Tinkering; Like Guntering for the Connected Generation.

09-05-2021 2:47pm

I'm still waiting on parts for the homemade batt latch so no progress to report.

However I've another half formed bit of thinking regarding a "poly wire lifter". Basically what it is is a small (rc car) winch which would lift the poly wire up at an appointed time and drop it back down at an appointed time.

I figure I need three functions minimum to do this.

1 Power goes to "reel in" winch function, to lift the wire.
2 Power goes to "reel out" function, to drop the wire.
3 Power is "off".

I'd also like to have a function where an audible sound or tune would play for a time before the wire lifts, stock would become accustomed to this so ewes could gather lambs for the move rather than ewes rushing headlong through a fence, running the length of a fence and trying to call lambs through a fence :rolleyes:

I'd also imagine a GSM over-ride switch could be wired in at some point, for "manual" operation?

Now, I'm electronically challenged - as we've seen by my uncanny ability to burn stuff out - so I figure this could operate on timers? But perhaps there are much better (simple) options than that?

Dinzee Conlee · 09-05-2021 3:00pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm still waiting on parts for the homemade batt latch so no progress to report.

However I've another half formed bit of thinking regarding a "poly wire lifter". Basically what it is is a small (rc car) winch which would lift the poly wire up at an appointed time and drop it back down at an appointed time.

I figure I need three functions minimum to do this.

1 Power goes to "reel in" winch function, to lift the wire.
2 Power goes to "reel out" function, to drop the wire.
3 Power is "off".

I'd also like to have a function where an audible sound or tune would play for a time before the wire lifts, stock would become accustomed to this so ewes could gather lambs for the move rather than ewes rushing headlong through a fence, running the length of a fence and trying to call lambs through a fence :rolleyes:

I'd also imagine a GSM over-ride switch could be wired in at some point, for "manual" operation?

Now, I'm electronically challenged - as we've seen by my uncanny ability to burn stuff out - so I figure this could operate on timers? But perhaps there are much better (simple) options than that?

Even with the poly wire on the ground, would the ewes walk over it?

09-05-2021 3:02pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Even with the poly wire on the ground, would the ewes walk over it?

On the ground

The idea of the lifter is the poly wire is lifted up so they may pass under it.

Like this

https://youtu.be/2V8vT5N8A_g

Dinzee Conlee · 09-05-2021 3:09pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

On the ground

The idea of the lifter is the poly wire is lifted up so they may pass under it.

Ah, yes, that makes more sense all right...

Hog here broke into neighbours a while back, he only has cattle. The wire was high enough they could walk under, but some refused...

Am sure they’d get used to it though...

09-05-2021 3:14pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Ah, yes, that makes more sense all right...

Hog here broke into neighbours a while back, he only has cattle. The wire was high enough they could walk under, but some refused...

Am sure they’d get used to it though...

I think so, it's habit. My only worry is it might encourage some to try their luck at going under when they're not meant to.

emaherx · 09-05-2021 8:41pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm still waiting on parts for the homemade batt latch so no progress to report.

However I've another half formed bit of thinking regarding a "poly wire lifter". Basically what it is is a small (rc car) winch which would lift the poly wire up at an appointed time and drop it back down at an appointed time.

I figure I need three functions minimum to do this.

1 Power goes to "reel in" winch function, to lift the wire.
2 Power goes to "reel out" function, to drop the wire.
3 Power is "off".

I'd also like to have a function where an audible sound or tune would play for a time before the wire lifts, stock would become accustomed to this so ewes could gather lambs for the move rather than ewes rushing headlong through a fence, running the length of a fence and trying to call lambs through a fence :rolleyes:

I'd also imagine a GSM over-ride switch could be wired in at some point, for "manual" operation?

Now, I'm electronically challenged - as we've seen by my uncanny ability to burn stuff out - so I figure this could operate on timers? But perhaps there are much better (simple) options than that?

