pimator

A simple web application for controlling 433MHz-controlled outlets

Introduction

This is a small web application written in Python, using the Flask framework, to control those cheap 433MHz-controlled power outlets you can find in most supermarkets.

What you will need

To use this application you will need a few things:

• A Raspberry Pi (any model will do) + all necessary accessories
• A 443 MHz transmitter
• (optional) A 433 MHz receiver to decode 433 MHz signals

How to run

For this application to run, you can use the Flask development server, by uncommenting two lines on the bottom of the file pimator.py:

if __name__ == "__main__":
    app.run(debug=True, host="0.0.0.0")

The other way you can use this web application, is by using FastCGI, there already is a file pimator.fcgi which you can use with you web server of choice. An example lighttpd config (which I use myself):

fastcgi.server = ("/pimator" =>
    ((
        "socket" => "/tmp/pimator-fcgi.sock",
        #"bin-path" => "/var/www/pimator/pimator.fcgi",
        "bin-path" => "/home/pi/pimator/pimator.fcgi",
        "check-local" => "disable",
        "max-procs" => 1
    ))
)

For further details, consult the Flask manual.

How to configure

Pimator uses a JSON file called config.json as its config file. An example config file:

{
	"short_delay" : 0.00040,
	"long_delay" : 0.00125,
	"extended_delay" : 0.013257,
	"attempts" : 15,
	"transmit_pin" : 23,
  "application_prefix" : "",
	"codes" : {
	    "1":
	    {
		"on" : "1011101011101010101010101",
		"off" : "1011101011101010101010111"
	    },
	    "2":
	    {
		"on" : "1011101010111010101010101",
		"off" : "1011101010111010101010111"
	    },
	    "3":
	    {
		"on" : "1011101010101110101010101",
		"off" : "1011101010101110101010111"
	    },
	}
}

Now, what do these values actually mean? The transmit_pin is the GPIO pin of the Raspberry Pi which is used to connect the 433 MHz to. The short_delay, long_delay, extended_delay and codes, are all values to emulate the 433 MHz remote control. You can find out these values for your specific 433 MHz outlets by using a 433 MHz receiver connected to your Pi, and using this guide.

How to use

This application exposes a REST interface, you can use the endpoint /outlet/{outlet}/on|off or /outlet/all/on|off which turns a specific outlet on or off, or turns all outlets on or off respectively.