EmilyNerdGirl
commented
3 years ago Thanks Steve! I used 4 of these on the back; https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XG5VNQD They aren't amazing but get the job done, and I'll see what it looks like after the self test tomorrow if it migrated around or still in place. I was also looking at some 2" flat neodymium magnets, but wouldn't arrive for awhile.
I am using a Pi Zero W, I was worried about the Wifi signal being in a Faraday cage, however looks to be sitting around -65 to -56db, and at least in this cold dry weather and it not running hasn't had issues. I was look at antennas in case during heavy rain or snow it drops out, but will probably hold off until Spring unless I see any major issues. Looking at my network logs, it's gravitating to the access point that's in the basement basically level with it about 20-30 feet away. I know on my generator there's a plastic port on the back specifically for antennas, I may see if I can order that part to it out vs risk mangling the stock one.
I was also running into an issue while testing it where it would lock up after an hour or two if HDMI was connected (apparently other's have seen this with Raspberry Pi OS Lite Dec 2, 2020 I was conversing with), and clocked it down to 700mhz for the CPU max while debugging that. I left it at that and having no issues at all handling genmon or feeding mqtt back and CPU averages 35-54%.
Looks great. Nice and clean. How did you mount the enclosure to the panel in the generator? Did you drill into it? Also are you using WiFi with the RPi Zero? Steve …
Hey Guys,
So i finally got around to putting the box in the generator and it looks like all is working smoothly. I just wanted to show off my build a little bit to show how I used some different components.
This isn't going to be as cool as some other builds, I don't have a full home automation system or a fiber to serial link ;)
So I decided to use a PI Zero W as I can pick them up cheap at my local Microcenter(10$ each). I also choose to use a MAX3232 board as I didn't want to use a DB-9 as it seemed a little redundant, Considering the DB9 boards use the same chip.
I picked up a waterproof enclosure on ebay and added some rubber cable seals to it. I did a little soldering and wire crimping for the connectors. Other than that nothing too crazy. I am pulling power from the generator off pins 1&2.
Thanks again to Jason for the great work he puts into this project. And everyone else that has contributed.
Here is a pic before I hot glued the PI Zero down and sealed everything up. I'm not sure if heat is going to be an issue off the PI Zero, but its something ill monitor. Cables on the left are TX/RX and on the right is Power/Ground. I'm powering PI using pins 2(5v) and 6(Ground) And connector to MAX3232 are pins 4,6,8,10 are 5v, Ground,TX and RX respectively.
Parts list after the pic :)
Enclosure http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-waterproof-Plastic-Project-Box-Enclosure-DIY-100x68x50mm-L-W-H-/151799269041?hash=item2357f106b1
Cable Gland PG7 Black Nylon Waterproof Cable Connect Cord Grip Cable Gland 3-6.5mm US
MAX3232 Board http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-MAX3232-MAX3232CSE-Serial-Port-Mini-RS232-to-TTL-Converter-Adaptor-Module-/222084117081?hash=item33b53eb259