Electrical Caravan wifi spirit level - Pimping my ride

[Dobbie]

Gawd!

I'm sure it's clever and you'll get a real kick out of providing a solution but I can't understand why it has to be complicated.

I thought part of the camping experience was to be able to ignore mobile phones etc and it seems I'm way out of the loop as I use a simple gauge for battery monitoring, eyesight for setting the level on the van, and lots of other things that don't require a phone.

Maybe I'm a dinasaur but, if it works for you, just do it.
I have a hate relationship with my mobile anyway!

(No criticism intended....just total lack of techie interest....my loss I guess. But I do need my iPad for reading books!)

 

[relgate]

I have an ezi level as sold by coast to coast. Think @relgate bought one too? They work okay but you have to be wise to it as when you first move the accelerometer must skip with inertia and false green for a sec. overall happy but they are a bit exy. I like the idea of just jacking the van up but didn't think the Jayco lifting points were strong enough?

Yes I have one too. Mine seems to have lost it's callibration and I seem to not be using it lately. I have a bubble level on the draw bar and I'm happy to jump out and check it then adjust as needed. Must re-callibrate the ezy level one of these days.....

 

[Maxisverymad]

Good luck to you @James Clark with your project, I love 'accidentally' leaving my phone off when away! We have bubble on draw bar levelled off the van floor and that's good for us.

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

The phone was a secondary idea to match the ability of the ezi level as you drive along - The system doesn't NEED a phone to work.

 

[Crusty181]

Hey all,

I've been doing alot of MQTT home automation stuff lately... So after taking the family out for a weekend and arriving in the pitch black (Free camping). Levelling the van in the dark and almost going home a single bloke I decided there has to be a better way to level up the van, especially in the dark.

With that in mind i've got a new project with the following requirements

1. Be able to be switch on and off from the phone
2. Be usable at night (Which is the major reason for this one)
3. Report "level" data back to my phone in real time allowing me to drive along and find level if i don't intend to unhook for the night
4. Double as a small night light (Not required but a nice to have)

Essentially im creating a van sized digital spirit level. Pointless perhaps, but for under $20 in parts why the heck not have a go an learn at the same time.

So for the project I installed some 12v LED's on each side of the van under the wheel arches. I also purchased a ko-jack level. Fed up with ramps and again requiring swmbo to help out.

The plan is simple:

1. Put van exactly where swmbo wants it.
2. Enable levelling system from phone or a button
3. Have low side of the van light up the wheel arch
4. Use Ko-Jack level to lift the van until the light goes out
5. Unhook and use a similer system for front to back (IE: 2x Led's near the Jockey wheel)

Materials needed for the job

• ESP8266-12E (The brains of the operation)
• Wii Nunchuck (I'll use the accelerometer in it as the spirit level and the kids have killed a few)
• 4 channel relay board
• 12v --> 3.3v power regulator
• Some 12V LEDs

I've managed just this evening to get the programming done. Next is to mount the nunchuck, power supply and 8266 in a little box.

So with all that out of the way and no pictures to upload yet (On todo list for tomorrow as well as upload the code and schematics)

I'm wondering if anyone has any other ideas or indeed interest in seeing how the project goes. I'll obviously need to do a full write up of everything, although if there's no interest there's no point.. lol

-----
UPDATE: Have completed the code - completed the wiring of a test rig - Just need to install in a little box and put in the van.

I've uploaded the code used for this project. Be gentle as I'm far from a programmer.
The only downside with the current iteration is it utilises an MQTT broker to send data to a mobile - Without a connection to this broker the code wont allow the device to boot completely hence making the code unusable for those without the same setup as I have (Looking at you @Crusty181 with the same router.. lol). With that limitation in mind, wondering if I should have it simply attempt to connect - This fails and it reverts to not using wifi OR do I have the device then configure itself as an Access Point and host some sort of simple web page etc. I'm thinking of just disable wifi - Seems a heck of alot easier.

