About This Project
This project is a fully self-hosted environmental monitoring system designed for both hobbyists and wine collectors. It provides real-time data logging and visualization for temperature, humidity, air pressure, and light levels.
The Vinguard sensor unit is built around the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, a compact and efficient Linux-based microcomputer. Attached directly to its GPIO header is the Pimoroni Enviro pHAT, a multi-sensor board that includes the BME280 (temperature, pressure, humidity) and LTR-559 (light and proximity). The entire assembly is compact — measuring approximately 65mm x 30mm — and is designed for low-power operation with Wi-Fi connectivity. The onboard LCD screen displays real-time data, ensuring that users can verify operation at a glance without needing a separate display.
Hardware
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W running Raspberry Pi OS Lite
- Pimoroni Enviro pHAT with onboard BME280 (temperature, humidity, pressure) and LTR-559 (light sensor)
- Custom soldered GPIO header and small LCD for feedback
- Powered by a stable 5V power supply and connected via Wi-Fi
Software & Backend
- Python script running in a virtual environment on the Pi, logging sensor data every 15 minutes
- Data sent to a self-managed VPS running Apache, PHP, and MySQL
- PHP API receives sensor readings and stores them in a relational database designed to support multiple users and devices
- Systemd service ensures the logger runs automatically on reboot
- Custom Message of the Day displays useful stats on SSH login
Frontend
- Built with PHP and Bootstrap 5 for a responsive UI
- Mobile-friendly layout with pagination and dark-on-orange design
- Navigation allows easy expansion to future pages like settings or help
This system was designed to be reliable, low-cost, and easy to extend — ideal for monitoring storage conditions for sensitive goods like wine, cigars, or archival materials.