What winch are you planning on using? Is it a toy winch for an RC car? Would it be up to the task?
If I was planning this I'd use an old car window motor.

Also I'd probably use a microcontroller with some limit switches to be sure of raised and lowered positions. Not sure how far down that sort of route you'd consider.

Edit: actually think a microcontroller or micro PLC would be the way to go but using a winch powered by a stepper motor would be the simplest circuit to build and the programming would be simple enough, receive input and turn motor x amount of steps, receive second input an reverse motor x amount of steps.

White Clover · 09-05-2021 9:12pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I think so, it's habit. My only worry is it might encourage some to try their luck at going under when they're not meant to.

That's what will happen. They're clever animals.

emaherx · 09-05-2021 9:19pm

White Clover wrote: »

That's what will happen. They're clever animals.

You could lift multiple strands, especially with a bungee type cord.

09-05-2021 9:50pm

emaherx wrote: »

What winch are you planning on using? Is it a toy winch for an RC car? Would it be up to the task?
If I was planning this I'd use an old car window motor.

Also I'd probably use a microcontroller with some limit switches to be sure of raised and lowered positions. Not sure how far down that sort of route you'd consider.

Edit: actually think a microcontroller or micro PLC would be the way to go but using a winch powered by a stepper motor would be the simplest circuit to build and the programming would be simple enough, receive input and turn motor x amount of steps, receive second input an reverse motor x amount of steps.

emaherx wrote: »

You could lift multiple strands, especially with a bungee type cord.

The suggested winch was one for a RC rock crawler type car, no idea how powerful or not it is. I suppose a car window motor would be easy enough sourced to play around with, and cheaper!

Microcontrollers, limit switches, micro PLC's, and stepper motors are all things I'll have to go research rather than look foolish-er-er

The bungee cord was just for the batt latch gates.

The idea of the wire lifter is to enable the farmer to make a "gate" anywhere in the fence.

emaherx · 09-05-2021 10:01pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The suggested winch was one for a RC rock crawler type car, no idea how powerful or not it is. I suppose a car window motor would be easy enough sourced to play around with, and cheaper!

Microcontrollers, limit switches, micro PLC's, and stepper motors are all things I'll have to go research rather than look foolish-er-er

The bungee cord was just for the batt latch gates.

The idea of the wire lifter is to enable the farmer to make a "gate" anywhere in the fence.

I said "especially" about the bungee cord but you could easily lift 2 standard strands handy enough either.

Wouldn't worry about looking foolish, I've melted my fair share of electronics over the years.

11-05-2021 2:13pm

Head

> wrecked.

I've made a mistake in what I ordered https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154400487778

I've hooked them up and I believe they delay turning the power ON, not OFF?

But besides that, there's enough power going into this yoke to work the actuator but nothing coming out the other side?

Helpfully no instructions were provided but I've had wires in and out of every possible combination I think.

11-05-2021 3:29pm

Got that relay working, just turns out it doesn't do what I thought it did.

Sacrolyte · 11-05-2021 4:59pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm still waiting on parts for the homemade batt latch so no progress to report.

However I've another half formed bit of thinking regarding a "poly wire lifter". Basically what it is is a small (rc car) winch which would lift the poly wire up at an appointed time and drop it back down at an appointed time.

I figure I need three functions minimum to do this.

1 Power goes to "reel in" winch function, to lift the wire.
2 Power goes to "reel out" function, to drop the wire.
3 Power is "off".

I'd also like to have a function where an audible sound or tune would play for a time before the wire lifts, stock would become accustomed to this so ewes could gather lambs for the move rather than ewes rushing headlong through a fence, running the length of a fence and trying to call lambs through a fence :rolleyes:

I'd also imagine a GSM over-ride switch could be wired in at some point, for "manual" operation?

Now, I'm electronically challenged - as we've seen by my uncanny ability to burn stuff out - so I figure this could operate on timers? But perhaps there are much better (simple) options than that?

