Author Topic: Questions from a noob with big plans to build small  (Read 1714 times)

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Offline Stormbringer

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Questions from a noob with big plans to build small
« on: April 26, 2022, 10:38:09 AM »
I am new to weewx and RPi, but I have done some programming a long time ago (java, asp, php, vB) and have been using linux for the last 7 years or so.

The plan is this: get a Pi, put weewx on it, and then use data coming from e.g. a Kestrel 5500 or DROP D3.

These gadgets use BLE. The Drops start logging as soon as the battery is inserted. BLE is permanently active on those. On the 5x these things can of course be set as required. There are also a USB LiNK dongle and a USB data cable [for the 5x series] available. Maybe those can be repurposed. Kestrel LiNK runs on Android.

1) Can a Pi be equipped with bluetooth and can weewx acquire data by sniffing bluetooth traffic.
2) Since there is no Kestrel hardware in the weewx compatibility list, can the fileparse extension be used to like the guy does in this project (https://vpn-expert.info/weather-station-with-raspberry-pi-sense-hat-and-weewx-step-by-step/) to add Kestrel bluetooth item capability to the hardware list?



@ mods - should this unintentionally be in the wrong (sub) forum, please forgive me and move it.

Thank you for looking.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2022, 12:31:40 PM by Stormbringer »

Offline Stormbringer

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Re: Questions from a noob with big plans to build small
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2022, 09:58:30 PM »
Since Pi boards are currently only available to people with pockets as deep as Mr. Musk's, I now have weewx and apache running on an old MacBook running ubuntu. Since I am new to this I did a Debian install and I am regretting this as finding stuff is a right pita. I have already found the fileparse files but I do not seem to manage to copy things to the right place for them to work. The only advice I found is for .py installs and I lack the knowledge to transpose those to a .deb install.

Can anyone please explain to me how to install the fileparse extension so it appears as an option in the drivers matrix?

Thanks for looking.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2022, 10:02:31 PM by Stormbringer »

Offline doubleohwhatever

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Re: Questions from a noob with big plans to build small
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2022, 04:48:55 AM »
Have you read through the instructions for the fileparse extension? The installation instructions are listed near the top:
https://github.com/weewx/weewx/tree/master/examples/fileparse

Since I am new to this I did a Debian install and I am regretting this as finding stuff is a right pita.

Debian was the best choice if you eventually plan on transitioning to a Pi or similar board. I wouldn't call debian or weewx a PITA though. You've chosen to use a Python based Linux application for a use-case that isn't supported directly out of the box. If you have no or little Python/Linux experience then a learning curve was to be expected.

If you have specific weewx questions, I'm happy to try to provide answers. However, it sounds like you haven't fully read through the weewx documentation and that's where I would recommend starting.

Debian instructions are here:
https://weewx.com/docs/debian.htm

However, I would read through this first (note the required skills section):
https://weewx.com/docs/usersguide.htm

Lastly, if you're really not all that interested in learning to setup weewx on debian yourself then that's okay. It's not everyone's cup of tea. WeeWX is only one of many options out there to check out. If you come to the conclusion that WeeWX is really the only option for what you want to do then there is absolutely nothing wrong with paying someone to set it up for you. The WeeWX user group would probably be the best place to look for that kind of help (or really WeeWX help in general).
« Last Edit: April 27, 2022, 05:10:05 AM by doubleohwhatever »

Offline Stormbringer

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Re: Questions from a noob with big plans to build small
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2022, 06:36:15 AM »
... I now have weewx and apache running on an old MacBook running ubuntu.

Onto this machine I did a .deb install of weewx, where the files are in completely different places than if I had done a .py install. Therefore I found reading https://github.com/weewx/weewx/tree/master/examples/fileparse not nearly as instructive as you suggest, because those instructions are for a .py install. I did not say weewx or debian were a pita but finding the stuff referred to in those instructions for a .py install on a .deb install is a pita. Or rather, transposing the instructions for a .py install to a .deb install.

If I was not interested in learning I would not have posted my question, because all it would have taken were a couple of useful pointers in the right direction, and I would have been off tinkering again.

Thank you for your answer which was helpful in one respect - I now know that asking a question regarding the installation of a weewx extension on a subforum for weewx software is not a good idea. That is more than I knew yesterday.

PS. I now have fileparse as a driver option (no credit to you though - sheer tinkering/trial-error/logic). Next: getting D3 data into the machine via bluetooth and written into a file for fileparse to parse.




« Last Edit: April 27, 2022, 08:11:59 AM by Stormbringer »

Offline doubleohwhatever

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Re: Questions from a noob with big plans to build small
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2022, 09:00:46 AM »
Glad you got it sorted. Best of luck to you mate.

Offline vinceskahan

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Re: Questions from a noob with big plans to build small
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2022, 02:12:44 PM »
I now know that asking a question regarding the installation of a weewx extension on a subforum for weewx software is not a good idea. That is more than I knew yesterday.

Huh ?

If you want weewx support you should check out the weewx-user google group which is where almost all the users hang out.
WeeWX sites:
  Davis VP2+DFARS to a pi4
  EcoWitt GW1000, WH32 outdoor T+H, multiple WH31 indoor T+H, WH51 soilMoisture (docker)
  Davis AirLink (inside)
  PurpleAir (outside)
Home site:        https://www.skahan.net/
Wunderground: KWAFEDER15
PWS:                KWFEDER15
CWOP:              CW6881

 

anything