Raspberry Pi watchdog made simple

Updated 2023-11-08 for Bookworm !

The purpose of a watchdog timer(WD) is very well described here but a more practical answer is;

If your Raspberry Pi(RPi) "freezes", or hangs, it will automagically reboot within a very short time.

This is made with a combination of hardware and software which is all ready available, on the RPi, and just have to be enabled.

After some hours Googling and testing these are my findings !

NMEA WiFi gateway

Updated 2023-11-06 !

I have searched for a solution transmitting the NMEA data, from the navigation network, via WiFi, to for example iSailor or other Tablet/Phone applications.

Most of these applications just accepts NMEA0183(N1) but many boats are also using SeaTalk 1(ST1) and NMEA2000(N2K).

This post will cover, kept compact, my best findings covering both a DIY and a commercial approach to handle the different protocols.

SignalK, measuring temperature

Updated 2023-11-05 !

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

A very easy way to measure temperature with Raspberry Pi, RPi, is to connect one wire (1W) DS18B20 (DS)temperature sensors direkt to the RPi GPIO.

Here You find a post where the temperatures are transfered via WiFi

AIS for Raspberry with Map, Dispatcher

Updated 2023-11-04, OK with Bookworm 32 bit !

Not Bookworm 64 Bit !

This is a setup, on a Raspberry Pi(RPi), with a software package, AIS Dispatcher, from http://www.aishub.net which includes

• receiving and processing of all standard AIS messages
• streaming raw AIS feeds to multiple destinations
• advanced monitoring of device status, coverage and message statistics
• embedded electronic map with all received vessels

The best AIS application ? is found here !

RuuviTag and Node-Red

 Updated 2023-10-30 ! OK with Bookworm ! New simple install ! 

For a new project I needed a small wireless temperature sensor, there You don't have to change battery so often, and this gave the RuuviTag.

Having used Node-Red(NR) on Raspberry Pi before, the first application was this dashboard. Tested and works with with Node.js V18 !

Homebridge made simple, Homebridge

Updated 2023-10-26 !

HomeBridge(HB) is the software where You make Your home automation devices appear in the Apple Home App as native products. In this post a Raspberry Pi is used as the HB server.

There has really been big improvements in the installation process and I think the HB version is better/easier than HOOBS.

Migrate from HOOBS ?! Link

Raspberry headless install with WiFi

Updated 2023-10-17 !

To make a headless, without monitor, keyboard and mouse, install of Raspberry Pi OS on a Raspberry Pi(RPi) with built in WiFi and no LAN cable connection, please follow the instructions below.

For example the RPi Zero and Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ don't have any LAN cable port so the setup is quite usable.

To make an active WiFi connection at first boot You have to use the "Advanced options" in Raspberry Pi Imager or create, old way, a configuration file called "wpa_supplicant.conf".

Understand/Install Openplotter/OpenCPN/SignalK, II

Updated 2023-10-16 !

This post is the second post explaining the purpose with, and quick/simple install instructions for, OpenPlotter(OP) and some other applications that can be installed with OP. 

The first post is found here and in this post we will proceed with the install of OpenCPN(OC).

OpenCPN

Install

In OP:s "Application Meny => Other => Settings" app,  mark "OpenCPN Installer" and click on "Install", at the upper right. 

Understand/Install Openplotter/OpenCPN/SignalK, I

Updated 2023-10-15 !

This post, additional posts will follow, will explain the purpose with, and quick/simple install instructions for, OpenPlotter(OP) and some other applications that can be installed with OP. 

• OpenCPN(OC), is the plotter software where You navigate and handle charts 
• SignalK(SK), is the software where all the sensor inputs are handled. Could be NMEA data or SK formated inputs
• OpenPlotter(OP), is the administration shell where all is administrated

As You investigate the different software packages You will see that there are some overlap in the functions.

With OC 5.2 + there was several updates....

NetworkManager on Raspberry, easy start

Updated 2023-10-13 !

There is a "new kid in the block" called NetworkManager(NM), configuration of network interfaces, which in OS "Bookworm", Debian 12, is replacing the former used dhcpcd.

NM isn't really new since the first public release was made 2004.

In this post I will write down some NM hints for an easy start since I didn't find any myself.

NetworkManager UI and access point, hotspot

Updated 2023-10-12 !

In a former post I shared some thoughts about how to start using NetworkManager (NM), on a Raspberry, and here I will continue with additional examples that can help with network setup.

• NMTUI is NetworkManager text UI which can handle the most common tasks in a easy way.
• An access point or hotspot will be configured.
• "sudo nmcli connection edit xxxx" is a command that guides you throw a change of parameters.

TP-Link Deco M9 V2 Plus software update

Updated 2023-10-04 !

TP-link Deco M9(M9) is a nice Mesh solution but it could be that the software/firmware is dated 2019. This is an old one and you really shall update ! Probably you can't update via the TP-link Deco app and therefore you have to make some extra measures updating via a Mac/Windows program.

In a former post I gave some hints and links if you are using an ethernet backhaul, using access point mode, and please check below how to set up without a router and manage more than one network.

Post with Teltonika 4G router as receiver / bridge for the mesh network.

Bluetooth Beacon and Raspberry

Updated 2023-10-02 !