The big question I’d have is what tune would you play. My suggestion would be Baa Baa Black Sheep

11-05-2021 5:04pm

Sacrolyte wrote: »

The big question I’d have is what tune would you play. My suggestion would be Baa Baa Black Sheep

The Monsanto song ðŸ˜„

emaherx · 11-05-2021 7:18pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Got that relay working, just turns out it doesn't do what I thought it did.

The important question is can you now get it to do what you wanted?

11-05-2021 11:23pm

emaherx wrote: »

The important question is can you now get it to do what you wanted?

I've rigged up an old 100W lightforce bulb (all I had :pac:) to see if it works and......

...........We haz success

I just have to turn down the seconds on on the 555 relay to stop another actuator burning out (and I thought ordering 12 was excessive) and we should be good to go for bodging a working prototype.

Where I'm at right now, the timer comes on as programmed and sends power to the 555, which lights up the bulb, after X number of seconds the 555 turns off the bulb, after one minute from start the timer turns off power to the 555 as programmed.

I love it when a plan comes together :cool:

rounders · 11-05-2021 11:38pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I've rigged up an old 100W lightforce bulb (all I had :pac:) to see if it works and......

...........We haz success

I just have to turn down the seconds on on the 555 relay to stop another actuator burning out (and I thought ordering 12 was excessive) and we should be good to go for bodging a working prototype.

Where I'm at right now, the timer comes on as programmed and sends power to the 555, which lights up the bulb, after X number of seconds the 555 turns off the bulb, after one minute from start the timer turns off power to the 555 as programmed.

I love it when a plan comes together :cool:

Out of curiosity, why do you want the wire to go back down? Will the animals not need to go back out for water? Or do you have effectively paddocks setup with the plastic wire and each is served with water?

Edit - Congrats btw! I've been following the progress, great to see some home made ideas coming to solution!

11-05-2021 11:42pm

rounders wrote: »

Out of curiosity, why do you want the wire to go back down? Will the animals not need to go back out for water? Or do you have effectively paddocks setup with the plastic wire and each is served with water?

I like options. I'm confident stock will move so it doesn't have to go back down on the prototype. I want to keep stock moving forwards. I have 2 or 3km of water pipe bought over the last year so every paddock will have water via plug in drinkers served by gravity out of IBC tanks.

Which reminds me I have to clean out the tanks, one of my least favourite jobs ever.

12-05-2021 1:29am

Have the actuator hooked up now and the 555 timer turned right down so no more magic smoke.

Next step will be mock up and weather proofing.

emaherx · 12-05-2021 6:39am

Good work Herdquitter, glad to hear it. I'd say you've a much better understanding of electronics than you had a week ago.

tellmeabit · 12-05-2021 8:01am

I was trying to make one of those batt latch devices when I worked away from the farm.. I bought the bits and tried it in theory just needed to make up a waterproof container.. I'll have a search through the purchases here later and see if Can find. Think they were around 30€

tellmeabit · 12-05-2021 8:13am

Order Confirmed:DC12V Lock Tongue Luggage Electric Solenoid Assembly Automatic Door Drawer

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372355160268

This and a digital timer.
I wouldn't have much in the line to this tinkering or what's necessary to make a waterproof container.

A buddy if mine said you could get alliepxress to make up a covering and put parts together of you were going into production or wanted to do a patch to trial.
It's not something I need anymore but if a lad every wanted to be away from the place for a couple of nites it might be off use. Will have a look at it again over the summer.

12-05-2021 8:24am

I might go with something like this for the audio, 4 wires, simple, works, need a bit of a beefier speaker and how to waterproof it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXKdOhX_K8k

15-05-2021 12:21pm

Thinking ahead, automatic gate openers might be handy for main routes of travel on the farm. Ring a gate and have it open before ya get there!

