Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a project I recently completed that turned out to be both fun and incredibly useful. I’ve been looking for a way to monitor my solar production in real-time, especially near my washing machine, so I can decide whether it’s a good time to start a cycle based on current solar output. After some research, I stumbled upon an ingenious solution that I’d like to walk you through.
The Challenge
I needed a simple, low-cost display that could show real-time solar data without requiring any advanced setup. I also wanted something that wouldn’t break the bank, especially since I already had some old smartphones lying around.
The Solution
The answer came in the form of an old iPad Mini and a couple of Lumia phones. These devices, while no longer capable of running modern apps, were still functional enough to display a basic webpage. Here’s how I made it work:
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Webpage Development
I created a simple PHP page hosted on my local server. This page pulls data from my Home Assistant instance and displays it in a clean, easy-to-read format. The page shows:- Current solar production
- Energy consumption
- Exported energy
- A bar graph indicating the net balance
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Display Setup
The page is designed to be as lightweight as possible, using only basic HTML and CSS to ensure compatibility with older browsers. It auto-refreshes every 60 seconds to provide up-to-date information. -
Mounting
To secure the devices, I used a standard phone case and attached it to the wall with a Tesa Power Strip. This allows for easy removal if needed, without any permanent fixtures or complicated installations. -
Power Management
Ensuring the device stays powered was crucial. I placed it near an existing power outlet, so it’s always charging and ready to display the latest data.
Why This Works
- Cost-Effective: Using old devices that would otherwise gather dust is a fantastic way to repurpose technology. I found the Lumia phones on eBay for just €10-15 each!
- Versatile: The setup isn’t limited to solar monitoring. You could adapt it for other data visualizations, like temperature readings or energy usage stats.
- Low Maintenance: Since it’s a simple webpage, there’s minimal upkeep required beyond ensuring the server is running and the devices are charged.
Tips for Others
- Screen Orientation: Landscape mode works best for displaying multiple data points at once.
- Color Coding: I chose a color scheme where -1000W to +1000W is green, 1000-4000W is orange, and above 4000W is red. This makes it easy to quickly assess the current status.
- Device Selection: If possible, go for AMOLED screens as they offer better visibility, especially with a dark background.
Conclusion
This project has been a huge success for me. It’s not only functional but also a great example of how repurposing old technology can lead to innovative solutions. I’d love to hear if anyone else has tried something similar or has ideas for other uses for these kinds of setups!
Cheers,
[Your Name]