HumanPenguin

This is independent of other projects I have asked for help on. I'm just looking for anything done similar to my plan.

I am visually impaired. So tend to find most laptop pi projects way to small for common use. But also want an experimental bed for pie projects and experiments in genral.

So my idea is. I'll get a aluminium briefcase like case. Mount a 18 plus inch portable USB c powered display into the lid. It would also be nice if I could have my 15inch display fold out on a vesa mount. As an extra.

Inside the case id like to mount a large 18650 or similar lifepo4 batt. I'm thinking 4s 4p with a BMS so I can power usb 100w output with a 12v hub. This should allow out put to multiple monitors and a pie or 2.

I have a great small wireless keyboard and mouse. That could be popped in and out.

For the main board currently I'll use my waveshare CM4 poe board b with my 32/8 gb cm4.

But long term the itx cluster board looks good. When I have a bit more cash.

The main idea is it will allow me to connect multiple pcie riser cables to the boards via a 4 way wave share pcie switch to start with. Providing space to mount different boards and options as I change projects.

As folks may have seen from other projects. I move between home and my tiny narrowboat I share with my brother. So this will be more about being able to port multiple pie projects as much as being a usable PC type thing.

So if anyone has seen or worked on a project that may point to cool ways to mount this. I'd love to see them.

As I do not have a 3d printer. And cannot really argue the value for as rare as id use it. I am thinking alliminium plate cut and riveted to mount boards etc to the inside. But would love other ideas folks have seen or can come up with.

Sorry I am expecting no here. But cannot help but hope someone knows a way around the limitation.

I have a project where I plan to use an nvme on a waveshare mini b io board.

I am just now learning my way around CM4 pies. So purchased a few parts to experiment before fitting to manage stuff on my boat.

Unfortunately I did not know enough whan I got the dev cm4. Seeing as the cost difference between Emmc and lite was tiny. I decided there was little to lose with getting a Emmc one. Not knowing the EMMC uses the same pin address as the SD slot on io boards.

I now know this will mean the SD card port is not available. As I plan to use that to move software updates.

I was wondering if anyone knows a software way of enabling the internal sd port. IE basically disabling the EMMC.

If not ill just set up with a USB SD reader so all my cm4 can run identical. But if I can use the one on the board. It will be simpler. Maybe have some option to reboot the boat cm4 in either option with an emergency os on the emmc in the event of a fault.

Hi again folks.

I am looking at a small project. Once again for my boat.

As this one really has very little need to write. Just regular temperature logging with time from multiple sources.

I am considering setting the pie to store all temporary files in memory. Running the main os from the SD card. And just using an extra USB storage for logging temps etc.

This should hopefully leave the system needing very little maintainance. With just the USB flash drive prown to wearing out every couple of years.

I'd be greatfull for any links to folks who have set up similar systems.

Or other ideas on safe low maintainance ways of running a pi zero os.

Hi. I am looking at using a cm4 and Waveshare mini io board. For a project I am setting up on my small narrowboat.

As the tiny antique single cylinder diesel engine. Means the boat suffers from a fair bit of vibration. And this will be the first time I have used a CM4.

I was hoping some folks could share there experiance/advice on using CM4 boards in similar rough environments.

I am planning to build a system mounted to din rails with rubber pads to absorb some of the vibration. But any other experience other have can only help.

Hi I am looking for a little connection advice.

I use a radio on my narrowboat. As such I am in the process of building a simple random wire antenna. Idea being I have a 5m mast I can raise on the boat while moored. Then run a wire to a local tree or another portable mast.

The issue I am looking for some help with. Is finding connectors so I can set up different length antenna depending on available space.

I have a large kite winding wheel to store the wire with a 9:1 unun on the end. But need to be able to set up 3 different lengths. 143-84-(36 i think) feet. To do this I need some form of connector a lot stronger the your typical bullet crimp. The wind on the towpath and movement of the boat will separate such connectos easy. As the boat rocks. But anything much larger the a bullet will not roll around the kite reel well.

I am looking for some kind on single wire electrical connector. That screws together. So I can select the best length for the enviroment I am in. Unscrew the wire at that length. Commect it to an elastic rope attached to the tree or land based mast.

If the worst comes. I'll make something myself using m2 bolts and inset standoffs. But would love to know if anyone has seen something ready made that will do this.