I should have clarified, gate openers for field gates, not electric fence gates.

emaherx · 16-05-2021 6:28am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Thinking ahead, automatic gate openers might be handy for main routes of travel on the farm. Ring a gate and have it open before ya get there!

I should have clarified, gate openers for field gates, not electric fence gates.

You really don't want to be "ringing gates" if you have more than 1 or 2 + other devices like electric fence openers and fence switches, keeping all of the Sims alive will become a pain. A LoRa network would be the way to go (Not LoRa WAN), this way all devices can be centrally managed with no need for external providers, range is a few KM and can be extended with a mesh type network.

16-05-2021 9:49am

emaherx wrote: »

You really don't want to be "ringing gates" if you have more than 1 or 2 + other devices like electric fence openers and fence switches, keeping all of the Sims alive will become a pain. A LoRa network would be the way to go (Not LoRa WAN), this way all devices can be centrally managed with no need for external providers, range is a few KM and can be extended with a mesh type network.

Thanks, that's interesting, I'll check it out.

Westernrock · 16-05-2021 8:26pm

Anyone make their own scales using weigh cells and a display?
I’m trying to fix up a scales here that the cable got chewed through (don’t ask!) thought it would just be a simple disconnect and re solder but there’s no life on the display after I re-connected the wires. Just wondering if it might be easier to start again with a new display? Or if anyone has any ideas where to buy the required parts?
Thanks.

17-05-2021 8:53am

emaherx wrote: »

You really don't want to be "ringing gates" if you have more than 1 or 2 + other devices like electric fence openers and fence switches, keeping all of the Sims alive will become a pain. A LoRa network would be the way to go (Not LoRa WAN), this way all devices can be centrally managed with no need for external providers, range is a few KM and can be extended with a mesh type network.

It's difficult to extract LoRa infor from LoRa WAN on YT. Currently pondering my Fresnel zone :pac: I will do the equation when I get time.

In the meantime...... To remotely open a gate, solenoid or linear actuator. A solenoid would be simpler I think, but I figure it'd need to be relatively powerful as a spring would need to keep the gate bolt shut.

But, a linear actuator might keep a gate "locked" better, as it's in a high tourist traffic area.

emaherx · 18-05-2021 6:36am

Westernrock wrote: »

Anyone make their own scales using weigh cells and a display?
I’m trying to fix up a scales here that the cable got chewed through (don’t ask!) thought it would just be a simple disconnect and re solder but there’s no life on the display after I re-connected the wires. Just wondering if it might be easier to start again with a new display? Or if anyone has any ideas where to buy the required parts?
Thanks.

There should be some life in the display with or without the weigh cells connected.

I think a good few around here including myself built their scales using beam scales like this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=beam+scales&crid=2HY7ZPOHKLLNA&sprefix=beam+sca%2Caps%2C134&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_8
I see it cheaper on pigs back at the moment:
https://www.pigsback.com/en-ie/offer/453418/monster-group-bv

emaherx · 18-05-2021 6:58am

Deleted User wrote: »

It's difficult to extract LoRa infor from LoRa WAN on YT. Currently pondering my Fresnel zone :pac: I will do the equation when I get time.

I suspect you are right, the whole LoRa thing is being pushed like most technologies these days as a cloud service but it certainly does not need to be.
I'm using Arduino and ESP32 devices for my LoRa network.

Arduino based useful for battery powered nodes:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stemedu-Arduino-ATmega328P-3-7-12V-Antenna/dp/B07SMZPNR7/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stemedu+lora&qid=1621316659&sr=8-1

ESP32 based useful for USB powered nodes:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MakerHawk-Development-Bluetooth-0-96inch-Display/dp/B076T28KWG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=lora&qid=1621316722&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQjk4TkxEU05CQ1pVJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDkxOTUzMzY1UFFWQlpPMVVEMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODc1MTk0MU9HMUREU0FFOFQ3USZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

It might sound a bit advanced, but these boards are ready to go, they only need to be connected to a sensor and or actuator. All of the software to be loaded on them can be got from mysensors.org as well as detailed instructions for connecting each type of sensor/actuator.