Update: I've redone the code so when wifi fails the level SHOULD still work, although it still needs testing tbh.
Also fixed the calibration code as it was recording the angle backwards (Being a - value rather than a +).

Update: Have added a schematic for utilising a nodemcu board. This would mean no longer needing the power supply board as you can use any USB cable with a 5V power adapter much like you use to charge your mobile phone. Also means no need to pre-wire the ESP8266 for its first firmware flash via serial.

Code will also need to be changed for those using a nodemcu board as the pin numbers become D0 for relayleft and D5 for Relayright.

Cheers
Jim

Just like the router Jim, i have absolutely no clue what your talking about ... but if it levels my van without getting out of the car i want one.

I had a play around with the Talking Caravan Level App which is a great idea but a bit to unreliable. I wrote a Tasker App to keep the phone awake, because the stupid thing would turn off when the phone went to sleep.

Like last time, Im all in with buckets moral support ... hey, im nothing but consistent

The WPlink router is still kicking along wonderfully ... im sitting in Cairns now and the Cruskett is sitting in the van watching a Mr Clarke provided wifi movie as i type. That was the work of pure genius, and by a gentleman.

Ill suggest another project for you. A WD Live TV is the only credible device that connects to a TV and can access the router. Because of that, 2nd hand the WD Live TV units hold almost new value.

I have a WD Live TV in the van connected to that TV but i want one for the outside TV ... how long will it take you to build that James

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

Just like the router Jim, i have absolutely no clue what your talking about ... but if it levels my van without getting out of the car i want one.

I had a play around with the Talking Caravan Level App which is a great idea but a bit to unreliable. I wrote a Tasker App to keep the phone awake, because the stupid thing would turn off when the phone went to sleep.

Like last time, Im all in with buckets moral support ... hey, im nothing but consistent

The WPlink router is still kicking along wonderfully ... im sitting in Cairns now and the Cruskett is sitting in the van watching a Mr Clarke provided wifi movie as i type. That was the work of pure genius, and by a gentleman.

Ill suggest another project for you. A WD Live TV is the only credible device that connects to a TV and can access the router. Because of that, 2nd hand the WD Live TV units hold almost new value.

I have a WD Live TV in the van connected to that TV but i want one for the outside TV ... how long will it take you to build that James

Mate like I've said before. ..Raspberry pi is the way to go. ...

Grab a raspberry pi 3 starter pack from wiltronics or jaycar comes with the pi a case a micro sd card hdmi cable.

Download and install osmc which you get from osmc.tv

Sounds a hell of a lot harder than it is.

The pi has built in wifi and bluetooth so not only will it talk to the router but you can stream the audio to a bluetooth speaker or in my case the fusion radio in the van which has outdoor speakers.

For powering the pi you just use a 12V to 5v usb adapter same as the router.

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

Note to self. Wiring things into van after a few too many cordials is a bad idea. Blew up the esp and power supply when I crossed the streams lol

So now I've incorporated the project in with the battery monitor. ..

Next to add inputs from the arduino to the sphere wireless light controller that came standard so I can wifi enable them from the phone too.

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

New nodemcu board showed up finally... postage from Darwin my foot!!

Added led indicators to the draw bar and made some makeshift light pipes with hot glue.

Made a test program to cycle the lights so now I have front to back level indicators too

 

[Crusty181]

Mate like I've said before. ..Raspberry pi is the way to go. ...

Grab a raspberry pi 3 starter pack from wiltronics or jaycar comes with the pi a case a micro sd card hdmi cable.

Download and install osmc which you get from osmc.tv

Sounds a hell of a lot harder than it is.

The pi has built in wifi and bluetooth so not only will it talk to the router but you can stream the audio to a bluetooth speaker or in my case the fusion radio in the van which has outdoor speakers.

For powering the pi you just use a 12V to 5v usb adapter same as the router.

