I am hoping someone may have the ability to scan the front and top of a utility gas meter that looks like the one above.

I would like the use this scan to model a front cover similar to the one shown in this link below, but suited for this type of meter.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4845512

The purpose of this project is to hold a esp32 board to get consistent meter readings and feed them into home assistant. Here is the project below.

https://github.com/jomjol/AI-on-the-edge-device

Any help would be appreciated.

  • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    44
    ·
    11 months ago

    Right *WINK WINK

    We’re definitely modifying our meters for good reasons within the confines of the law *WINK WINK

    And the Contractor and Owners of the Meter definitely considers this action to be reasonable *WINK WINK

    • NarrativeBear@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      19
      ·
      11 months ago

      A esp32 board is a micro-board with a camera on it, it along with the proper software will allow to see and read the digits on a dial and send them to home assistant.

      Think of it like holding a camera with your hands and taking a picture of your meter readings.

      • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        12
        ·
        11 months ago

        So to clarify you’re only trying to attach something to the outside of the meter? Because from the post it comes off as you wanting to change out part of the casing for something custom. Either way, I think this project is not worth the trouble unless you get permission from the owners of the meter, this is not the sort of waters we want to test.

        • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          6
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          11 months ago

          It’s difficult to conclude he meant anything but that. You are more worried about the opinion of your gas company than the rest of us are, and that’s fine.

          You’ve made your point, now please hush while the rest of us live more exciting lives.

          • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            arrow-down
            9
            ·
            edit-2
            11 months ago

            I don’t give a fuck what the gas company thinks, but the laws are very clear about this. Why would I be happy watching one of our own commit self harm? Also, they still haven’t clarified that, so it’s easy to conclude he meant something completely different than what YOU are assuming.

            • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              5
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              edit-2
              11 months ago

              A esp32 board is a micro-board with a camera on it, it along with the proper software will allow to see and read the digits on a dial and send them to home assistant.

              Think of it like holding a camera with your hands and taking a picture of your meter readings.

              Are you serious?

    • PeachMan@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      8
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      Lollll dude what do you think OP is doing here exactly? “Hacking” the meter? He’s just trying to get an accurate reading remotely, don’t be so dramatic.

      • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        15
        ·
        11 months ago

        I’m being helpful to OP. When he disassembles and adds or replaces parts to the meter the company will inevitably find out, they will schedule repairs to the meter (even if it isn’t really “broken”), and OP will face consequences for messing with their property.

        Fuck corporate, sure, but I don’t think OP is going to get much value out of this.

        • h3ndrik@feddit.de
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          7
          ·
          edit-2
          11 months ago

          You’re not really helpful because you misunderstood what they’re trying to do. Look at the Thingiverse link. They want to place a camera in front of the meter. Not disassemble it or touch the meter at all, except for attaching a mount that holds that camera. Not touching a meter (just barely touching the casing) and pointing a camera at it should be allowed in most countries.

          But you’re right, you shouldn’t mess with your meters. Or rewind the mileage on your car, or swap price-tags in the store. That’s all fraud and not allowed.

          Btw, we have meters that have a magnet inside of the dial, so you can read it with a reed-switch.

          • PeachMan@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            11 months ago

            It’s only fraud if you’re doing it to defraud somebody (like taking their money). OP is not.

        • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          4
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          11 months ago

          When he disassembles and adds or replaces parts to the meter

          TIL a fridge magnet is “disassembling, adding or replacing parts” to a refrigerator.

          The fix would be lightly grasping the 3D printed part, and giving it a slight pull. There’s no disassembly, no part replacement, and no adding parts. It’s essentially a clip on camera mount.