini M4, replacing my 2018 (M18) model, so the M18 was really a great candidate for my HA setup.

The preferred method of running HA is through the HA Operating System (HAOS), which makes your "life" easier. 😉

Home Assistant core install, Raspberry Pi and Python 3.12 & 3.13

Updated 2025-06-02 !

This will soon be a deprecated installation method !!

The best way to start with Home Assistant(HA), and Raspberry Pi(RPi), is off course to use the ”Raspberry Pi imager” and in the menu select "Other specific-purpose OS => Home Assistant and home automation => Home Assistant". This will install the HA operating system.

It works very well and here are the install instructions. 
On the other hand if you want to add HA to a RPi which you already have up and running, without Docker, you need to install something which is called "Home Assistant Core".

Please check the "Remarks" below before you start.

New version for Python 3.13 ! Below info is not updated but just change from 3.12 to 3.13 

Installing Ubuntu 24.04 or 24.10/25.04 on an old MacBook Air(2011)

Updated 2025-05-20 !

I have done several posts Blogging about how to keep an old MacBook Air(MBA), mid 2011(A1369), with SSD disk "alive". I have used the fantastic software package OpenCore Legacy patcher to upgrade the Mac to the latest Mac OS. 

A while ago i tested Mac OS Sequoia(15.3), on the mentioned Mac, but I had to admit that it was to much for the 14 year old companion.

I really like the Mac and everything works, after a battery change, so it ended up with installing Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS or if you want the latest scroll down and get Ubuntu 24.10/25.04.

Ubuntu Desktop for beginners or easy start !

Updated 2025-05-18

This post is for both Windows and Mac users ! 

I have been running Linux, Raspberry Pi OS, since several years but almost just the Lite version (without Desktop).

But when my old MacBook Air "gave up", with Mac OS, it came naturally to use Ubuntu Desktop since it's also based on the Debian Linux distribution and the most used Linux distribution.

So it ended up with installing Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS(UOS) or the later 24.10 !

Home Assistant and Node-RED

Node-Red(NR) is Flow-based programming for the Internet of Things.

I have in the past written a lot of posts for Node-RED and the HA implementation makes it easy to interact with HA:s entities.

The best thing is that even if you don't are a skilled programmer, but like logic flows, you can make really advanced things and it really complements the logic that could be made within Home Assistant(HA).

In this post I will do a quick introduction to what is possible with NR together with HA.

Remote access for Linux, remote.it, made simple

Updated 2025-03-23 !

Sometimes it's really nice to reach your applications, secure and quick, at home when you are somewhere else. 

There are several applications but this post will be describe a really quick setup with remote.it on a Raspberry Pi(RPi) or another Linux platform. Of course there also is a Windows version.

The most used services are; http, ssh, vnc, rdp, SAMBA(smb/cifs) ..... and or non-commercial use, with up to 5 devices, it's free !

I'm using it to access Home Assistant, display NodeRed dashboard, access servers with "ssh" and file sharing with SAMBA there all applications are running on RPi:s at home.

Home Assistant for beginners or easy start

Updated 2025-03-14 !

What is the purpose of a Home Assistant(HA) according to Wikipedia ?

Home Assistant is free and open-source software used for home automation. It serves as an integration platform and smart home hub, allowing users to control smart home devices. The software emphasizes local control and privacy and is designed to be independent of any specific Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. 

Even for me, as someone running Apple HomeKit and Homebridge, it is a fantastic piece of software that bridges almost everything and enables highly intelligent integrations. 

Since it is widely used, there is a wealth of information available. However, I couldn't find a clear "bullet list" on how to get started. This post will primarily contain links to other sources rather than writing extensive explanations myself.

Empty the water system

Updated 2025-02-15 !

Empty the fresh water system with compressed air !!

One of the things, when You head back to land with the boat, is to empty the fresh water system. I have got several instructions/tips over the years but the best advise I got is to empty the pipework with compressed air.

Some time ago I bought a handy Stanely compressor. Just below 10 Kg in weight including a 6 liter tank. Nice for smaller works

iCloud drive sync, or mount, with a Linux, Ubuntu, device

Updated 2025-01-23 !

With my project to keep a MacBook Air 2011(MBA) alive, Ubuntu installed, i searched for a solution where my iCloud drive(iCD) was continuous synced with my MBA. This must work both ways so even a file change made on MBA should be replicated to iCD.

rclone now, 2025-01, works with iCloud !! Setup below !!

Before "rclone" was working with iCloud I solved my sync between iCD and MBA with Syncthing(ST). Check below. ST doesn't sync with iCloud so the work around here was to use my MacMini, Mac OS, as the "Middle man". It's always on and synced with iCD.

IKEA Bäve dimmer hack II

Updated 2025-01-10 !

Dimming not dimmable LED, IKEA Bäve, produced before 2019-11 and a new idea for later products !

