[sakos]

Despite no-one gave any hint (which is strange that neither the author knows how to use the API) I managed to solve the issue and let me share the simple solution if it helps anyone.
So, the weather station has to be selected on the map in the GUI settings. Then it is stored in the configuration in the proper format.

[sakos]

I also used the BOM generated by eagle. I asked question on this forum when I was uncertain regarding specific components. Furthermore each release of the board has different components.

[sakos]

All sold out long time ago.
The parts are available on Aliexpress online shops however it is worth buying 10 pieces of each otherwise the shipment takes the most of the cost.

[sakos]

Hi Feri,

Those WU stations have no rain sensor that is why they report zero precipitation.
Find another WU station nearby your home.

Ákos

[sakos]

Hi Feri,

Due to recent changes in Hungarian weather (rain, low temperature) the 0% watering level is the expected result of Zimmerman calculation IMO. I know how cold it is nowadays. I live in Budapest 🙂 I even shut down my opensprinkler and switched on heating instead.

[sakos]

Ok with me.
Please be aware that this image has some changes in the source code in comparision with latest version on github.
In case of including it in the documentation please make a copy of the image on storage space under your control.

How can I send you a PM?

[sakos]

Yes, I think RTC is needed for reliable operation. I have found out the solution by myself.
If anyone is interested hereby I share my SD card image. It has some extra features.

– Based on latest Raspbian Jessie Lite

– Supports Raspberry Pi Zero

– Easier wifi configuration
You do not need a wired LAN connection to configure wifi. The wifi configuration file is moved to FAT partititon accessible by Windows.
Just write the image on an SD card then open in a file manager and edit the wpasupplicant configuration file directly.
If your wifi stick is supported by default then Pi will automatically connect to your wifi network after power up.

– Raspberry on board watchdog is activated and handled by OSPI software for higher reliability
If OSPI software gets stuck for more than 15 sec then Raspberry will restart. The operation can be tested by issuing this command:
sudo /etc/init.d/OpenSprinkler.sh stop

– Control of relay on legacy Opensprinkler Pi boards.
To assign the relay to a station just configure the station as “RF” and set “0” as RF code.

– 1s resolution of timers
If you set the timer value by directly input numbers instead of using +/- signs then 1 sec resolution is accepted and stored at any long intervals

– Scheduled adjustments and update of RTC.
Maintainment of RTC

Instructions:
Download, unzip and write the image to an SD card. You can use win32diskimager tool for writing. Minimum SD card size is 2GB.
MD5 hash: 4094777bcf7577c56626a93eff32da8e
Open the SD card in the file browser and edit the wpa_supplicant.conf file
You have to edit the SSID and Wifi PSK then save the file

[sakos]

Hi Samer,

I did not open a new topic as it was originally related to the Hunagarian translation. I would like to ask two minor changes which would let better translation.
Some words are used on different places with slightly different meanings. Is it possible to use separate strings for the different places?

– Word “Disable” is used in station properties window and on the left menu combined with “operation” word. The best solution would be to have complete “Disable operation” and “Enable operation” strings and use “Disable” standalone only.

– Word “Submit” is used on run-once page in the meaning as “run the program immediatelly” and on other configuration windows as “save changes”. Would be good to change the string to “run now” or something similar on the run once page.

[sakos]

Hi Ray,

I am struggling with installing OSPI from scratch. Unfortunately it is not so simple. I got stuck with configuring the RTC.

– Following devices are added to /etc/modules
snd-bcm2835
i2c-bcm2708
i2c-dev
rtc-1307

– dtparam=i2c_arm=on is enabled in /boot/config.txt

However the hwclock is not accessible. I got this:

pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo hwclock --debug
hwclock from util-linux 2.25.2
hwclock: cannot open /dev/rtc: No such file or directory
No usable clock interface found.
hwclock: Cannot access the Hardware Clock via any known method.

It works fine on the old image with the same settings. I assume that something more is missing from the configuration.

[sakos]

Thanks Ray,

I assumed that the pre-configured SD card contains other settings, tunigs, etc which are needed for OSPI to run smoothly. Then I will install according to your suggestion.

[sakos]

Sorry for double posting but I would like to comment here as well, that I installedd the latest OSPi SD Card Image 2 (with Unified Firmware, update 05/31/15) but it will not work on Raspberry Pi Zero. I could not test but presumably it won’t work with other Model A/B either since they have the same platform as Zero.
The green LED is blinking but no output on the HDMI port.

[sakos]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your response. Yes, it is an option to start from scratch and install the OS then add everything which is needed for OSPI.

On the other hand I still hope that someone can help why the Ray’s preconfigured OSPI SD card image will not work on Zero (and presumably on Model A/B) Raspberry Pis.

[sakos]

I downloaded the original OSPI image again and write on an SD card and inserted into Pi Zero. Unfortunately I got the same result. The green LED is blinking but nothing else happens. I mean that nothing appears on the HDMI output.

[sakos]

I know that Pi Zero has the same platform as Pi Model A+ and differs from Pi 2. However I could not see anny difference in OSPI setup for Pi Model A and Pi 2. There is a single SD card image and I cannot recall any platform specific configuration steps. I considered the OSPI FW as uniform for any Raspberry.
Did I miss something?

[sakos]

Today, I received my Pi Zero. As a first test I moved the preconfigured and working SD card from my old RPi2 to RPi Zero together with the Wifi dongle. Unfortunately it does not work. The device is not accessible 🙁

[sakos]

Hi,

Nice job. Did you need to modify anything on the OSPI hardware to be compatible with Pi Zero?
I hardly wait Pi Zero to be available for ordering.

[sakos]

I took much longer time than expected but finally I collected all components and built my own Opensprinkler PI panel. It has been tested for several weeks and working absolutely fine.

Attachments:

1. 

   DSC_0002-2.jpg
   

2. 

   DSC_0001-2.jpg
   

[sakos]

I would try with a wifi client device having detachable antenna instead. To achive long distance you will need to replace the original rod by a high gain directional wifi antenna. Directional antenna provides much longer distance than a repeater.

[sakos]

Should work.

[sakos]

Hi,

Today I recieved the update of Opensprinkler Android app. It looks very good. Some minor corrections are needed. I will do it later.
However it seems that the Hungarian translationa of log review page is missing (Timeline, table, Start, end, etc..)

[sakos]

The connection of Opensprinkler and the manual timer is not detailed enough on this drawing. Anyway, this setup should work. You do not need diodes D5..D8. D6 and D7 do nothing in this setup hence can be omitted. D5 and D8 can be replaced with a short circuit. D3 and D4 diodes makes the work, however they provide only half-wave operation. C1 shall be dimensioned according to this.
The D1 and D2 LEDs need a serial resistor.

[sakos]

Probably I misunderstand your need but have you read the “Remote station” chapter in the user manual?

[sakos]

Driving a single valve by two independent AC sources directly is a really bad design. If both sources are active (manual and OS) it may cause a short circuit with 50% probability. I highly recommend to avoid this setup.
To separate the two systems you should use one relay per station. This will atuomatically solve your LED problem as well. You need 24V AC relays with NO/NC/COM contacts.

See this picture as a guide.

Device=valve, V1 sine, V2 sine are the station outputs of the two controller.
Dual contact is not necessary in 24V AC setup The common wire can be directly connected of the two systems.

[sakos]

The switching is always pulse like. You can configure the lenght of pulse between 1 second and several hours…

[sakos]

Hi Samer,

I have OSPI v1.4+ HW, with on board relay however the application does not support it either.

[Author]

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