The latest models of Rasberry Pi, (RPi), comes with built in Bluetooth, (BT), so how to receive data from Your Bluetooth devices ?

A Bluetooth Beacon, could be a RuuvuTag, is a device that You don't have to pair with, You just scan and receive the data that they are transmitting.

Start with checking that Your BT interface is working, in a terminal window, typing

hciconfig 

Volvo C70, Mk1, convertible tips and trix

I own a 2003 C70 Volvo softtop convertible but at the age of 20 she got some problems with the softtop/cab. 

So this post will be some problem solving and links to information which could be handy. 

There is a private Facebook group which is active and helpful.

Remote access, remote.it, made simple

Sometimes it's really nice to reach your applications 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.

For non-commercial use, with up to 5 devices, it's free !

The most used services are; http, ssh, vnc, rdp, SAMBA(smb/cifs) .....

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

Apple HomeKit doing Matter upgrade with Hombridge

Matter is the the new standard making your smart home devices talking to each other and some Apple Home hubs can be updated.

There is a nice article from "The Verge" which explains it all.

Using Homebridge(HB) it could be nice to know what happens when you upgrade your HomeKit hub to the new standard so his post will just give some quick tips

Here is a support article from Apple and please note that if you upgrade you will not be able to use an iPad as a Home hub anymore.

Optimizing your energy, electricity, bill. NodeRed !

In this post I will give some thoughts, high level, and methods for matching the hourly prices from your energy supplier.

I will also list some gadgets and by using NodeRed, get the data, visualize it and control the consumption.

So in that perspective there are some needed prerequisites.....

Bluetooth and Node-Red

Updated 2023-07-12 !

There are some Node-Red nodes, (NRN), that are dependent on the old Noble package which don't work on Node > v8. 

One nice and simple NRN is the node-red-contrib-noble which have the same problem. I picked up the freshest source, dependent on @abandonware/noble, forked it and added install instructions. It works with Node <= v18. 

Teltonika router as security, burglar, alarm !

The use case was that we on our yacht have a security alarm which is using 2 G, service terminating during 2024 ?, so it was time to check for some other solution. 

Since several years we have used the very nice Teltonika RUT 240(TR) onboard which have served us very well. Knowing that this device have both a digital in and out I started to check if it could do the job ?? 

Googling didn't give any direct clues but the "Input/Output" handling together with "Profiles" changed with a SMS, "Mobile Utilities", is doing the job.

Please note that this setup could be done with any of the routers from Teltonika with I/O !!

Teltonika router as security, burglar, alarm

This post is made for test purposes and issues with Google indexing

The "real" post is found here !!

The use case was that we on our yacht have a security alarm which is using 2 G, service terminating during 2024 ?, so it was time to check for some other solution...........

Bootable installer for "any" MAC OS, II

In a former post I used a nice Python program to get the installers but as you know there are no Python installed in later Mac OS.

The program used in this post is the fantastic Open Core Legacy Patcher. (No Python dependencies.) This patcher is made for supporting old Mac:s with new OS:s, which is not officially supported, but here we just use it for getting the USB installer.

Teltonika router RUT 240 quick setup

Updated 2023-06-01 !

My old boat/travel WiFi router didn't behave so I was forced to look for a new one with these must functions;

    Built in SIM 4G/LTE capabilities

    WAN failover

    Powered with 12V DC

    Bridge public WiFi:s, or my phone, to LAN

I did a lot of Googling and ended up with Teletonika RUT 240(TR).....

This post will cover a setup summary for the RUT 240 model, but it's useable for other Teltonika models too since they have a common firmware.

Check these posts ! Teltonika router as security, burglar, alarm !

                                Bridged Teltonika router as source for router or mesh network

Shelly 1 quick install

Updated 2023-05-04 !

This post focus on Shelly 1(S1), a really a nice automation device with great versatility, but much of the content is also valid for some of Shellys other devices using the gen1 API.

Setup for the later version, Shelly Plus 1, is found here !!

S1 is a WiFi switch, 16 Amps, with dry contacts and the function "without Internet" + that the S1 can use a 12V DC source makes it perfect for an "use case" in a boat/mobile home.

It's compatible with Alexa, Google or HomeKit using HomeBridge or as a "native" HomeKit device using Mongoose firmware(Flashed via a standard WEB browser !)

Shelly PLUS 1 quick install

Updated 2023-05-03 !

In a former post I made a writing about Shelly 1(S1) and this post will handle about the successor Shelly PLUS 1(SP1) but much of the content is also valid for some of Shellys other devices which uses the same software/API.

To keep it simple, SP1 is a WiFi switch, 16 Amps, with dry contacts but compared to the S1 the hardware and the software is updated. 

The function "without Internet" + that the SP1 can use a 12V DC source makes it perfect for an "use case" in a boat/mobile home.

HomeKit bridge with Shelly/Shelly 1

Updated 2023-05-01 !

I really recommend flashing, via WEB-browser, the device with Mongoose software to avoid Homebridge.

 
HomeBridge is used for this setup and to make it appear in the Apple Home app.

The main advantage with the Shelly devices are that they are WiFi enabled and therefore You don't have to use a hub, this compared to z-way/zigbee and some other solutions. 

First install Shelly1(S1).