Rasberry Pi?

[goeasy123]

Has anyone build a Rasberry Pi or similar based system for a boat?

[Dsanduril]

Andy,

welcome to CF.

For what purpose? We have two PI systems on board; one runs OpenPlotter (and OpenCPN under that) for all of the marine applications, the other runs OSMC for entertainment, books, etc.

[mxtommy]

I Did a write-up on my SignalK Based system here: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ts-206605.html

[goeasy123]

I want to do something very simple like this guy....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REVBimsex_Y

I want it to....

• Run of the boats 12v DC supply
• Monitor a float level switch in the bilge
  
• Have input to read PIR movement detector
• Monitor the batteries
  
• 2 switched outputs to turn external devices on/off
• Communicate via Cell Data/SIM card
• Monitor GPS position

[Jammer]

I've been thinking of building something using a $300 embedded computer from Logic Supply. Though more expensive, they are perhaps better set up for marine use, with support for two hdmi displays, and a proper flash drive, and 12v power supply. We use them at work. I would use one to run opencpn.

[goeasy123]

I want to build a remote boat monitoring system. It should:

• Run of the boats 12v DC supply
• Monitor a float level switch in the bilge
• Have input to read PIR movement detector
• Monitor 12v battery voltage
• 2 switched outputs to turn external devices on/off
• Communicate via Cell Data/SIM card
• Monitor GPS position

I'm trying to work out what bits to buy and if there's a base better that the Rasberry Pi... maybe the Arduino.

[MartinR]

Arduino seems about right. Or a 4duino if you want a touch screen interface.

[_andi_]

Hi,

yeah, can be done with a PI, Arduino, ESP32, ...

Or you can just buy something off the shelve. There's different vendors, just one example...

https://www.quark-elec.com/product-category/iot/gsm/

[goeasy123]

I'm new to this. The choice of bits online is bewildering.



What bits do I need. The 4duino looks interesting, but I'd like to keep it as simple as possible. I guess the Arduino has all the basic I/O, but what GPS and SIM module do I get?

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Andy Todd

I want to build a remote boat monitoring system. It should:

• Run of the boats 12v DC supply
• Monitor a float level switch in the bilge
• Have input to read PIR movement detector
• Monitor 12v battery voltage
• 2 switched outputs to turn external devices on/off
• Communicate via Cell Data/SIM card
• Monitor GPS position

I'm trying to work out what bits to buy and if there's a base better that the Rasberry Pi... maybe the Arduino.

You need to have a look at this. It can do just about all of that now.

I'm not affiliated, nor a customer.... I'm speaking as someone who was working on a system that was 90% similar, til I discovered that they were about 2 years ahead of me and have made all the right choices, as far as I am concerned.

I don't want to discourage the hobbyists; I'm still gonna finish my custom system for my boat (based on ESP8266)... just a heads up that you don't have to re-invent the wheel either.

Have fun!

[goeasy123]

Andi... it looks like the QK-G022G 2G Remote Controller with GPS locator will do what I want, but I still might like a 'project' approach.

[brazenarticle]

I also use a pi for opencpn and will be looking into mxtommy's signal K project in a few minutes.
After messing around with diy solutions for monitoring the boat I ended up purchasing a "floathub". The price was reasonable, it is pretty much plug and play.
www.floathub.com

Just saw that Lake-Effect was writing at about the same time.

[goeasy123]

Floathub looks likes there's a subscription service?? I don't want to be dependent on that.

[_andi_]

Originally Posted by Andy Todd

Andi... it looks like the but I still might like a 'project' approach.

Yeah, me too. But it is insanely time-consuming. I'm building something similar (at least in scope), still haven't implemented all features.

My advice would be to buy a ready-made unit, get it up and running and then start your project. You'll learn plenty from getting it up and running, crack it open and you'll also get an idea of what building blocks you might need.

You could even start reprogramming ready-made units, at least for home automation that's a pretty common thing to do nowadays, for example with sonoff devices (based on esp8266).

If you go the arduino way, maybe check out seeeds grove product line, you might get away without soldering.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Andy Todd

Floathub looks likes there's a subscription service?? I don't want to be dependent on that.

One way or other you'll be paying monthly/annually for a cellular data plan and maybe also a website or other service to receive, monitor and display data from your boat.