Arduino microcontrollers

DaleM

Member
Aug 5, 2009
690
Mt Airy, MD
Boat Info
340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Horizons
Has anyone come up with some cool stuff for your boat with Arduinos and the various shields available for them? I'm just getting into them and writing code and they seem to be VERY versatile and wasn't sure if anyone has put together anything cool with them.
 
Not for the boat but my brother developed code with one of them to scan an RFI badge to allow a beer tap to dispense. It tracks the # of dispenses on each badge so folks can't over consume. He also could program certain key badges to have unlimited dispenses.
 
Couple that to a breathalyzer and you have the full package :)

I have done some basic temp reading stuff, but wondered what it would take to tap into a way to remotely turn on the AC or something like like? I know they have systems like the Nest for boats, but they are expensive. If your pushing a button to initiate a cool cycle, I wonder if applying 5volts (or 12v, etc) to the panel for the particular function could tapped in?
 
If your pushing a button to initiate a cool cycle, I wonder if applying 5volts (or 12v, etc) to the panel for the particular function could tapped in?
If you wanted to turn any system off or on via Arduinos, Microchip or really any micro controller, all you would need is a solid state relay(SSR) of the appropriate size and type (and some support circuitry) across the switch contacts you wanted to control and tie the input side of the SSR to a Dig out line on your micro controller. Want to know if your battery charger is on? Just reverse the process. (BTW never install anything like this in the bilge due to the BOOM factor)

Once you have that done, sending a message over the internet in a TCP packet from your home PC or smart phone to the micro is you next step and that is not very hard either if you take it in small chunks.

On the older Sea Rays you will see the 2 x 40 column LCD displays and that just smacks of a small data acquisition system built around something from Microchip. I used to do just that in the past.
 
My son plays around with Raspberry Pi technology and has done some cool projects. I need to think of something for him to build for me. The parts are really cheap and you can integrate Bluetooth and most other interfaces and peripherals including HDMI video out. There must be something he can do. He built me a modified Billy Bass with Google voice control. I say Hey google and the bass turns it head to listen. Then ask the normal google question and it speaks out the answer like google on a phone.

He does play around with Arduino too but more with the raspberry pi now.
 
What about using an Alexa or Google device that networks with your phone?
That would be ideal and easy - the key is getting the "thing" that can take the command and turn it into the equivalent of pressing the "cool" button on the Cruisair panel remotely. It was be fun to say, "Alexa, cool down the boat" and hear.... "OK" :)

Once you have that done, sending a message over the internet in a TCP packet from your home PC or smart phone to the micro is you next step and that is not very hard either if you take it in small chunks.

I was considering something like that coupled with the SSR idea but need to look at the pad to see how it works. Coupling that with ThingSpeak and IFTTT I think this could work. There is Alexa integration with IFTTT.

Once you have that done, sending a message over the internet in a TCP packet from your home PC or smart phone to the micro is you next step and that is not very hard either if you take it in small chunks.

A friend of mine has used the RPi more lately too just because there's so much more power/flexibility. I'm still locked in the C language/ladder logic PLC mindset :)

I need to finish the temp sender first but am always looking for the next neat thing.
 
I built a raspberry pi system to monitor a few systems on my boat while I'm gone. I monitor Line voltage(plugged in), 12 vdc Level, Tilt, Bilge Water level and a smart Snap(if someone unsnaps the cover). The system ties into my marina Wifi and sends me an email when any of these items trips. I have a smart camera in an enclosure on my power pedestal, facing the boat that I can link into with my smart phone to check on things as well.
 
My son plays around with Raspberry Pi technology and has done some cool projects. I need to think of something for him to build for me. The parts are really cheap and you can integrate Bluetooth and most other interfaces and peripherals including HDMI video out. There must be something he can do. He built me a modified Billy Bass with Google voice control. I say Hey google and the bass turns it head to listen. Then ask the normal google question and it speaks out the answer like google on a phone.

He does play around with Arduino too but more with the raspberry pi now.

Why does the geek in me really want one of those ???

-Kevin
 
I have been working on plans to use a Pi for many functions on our boat since beginning of 2018 using these two articles below. My son just graduated from U Mich with his Masters in EE w/ computer science and I'm planning to tap into him for the programming portion. I just need to finish my list of all things I want to incorporate and pull the cord on the purchases. The chartplotter using Openplotter is what got it all started. I would have already started if I could figure out how to incorporate the radar picture on the openplotter as well. It is being done now, but with limited systems and is still heavily under development by people MUCH smarter than I am.

http://labs.domipheus.com/blog/the-boat-pc-a-marine-based-raspberry-pi-project/

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/pr...gation-system-for-a-boat-with-a-raspberry-pi/
 
I have been working on plans to use a Pi for many functions on our boat since beginning of 2018 using these two articles below. My son just graduated from U Mich with his Masters in EE w/ computer science and I'm planning to tap into him for the programming portion. I just need to finish my list of all things I want to incorporate and pull the cord on the purchases. The chartplotter using Openplotter is what got it all started. I would have already started if I could figure out how to incorporate the radar picture on the openplotter as well. It is being done now, but with limited systems and is still heavily under development by people MUCH smarter than I am.

http://labs.domipheus.com/blog/the-boat-pc-a-marine-based-raspberry-pi-project/

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/pr...gation-system-for-a-boat-with-a-raspberry-pi/

Interesting projects. I like the AIS idea. My son is graduating from University of Toronto's computer science this spring so I better get him started on a project for me soon before he moves off to make his millions!
 
I built a raspberry pi system to monitor a few systems on my boat while I'm gone. I monitor Line voltage(plugged in), 12 vdc Level, Tilt, Bilge Water level and a smart Snap(if someone unsnaps the cover). The system ties into my marina Wifi and sends me an email when any of these items trips. I have a smart camera in an enclosure on my power pedestal, facing the boat that I can link into with my smart phone to check on things as well.

Can you post some details of this system? Pictures or videos?
 
Can you post some details of this system? Pictures or videos?

Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures. The system was modeled after "Boat Command" - https://boatcommand.com. It looks like a Black Box in the bilge. I have a wire running from 2 of my bilge pump float switches, a wire running up to a Snap Switch https://sirenmarine.com/products/canvas-snap-cover-sensor and a wire running from each battery to home made battery voltage sensor. The system looks at these inputs and sends me an email. Simple down and dirty, but effective. And No monthly fees.
 
home made battery voltage sensor.

The battery voltage sensor was on my mind and then I saw your post. What did you use? I want to do the same so I can monitor each battery in each bank separately. I assume you need to separate them out with a diode to somehow. I was looking around for some Arduino shields that might be able to do voltage readings quick and easy.
 

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