Everything you see in the picture came to a total of about $200. Most routers are already 12v and need a "wall wart" transformer. This one is a Netgear WNRD3700 Ver2 running OpenWRT. It can be found on ebay for ~$20. It is a dual band gigabit router. I have it set up to connect to hotspots via the 2.4ghz wifi and then route the hotspot to connected devices via the 5ghz wifi or the hardwire ethernet ports. For speed I have the RPI hardwired via the ethernet. The router handles all the security too since the RPI is not natively built with any security. I cut the plug to length from a spare 12v xfmr and attached ring terminals. If I get a long range wifi antenna then the router will be ready to receive and route the signal. I have to run a cell phone WiFi hotspot at my house since I live in the country so it's pretty cool to watch all the connectivity come to life when I turn it on.
The Raspberry Pi is kinda delicate when it comes to power supply. The microUSB supply is not vibration proof and even a fraction of a second loss and the unit reboots HARD. That was a bit obstacle since corruption of the RPI OS is a real possibility when it isn't properly shutdown. I also didn't want to have to open up the software and shutdown the system each time. Just like a normal chartplotter/TV/DVD/instrument, turn off the power to shutdown the system. I overcame this with the UPS pico. It is an add on board that has a backup battery and monitors incoming power. If power is lost for a selected amount of time then it will automatically start a shutdown sequence. If power is restored before that time is met then no shutdown occurs. If power is restored after the sequence starts then the unit simply shutdown and restarts automatically. I'll power the whole setup off of an existing switch called "sailing instruments". When we start the boat up the sailing instruments start and then RPI will start. About 30 seconds later everything will be booted and running. I've measured the power load of the RPI between 1.5 and 2 amps. Originally I just wanted to have NMEA multiplexing and a wifi broadcast. That goal has been met. The new goal is to have a centralized charting and control for the boat all running headless so that any PC, android, iPhone device onboard can remote desktop connect and control remotely. The remote connect is working but a little sluggish depending on the client hardware. The problem I discovered last night is that one one connection at a time is allowed. Any computer gurus have a solution? I would be accept having a single controller with multiple viewers but would prefer multi display and control. Display and control at the helm. Jump below to the navstation take control at the laptop. Jump back up and use a tablet or phone while sitting on the foredeck. This is kinda working now except that each individual control station needs disconnected before the next one can connect. So for me to display/control at the navstation or the foredeck, the helm loses display and control and vice versa. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD On Nov 2, 2016 9:09 AM, "Joel Aronson via CnC-List" <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Josh, > Is that just a household router that runs on 12 volts? > > Joel > > On Wed, Nov 2, 2016 at 8:59 AM, Marek Fluder via CnC-List < > cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > >> Hi Josh, >> >> Your setup looks nice - please keep posting about your progress. >> >> I am starting a similar Open Plotter winter project with slightly >> different scope. >> I want to repeat my E80/ST60 data to a tablet. >> In addition, hooking up extra sensors and making it all available through >> the Internet seems like a great way to monitor the boat and weather in the >> marina. >> Controlling the autopilot ST4000 from the tablet ( just basics: Auto, >> Standby,+/-1,10 ) is also on my list, but from what I've gathered that will >> require Seatalk hookup and writing separate code. >> >> Best of all - it all can be done on a shoestring budget providing one has >> enough time and patience to make it work. >> >> Marek >> C320 Lake Ontario >> >> >> >> >> >> On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 8:37 PM, Josh Muckley via CnC-List < >> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: >> >>> Hey folks, >>> >>> The recent discussion about tablets as chart-plotters got me motivated >>> to share with y'all the progress I've made putting my system together. I >>> have to deconstruct my existing (and quite functional) NMEA 0183 network in >>> order to install this system so I've been waiting until the off season. >>> I've already purchased the newest version of Raspberry Pi but am still >>> waiting for the newest UPSpico. Once it arrives I'll be swapping it in. I >>> was able to get it to all fit on a board 16"x11" and will mount the board >>> behind the navstation consol. I arranged it so that the install will >>> simply require connecting the 12V and the NMEA 0183 inputs. Here's a >>> picture of the arrangement. >>> >>> https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8pEh5lnvP1yUUpXUENSS2JDSGc >>> >>> Josh Muckley >>> S/V Sea Hawk >>> 1989 C&C 37+ >>> Solomons, MD >>> >>> >>> -- >>> When security matters. >>> http://www.secure-my-email.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >>> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you >>> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: >>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >>> >>> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you >> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: >> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >> >> > > > -- > Joel > 301 541 8551 > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > > All Contributions are greatly appreciated! > >
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
