Author Topic: Continue Using SmartHub! (Read 3538 times)

Jstx · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2019, 02:40:07 PM »

Quote from: RyanVanMeter on February 21, 2019, 02:19:39 PM

Angered at Acurite for trying to force customers to spend $129 on their Access hub to replace the SmartHub they will stop supporting, I wrote a Windows program that listens to the SmartHub on the network, intercepts its data updates to Acurite, displays the data and publishes it to my PWS at Wunderground. I currently have it working with my 5+1 weather station and three "tower" sensors. I will be making this software available for download -- and as open source code for any programmers that would like to adapt or improve on what I've done.

Would anyone out there by interested in a Windows application that reads the Acurite SmartHub and allows them to continue to use it?

I'm sure that others will be here soon with better responses, but per info and comments on several other threads here, the Smarthub will die without constant IP communication ('handshaking') with the MyAcurite website/server.
Per the Acurite rep (Victoria), their servers will cease talking to the Smarthubs, then without those handshakes the Smarthub just gives up.
So, does your program simulate a constant 'handshake' with the Smarthub as if it were an Acurite server, in addition to "reading" the data output stream from it?

If your prog does that, and works with Access devices, and also supports uploads to the other PWS data ingesting websites (CWOP, WOW, etc), it will be a winner.

Jack Bowman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2019, 03:03:21 PM »

kevin key has developed software for reading the network traffic from the Aculink Hub. I and many others have been using it successfully to parse weather data, and post it to a wide variety of places on the web. Here is a link to His section on this forum...

http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?board=136.0

There is a thread topic going on this subject right now...

http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=36027.0

I have been in touch with Kevin and he is exploring the possibility of making this work.

nincehelser · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2019, 04:50:56 PM »

Quote from: RyanVanMeter on February 21, 2019, 03:21:15 PM

Good! Glad others are on top of this as well. If someone else figures out the handshake first, fantastic! If I get a solution working, I'll post it.

The necessary responses aren't difficult. In the early days (when it was just the bridge), any acknowledgement would do.

For the SmartHUB, you also need to occasionally send the time with the response. Otherwise the SmartHUB will have no idea when to reset the rain totals.

You should be able to find a few threads describing the protocol on this forum, or you could look at the code for other programs such as Acuparse and weewx.

Jack Bowman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2019, 05:50:31 PM »

I understand the coding thing. I worked in C++ (in the Dos Days) and managed to stay up-to-date through Visual Basic 6. I gave it up and focused on hardware and networking services for the last 16 years running my own business. I would definitely support your efforts Ryan. Kevin Key is a great guy and hardcore brilliant coder that is worth visiting with. The fact that George(nincehelser) chimed in is an honor as far as I am concerned. George has vast experience in all things weather and has advanced knowledge of implementation on several platforms. He also has the very rare gift of common sense.

Look forward to your progress, Ryan!

Jack

Adrian23 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2019, 06:01:25 PM »

For the sake of all those who have no idea how to code or play with Linux I hope this is simple to add.

WeatherPerson · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2019, 06:30:39 PM »

Wow. I had no idea this forum would be so active! Great community you have here. I appreciate the help and suggestions.

I've reviewed the protocol implemented in other projects and have been watching communications between the SmartHub and Acurite server via Wireshark. I am looking for the best solution that doesn't involve messing around in routers or setting up custom DNS servers or coding a Raspberry Pi.

Glad there's interest! I'll keep the thread updated on progress. As background, my company designs machine learning systems and I'm a little busy right now, but I'll keep the project open and keep tinkering until something works.

Thanks!

2thepoint · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2019, 10:19:14 PM »

Please sign me up!! Yes, many of the WX Forum members are experienced coders, knowledgeable, and willing to share! Great combination for benefiting us novices....

Jack Bowman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2019, 08:54:07 AM »

I would love to try out your Windows App, Ryan! Please let me know when it is publicly available. Well done! I just found out that "Weather Display", (The software I use to fuel my weather website can glean data off of Weather Underground.) I normally use a CVS(text) file from Kevin Key's software to update this web site.

Keep up the great work!
Jack

Cartzim · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2019, 12:25:39 PM »

RyanVanMeter
Echoing Adrian23 re coding (I don't) but I would be pleased to download and try your Windows App, thanks.

MikeP · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2019, 12:40:43 PM »

RyanVanMeter

I jump on the bandwagon as well. ....and as a long time product developer (FW/SW coding and integration) for portable telecommunications monitoring & testing instruments (analog POTS through 1G/10G Ethernet and everything in-between) I am able and willing to assist in your effort.

Mike

Wijitmaker · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2019, 07:41:43 PM »

I'm a victim of the SmartHub debacle as well. My Weather Underground reporting died 4/4. I found this thread googling for a solution. Not sure if I can be any help, but I'd be happy to do testing.

nincehelser · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2019, 05:31:01 PM »

Quote from: RyanVanMeter on April 14, 2019, 04:32:05 PM

However, at any point, Acurite could further decide not to support their former customers and turn off the DNS record altogether, breaking any solution based on that.

...

It's an annoying situation for sure.

There's nothing Acurite can do that will make any difference to a well-engineered solution, and there are several out there already.

The DNS change wasn't even noticed by folks using DNS redirection already.

bvstation · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2019, 05:39:43 PM »

I'm just not dealing with it anymore and will get a different company's station.
I argued with someone on their support chat about it and got copy/pasted canned responses.
While I'm rather savvy I just don't have the energy or time to rig something up with their garbage.
So I'm taking mine down - giving to my dad since he would only use it for the regular screen anyway and getting me a new one.
I've tried many things and no luck.

nincehelser · « **Reply #14 on:** April 14, 2019, 05:44:47 PM »

A Pi and RTL_433 with weewx will go a long way to make a vendor-independent "SmartHUB".

Robert_B_2 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2019, 06:41:25 PM »

I've got two Smarthubs with power supplies. I'll send them to anyone in 48 U.S. for free. Not doing me any good sitting here. PM me with your name and address. First message gets them. If no reply, you were too late. Offer good until 5/1/19.

Claimed.

2thepoint · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2019, 06:47:03 PM »

Robert,
sent you a PM.

Phil

Robert_B_2 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2019, 08:36:18 PM »

2thepoint gets the 2 Smarthubs.

Phil, replied to your PM. Not sure if it went thru. Need full address.

2thepoint · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2019, 09:07:48 PM »

Robert,
PM with info coming your way.

thx,
Phil

Robert_B_2 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2019, 09:21:37 PM »

Phil, shipping tomorrow.

jstephens1 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 30, 2019, 08:06:50 PM »

some people are having luck with pressing acurite to honor the $39 offer

Bushman · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2019, 08:36:51 PM »

Quote from: jstephens1 on April 30, 2019, 08:06:50 PM

some people are having luck with pressing acurite to honor the $39 offer

I should try that - except shipping out of the USA is "problematic"

News:

Author Topic: Continue Using SmartHub! (Read 3538 times)