[–] the_devils_lettuce 0 points 6 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago
This could be replaced a lot more cheaply than over a million bucks. You just need an interface that simulates the Amiga's output. I bet this thing could be replaced by a Raspberry Pi.
[–] [deleted] ago
[–] the_devils_lettuce 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
The sensors sound like a pain in the ass. I'd like to take a look at that system, I'm sure I could do something with it. I don't think the code is too outrageous considering a student from the school wrote it.
[–] PerplexedPirate ago
Assuming each building had a moderately sized boiler room you're looking at $6-8000 to fully automate and network the HVAC in one building. Even if they gouged the shit out of the school system it should come to less than $200,000.
[–] ot_to_know ago
It's just relaying to a digital controller with dry contacts. It's a very simple system. I'd imagine that a network drop is available to be put in that would eliminate the wireless. Good project for senior cs students to work on. A couple hundred dollars in rasberry pis and this could be a home grown project that could be developed over the years by the students. Great opportunity for the school.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] TheBeesTrees ago (edited ago)
There is typically a central control system for school systems. They will allow some level of control with each school, but it makes sense on a larger scale (efficiencies, common algorithms, central alarms and central maintenance staff) to have a central county control scheme.
It is, of course, implemented with differing levels of success...
[–] TheBeesTrees ago
This was about at the advent of direct digital controls for building use. Pretty impressive if you ask me.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 22 points 22 points (+22|-0) ago
[–] PraiseIPU 0 points 7 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago
like how the space shuttle is still using a chip from the 70's.
It needs to do one thing really well. Don't over complicate things that you rely on.
[–] curomo 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago (edited ago)
... I've, uh, got some bad news. They mothballed them years ago.
[–] Thisismyvoatusername 2 points -1 points 1 point (+1|-2) ago
The problem with NASA doing so ething similar is quite a bit more of a problem, though. If the HVAC at a school using old technology breaks down, there are many alternatives at all different price points.
If something NASA is using in space flight breaks down, they have a real issue. They need a componenet that satisfies all the envionmental testing, most likely at both the component and system level. They can search for a replacement part on eBay and hope they find it, or they can spend an exorbitant amount of money and time paying someone to reproduce a piece of obsolete technology (with new tooling, testing, etc.). It's one thing not to waste money. It's another to rely on technology that is no longer capable of being cost effectively replaced when it breaks.
[–] frankenmine 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
They will need to replace its capacitors eventually, if they already haven't.
Capacitors have a lifetime of one to a few decades, then they swell up and leak, and the associated electronics start failing in all sorts of weird ways. Shitty capacitors don't even last a few years. There was a huge batch of those manufactured in the early 2000s due to a corporate espionage operation gone wrong.