In former post I used a Fibaro Z-Wave RGBW controller but in this post I will use an IKEA original or an external dimmer ?!

Install Weather34 with WeatherLink

Updated 2025-01-09 PHP 8.2 !

If You want Your Private Weather Station(PWS) Davis Vantage Pro2, or other Davis products that use WeatherLink, to provide data for the template we use at Domstens Båtklubb just follow the instructions below. 

This is made without additional software such as Cumulus, Weather display or the Meteobridge product.

This application is updated !!, to use the v2 API. Check  this post !!

Install Weather34 with WeatherLink, v2 API

Updated 2025-01-08 OK PHP 8.2 !

This post is an update from a former post which handles on how to set up a weather WEB-site with data from Davis Weather Link(WL) but here adapted to the latest WL API v2.

Any product that reports weather data to WL can be used as a source for this weather template.

This is made without additional software such as Cumulus, Weather display or the Meteobridge product.

DMI forecast API for atmosphere, ocean and sea ice, free !

Updated 2025-01-04

DMI is the Danish Meteorological Institute and the Open Data API provides free and open access to DMI’s data.They are covering a pretty big area not just Denmark.

I'm maintaining the weather station for Domstens yacht club and have become really interested in weather "issues".

The actual use case for me is that I have to change the mooring, of our boat, if the water level exceeds 60 cm from normal. For several years I have been searching for a free forecast API so I can get an early warning when the water level rises.

Node-Red is used.

ReSound Smart 3D app for ReSound hearing aids

Beeing forced to use a hearing aid(HA) is not that fun but on the other hand it's always exciting with new electronic gadgets and to better participate in conversations with other people. 

In this post I will just summarize some points gathered when setting up the HA with the ReSound Smart 3D(S3D) in an Apple enviroment. But of course there is also a Android app

These hearing aids are compatible with the mentioned app and I'm using Resound Nexia 9 RIE.
 

Raspberry Pi OS install with Mac/Windows/Linux

Updated 2024-12-13 !

When starting up a new project with Raspberry Pi I like to start up fresh and with a minimal OS. Therefore i always use Raspberry Pi OS(ROS) Lite and then adding what I need. 

Doing it right You don't have to use an external display, keybord and mouse, just a "ssh" client.

Flash to a SSD ? Check this post.

Receive temperature, 433 MHz sensors, with RTL-SDR

 

Updated 2024-12-01 !

In my underfloor heating project, using Node-RED, I have to have one sensing thermometer per room/zone, seems to be 8 in total, so therefore it would be nice with a wireless battery sourced device with good resolution and frequent updates.

During the test phase I used a Z-way device but the resolution was pretty bad. Another device mentioned is the Ruuvi tag but since it's a bluetooth device the transmitting range could be better.

After some googling I went for 433 MHz devices.

Underfloor heating with PID controller, Node-RED

Updated 2024-11-14 !

In a former post I did some hacking/checking how our underfloor heating control system handled the valves, actuators, regulating the heat. 

Now it was time to do some tests with Node-RED(NR), with a PID controller, and a Shelly 1(S1) connected via WiFi and driving the actuator.

The actuators are in my case controlled by 24 VAC and the S1 accepts 110 - 240 VAC, 24 - 60 VDC and 12 VDC. So in this case it was simple to just add a rectifier and a capacitor, to the 24 VAC, to get approx 36 VDC to source the S1.

Matter bridge, with Shelly, or non Matter devices

Matter is a smart home standard currently being developed by a consortium of over two hundred companies, including big players such as Apple, Google, Phillips, Amazon and Samsung.

Many new devices have Matter implemented, from the beginning, but devices, such as most of Shelly devices don't. On the other hand many hubs can be upgraded to Matter support. For example an Apple TV.

With a Matter bridge you can solve the incompability. This post will use Matter bridge plugin Manager and the Shelly plugin but it could be other devices shown in the picture below.

CTC heatpump MODBUS interface

Updated 2024-11-14 !

The installation of a CTC heat pump(HP), EcoAir 600, and the indoor module, Eco Zenith i360, was not optimal from the beginning, so to monitor it closely I checked how to retrieve data. 

The newer CTC HP:s are always shipped with a MODBUS TCP interface, without any additional hardware, which solved the issue.

MODBUS was new to me but after some reading and checking I found that there is a NodeRed node which solves the interface dialog.

MODBUS RTU gateway, WiFi, Ethernet, WEB server

In my project to get data from the Swegon Casa HRV, FTX, i needed a new solution to distribute the MODBUS data from the CASA.

The thing is that I have a Raspberry Pi(RPi) that is the central HUB for everything going on in our house, but away from the CASA, and the data is there vizualized in a NodeRed dashboard.

Since the CASA RTU is serial, using Waveshare USB to RS 485, and I didn't want to install a new long cabel to the central RPi I used another RPi which is near the CASA.