Author: Rob
Tutorial: Updating an OS File & Importing a New Flow
This Tutorial walks thru an example of modifying the Shades in eRVin for a previously unsupported RV. In this case the example is for a 2014 Born Free. There are two parts to the modification: PART 1 – installing a new version of the window_shades.pl script in the eRVin OS that matches the hardware shade controller configuration on the RV. PART 2 – installing a new version of the Node-Red Shades flow to match theLearn More
Tutorial – How To Change Lighting Instances in eRVin
For eRVin (and CoachProxy) users trying to adapt a non-supported coach, one of the most common questions is “how do I do some basic modifications so things will work on my coach”? This tutorial will describe how to modify the lighting configuration in Node-Red, which should provide a good intro to working with Node-Red, as well as to get your lighting working. About Instances: All lights in an RV-C equipped RV use the same RV-CLearn More
New BSD License
Copyright 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Rob Picchione https://myervin.com Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer. 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials providedLearn More
Controlling Lights from an eRVin Terminal Window
This post is for those of you that are eager to explore the inner workings of coachproxy/eRVin. And potentially for those of you that have a coach for which an eRVin configuration does not already exist and you need to create a ‘map’ of what commands are required to control individual lights. A prerequisite to this post is that you have access to your eRVin Raspberry Pi (RPi) desktop, learn how to do that here.Learn More
Configuring Alexa Account Info (eRVin v0.6x and up)
This post will describe how to configure Alexa capability in eRVinOS v0.6x and newer using Virtual Smart Home an Alexa skill that interfaces with eRVin. The configuration involves installing the skill in the Alexa app, then linking the skill by entering your Amazon account info into the appropriate Alexa “nodes” in eRVin via node-red. This is a one time task, that when complete, will provide reliable integration between Alexa and your RV lights (and downLearn More
Finding eRVin’s IP Address
If typing coachproxyos into a browser does not connect you to eRVin, make sure you are connected to the same network that the eRVin device is connected to. If that checks out ok, then you will need to look for the eRVin IP Address on your local network and use that instead. There are many ways to do this: If you are familiar with the operation of your router, you can connect to it andLearn More
eRVinOS Image v0.5x vs. v0.6x
Summary: At this time there are two primary image versions, v0.5x and 0.6x. Bottom line, v0.6x and above has a new and superior Alexa integration, but requires some end user configuration, whereas v0.5x does not require end user configuration, but in all probability the Alexa integration will not work due to ongoing changes in the Amazon infrastructure. Technical Details: Both versions are based on the original CoachProxy, but in both versions the eRVinOS has beenLearn More
Archive: Installing an eRVin Software Image with Balena Etcher
WARNING: If you already have a running eRVin or CoachProxy system DO NOT overwrite the existing SD card! Purchase a new card (they are cheap), that way you can easily revert to the original should something go wrong. In addition to the image file you will need the following: An 16gb or larger Class 10 micro SDHC card. An 8gb card should work but we recommend a 16gb card to provide for future expansion.Learn More
How to Install Dataplicity for Remote Access to eRVin
This post describes how to install Dataplicity remote access for your eRVin system. Note: CoachProxy users may also use this procedure, just think CoachProxy wherever you see eRVin written in the procedures below. What is Dataplicity? Dataplicity is a service that will allow you to use eRVin from anywhere you have internet access. I have found it to be efficient, fast, reliable and best of all it’s free for private use! In fact itLearn More
How to Build the eRVin Hardware
As described on the home page of this site, eRVin is a micro-controller that interfaces to an RV-C based Firefly RV control system that is present on many late model RV’s. eRVin provides the ability to remotely (from anywhere there is internet) control the RV systems via an “app” or web page, and also adds additional support for devices like the Amazon Echo (Alexa) to enable voice control of lights and other subsystems. This postLearn More