SignalK switch with NodeRed and WilhelmSK

Updated 2021-03-13 !

Here I'm trying to do the "ultimate" SignalK switch blog post including(no N2K)

• Shelly 1 as the hardware switch
• NodeRed as the function engine
• NodeRed dashboard as input/output interface
• WilhelmSK as input/output, check picture
• A http endpoint as state sensing

The post is ment to be a template where you can pick the parts which are right for your setup.

Raspberry Pi measuring Voltage

I'm always a little confused that as soon as someone wants to get an analog measure to a Raspberry Pi(RPi) they are often taking a detour via an Arduino/ESP or some other microcontroller. 

Why not just take an Arduino peripheral and use it together with a RPi ? 

In my case I needed to measure the voltage across a fresh water tank level sensor in our boat, but i could be any DC voltage. Hints for sending the data to a Signal K(SK) server is found below. 

In this post I will use an ADS 1115(AD), or ADS 1015, as AD converter.

Eniro charts using SignalK & Freeboard

Do you know about the SignalK workspace at Slack ? It's a really nice space where you could meet the developers and also get support.

If you don't are active there you can get an invite filling in your e-mail adress at

http://slack-invite.signalk.org

I'm following the dialog on Slack and for some weeks ago I stumbled over a post from @chris saying that you could get, with internet connection, the online charts from Eniro displayed in Freeboard. As you see in the picture it's just for the Nordic countries.

Another post installing offline charts.

SignalK, stream data changes

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 and subscribe to any change of data from the SK server. 

VHF antenna splitter, receive

During my AIS project with SDR:s as receivers I built my own antenna for use at home, a standard DIY dipol antenna. 

I connected the dipol, to SDR antenna input, with an a female SMA extension cable which I cut it in two pieces and soldered to the dipol. 

For the boat I didn't want an extra VHF antenna so....

SignalK, measuring temperature II

An introduction to the SignalK(SK), Marine application, is given here.

A very easy way to measure temperatures with SK is to use one wire (1W) DS18B20 (DS)temperature sensors. 

In a former post the DS:s where connected direkt to the RPi GPIO:s, but in this post they are WiFi enabled via the Shelly 1(S1). Alarms are also sent when the temperature exceeds a set value.

If humidity is of interest You can use a  DHT22 sensor instead of a DS sensor.

OpenPlotter V2, NMEA or SignalK data TO file

A newer post on the same subject !!

If You want to capture Your data from a sailing trip there are several ways. Here I will check out these

• SignalK delta, via plugin signalk-data-logger 
• NMEA 0183(N1), via netcat
• NMEA 2000(N2), via actisense-serial

If you then want to use these files as input for OpenPlotter, OpenCPN or SignalK check out this post.

OpenPlotter V2, NMEA or SignalK data FROM file

A newer post on the same subject !!

The easiest way to test Your OpenPlotter, OpenCPN or SignalK(SK) applications is to use the supplied sample files in SK.

Another way is to capture Your own data from a sailing trip, which is described here. Then You can use them instead of the supplied sample files.

OpenPlotter, V1, quick install guide

Updated 2020-01-13 !

OpenPlotter is;

• A complete boat navigation system
• Includes OpenCPN, Chart plotter navigation
• OpenSource, so it's free !
• Running on Raspberry Pi(RPi)
• Its hardware is cheap
• Running on Unix, so its reliable

I really don't recommend this old OP 1, instead check out OP V2, stable, which works very well ! 

NMEA WiFi gateway II

My thoughts, about NMEA WiFi have finalized ? since my first post in the subject and the Yacht Devices YDWG-02N is now installed in my NMEA2000/ST/NMEA0183 network and works just fine. 

I'm already using Raymarine ST => ST NG converter but otherwise I had bought the YDNR-02 instead which should have done the same job.

Please find some thoughts from the installation below.

OpenPlotter, updating SignalK Node server

Updated 2018-06-07!

The SignalK server(SK), the engine in OpenPlotter(OP) is coming with new releases pretty often and if You want to update, having used OpenPlotter RPI V0.10.0 NOOBS, the following instructions will help You.

I really recommend to start all over with a new fresh installation with the new OP V1.x.x.

Boat navigation network

In a former post a I presented our approach to mix a modern NMEA 2000(N2) network with the older Raymarine ST 1 network, installed 2006.

During the Years it has grown and been added with new functions. The pictures to the right is the actual layout.

The first add on was a N2 GPS described here.

OpenPlotter V1, NMEA data TO file

Updated 2021-12-14

A newer post in the same subject !!

Sometimes You want to "take home" Your latest trip on sea and "replay" it or replay it doing some changes in the settings for the OpenPlotter or OpenCPN applikation and se the result direct.

One way is to create log files with the the "raw" NMEA data and then use them at home with tips from this post.

Creating log files from NMEA 2000 bus, N2K, is the most straightforward.

OpenPlotter V1, NMEA data FROM file

Updated 2021-02-23 !

A newer post in the same subject !!

For Openplotter V2 check here

To test Openplotter, (OP), together with OpenCPN,(OC), without connecting to the navigation network on board there are two features 

• Using the NMEA generators, found in the OP "Tools" menu 
• Use log files which are stored within the SignalK application.