Webmite Remote Watering System

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Browser based applications on the PicoW using MM Basic

[IanTParticipant @iant]

MMBasic was ported to the Pico W a while ago and enables WiFI support for remote embedded applications. This verson of MMB is called the Webmite and as usual with 'Mites' everything that you need is there within MMB – each port is specific to the available hardware.

Geoff (MMBs original creater) has just published a 'Garden Watering System' application for the Webmite that runs a custom PCB build with a Webmite at its heart.

Webmite Watering System

I've no current plans to build this myself but what did interest me was the fact that you can load this app into a Pico W (without building anything else) and still run the app. It therefore provides a useful way to look at what is required to build this kind of remote application and experiment a little. I have a Waveshare backplane that will be the host to the PicoW and that should let me connect up various devices and see if I can display/control them via a browser (Home/Workshop security, Heating Controls, Rainwater Monitoring etc)

I know there are plenty of alternatives out there (Arduino etc) but for my money, the Pico varients coupled with MMB are a really effective way to build small control projects.

Regards,

IanT

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

My garden pots and greenhouse gets drip watered to each pot with a battery powered timer fitted to the outside tap which for my very little money spent is perfect.

This Webmite is a bit like 'Alexa turn on first light' complication for the sake of it.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

I agree with Dave!

Yes by all means build such a system as a project in its right, but for its own interest as much as function.

I'd rather leave watering to the simple and very reliable little, self-contained, electronic timer screwed underneath the kitchen work-top, fed from a spare washing-machine cold-water point and discharging via micro-bore polythene tube put through a small hole drilled in the wall. Although quite easy to set, as I need touch it only twice a year I have to keep the instructions close by!

All from a local garden-centre, not very expensive, surprisingly economical on batteries, and repaid itself over a good few years.

Remote-controlling your home to the nth degree is all very well till it goes wrong, but seems 'cos-I-can' rather than 'cos-I-need. It's not good engineering to make simple functions as complicated as possible, even if the control itself is still simple to use.!

Keep the electronics projects for things like CNC machine-tools; and "wireless" to the broadcast radio and TV services .

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Despite the negative responses, Ian … I think I see your point

[quote] the fact that you can load this app into a Pico W (without building anything else) and still run the app. It therefore provides a useful way to look at what is required to build this kind of remote application and experiment a little.[/quote]

“this kind of remote application” is limited only by one’s imagination

MichaelG.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 30/07/2023 07:49:53:

Despite the negative responses, Ian … I think I see your point

…

I agree. Though it could be used to water a garden, this type of application is an example. We all understand what watering a garden entails, and there are many ways of doing it, including not bothering! However, if you want to learn about microcontrollers, watering the garden is a respectable teaching aid, The example covers sensors, servos, programming, and bring the whole lot together on a real microcontroller.

My dear old dad, clever chap though he was, had a huge blind-spot when it came to computers. In his experience, machines were dedicated to a single function, where pushing a button, pulling a lever, or turning a knob did one thing only. He couldn't comprehend that computers can be programmed do almost anything, and he was lucky to retire just before the shift to microcontrollers made his electromechanical skills redundant.

Ian's project isn't about watering the garden, it's purpose is to get folk started with a technology with almost unlimited applications. It leads to bigger things: in my case, Dynamometers, Septic Tank Controller, Photographic controllers, Ballistic Chronograph, Condensation alarm (able to turn on a dehumidifier), Rotary Table driver, Precision Event Timers, Pendulum Clock Analyser, various motor controllers and much else.

Better not say what I think of BASIC as a computer language though – it upsets people!

Dave

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Just adapt it to turn on the under-mill heater when needed, and the workshop lights to make it look like you are down there etc.

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Been away arriving back very late/early this morning. Recovering with Coffee…

Well. I'm not a great fan of things like Alexa either. Why anyone would deliberately 'wire' their homes so that anyone could evesdrop on them is beyond me. However I do have some things where getting alerted to a 'change' or being able to check a 'status' remotely would be useful.

As stated, I like this application because I can run it on the Webmite with very little effort and then experiment with the programme to figure out how it works. Everything is visible, with no opaque libraries to worry about.

In the past 'adapting' other peoples work has also saved me a good deal of time. I can write small programmes for many of my projects but the learning curve (and time required) increases when many different 'pieces' are required. If I can modify/experiment/play with this programme and get it to work on logically similar operations that have completely different practical applications, then I will be very happy.

Regards,

IanT

 

PS – Thank you Dave for leaving me undisturbed (and happy) in my Basic world. I'm very comfortable with MMB, it seems to match my needs and abilities well. Different horses for different courses and all that….

Edited By IanT on 31/07/2023 13:41:51

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