On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:07:29 Nick Rout wrote: > I'd like to be able to gather and log some stats about my swimming > pool, and perhaps turn the pump on and off either remotely (via a web > page or similar) or automatically based on temperature (the pump not > only runs water through the filter, but also through the solar > heater). > > Some of the data gathering points have no mains power close at hand, > and adding a wire back to the house would be a PITA. > > The data should end up on a linux based computer (as I don't have > windows at home, and this is a linux list!). > > What I am really looking for is some method of grabbing this info and > transmitting it to a central point, with the central point being > weither a computer, or a device accessible over ethernet. I envisage > something: > > 1. waterproof > > 2. low power > > 3. chargeable by a small solar cell or similar > > 4. communicates wirelessly. This could either be 802.11g or some other > protocol, as long as the data ends up being accessible from the lan at > some point > > 5. Some device that is computer controlled, waterproof and can be > switched from a computer, preferably wirelessly. > > 6. Cheap :) > > I have heard of zigbee, arduino and the like, I'm just not sure where > to start on my research.
I'd use an Arduino with an XBee (Zigbee implementation) myself, but that's because I have experience and access to the hardware (disclaimer, commercial interest). The advantage being that they are cheap, open source, (reasonably) low power, and ultimately flexible. One issue is that they will always require some sort of programming. You can get a USB adapter to plug an XBee module into your PC which shows up as a serial port. Then an Arduino with XBee connected can basically talk serial back to that central point. They are low power enough to be powered by a small solar panel. They aren't waterproof but you can get a waterproof box pretty easily. Then you only need to worry about waterproof temperature sensors etc. hads -- https://nicegear.co.nz VoIP and Open Source Hardware