Then for management they can connect to a raspberry pi (or any other computer) running automation software. I use home assistant https://www.home-assistant.io/

If you are still interested at this stage

it will actually make all of your other projects simpler as remote control, scheduling and timers can all be set in software and controlled from an app on your phone.

Deleted User wrote: »

In the meantime...... To remotely open a gate, solenoid or linear actuator. A solenoid would be simpler I think, but I figure it'd need to be relatively powerful as a spring would need to keep the gate bolt shut.

But, a linear actuator might keep a gate "locked" better, as it's in a high tourist traffic area.

Is it just an automatic locking/unlocking mechanism you want? or a full gate opener?

18-05-2021 11:51pm

Watched a bit on Arduino, interesting stuff, need to learn lots more.

On the gate, initially I was thinking of a remote opening function. I've some awkward spots and often on my own, so it'd be nice to have an open gate at the end of a sheep filled track. It would also be good to have the ability to properly lock the gate, not padlock obvs! I've been looking at linear actuator type open/closers, bit much for me at the moment...

emaherx · 19-05-2021 6:45am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Watched a bit on Arduino, interesting stuff, need to learn lots more.

Really worth looking at if you are going to be doing these sort of DIY projects. You don't need to learn how to program from scratch either, just manipulate the millions of free examples available online. In the long run it will actually make many projects simpler.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

On the gate, initially I was thinking of a remote opening function. I've some awkward spots and often on my own, so it'd be nice to have an open gate at the end of a sheep filled track. It would also be good to have the ability to properly lock the gate, not padlock obvs! I've been looking at linear actuator type open/closers, bit much for me at the moment...

There are plenty of strong solenoids available which would be much simpler then the linear actuator. The big question here is how are you going to power these gates?

19-05-2021 9:52am

emaherx wrote: »

Really worth looking at if you are going to be doing these sort of DIY projects. You don't need to learn how to program from scratch either, just manipulate the millions of free examples available online. In the long run it will actually make many projects simpler.

There are plenty of strong solenoids available which would be much simpler then the linear actuator. The big question here is how are you going to power these gates?

I haven't much free time atm but I'm seeing the value of them for sure, which leads to more tinkering ideas :pac:

On the gate, I've been thinking that a seatbelt fastner might work as a locking mechanism if it were contained in a box. A solenoid could push the button - depending on the amount of force needed - to release it.

Now I just need to figure out how to move the gate. I have to put in new gates, or gate posts in many places so gravity could open them if I hung the gates that way.

Closing it will require more thought but I'm not sure it's 100% necessary for my needs.

- Oh yes, power. I figure battery + solar panel. Two gates are close enough together to be served by one. A third gate is maybe 100 meters away - cable cost vs another set up cost.

Lime Tree Farm · 26-05-2021 6:22pm

I have a Wifi 4G router for mobile internet. The cable is a short length of CAT 5.e flat ROHS. I want to buy a longer length of this type of cable with connectors both ends. Where can I source one and does it matter whether it is flat or round cable. TIA.

dzer2 · 26-05-2021 6:25pm

RS in Dubli

Ten Pin · 26-05-2021 6:30pm

Cat 5 cables with plugs (scroll down page)...
https://www.freetv.ie/networking/cabling/cat5/

Lime Tree Farm · 26-05-2021 7:29pm

Ten Pin wrote: »

Cat 5 cables with plugs (scroll down page)...
https://www.freetv.ie/networking/cabling/cat5/

Perfect, thank you.

emaherx · 29-05-2021 10:58pm

Not Farming related, but thought I'd share anyway.
A friend of mine bought a house a few years ago and this poker machine was in the garage.

IMG_20210529_175849 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

I was going to convert it to an arcade machine for the kids, but they are getting bigger and more independent now and have take on the challenge themselves.

