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
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    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
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      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
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        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
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          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
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            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
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              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
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      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
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        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
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          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
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            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
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          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.