Call to #hackerspaces & #makerspaces around the world, lets join forces!
Hi. 👋 I make #OpenSource smart #thermostats that don't spy on you. I don't ship internationally for two reasons: financial cost and environmental cost. I'd like to join a network of Makerspaces to have them be produced regionally so people outside of America can get a pre-made unit.
Does this network already exist? If so, how do I join? If it doesn't exist, would you like to help build it?
#IoT #BoostsWelcome #GrowNostr
To give you an idea of how much international shipping costs, I paid $8.85 the other day to ship a #HestiaPi. Shipping that exact same package to the UK would be at least $30.45.
Speedier shipping would be $10.25 domestically, but $66.25 to the UK.
On top of that, the buyer would have to pay about $30 in taxes (VAT) to pick it up in the UK.
That's $51.60 that could be saved if the same thing were made by a local hackerspace. And if there's a problem, it won't be $30-60 to ship a replacement part if it was produced regionally!
I shipped a unit to Canada and that was also over $30, so this isn't just a trans-Atlantic problem either.
I've paid and extra $60 to have a replacement screen sent directly to a customer in Europe. Even then it took over 4 weeks to get there.
This is why I don't ship internationally anymore. I've been burned too many times and the customers don't get the level of service they should expect.
So I'm trying to find a better way.
I'm an electrician/security/air conditioning tech in Australia and I'm keen to know more 😀
I'm not familiar with yoyr systems over there, but the #HestiaPi works with the 24VAC systems in America, or the 240VAC systems in Europe. As long as the HVAC system is relay based and not something like ModBus, it should work.
HestiaPi.com has more info, and I'd be happy to field questions as long as you are patient (I don't log onto social media very often).
I don't do international shipping anymore, but I'd be delighted to have someone willing to build & sell them down under. That's really the dream for open source hardware: produced locally, with a portion of the profits going back to the creator and maintainer.
Definitely worth looking into, keen to have a chat.
You still interested in building some open source smart thermostats for the people in Australia?
HestiaPi.com has the info on it and the electronics files are at https://github.com/HestiaPi/hestia-touch-pcb-dev
I'd be happy to chat if you have questions or anything. I'm pretty flexible on days & times that I can be available. Preferrably not between 00:00 and 07:00 Central Time (Chicago) though. 😅
Yes, thanks for the link. I'll have a look. Had a minor injury recently so something more tech based sounds great 👍
My suggestion would be to build one for yourself first.
If it works, and you still want to build them for other people, we can sort out the logistics.
And I'll be happy to help with any step along the way. Best way to get my attention is to post on the community forum:
This idea of #decentralized #manufacturing of #OpenSource #hardware has really taken off over on Mastodon.
More than 128 boosts and I have people in Germany and Canada interested in building devices. Exciting times!