This is for new boaters on the UK waterways. As experienced boaters have worked this out for themselves.

Of course the most usefull tool is your windlass. Without it you really cannot travel far on our canals.

But the application of a rear ended lock level detection device. Can seriously ease your time amd stress when passing through a lock. Of course not any device will be usable. There is a disturbing fasion for people to own hand held sized portable devices. Such RELLDD are unsuitable for most UK canal lock gates. Industrial sized devices are very much required. Fortunately you will find many stores along the canal. That specialise in providing enhancement solutions to your RELLDD. At very little expense. You may be able to enhance your device over just a few years.

If this is an unsuitable solution for you. Then please considers the option of other crew members with a more suitable RELLDD. Or you will often find other boaters very willing to help out. By adding their own RELLDD to the lock gate.

Now if you are single handing. And lacking a suitable device. Then over the last 30 years or so. Many Internet sites have started to help link the owners of such devices together.

Now I need to urge extream care with this approach. It is first important to remember many owners of such devices are unwilling to allow them to be used on the UK canal system. But more complex. Many with a suitable device whom may be very happy to travel the network with you. Tend to be uncomfortable with the suitability of their device. Due to this they will often also photograph the device using methods that limit its perceived suitability.

I strongly advice. That if the device seems desirable in other ways. Do not reject the owner purely based on photos indication of its UK lock gate suitability. Ensure you meet the owner and inspect the device. This in genral seems like good advice for any boating related acquisitions.

Here I feel I should remind members of our community. If you feel the urge to share pictures of your device. In the hope of finding other boaters willing to join you on you travels. Please ensure you check the rules of this community.

If ever you feel the need to thank rhe vollenteeer crt guys at some of the busy locks. Giving them a packet of biscuits to share with their cuppa. Go's down very well.

I tend to have loads of foxes jam rings on the boat. Due to T1d. But have heard from others that anything is loved. A d it seems like a very cheap way to reward these people for the time they spend.

Not much being posted atm. Given recent news, what little we have is negative.

I'll share my plans for posting at the end. But would like to request all our members try to post a bit about their use of our network. Pics are great. More so any wildlife. Personally, I love that about our network. But many also love the urban canal landscapes and infrastructure. Also, just a paragraph about issues you may see or fantastic history or questions you may have about our network. While boaters are a huge part of the canal. I really want this to be a group dedicated to all users that love our network.

The recent news about funding. Makes it clear this network is hugely valuable to the physical and mental health of our nation as a whole. Let's create a friendly environment where we share our feelings together.

Personally, I am off my boat until the 28th July. My brother, who is a much more skilled photographer than me, Currently has the boat at Ellesmere. He has agreed to send his photos to me once edited. So I will be posting those in aug. I also have acquired a camera that is easy for me to use as I am travelling single-handed. So will be sharing some myself when I take over. (They will be crap compared to my brothers).

A little about my brother and I so folks know what to expect from me as the admin.

We are both legally blind. IE, we have some vision, but it is very limited. As we have both now been forced to retire due to our health. We went together and purchased a tiny, narrow boat between us. (Our gran passed and left us 10k, She loved the canals as well, so we feel we are also filling her wishes)

So we got the 25ft Narrow Boat Alfred Wooley. She is slow with a tiny 12hp single cylinder engine. But we have done her up to the point we are happy travelling the network. But she is not big enough to spend much time with Me, my little dog and Chris and his guide dog together. So during the spring and summer we plan trips around the network, swapping over every few weeks. This is the 2nd year we are doing this. But are planning to continue for as long as our vision allows us. (Our home mooring is in central Oxford. Should anyone want to meet for beer sometime over the winter)

Chris is a very dedicated photographer. While he has no interest in social media. He is happy to share his pics via myself. So during the year many will be posted here. Myself. I have DSLRs etc. But amateur radio is my main hobby. So the boat is kitted with the option to add lots of antennas when moored (ill share some pics of that). But being less skilled than Chris at the photography. Also having a very old DSLR that is not suitable to use while travelling. I only have an older snapshot camera I use on the boat (canon g10). So will share pics and updates on my trip. But they will b more as I am passing records with Chris providing the good stuff.

Interview with CRT boss on funding and future plans.