cyborgworkshop.org

First off, WHIA v1 code is in the WHIA FAQ. It sucks, I know. that’s why I’m doing v2. Here is an outline of what I’m doing for v2.

• Communication is now query/response based instead of the arduino constantly chattering.
• Individual sensors can be queried or all sensors.
• No  more pressure sensors.  Too variable, instead my safety gear focuses on the number of registers open and inlet/outlet temperature. I’m considering a hot wire anemometer.
• I went back and forth on it, but I’m using two Arduinos talking I2C. One controls the inputs, one controls the outputs.
• Thanks to I2C, we have lots and lots of blinky lights this go around. Two for each sensor and one for each servo.
• I’ve stubbed in support for controlling the mini-blinds in each room via xbee or cheap 900mhz radio.
• I actually control registers instead of dampers in some of the rooms, chiefly the basement.
• Water sensors have been added in the basement and under the washing machine (long story).
• The big one, a web based gui for feedback and control this time.

It’ll be well into winter before this one is done and a few more weeks before I’m even at a stage where I can post code, but I’m going to stand up the v2 page anyways and just start putting everything out there. I did a really poor job of getting my code and schematics in shape and online for v1, so I figure the best way to remedy that is just to hang it all out for v2.

Thanks again all of you google ads clickers, you bought me servos and micros and are funding the work on v2!

Woohoo!  WHIA v1 is back online!  Just in time too because I need to get a better handle on the temperature in the spare bedroom as we’re going to be turning that into a nursery!  Yup, we’re making more geeks!

I’m closing in on this darn HVAC project, slowly but surely. After reviewing the data, the basement return vents seem to have done me little to no good.  The upper levels are still too hot, the basement is still too cold and the HVAC is cycling just as much as it ever has.  A friend from my old stomping grounds just this morning dropped me a line reminding me about the Midwest, radon and negative pressure zones in a basement structure all of which have prompted me to close off the basement return.   It’s not all bad news though. Running the blower 24×7 and my upstairs ceiling fans has made an enormous difference.  WHIA hasn’t had to do much work after it initially balanced out the house. In fact, I had to check it this weekend to make sure that it wasn’t locked up. The pressure sensor is working well and I should have it’s graph online by this weekend and, most importantly, this project has passed the wife test.

So next up, we finish and document the amp clamps and get that pressure graph online!

The air conditioner started leaking water all over the place a few days ago, and not interested in being without AC in the 100 degree heat we’ve been experiencing, I promptly called in the pros to take a look at it.  While it cost me $80 for some strategically placed tar tape, I did get to ask the tech a few questions.  His immediate reaction when he saw all of the servos was “You should sell this to your neighbors, their house is burning up!” to which I replied “oh hell no, I lose sleep over just one of these things”. I asked him about how much pressure I should expect to measure in the main air plenum (didn’t know) and then got the sign off on putting a return vent in the basement.  I was able to install that this evening and while it’s too early to call, I’ll be watching the graphs real closely tomorrow.  Next step, controlling the thermostat!

I added the first part of the pressure and safety monitoring section of WHIA. It’s still a work in progress, but the outline is there for what I’m working on now.