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On 19/11/2025 10:34, Theo wrote:
> Daniel James  wrote:
>> On 18/11/2025 12:08, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>> As part of my enhancements to the home controller, I want to send email
>>> warnings of low heating oil level.
>>
>> This sounds rather like something I have been planning to do. AAMOI how
>> are you measuring the oil level?
> 
> FWIW I had one of those Watchman ultrasonic oil tank sensors and I could
> pick up the reading via rtl_433 and a cheap RTL2832-based DVB TV dongle.
> (as well as the tyres on the car, and various other gizmos locally).
> 
> Perhaps a wires-free option if you already have such a sensor?
> 
> Theo

I do indeed and its utter failure to provide a reliable link is the main 
reason I  am building this one.

I thought about doing what you mention but the 433MHz never talked 
reliably to the house., ever. And then when I started playing with Pico 
Pi Ws it seems sane to use the same technology as I had already sort of 
- if not mastered - at least got working, for the thermostats.

The problem is that the tank is fairly remote - between 15 and 40 metres 
from various bits of the house and 433MHz never quite was reliable. 
Especially in the wind or rain. And it never reliably told me the 
battery was low either. Or that all the oil in the tank had been stolen, 
or run out.

Whereas I can do wifi to a particular wifi point at a reliable -90dbm or 
so  from the tank location as far as I have tested it.

I with I could monitor the oil quality somehow. I always order premium 
but the last lot exploded the Aga last night blowing soot everywhere. 
Sigh. Another strip down and clean...

That what happens when you run out and order stuff in a hurry. They 
disregard the order and deliver whatever shit is on the tanker.

Hence why the oil sensor project is top priority.

Anyway, wrench time.
Cy'all later...

-- 
If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will 
eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such 
time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic 
and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally 
important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for 
the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the 
truth is the greatest enemy of the State.

Joseph Goebbels





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