IMG_20210529_175929 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210522_115020 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210529_192042 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

New components for the conversion, raspberry pi 4 and arcade controller kits.

IMG_20210529_192028 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

TITANIUM. · 30-05-2021 10:19am

emaherx wrote: »

Not Farming related, but thought I'd share anyway.
A friend of mine bought a house a few years ago and this poker machine was in the garage.

IMG_20210529_175849 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

I was going to convert it to an arcade machine for the kids, but they are getting bigger and more independent now and have take on the challenge themselves.

IMG_20210529_175929 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210522_115020 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210529_192042 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

New components for the conversion, raspberry pi 4 and arcade controller kits.

IMG_20210529_192028 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

Jesus fair play to them. If they need a good man swinging a sledge! Give me shout, that's about all the use id be on a project like that!

emaherx · 03-06-2021 10:26pm

I'm expanding my sensor network to include an out farm that is out of range of my LoRa network, as part of the project I'm also updating the Raspberry Pi running Home Assistant from a Pi3 to a Pi4.

IMG_20210603_061610 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

I installed Home Assistant and WireGuard VPN on the Pi4 at the house.
On the out farm I've setup a Raspberry Pi zero running MySensors.org Gateway and WireGuard VPN. The Pi Zero is connected to an old USB huawei e3131 3G Dongle for data connection. Data use will be low so I will use an IOT sim like this https://1nce.com/en/pricing/

IMG_20210603_061625 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

For the moment I'm reusing some of my old sensors using NRF24 radios.

IMG_20210603_185811 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210603_191615 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

I have LoRa radios on order to replace the NRF24's and a better enclosure for my Pi Zero, but this should do for testing purposes

The Pi Zero is getting power from a USB port on charge controller of my solar pump setup.

IMG_20210603_191106 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

The advantage of this setup is I can run as many sensors or actuators as I like from a single IOT sim.

rounders · 04-06-2021 12:30am

emaherx wrote: »

I'm expanding my sensor network to include an out farm that is out of range of my LoRa network, as part of the project I'm also updating the Raspberry Pi running Home Assistant from a Pi3 to a Pi4.

The advantage of this setup is I can run as many sensors or actuators as I like from a single IOT sim.

What are the sensors measuring? Does that sim card support calls? I was looking at a Thingsmobile.com sim during the week for a GSM controller for the electric fence but it doesn't support call for turning On/Off

ICBF
Also on a unrelated note, ICBF. We just logged in at home for the first time to log calf weights for the Calf to Beef program. It's actually a fantastic system given it's pulled everything together in one place. Calving data, milk supply, milk recording, AI data & genetics. It gives the full data picture of the farm that I always felt the farm was missing.

Father never looked at it before and I'm working in Data Analytics for a multinational so I can see the value in it. Now I just need to convince him of that. Also a heads up, a lot of info is available for free

emaherx · 04-06-2021 8:07am

rounders wrote: »

What are the sensors measuring? Does that sim card support calls? I was looking at a Thingsmobile.com sim during the week for a GSM controller for the electric fence but it doesn't support call for turning On/Off

ICBF
Also on a unrelated note, ICBF. We just logged in at home for the first time to log calf weights for the Calf to Beef program. It's actually a fantastic system given it's pulled everything together in one place. Calving data, milk supply, milk recording, AI data & genetics. It gives the full data picture of the farm that I always felt the farm was missing.

Father never looked at it before and I'm working in Data Analytics for a multinational so I can see the value in it. Now I just need to convince him of that. Also a heads up, a lot of info is available for free

I've built an IOT Gateway, so I can connect any sensors or relay/solenoids I like to it, at the moment it only has a water level sensor to monitor the water from my home made solar pump. I will add more sensors and relays, to control and monitor the electric fence including line voltage at the ends of the fence, will probably also monitor the solar battery voltage too.

