Colins allsky camera build

[colindawson]

Hi all,
I've finally gotten around to building my all sky camera. Here's how it's coming so far.

Computer: PI4 B+ 8GB
Storage: 1TB WD Blue SSD (No Microsd card) connected to a 52PI m.2 ssd adapter board connected to the bottom of the PI.
Power: Waveshare POE Hat (C) (has both 5v and 12v power outputs and supports POE+)
DewHeater: DewControl heater ring, and opto-isolated mosfet (better than relay) + SHT31 temp and humidity module.
Cloud Sensor: MLX90614 module with narrow field of view. Also have some mirror stickers, so that I can mount out of direct rain path
Light Meter: TLS2591
Rain drop detector. (Because why not)
Camera: ZWO ASI462MC with stock ZWO fisheye lens

So far, I've been working on getting the hardware and software all setup and running. Here's a sneak peek at my attempt.

I think I'm just about there with the software side of things. I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the hard work that everyone involved with the project. I looked at this several years ago and whilst it was easy to get a camera up and running on my PI 3B+ the though of adding a dew heater or other modules looked very scary. The Interface and setup has come a long long way since then and I'm so glad to have been following the project.

That said, I'm also planning on contributing to the project too. Have written (well vibe coded, because AI is good for a starting point) a couple of modules that I'll be looking to add to the code base.

MoonExtra module.

Uptime module

Shows the pi's uptime on the image.

I'm still testing both of these to make sure that the logic is working properly.

I can't take credit for the ideas of these values, as I got them from looking at other peoples UI Posts.
Specifically https://allsky.alexjg.co.uk/ for the moon rise and set times
And https://jimsnerdstuff.com/allsky/ for the idea of including the PI's uptime.

I'm still playing around with the layout of the overlay, and would welcome any feedback. Just looking at it now, this is looking very much like a plagiarised copy of to Alex's layout (if you see this Alex, I think your layout is excellent)

Next steps

Next part of the project is going to be to design and 3D Print a case for this to go in.
I'm planning on having a couple of IP Rated vents to allow some airflow, mainly to help with dew prevention.

I have a set of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FNQTPGNY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title that I can design into the case design.

Also have this to provide a sealed connection for the required Cat6 cable that will carry both data and power. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPFXN9PP?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

[Alex-developer]

Looking good.

If you are going to build a more complex layout and are happy to help test Allsky then the next release has tools to make aligning fields on the overlays 1000% easier. Let me know if you are interested and we will get you on Discord

Alex

P.S Glad you like the overlay :-)

[EricClaeys]

To get the newest release, which is fairly stable but still in testing, so a normal upgrade EXCEPT use git clone --branch v2025.xx.xx ....
Take a look at the "Read Pi Status Data" module. Perhaps you could modify it to get the uptime, rather than creating a new module to get it.

Do you have a Discord login?

[colindawson]

Sounds like a plan to me, would be happy to do that. Would also be happy to alter the code to bring the moonrise and moonset code in with the existing moon stuff too.

My discord profile is https://discordapp.com/users/476105854647533568/

[EricClaeys]

@Alex-developer, can you add @colindawson to Discord? Thanks

[Alex-developer]

Sounds like a plan to me, would be happy to do that. Would also be happy to alter the code to bring the moonrise and moonset code in with the existing moon stuff too.

My discord profile is https://discordapp.com/users/476105854647533568/

I have sent you a friend request on Discord

[colindawson]

I've put together a PR for the update value #4994