Auroras.live Sensor Network Weathercam

Please note, this software is still in alpha and will change

This software will let you turn a Raspberry Pi into a cloud cover camera. The resulting image is then sent to the Auroras.live API and displayed on the map so other users can see what the cloud cover is like at a particular location.

Installation

An install script and video tutorial is coming soon, until then, the steps to install the software are below.

Requirements

• A Raspberry Pi. This software has been tested with the Pi 2 and the Pi Zero (v1.3 revision)
• The Raspberry Pi camera
• Raspberry Pi accessories
  • If using the Pi Zero, you'll need the Pi Zero camera cable
  • A Micro-SD card. 4gb is fine, but 8gb recommended
  • Keyboard, mouse, power supply (most phone chargers work great)
  • If you're using a Raspberry Pi Zero, you'll need a USB on-the-go hub
  • A compatible WiFi dongle or Ethernet connection (if using the Pi Zero, you'll need a USB > Ethernet dongle)
  • A Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable (strongly recommended, but not necessary
• Raspbian Jessie. Both the lite and full versions will work, but the full version is easier to set up.
• Etcher to write the software to the SD card
• Optional accessories
  • A Raspberry Pi case (The Pibow cases work well)

Most of these accessories can be purchased from eBay for a few dollars, or you may have them already laying around the house

Preparing the SD card

• Installer Etcher, then download Raspbian Jessie
• Insert the micro-SD card into the SD card adapter, then insert it into your computer
• Open Etcher. In Step 1, find the Raspbian image you downloaded (no need to unzip it). In Step 2, find the SD card you just inserted. Click the Flash! button in Step 3 and wait

Preparing your Raspberry Pi

• Connect your camera up to your Raspberry Pi. If using the Pi Zero, replace the camera cable with the Pi Zero cable
• Plug in your SD card
• Connect the USB on-the-go hub
• Connect your keyboard, mouse and WiFi dongle
• Connect your mini HDMI and plug it in to a TV or monitor
• Connect the power

Installing the software

• Log in to the Raspberry Pi using the username pi and the password raspberry
• If you're not taken to a desktop, type startx
• When you're at the desktop, use the icon in the top right corner to set up your WiFi. If using Ethernet, skip this step
• Ensure you can browse the internet (this tests if your network is set up correctly)
• Open a terminal
• Run the following commands:
  • sudo apt-get update
  • sudo apt-get install git
  • cd /tmp
  • If you're using the Raspberry Pi Zero, run these two commands:
    • wget https://nodejs.org/dist/v6.9.1/node-v6.9.1-linux-armv6l.tar.xz
    • tar xf node-v6.9.1-linux-armv6l.tar.xz -C /usr/local --strip=1
  • If you're using another Raspberry Pi, run this command:
    • curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_6.x | sudo -E bash
  • cd ~
  • git clone http://github.com/auroras-live/weathercam
  • cd weathercam
  • npm install -g gulp node-autostart nodemon
  • npm install
  • gulp install-plugins
  • autostart enable -n "weathercam" -p "~/weathercam" -c "nodemon index"
• Next, create a config file by running these commands:
  • cd ~/weathercam/config
  • nano config.json
• Paste or type the following in:

{
  "apikey": "<Your API Key Here>",
  "camera": {
    "size": {
      "width": 1440,
      "height": 900
    },
    "flip": {
      "horizontal": true,
      "vertical": false
    },
    "interval": 300000
  },
  "location": {
    "lat": 0,
    "long": 0
  }
}

• You can get an API key by emailing sensor@auroras.live
• Reboot your Raspberry Pi using sudo reboot
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the Auroras.live map. Your image should appear