The sim is 500MB Data + 250 texts only @ €10 over 10 years , so no good for those GSM switches. The advantage of my system is I will only have one sim to manage for as many connected devices as I like.

On the ICBF, I agree its a great centralised source of information, but I have found it can sometimes be hard to navigate and find the reports that I'm looking for. Information is good you can act on information but sometimes it can be counter productive to look at just one source such as the genetics star ratings as we all have had animals that have performed well above or below the ratings. It is hard to argue with the results from weighing animals although I have a few cows that feed half the field of calves along with their own and I wonder how much that effects their scores.

rounders · 04-06-2021 10:28am

emaherx wrote: »

I've built an IOT Gateway, so I can connect any sensors or relay/solenoids I like to it, at the moment it only has a water level sensor to monitor the water from my home made solar pump. I will add more sensors and relays, to control and monitor the electric fence including line voltage at the ends of the fence, will probably also monitor the solar battery voltage too.

The sim is 500MB Data + 250 texts only @ €10 over 10 years , so no good for those GSM switches. The advantage of my system is I will only have one sim to manage for as many connected devices as I like.

On the ICBF, I agree its a great centralised source of information, but I have found it can sometimes be hard to navigate and find the reports that I'm looking for. Information is good you can act on information but sometimes it can be counter productive to look at just one source such as the genetics star ratings as we all have had animals that have performed well above or below the ratings. It is hard to argue with the results from weighing animals although I have a few cows that feed half the field of calves along with their own and I wonder how much that effects their scores.

Oh sounds like something I'd be interested in rolling out. We have mains water in our out-farm but I'd love to have water flow meters in the water pipes to see where the water is flowing to spot leaks, measure how much is being used and flag if a water valve is open or close with the ability to open and close and overlay this on a farm map along with the fence and mark where the fence is live/on.

The next layer then would be location trackers on the animals so put it all together you could build a system with logic to turn on the fence and water in a part of the farm when the animals enter and turn them off when they leave.

Yeah I'm a big supporter of weighing, we never weight animals until the Calf to Beef scheme and it was a big eye opener what weight the calves actually were etc. But anyway that is unrelated to this thread so I'll say no more on that

emaherx · 04-06-2021 10:42am

rounders wrote: »

Oh sounds like something I'd be interested in rolling out. We have mains water in our out-farm but I'd love to have water flow meters in the water pipes to see where the water is flowing to spot leaks, measure how much is being used and flag if a water valve is open or close with the ability to open and close and overlay this on a farm map along with the fence and mark where the fence is live/on.

The next layer then would be location trackers on the animals so put it all together you could build a system with logic to turn on the fence and water in a part of the farm when the animals enter and turn them off when they leave.

Yeah I'm a big supporter of weighing, we never weight animals until the Calf to Beef scheme and it was a big eye opener what weight the calves actually were etc. But anyway that is unrelated to this thread so I'll say no more on that

Yea, there is no end to what can be monitored/measured for automation or analytics. I can now place a sensor anywhere on my farm and connect to one of my IOT gateways using low powered subscription free devices. I now have 3 gateways, one connected to the broadband connection at my house, one on the home farm and the remote one running off 3G.

The weighing is not completely unrelated to this thread, we built this scales last year https://farmer-eds-shed.com/portable-cattle-crush-weighing-scales/, it has a serial port too so next phase would be some automation with this using EID tags.

If it is something you'd really like to roll out I'll be documenting the whole setup on my blog in time.

Figerty · 04-06-2021 11:28am

emaherx wrote: »

Yea, there is no end to what can be monitored/measured for automation or analytics. I can now place a sensor anywhere on my farm and connect to one of my IOT gateways using low powered subscription free devices. I now have 3 gateways, one connected to the broadband connection at my house, one on the home farm and the remote one running off 3G.

The weighing is not completely unrelated to this thread, we built this scales last year https://farmer-eds-shed.com/portable-cattle-crush-weighing-scales/, it has a serial port too so next phase would be some automation with this using EID tags.