Jaycar didnt have it ... back to Ebay where i do my best work

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

Jaycar didnt have it ... back to Ebay where i do my best work

I use wiltronics here in Ballarat if that helps

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Jaycar didnt have it ... back to Ebay where i do my best work

http://raspberry.piaustralia.com.au/

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

Maybe with the van level now complete I'll do I write up on this for completeness
Then do an how I watch movies thread lol

 

[Dobbie]

Hey @SkinnyBuddah ....

That one I'd be interested in as long as it's simple. I'm still trying to discover if I can transfer stuff from the IQ box to a hard disk in a format I can watch in a van. I currently dump it on to DVD but it takes ages to do the recording but I can't find any simpler solution.

Without taking the IQ box with me!

So if your thoughts stray in that direction some time, I'd be grateful.

 

[Crusty181]

I use wiltronics here in Ballarat if that helps

Not so much. Im in FNQ ...

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

Hey @SkinnyBuddah ....

That one I'd be interested in as long as it's simple. I'm still trying to discover if I can transfer stuff from the IQ box to a hard disk in a format I can watch in a van. I currently dump it on to DVD but it takes ages to do the recording but I can't find any simpler solution.

Without taking the IQ box with me!

So if your thoughts stray in that direction some time, I'd be grateful.

Had a look around the only way people seem to be copying from an iq box is either the same way as you or using a capture card in a pc and storing the shows to a file rather than a disk. One example being http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2117258

Would be interested to know if you have two iq boxes in the same house can you watch the recorded show on both. Used be only an extra $5 for the additional box if that's still the case and the recording can be done on the second box I'd just take it with me.

For everything else that you copy to a USB hard drive I'd be using the raspberry Pi hooked to the tv. You don't need the router to make it all work if you just want access to your media files on just the tv. That said the new raspberry pi 3s with osmc installed can actually do everything the router setup did. Hmmm I smell a new project. Lol

Now that I've finished the wifi level and just need to do the write up, once completed I'll do a write up of using a raspberry Pi with or without the caravan router.

Plugging a USB hdd into the tv whilst the simplest option doesn't work for me as I receive videos in all sorts of formats. Most of which the tv either refuses to play or plays say the video and not the audio. Hence the need for the raspberry Pi to make things easier.

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

@Crusty181 get the drone to deliver it lol

 

[Dobbie]

Thanks @SkinnyBuddah

I'll try to get up to speed with Pi etc so I'll be ready for your words of wisdom.

This is so far out of my comfort zone that I'm in need of help and, unfortunately, I don't do speed easily but will be grateful for any help.

No hurry!!

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Would be interested to know if you have two iq boxes in the same house can you watch the recorded show on both. Used be only an extra $5 for the additional box if that's still the case and the recording can be done on the second box I'd just take it with me.

No the 2 IQ boxes are completely separate with different smart cards in them. They record different programs on each.

Having Foxtel via cable I can't even hook my box to my satellite either

 

[Dobbie]

No the 2 IQ boxes are completely separate with different smart cards in them. They record different programs on each.

Having Foxtel via cable I can't even hook my box to my satellite either

Sorry, forgot to answer this.

One Foxtel iq box but we've always had it accessible on tvs in all other rooms so can't take it with the van, even though it's satellite. We can, however, watch whatever is live or played back in any room.

I've now realised I can dump hours of recorded stuff via the playlist by hooking an old pvr to a tv in another room....so my problem might now be solved. I just have to take the PVR with me!

My reading about Pi has forced me to think outside the box, so thanks.

 

[SkinnyBuddah]

Sorry, forgot to answer this.

One Foxtel iq box but we've always had it accessible on tvs in all other rooms so can't take it with the van, even though it's satellite. We can, however, watch whatever is live or played back in any room.

I've now realised I can dump hours of recorded stuff via the playlist by hooking an old pvr to a tv in another room....so my problem might now be solved. I just have to take the PVR with me!

My reading about Pi has forced me to think outside the box, so thanks.

Lol that was exactly what I was just wondering about a pvr. that said if the pvr records to a usb hard drive I'd still be using api as it's smaller and made to run on dc.)