I'm about to place an order for $700 in thermostat components. Weee.
Stocking up like this always makes me a little nervous. What if people stop caring about open source thermostats? What if I just spent all this money on parts that will just sit on my shelf?
On the flip side, what if I don't buy these parts? Then nobody can buy a pre-assembled HestiaPi, which means anyone isn't willing & able to make their own gets left behind.
And that's why I keep doing it. Leave no one behind! #FOSS #OpenHardware #hardware #OpenSource
I'm working on a new release, based on bookworm (Debian 12).
Looks like I might be making some contributions to the turnkey project soon. The wifi setting aren't sticking after a reboot. Not sure if it's related to NetsorkManager or not, still investigating.
The #HestiaPi is a #prime alternative to the corporate smart thermostats that you can buy on #Amazon.
It's also on sale from July 8-11, because I want people to invest in a #sustainable #thermostat instead of #PlannedObsolescence.
Tindie
HestiaPi ONE (Silent) by Eternal Sunshine on Tindie
Open source smart themostat
I'd like to try to support this #bitcoin circular economy thing.
Is there anyone who sells things like SD cards, Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W boards, the little 3.5" LCD touchscreens, and other components I might need?
The latest release of the #AirGradient firmware removed the code that phones home to the company servers even when you check the to to explicitly tell it not to do so. This is a big win for #privacy and #SelfHosting!
GitHub
Release Release 3.2.0 · airgradienthq/arduino
What's Changed
Fix invalidate value check for getAverage function by @samuelbles07 in #275
Fix display 0 measurements value on boot by @samuelbles...
I plan on flashing this onto my device and testing it to verify nothing was missed. #tcpdump and #wireshark are my friends. 😄
#security #cybersecurity #infosec #OpenSource #OpenHardware #electronics
This doesn't have anything to do with the #HestiaPi (yet 😉), but AirGradient is one step closer to fixing their compilation instructions.
This is exciting news because once their code is modified to stop phoning home to the company's server, I plan on adding documentation to the HestiaPi project on how to configure the #AirGradient ONE to act as a remote temperature and humidity sensor.
If you've ever had a #thermostat mounted too close to the door, you understand why this is important.
Here are some lesser known differences between an open source #IoT project and a commercial IoT appliance:
1. Support - #OpenSource projects field questions. Actual humans, taking the time to understand your questions and answer them!
2. Repair - Again, people will help you fix things
3. Less #environmental impact - Fewer things ending up in the landfill on account of the repairability, often times they have more localized production, less shipping, etc.
4. Customizability - that's something rarely found in commercial offerings
I have one clicky edition #HestiaPi left and I'm having a blowout sale. If you were on the fence, now is a good opportunity to pull the trigger.
Tindie
HestiaPi ONE (Clicky) by Eternal Sunshine on Tindie
Open source smart themostat
#OpenSource #IoT #hardware #OpenHardware #electronics #diy #foss #floss #freedom #tech #FreedomTech
It requires hardware modifications to both the HestiaPi and the LCD, and a little Bash script, but it's possible to have the backlight turn completely off when not in use. Tapping the screen causes it to turn back on.
There's a writeup on the community forum which I will be including in the owner's manual.
#OpenHardware should be #hackable like this. I also plan on making this possible to do without hardware modification to the #HestiaPi on the next #hardware revision of the PCB. #OpenSource
hestiahacker - I've been trying to recreate another person's work with a more expensive LCD touchscreen that is able to turn off its backlight.
They are using different #hardware and #software, but have been very helpful in posting about their work and sharing scripts.
I think it will be possible to get it working with the #HestiaPi if I do one small hardware modification. Can't really be sure until it's tested, but I'm hopeful.
If I get it, instructions will be added to the owners manual. ❤️🙂 #FOSS #IoT #OpenSource #OpenHardware
I shipped out an order today and thought "Gee that street name looks really familiar...". Checked my order history and sure enough a repeat customer.
Anyone should be happy to have a repeat customer, but it REALLY says something that someone bought two thermostats. It's not like a thumb drive where you could always use one more.
Presumably it's a gift, because if it broke they probably wouldn't be buying another of the same make and model. Besides, I'm pretty sure everyone who has problems reached out to me.
So I'm pleased as punch today. Thank you, customer who shall not be named. You made my day.
If I were to take on another #OpenSource #smart #IoT device project to liberate people from their technical overlords, what should it be?
I'm looking for inspiration.
I'm not ready to take on another project right now, but I might be soon. The main catches are:
I. Existing project (I'll search for one, and I'm flexible on this point)
II. Not already available for purchase
III. Something I'd personally be willing to use
Sometimes when you take a chance, it works out. Other times, it doesn't.
I recently designed a temperature/humidity board, got PCBs made and tried to assemble them. None of them worked. Like, at all!
So I redesigned it, making it simpler and tried again. Another 100% fail.
I had someone review my design. He said it looked good. Maybe it was manufactueing errors? I'm pretty good at soldering, but yeah maybe...
So I took a big chance and dropped $250 on machine-assembled terperature sensors boards. Of my design really was good, they should work. Otherwise I just spend a bunch of money to ship e-waste half way around the world.
They arrived today and they work! Whew! I was really nervous about that one. This batch was about the same price as the cheapest pre-assembled board that I could find. If I can scale up from 50 boards to 250, I could have a very nice price. At least 10% cheaper than market prices. Of course I'd also have to pay $1200 up front and probably never sell them all to break even. So I'll probably stick to the "small" batches for now.
#electronics #manufacturing #learning by #failure
I'm just going to put this here
List of open-source hardware projects - Wikipedia
Do with it what you will
I hope I don't regret this, but I just put in an order for $250 worth of temperature sensors to be made with a custom designed board.
If successful, it'll lower the cost of all models of the #HestiaPi. At the same time, it will also help alleviate supply chain issues.
If unsuccessful, it's a lot of money down the drain. Go big or go home, right? #IoT #electronics #OpenHardware
I'm having a blowout #sale on the clicky version of the #HestiaPi #thermostats! I'm posting to #nostr first because I know how much you folks love #freedom
Tindie
HestiaPi ONE (Clicky) by Eternal Sunshine on Tindie
Open source smart themostat
No #cloud service here.
No data collection.
No company who is going to discontinue the model and leave you without #security updates.
No dystopian bullshit!
#IoT #privacy #FreedomTech #cybersecurity
The comparable sensor from sparkfun is $21.50 (and they're sold out)!