If it is something you'd really like to roll out I'll be documenting the whole setup on my blog in time.

Emaherx, you need to create a Youtube channel of your projects. Some brilliant stuff you are doing.

emaherx · 04-06-2021 12:51pm

Figerty wrote: »

Emaherx, you need to create a Youtube channel of your projects. Some brilliant stuff you are doing.

Thanks Figerty, I've considered it but the filming and editing would be nearly as time consuming as doing the projects. I will use YouTube more for hosting short clips to embed in my blog though. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdqobJrJm87Bv3auf6skSRg, maybe further down the line I might invest more time on YouTube.

I've also setup a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FarmerEdsShed, its linked to the Blog if anyone would like to follow or comment etc feel free.

satstheway · 04-06-2021 1:05pm

emaherx wrote: »

I'm expanding my sensor network to include an out farm that is out of range of my LoRa network, as part of the project I'm also updating the Raspberry Pi running Home Assistant from a Pi3 to a Pi4.

IMG_20210603_061610 by
Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

I installed Home Assistant and WireGuard VPN on the Pi4 at the house.
On the out farm I've setup a Raspberry Pi zero running MySensors.org Gateway and WireGuard VPN. The Pi Zero is connected to an old USB huawei e3131 3G Dongle for data connection. Data use will be low so I will use an IOT sim like this https://1nce.com/en/pricing/

IMG_20210603_061625 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

For the moment I'm reusing some of my old sensors using NRF24 radios.

IMG_20210603_185811 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210603_191615 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

I have LoRa radios on order to replace the NRF24's and a better enclosure for my Pi Zero, but this should do for testing purposes The Pi Zero is getting power from a USB port on charge controller of my solar pump setup.

IMG_20210603_191106 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

The advantage of this setup is I can run as many sensors or actuators as I like from a single IOT sim.

Would that sim be suitable for running a wifi router solely for the purpose of turning on and off fence and milktank temp monitoring?
All devices would be in the sonoff range.

emaherx · 04-06-2021 1:13pm

satstheway wrote: »

Would that sim be suitable for running a wifi router solely for the purpose of turning on and off fence and milktank temp monitoring?
All devices would be in the sonoff range.

I'd say so as long as its used for nothing else. But to be honest I haven't even tried the sim yet, its just the one I'm considering. Basically my reading of it is its €10 for 500MB (which would be expensive for browsing) but it stays active for 10 years, if you use up the data before the 10 years then its just another €10 to top back up to 500MB again active for 10 years or until it is used.

There is another one from Three (UK) which has 24GB active for 2 years @ £40

At the moment I'm testing with a sim from 48 but I'm considering porting my own phone number onto that when I get the IOT sim.

emaherx · 04-06-2021 10:04pm

As well as in the house and around the farm, the garden is getting similar treatment. The polytunnel I built last year has solar powered water pumps lighting and temperature and humidity sensors. I had setup the panel inside as a temporary solution, but in the last few weeks the Arduino connected to the temperature sensors and the charge controller have been becoming unresponsive during the day most likely overheating due to the heat in the tunnel.

New frame to hold the panel with large IP65 Box with plenty of space for all of the electronics.

IMG_20210604_142229 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210604_153409 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

IMG_20210604_201938 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

The next job I have is to upgrade the irrigation system.

IMG_20210604_202304 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

I'll be replacing this cheap 4 way valve,

IMG_20210604_202357 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

With this one.

IMG_20210604_202421 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

and for control an Arduino controlled 4 channel relay.

IMG_20200426_072014 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

This is the temperature humidity sensor, the battery is not needed as it is powered from the solar battery. A soil moisture sensor will also be added to it.

IMG_20201112_213932 by Farmer Ed's Shed, on Flickr

rounders · 04-06-2021 11:22pm

I've so much to learn!

Tinkering; Like Guntering for the Connected Generation.

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