Idea for motorhome gadget?

Gromett · 11-12-2012, 04:38

This is more for the techie types I think.

I am thinking about getting one of these 4" tablets and permanently mounting it in my van. I will get also get Raspberry Pi and link them via wifi. Due to the built in IO ports I can them control anything in the van via the android tablet. Just after christmas I will have my motorhomewifi.com 3g/wifi router set up so the van will be comprehensively networked

I will configure the tablet to give me local weather wherever I am, temperatures from 2 digital thermometers one inside one outside.
I will be able to control the lights.
I will setup news feeds, email notifications and server monitoring.
I could also link in external cameras for additional security when wilding.

So many more ideas as well.

£49 for the tablet
£35 for the Pi
Probably no more than £20 for the electronics. So around the £100 mark.

**Jim** · 11-12-2012, 04:52

That could be useful and it certainly qualifies as a Funster gadget.

Motorhomers can spend an hour a day staring at their BM1's, you could while away a whole wet weekend with that

Be interesting to see what uses you can put it to

mdixon · 11-12-2012, 06:00

I find doors are good to find out temp inside and outside

Just kidding - keep us informed on what you get up to. Interested in what you can do with the Pi

Gromett · 11-12-2012, 07:30

Good idea Jim, might look into adding a battery monitor to it then I could get rid of the NASA.

buttons · 11-12-2012, 07:41

However you look at it, isn't it just a watered down version of what we all have in our homes.

bungy · 11-12-2012, 07:42

if you don't already have one...

how about a thermostat/timer for the water and heating

or even a frost control mechanism where if the temp drops the PI kicks the heating in or even remotely via a mail/text - on the rare occasions you may not be in the van overnight!!

Gromett · 11-12-2012, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by buttons

However you look at it, isn't it just a watered down version of what we all have in our homes.

No idea what you mean Buttons sorry. I never had a touch screen when I had a house and nothing was remote controlled via a portable panel not even my puter or tv.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bungy

if you don't already have one...

how about a thermostat/timer for the water and heating

or even a frost control mechanism where if the temp drops the PI kicks the heating in or even remotely via a mail/text - on the rare occasions you may not be in the van overnight!!

Timer might be hard to integrate into the truma system, would have to look at the control board. If it is just a simple switch and variable resistor then it should be doable.

A frost alarm would be possible to send an email but that would mean you would need to be on hookup if you don't have solar panels. The pi doesn't draw a lot of power but over a long winter it may have an impact on batteries? Not sure would have to check on that one. It wouldn't be high on my priority list as I am a full timer and the heating is on all the time anyway

Gromett · 11-12-2012, 08:53

I have found the 5V power supply for them both though. Just need to find the USB pin outs for the power supplies.