Continuing on the catflap project, I purchased a rpi5 and raspberry cam 3 (both of which are the latest versions that they make - both from the same company obviously). Realized when I opened them up, that the camera uses a 20pin connector, and the rpi5 uses a 15pin connector. And of course the camera doesn't come with such an adapter. Now waiting again, as it seems not many stock it in NZ (pbtech only have it in their head office and it's like 3 times more expensive than purchasing from element 14).

I was keen on getting a bit done on the project over the long weekend, but that plan might've taken a big hit.

[–] Dave 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Weird. Does the Rpi4 have a 20 pin connector? With the Rpi5 so new, the camera was perhaps designed for the RPi4.

Exciting to hear you're slowly making progress! I'm assuming from looking at it that the camera is not weatherproof, is your plan to have it inside through the window or to weatherproof it in some way (or do nothing and hope for the best)?

[–] NoRamyunForYou 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yea it seems the rpi4 has the 20pin connector.

It's a shame. Don't know if it was a last minute decision to change the connectors on the rpi5, but the camera3 came out in early 2023, and the rpi5 came out later in 2023. You'd have thought they would've release the camera with some thought into compatibility, maybe have both types of cables in there? I don't know.

Yeah at least there's some progress lol. Got the Image Recognition up and running on my laptop to test it out (on their basic pre trained models) and it's pretty cool how it all works with a live video feed. Got me pretty excited lol. All it took was 4 lines of Python!

I actually hadn't thought about weather proofing at all, probably because the door we'd have it installed at is under quite a large canopy, and so rain doesn't get in (there's sort of a retaining wall right in front of the canopy as well so sideways rain isn't really an issue either). But it's actually an interesting thought. It seems that there are a couple of weather proof housings on the market for the rpi cams though, if I need to go down that route. Also the plan is to have it on the underside of the top of the cat flap body (if that makes sense lol) and I plan to 3d print a bit of a shroud for it, so hopefully that'll help protect it Abit as well.

[–] Dave 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If it were me I'd probably just leave it and hope it's OK rather than get a weatherproof cover 😄.

I'm away from home but seriously considering setting up a driveway camera with image recognition once I'm home and can get parts. Mostly becase it sounds cool 😆.

So it's to stop the cat if they are holding a mouse, right? How does the "stopping" bit work?

[–] NoRamyunForYou 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I’m away from home but seriously considering setting up a driveway camera with image recognition once I’m home and can get parts. Mostly becase it sounds cool

Yeah, I want to setup some POE wired Security cameras around the house, but it's going to be too much work as the house is made of concrete blocks and bricks, and its a 2storey, so running the cabling through the ceiling space and out the soffit is not an option.

So it’s to stop the cat if they are holding a mouse, right? How does the “stopping” bit work?

Yeap exactly. I was initially thinking of triggering an electromagnet, but have since swung towards a "push/pull" linear solenoid actuator, which would physically block the door from opening. The reason I'm leaning towards the solenoid is that it would give me the flexibility to configure to either a "normally locked" or "normally unlocked" state (when no power is applied), plus I wouldn't have to think about how strong of an electromagnet is needed (and the increasing power requirements for it).

[–] Dave 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Ah yes, that makes sense. It also allows you to have it only locked for "in" and always open for "out" without needing some mechanism to release the lock for an outgoing cat. Assuming I understand right that an electromagnet would be used to hold the door shut under that option.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Ahh yeah, Very true! Another benefit haha. Another solid reason to go with the solenoid then :)

I just realised I actually have a rpi4 that can connect to the camera unit - could've been testing things out the last few days while I wait. Might have something to play with over the long weekend after all.

[–] Dave 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Awesome! I look forward to hearing the progress!

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'll try and not be distracted by other projects lol

[–] Dave 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Haha I know the feeling. I bought IR blasters due to a comment on Lemmy and one of these days I'll do something with them!

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Haha. I know that feeling too well.

What were you originally thinking of doing with the IR Blasters?

[–] Dave 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Originally heat pump stuff, but then it got too complicated and also we were looking at moving house so I thought I'd wait, then I thought maybe the TV so I could turn it on and off but in the end I got a PC/TV remote which we use instead.

So they are just sitting there waiting for me to think of a new project 😆

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I keep buying components cause they look cool, or I think I'll need them for some project later lol.

I use nice tactix storage organizers to try and keep everything organized, but I just learned that they've stopped stocking the "deep" version :(

[–] Dave 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I try not to buy stuff until I'm planning on using it, but sometimes plans don't work out.

My storage is to just throw it in a box of junk 😆

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 6 months ago

My storage started off pretty similar, then I added some storage containers, and then I couldn't find stuff so I repurchased things I already had etc, so I put together a simple Google Sheet with all my inventory lol. Might add which container etc, each part is located to make it extra easier lol.