PiPower

PiPower is a node server for the raspberry pi that offers gpio manipulation from a web interface and/or a predefined schedule. It also supports ds18x20 sensors over i2c but but I need to add support for setting the sensor id's in the config file.

My current setup is a pi zero with an 8 channel relay wired to 8 outlets. The web interface creates an on/off button for every pin in the config file. I also wired up the i2c pins to a 3.5mm headphone jack so I could plug in temperature sensors until my heart is content, via headphone splitter.

By default, each pin is set to the on position when the server starts. This is the safest operation for my aquarium setup as equipment is usually on.

Although, I have used this to build a aquarium monitor, it would be very easy to use this for a DIY smart power strip.

BOM

Note: Links are sourced for 2 day Amazon Prime shipping. Can be found on ebay for about half the price.

• Enclosure - $14
• Relay - $11
• Power Cable Input - $7
• Outlets - $8

Accessories

• DHT22 Ambient Temp/Humidity Sensor - $10
• DS18B20 Waterproof Temp Probes - $8
• Humidifier Mister - $9
• Humidifier Fan - $9

Setup

Raspberry Pi configuration (Raspbian):

Install Raspbian on a raspberry pi

I recommend using PiBakery, its very easy to use. I normally configure the wifi, hostname, password, reboot, and then i ssh into it fo the next steps. Raspbian lite can be used, no need to use the full version.

Install updates

sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install git

sudo apt-get install git

Install NodeJS via NVM

git clone https://github.com/creationix/nvm.git ~/.nvm
sudo echo "source ~/.nvm/nvm.sh" >> ~/.bashrc && sudo echo "source ~/.nvm/nvm.sh" >> ~/.profile

Exit all terminal sessions and open new one

Test to see if install worked

nvm --version

Install node 4 (sensor libraries require old version)

nvm install 4

Set timezone on raspberry pi

sudo raspi-config

Select localisation options > change timezone > geographical area > timezone.

Enable one-wire interface for sensors

If modprobe command fails, update your raspberry pi with sudo rpi-update

sudo modprobe w1-gpio
sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Add this line to bottom of file:

dtoverlay=w1-gpio

Install DHT11/22 supporting library

wget http://www.airspayce.com/mikem/bcm2835/bcm2835-1.46.tar.gz
tar zxvf bcm2835-1.46.tar.gz
cd bcm2835-1.46
./configure
make
sudo make check
sudo make install
rm -rf ../bcm2835-1.46.tar.gz

Reboot

sudo reboot now

Raspberry Pi Server Setup

Clone the repository

sudo git clone https://github.com/jfarago/piPower.git pi-power

Install node dependencies

cd pi-power/dist/server
sudo chown -R $(whoami) ./
npm install

Generate SSL Cert in root of server

openssl genrsa 1024 > private.key
openssl req -new -key private.key -out cert.csr
openssl x509 -req -in cert.csr -signkey private.key -out certificate.pem

Generate users.htpasswd file in root of server (this is the password to login to the web)

sudo apt-get install apache2-utils
htpasswd -c users.htpasswd admin

Set up your pin configuration

Copy server/config.example.json file and create a server/config.json file

cp config.example.json config.json

Launch Server

sudo node ~/pi-power/dist/server/app.js

If you get a sudo node error then you need to install a version of node globally. This is because we are using nvm to install node. https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-node-js-with-nvm-node-version-manager-on-a-vps#-installing-nodejs-on-a-vps https://stackoverflow.com/questions/21215059/cant-use-nvm-from-root-or-sudo

$ n=$(which node);n=${n%/bin/node}; chmod -R 755 $n/bin/*; sudo cp -r $n/{bin,lib,share} /usr/local

Create credentials file ()

Navigate to https://raspberry-pi-ip:3000

Set up push notifications

Comfigureable Notifications

• on boot
• temperature threshold
• pin high/low

Set up temperature probes

• Connect temperature probes data pins to pin gpio 4 (hardware pin 7)
• On first boot, the server will log the temperature probes id's that where found.
• Copy those id's to set up probes in the config.json

"alert" is an optional field. If push notifications are enabled, a message will be sent if the temperature passes the alert threshold.

"offset" is used to calibrate the probe. Temp is in fahrenheit

"temperatureProbes": [
    {
      "name": "Refugium",
      "id": "28-0000066fbb8c",
      "alert": 80,
      "offset": -2
    }
]

Set up DHT Sensor

• Connect temperature probe data pin to pin gpio 4 (hardware pin 7)
• Configure sensor type and offset in the config.json

"offset" is used to calibrate the probe. Temp is in fahrenheit

"dhtSensor" : {
    "type": 11,
    "offset": 0
  },

Set Up Dev Environment on computer

Note: dev environment needs node 12, while raspberry pi needs node 4

Clone the repository

sudo git clone https://github.com/jfarago/piPower.git piPower

Install package dependancies

cd piPower/
npm install

Create dist package

npm run build

Create proxy config

The proxy is to be able to serve the webpages locally, but point to the pi for server requests

cp proxy.conf.example.json proxy.conf.json

Deploy using filezilla or cyberduck

Modifications

App changes

• Make changes
• Run npm run builds
• copy dist folder to raspberry pi
• Restart server on pi

Server

• GET App Configuration
  • https://<Raspberry Pi IP>/api/app-config
• GET Pin Configuration
  • https://<Raspberry Pi IP>/api/outlets
• GET Pin State
  • https://<Raspberry Pi IP>/api/outlets/:pin
• GET Temperature Probes
  • https://<Raspberry Pi IP>/api/temperature_probes
• GET DHT Temperature/Humidity State
  • https://<Raspberry Pi IP>/api/ambient
• PUT Pin State
  • https://<Raspberry Pi IP>/api/outlets/:pin/:state

Extras

Run server when pi boots option 1

pm2

Run server when pi boots option 2

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

Add line under "# By default this script does nothing."

/usr/bin/sudo -u pi sudo /usr/local/bin/forever /home/pi/piPower/dist/server/app.js >>/home/pi/piPower/dist/server/output.log 2>>/home/pi/piPower/dist/server/error.log

Reboot

sudo reboot